Evolution Quiz

Some organisms have genes that improve their ability to survive and reproduce. If the genes also help their offspring survive and reproduce, then which of the following will most likely increase?

• The frequency of the genes in one individual

• The frequency of the genes in the population

• The number of genes in one chromosome

• The number of genes in the species

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In Madagascar, scientists have discovered a moth, Xanthopan morganii praedicta, that has a 30.5 cm proboscis and feeds from Darwin's orchid, Angraecum sesquipedale. The orchid has a nectar-producing tube that is 27.9 cm long. How is the moth’s proboscis size an adaptation for its environment?

• The moth can avoid larger animals.

• The moth can pollinate other flowers.

• The moth has little competition for food.

• The moth has time to feed during the day.

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A population of field mice displays a variety of coat colors ranging from light to dark. Researchers have identified several mutations in a gene that are responsible for the color differences. Over time, how might natural selection result in differential reproductive success of individual members of the mice population?

• Mice with a coat color poorly adapted to their environment will migrate out of the population.

• Light-coated and dark-coated mice will be equally preyed upon by predators.

• Light-coated and dark-coated mice will produce equal numbers of offspring.

• Mice with a coat color better adapted to their environment will survive and reproduce.

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Scientists have different beliefs about the extinction of dinosaurs. One belief is that volcanic eruptions led to a large amount of carbon dioxide and volcanic ash entering the atmosphere. Another belief is that a large asteroid collided with Earth, causing massive fires and dust from the impact to enter the atmosphere. What do the two beliefs about the extinction of dinosaurs mentioned in the passage have in common?

• Both suggest that changes in Earth's climate led to artificial selection, and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

• Both suggest that particles fell from the sky, buried the dinosaurs, and caused their extinction.

• Both suggest that the dinosaurs evolved too quickly after a disaster, and this caused their extinction.

• Both suggest that the lack of adaptation to an environmental change caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

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The table below shows the relationship between beak size and survival for the medium ground finch, Geospiza fortis, on the Galapagos Islands during a drought.

Write a scientific explanation that answers the question: Which type of beak has an adaptive advantage in ​​​​​​​Geospiza fortis​​​​​​​ during a drought?

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