Unit 4 Evolution and Ecology

How is natural selection in the evolution of long neck giraffes best explained?

• shorter-necked giraffes were killed by long-necked giraffes.

• giraffe necks grew longer because of the bone structure of the animals.

• giraffes with longer necks survived because they were better suited to the environment.

• long-necked giraffes mated on with other long-necked giraffes.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

which of the following explains why natural selection acts on the phenotype of an organism instead of its genotype?

• phenotypes directly influence the interaction of an organism with its environment.

• genotypes do not change except by the process of transcription.

• genotypes change in direct response to habitat change.

• phenotypes can be inherited by offspring.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

rainfall in a tropical region is below average for 10 consecutive years. insect species adapted for dry conditions are much more plentiful at the end of the 10 years. which of the following statements best explains the increase in the population of these insects?

• biodiversity in the region has increased due to the dry conditions.

• insects with the high tolerance for dry conditions have migrated out of the region.

• natural selection has favored insects species with a high tolerance for dry conditions.

• natural selection has selected against insect species that are adapted for dry conditions.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

which statement about fossils could be used as evidence that evolution by natural selection has been in effect for millions of years?

• fossils found in higher layers of rock are older than those found in lower layers.

• fossils found in lower layers of rock are more complex than those found in higher layers.

• fossils of current species have been found throughout rock layers that are billions of years old.

• fossils of species that no longer exist but are ancestors of current species have been found in rock layers.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

the illustration shows vestigial pelvic bones of a baleen whale and vestigial hind limb bones of an extinct whale.

the presence of these bones in the baleen whale and the extinct whale provides evidence of which of the following?

• whales can travel on land when necessary.

• whales evolved from four-legged animals.

• whales have functional legs that are hidden by fat and skin,

• whales are developing into animals with functioning limbs.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

the diagram shows a proposed process in the history of evolution.

which process is outlined in the diagram?

• chemosynthesis

• endosymbiosis

• formation of early organic molecules.

• speciation due to natural selection.

Scientists have found evidence that about 2.4 million years ago a gene regulating jaw muscles mutated and may have led to the more graceful human jaw we see today. The diagram below shows the skulls of 3 hominid species.

Which statement below most closely explains the link between jaw size and hominid evolution?

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time.

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be larger and more protruding over time.

• There appears to be no change in the jaws of hominids over time.

• The jaws of hominids changed over time due to a change in brain size.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

which lobe is orange?

• frontal

• temporal

• parietal

• occipital

which lobe is bright pink?

• frontal

• temporal

• parietal

• occipital

which structure is gray?

• cerebrum

• cerebellum

• brain stem