Natural Selection in Action: The Rock Pocket Mouse Case Study

What significant geological feature is found in New Mexico's Valley of Fire?

• A large river

• Black rock patches from volcanic eruptions

• A dense forest

• A mountain range

Why do rock pocket mice with light-colored fur stand out on dark lava?

• They are larger in size

• Their fur color contrasts with the dark lava

• They make more noise

• They move slower

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What is the primary reason predators target rock pocket mice?

• They are a common food source

• They are visually noticeable

• They are slow runners

• They are easy to catch

What causes the initial appearance of a black mouse in a light population?

• A change in diet

• Seasonal changes

• A new mutation

• Migration from another area

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What gene is responsible for the dark fur in rock pocket mice?

• BRCA1

• HBB

• Mc1r

• TP53

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

How does a 5% competitive advantage affect the population of dark mice over 1,000 years?

• It turns 10% of the population dark

• It turns 50% of the population dark

• It turns 95% of the population dark

• It makes no difference

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What misconception about evolution is countered by Nachman's mice?

• Evolution is driven by diet

• Evolution is a random process

• Evolution only occurs in large animals

• Evolution is a slow process

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What is the non-random component of evolution?

• Mutation

• Natural selection

• Genetic drift

• Gene flow

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What did Nachman discover about the genetic changes in black mice from different lava flows?

• They were identical

• They were completely different

• They were partially similar

• They were unrelated

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What does the rock pocket mouse example illustrate about evolution?

• It only occurs in specific environments

• It can repeat itself under similar conditions

• It is driven by random events

• It is unpredictable

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4