Natural Selection in Biology

Lichens are returning to the forests of the industrial areas of the UK due to strict pollution control. What is the expected outcome in the population of peppered moths (Biston betularia)?

• Increased numbers of light coloured peppered moths

• Increased industrial melanism in peppered moths

• Increased predation of peppered moths

• Increased speciation of peppered moths

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According to fossil records, the horses that lived 50 million years ago were much smaller, weaker and slower than modern horses. Which process is most likely responsible for the changes that have led to the increased size, strength, and speed in horses?

• commensalism
• inbreeding
• migration
• evolution by natural selection

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The diagram illustrates an embryonic stage of two organisms.Which of the following can be determined by observing the embryos shown in the diagram? 

• The organisms share a common ancestry.
• The organisms belong to the same genus.
• The organisms are native to the same geographic areas.
• The organisms will grow into anatomically similar adults.

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 The diagram represents the relationship between beak structure and food in several species of finches found on the Galapagos Islands. The different beak structures observed in the diagram are evidence of

•  different species of finches adapting to different environments over many generations
•  finches changing their beak characteristics so that they could feed efficiently
• finch species with different beak structures coming to the Galapagos Islands from the mainland
•  finches mating with birds of other species and acquiring some of their traits

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Natural selection results in change in a population's _____________ traits over time.

• inherited

• acquired

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Over generations of time apart on different islands with different food sources, the separated populations of Galapagos finches accumulated genetic differences until each group had different beaks. This is an example of _____.

• natural selection

• genetic drift

• adaptation

• speciation

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Individuals undergo evolution.

• True

• False

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A phenotype that improves an organism’s chance of survival in their environment is considered a(n) ____________.

• natural selection

• adaption

• speciation

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Which of the following is NOT an example of natural selection?

• People selectively breeding hamsters for size.

• Insect populations developing resistance to certain pesticides.

• Bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

• Male birds of certain species inheriting colorful feathers that are more attractive to females.

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The forelimbs of mammals have similar anatomy because these groups descended from a recent common ancestor. Their bone structure is an example of a(n) ______________ structure.

• vestigial

• analogous

• homologous

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