PhET Natural Selection

What role do predators play in natural selection?

• Predators have no impact on the traits of a population.

• Predators can influence which traits are favorable for survival, leading to changes in the population over time.

• Predators only affect the population size, not the traits.

• Predators help in maintaining the genetic diversity of a population.

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How does fur color affect rabbit survival?

• Fur color has no effect on survival.

• Fur color can influence a rabbit's ability to camouflage from predators, affecting its chances of survival and reproduction.

• Fur color only affects the rabbit's appearance, not its survival.

• Fur color determines the rabbit's diet and habitat.

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What is the outcome of natural selection over time?

• Over time, natural selection can lead to the evolution of a species, with traits that enhance survival becoming more common.

• Natural selection results in the extinction of all species over time.

• Natural selection has no significant impact on the traits of a species.

• Natural selection only affects the physical appearance of a species.

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What is the difference between adaptation and evolution?

• Adaptation is the change in the genetic makeup of a population over time, while evolution refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment.

• Adaptation refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment, while evolution is the change in the genetic makeup of a population over time.

• Adaptation and evolution are the same processes that occur simultaneously.

• Adaptation is a short-term change, while evolution is a long-term change that affects the entire species.

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What is the role of competition in natural selection?

• Competition for resources such as food and mates can influence which individuals survive and reproduce.

• Competition leads to the extinction of all but the strongest species.

• Competition has no significant impact on the evolution of species.

• Competition only affects the physical characteristics of organisms.

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What is natural selection?

• Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

• Natural selection is the method by which species become extinct due to environmental changes.

• Natural selection is the phenomenon where all organisms have an equal chance of survival regardless of their traits.

• Natural selection is the practice of breeding organisms with desirable traits to enhance their survival.

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How can environmental changes impact a species?

• They can lead to extinction without any changes in traits.

• They can create new species through genetic mutations.

• They can alter the selecting factors, leading to shifts in which traits are advantageous for survival.

• They have no significant effect on the species' traits.

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What is a selecting factor in the environment?

• A selecting factor is an environmental condition that affects the survival and reproduction of organisms, such as food availability or predators.

• A selecting factor is a type of organism that influences the ecosystem.

• A selecting factor is a geographical feature that determines the climate of an area.

• A selecting factor is a chemical substance that promotes growth in plants.

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What is the importance of reproduction in natural selection?

• It allows organisms to grow larger and stronger.

• It enables the survival of the fittest by eliminating weaker individuals.

• Reproduction allows advantageous traits to be passed on to the next generation, contributing to the evolution of the species.

• It helps in the formation of new species without any genetic variation.

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What is an example of a selecting factor for rabbits?

• The type of food available, which can determine which rabbits survive and reproduce.

• The color of their fur, which has no impact on survival.

• The size of their ears, which affects their ability to hear predators.

• The number of rabbits in a given area, which does not influence reproduction.

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