S25 ENV - Unit 1: Checkpoint Natural Selection

What is natural selection?

• A process where humans select traits in animals

• A process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring

• A method of breeding plants for desired traits

• A way to create new species in a laboratory

Which of the following is an example of natural selection?

• A farmer choosing the best seeds for planting

• A giraffe with a longer neck reaching more food and surviving

• A scientist creating a new type of bacteria

• A dog learning a new trick

What factors can affect natural selection?

• Weather conditions

• Availability of food

• Predators

• All of the above

How does adaptation help organisms?

• It allows them to change their DNA instantly

• It helps them survive and reproduce in their environment

• It makes them immune to all diseases

• It allows them to live forever

How does "survival of the fittest" relates to natural selection?

• It means only the strongest animals survive

• It refers to organisms that are best suited to their environment surviving and reproducing

• It means all organisms have an equal chance of survival

• It suggests that fitness is not important for survival

Which scenario describe when a mutation could be beneficial (helpful) for an organism?

• A mutation that causes a rabbit to have a shorter tail

• A mutation that allows a fish to breathe on land

• A mutation that makes a plant grow taller in a forest

• A mutation that changes the color of a bird's feathers to better blend with its environment

Why is genetic variation important for natural selection?

• It allows for a wider range of traits that can be selected for or against

• It ensures all organisms are identical

• It prevents any changes in a species over time

• It makes organisms immune to environmental changes

How can environmental changes can lead to natural selection?

• Environmental changes have no effect on natural selection

• Organisms that cannot adapt to changes will not survive, leading to natural selection

• All organisms will adapt instantly to any environmental change

• Environmental changes only affect non-living things

What is the role of mutation in the process of evolution?

• Mutations always harm organisms and hinder evolution

• Mutations provide genetic diversity, which can lead to beneficial traits in evolution

• Mutations have no impact on evolution

• Mutations only occur in laboratory settings

How do you think a population of insects might change if a new predator is introduced?

• The population will increase rapidly

• The insects will all become extinct immediately

• Insects with traits that help them avoid the predator will survive and reproduce

• The predator will have no effect on the insect population