Natural Selection

In the 1940s, the scientist J. B. S. Haldane linked many human red blood cell disorders with the tropical regions where malaria occurs. Haldane hypothesized that the widespread presence of these red blood cell disorders as well as traits that protect individuals from malaria were the result of natural selection. Haldane’s hypothesis was later confirmed by the research of A. C. Allison.

The resistance to malaria carried by individuals in areas where malaria is widespread is the result of —

• a vaccine against malaria

• the individuals’ genetic composition

• antibiotic medications

• the individuals’ behavior in avoiding those with the infection

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

The table shows the survival rate of two types of beetles in the same environment over a period of three years.

Which statement about the beetles in this environment is best supported by the data?

• Green beetles are more fit for the environment than brown beetles are.

• Brown beetles undergo a greater number of unfavorable mutations than green beetles do.

• Green beetles have a greater gene frequency among their population than brown beetles have.

• Brown beetles have a shorter life cycle than green beetles have.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

The diagram shows light- and dark-colored beetles that live on a tree. Which result is most likely to occur to the beetle population due to predation over time?

• The number of light-colored beetles in the population will increase.

• There will be more dark-colored beetles than light-colored beetles.

• The number of light-colored beetles will decrease.

• The dark-colored beetles will move to a different type of tree.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Which of these statements best describes natural selection?

• Natural selection changes the traits of individuals.
• Natural selection prevents changes in the members of a species.
• Natural selection prevents changes in the traits of individuals.
• Natural selection changes populations

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

What does the fossil record show about the history of species of Earth?

• Species stay the same over time.
• Species evolve from one form to another.
• Modern species have no relationship to ancient species.
• No species have become extinct in the last 2 million years.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

The genetic variation that leads to evolution can occur when genes from one population are introduced into the gene pool of a different population.  This process is known as

• mutation
• crossing over
• natural selection
• gene flow

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

The quiver tree grows in desert areas in southern Africa. In recent decades average temperatures have been rising in southern Africa. Scientists predict that this warming trend will continue. Quiver trees in the hottest parts of their range near the equator are dying, but quiver trees at high elevations or in parts of the range that are farther from the equator are growing and reproducing. Which of these best explains what is happening to the quiver tree population in southern Africa?

• Individual quiver trees are unable to adjust to the rising temperatures, and only those in cooler parts of the range will survive.

• The quiver tree species is unable to survive rising temperatures throughout its range. The species is likely to undergo rapid extinction.

• The amount of thymine and guanine in the DNA molecules determines the length of the genes.

• The type of hydrogen bonding between the nitrogenous bases determines which amino acid will be added to the peptide chain.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

The green frog (Lithobates clamitans clamitans) is found in many parts of the United States. The table contains some information about this frog. Why does the ability to lay 1,000 to 5,000 eggs increase the fitness of the species

L. clamitans clamitans?

• It increases opportunities for offspring to compete for limited resources.

• It increases the probability that some offspring will survive long enough to reproduce.

• It increases the probability that moving water will promote gene flow from one population

  to another.

• It increases the chance of the recombination of alleles, leading to genetic drift in the

  population.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

Some organisms have genes that improve their ability to survive and reproduce. If the genes also help their offspring survive and reproduce, then which of the following will most likely increase?

• The frequency of the genes in one individual

• The frequency of the genes in the population

• The number of genes in one chromosome

• The number of genes in the species

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

Changes in a body to fit a location.

• Variation
• Adaptation
• Behavior
• Environment

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4