Survival and Variation in Populations

What is a population in the context of biology?

• A group of different species living in the same area

• A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area

• A group of ecosystems interacting with each other

• A single organism living in an environment

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following is an example of a variation within a population?

• All birds in a population have the same beak size

• Some birds in a population have longer beaks than others

• All fish in a population swim at the same speed

• All plants in a population have the same leaf shape

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How can variations within a population be advantageous?

• Variations can lead to increased competition for resources

• Variations can help some individuals survive changes in the environment

• Variations always result in weaker individuals

• Variations have no effect on survival

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What might happen to a population if there is no variation among its members?

• The population will always thrive

• The population may struggle to survive if the environment changes

• The population will become a new species

• The population will become extinct immediately

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Which of the following is a disadvantage of having variations in a population?

• Variations can lead to a greater chance of survival for some individuals

• Variations can cause some individuals to be less suited to the environment

• Variations always result in stronger individuals

• Variations have no impact on the population

What is one way that environmental changes can affect a population?

• Environmental changes have no effect on populations

• Environmental changes can lead to the extinction of a population

• Environmental changes always benefit a population

• Environmental changes make all individuals in a population identical

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Why is genetic diversity important for the survival of a population?

• It ensures that all individuals are identical

• It increases the likelihood that some individuals can survive environmental changes

• It decreases the chances of survival for the population

• It has no impact on the survival of a population

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following best describes an adaptation?

• A temporary change in behavior

• A permanent change in an individual’s genetic makeup

• A characteristic that improves an individual's ability to survive and reproduce

• A random mutation that has no effect on survival

How can a change in the environment lead to a change in a population?

• It can cause all individuals to become identical

• It can lead to the development of new variations that are better suited to the new environment

• It has no effect on the population

• It always results in the extinction of the population

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What is the role of natural selection in the survival of a population?

• It ensures that only the strongest individuals survive

• It favors individuals with variations that are advantageous in a given environment

• It eliminates all variations within a population

• It has no role in the survival of a population

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