Evolution Quiz

What is the term used to describe the change and development of a species over the course of many generations?

• Natural selection

• Survival of the fittest

• Evolution

• Extinction

Who developed the theory of natural selection?

• Isaac Newton

• Albert Einstein

• Charles Darwin

• Gregor Mendel

What concept describes the idea that organisms with traits most suited to their environment will beat out other organisms for survival?

• Evolution

• Extinction

• Survival of the fittest

• Genetic mutation

What happens to a species when it is not fit for its environment and outside competition for survival has increased?

• It evolves into a new species

• It becomes the dominant species

• It migrates to a new environment

• It might become extinct

What is the process called when organisms become genetically different, leading to a wide diversity of organisms on Earth?

• Genetic mutation

• Adaptation

• Evolution

• Geographic isolation

What term is used to describe genetic differences in traits within a population?

• Common ancestor

• Adaptation

• Variation

• Mutation

When a variation is beneficial to a species and helps it survive in its environment, what is it called?

• Mutation

• Common ancestor

• Adaptation

• Migration

What can sometimes cause a population of organisms to become isolated from the rest of their species?

• Adaptation

• Mutation

• Evolution

• Geographic features like mountains, rivers, or oceans

What can happen to an isolated population after many generations?

• It can become less diverse.

• It can become a new species, unable to breed with the original population.

• It can revert back to its common ancestor.

• It can lose all its genetic variations.

What is a possible outcome when genetic mutations and variations occur in a new environment for an isolated population?

• The population will definitely become extinct.

• The population will not experience any changes.

• The population may start to look totally different from the rest of the species.

• The population will always have harmful mutations.