Evolution post exam

The diagram below shows a population of mice over time. Which of the following statements is supported by the information in the diagram?

• The light mice are poorly adapted to survive in any environment. Because of this, fewer light mice were able to pass on their genes.

• The dark mice all have identical genes. Because of this, the dark mice were more likely to have a beneficial mutation and pass on their genes.

• The dark mice are hard to be seen against the dark rocks. Because of this, the dark mice lived to reproduction age and produced more dark mice.

• There are more light mice to begin with, making it hard for them to compete for resources. Because of this, there were fewer light mice in the next generation.

Which of the following best explains why the population of brown beetles grew more than the green beetles? (5 Points)

• The green beetles' genes were not dominant, so they did not get passed onto as many offspring.

• The brown beetles' offspring had more mutations, which made their genes express the brown color.

• The green beetles produced more offspring with their traits than the environment could support.

• The brown beetles were better able to survive to reproductive age and pass on their traits.

Some of the caterpillars are brown and some are yellow. The table illustrates the change in the population over generations. How did genetic variation contribute to the change in the caterpillar population? (5 Points)

• The yellow caterpillars had more desirable traits.

• The brown caterpillars were better able to find food.

• The yellow caterpillars had fewer resources available.

• The brown caterpillars were better able to avoid predators.

A scientist studying fossils in undisturbed layers of rock identified a species that appeared to have changed little over the years. Which observation would have most likely led him to this conclusion? (2 Points)

• The simplest fossil organisms appeared only in the newest rocks.

• The same kind of fossil organisms appeared in old and new rocks.

According to Darwin's theory of natural selection, the individuals that tend to survive are those that have the (2 Points)

• greatest number of offspring, variations best suited to environmental conditions.

• characteristics that plant and animal breeders value

• characteristics their parents acquired by use and disuse

If the lack of rain continued for another three years, which of the following graphs would most likely be correct?

• Option 1

• Option 2

• Option 3

Many of the animals that live in the northernmost regions of the Northern Hemisphere have white fur. How does having white fur make these animals more likely to survive in an arctic environment?

• White fur repels insects and parasites that live in the Arctic

• White fur absorbs more sunlight to help them keep warm

• White fur provides less water resistance to make them swim faster

• White fur helps them blend in with their surroundings

Which of the following variations would best help individuals in a population of giraffes outlive the other giraffes?

• having the longest necks to reach food at higher levels than the others

• having the brightest fur to blend into the environment, avoiding predators

When lions prey on a herd of antelopes, they often go after the weakest of the herd. Some antelopes are killed and others survive. Which statement best describes the future generations of these antelopes? (5 Points)

• The number of weak antelopes will increase in future generations.

• The weakest antelopes will inherit traits from the strongest antelopes in future generations.

• The strongest antelopes will inherit traits from the weakest antelopes in future generations.

• The number of strong antelopes will increase in future generations.

What is a genetic change that has occurred in the horse over time? (5 Points)

• The horse has developed four legs.

• The horse has lost its tail.

• The horse has increased in size.

• The horse has become less muscled.