Ecology and Evolution Quiz

Within any large animal population, there is _______ a variety of traits. And between different animal populations, there is _______ a variety of traits.

• always; always

• never; never

• sometimes; always

• always; sometimes

Biological change over time accounts for the diversity of species. This diversity

• occurs in the plant kingdom but not in the animal kingdom.

• develops through gradual processes over many generations.

• develops only through sudden change over a single generation.

• occurs in the animal kingdom but not in the plant kingdom.

The picture below shows the fossilized bones of a triceratops. The triceratops is a dinosaur that lived approximately 65-70 million years ago. There are no species of organisms alive today that are directly related to the triceratops. This information indicates that

• triceratops have evolved into a species that is so different, scientists are unable to discover the connection.

• triceratops are extinct, and no organisms alive today evolved from the triceratops.

• all organisms that lived in the past can be linked to newly evolved organisms in the present.

• fossil evidence is inconsistent with the theory of evolution.

Coyotes primarily feed on small mammals, such as rabbits, squirrels, birds, and mice. Many of these prey try to escape from coyotes by burrowing into the ground. Which of the following characteristics is most likely to be naturally selected to increase a coyote population's chances for survival over time?

• lighter colored fur that reflects light

• blunt teeth that can be used for grinding

• smaller ears that are less sensitive to noise

• sharper claws that aid in digging

Natural selection is defined as

• the changes in the characteristics within a population that lead to survival.

• the changes that occur in a population that do not affect survival.

• the changes that occur in an organism over its lifespan.

• the process by which humans select the most desirable organisms in a population.

Which of the following is an example of natural selection?

• Rabbits with a mutation for longer, thicker fur survive an unusually cold winter, while many normal rabbits do not survive.

• Pesticides are sprayed in a field, resulting in an increase in crop growth and a decrease in insect population.

• To produce a more desirable fruit, a farmer crosses a tree that produces sweet oranges with a tree that produces large oranges.

• Cricket frogs prefer to sleep during the day, while red-eyed tree frogs prefer to sleep during the night.

Individuals within populations exhibit some diversity. As a result of possessing slightly different traits, some individuals are better able to survive and reproduce than others. As these individuals are naturally selected, changes in the characteristics of the populations may occur over time. The cumulative change in these characteristics is known as what?

• Evolution

• Natural selection

• Adaptation

• Mutation

Fossil evidence supports the scientific theory of evolution that all living things evolved from earlier species. The fact that no present-day species of organisms are directly related to the triceratops means that triceratops are extinct, and no organisms alive today evolved from the triceratops. What does fossil evidence suggest about the relationship between living organisms and extinct species?

• Living organisms evolved from earlier species.

• Extinct species are unrelated to living organisms.

• Fossils do not provide any information about evolution.

• All living organisms are directly related to triceratops.

Individuals within populations exhibit some diversity. As a result of possessing slightly different traits, some individuals are better able to survive and reproduce than others. Since coyotes primarily feed on small mammals that often burrow into the ground, coyotes with sharper claws that aid in digging are more likely to be naturally selected over other individuals in their population. What trait is likely to be favored in coyotes for natural selection?

• Sharper claws

• Longer tails

• Larger size

• Brighter fur

Natural selection is defined as the changes in the characteristics within a population that lead to survival. The organisms in any population vary from one another to some extent. These differences often have an impact on each organism's ability to survive and reproduce. Over generations, certain traits tend to be favored while other traits are not. The traits that are favored are said to be "selected" by natural selection. What is the definition of natural selection?

• Changes in characteristics within a population that lead to survival

• Random changes in traits with no impact on survival

• The process of organisms becoming extinct

• The development of new species from existing ones