Natural Selection Review

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, which organisms are BEST able to survive in nature?

• those with the best camouflage and coloration

• organisms that possess the greatest number of mutations

• those that possess characteristics acquired during their lifetime

• organisms that possess overall characteristics best suited to their environment

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The idea that species evolve at a slow constant rate is called

• gradualism.

• convergence.

The life that exists on Earth today likely arose from a single common ancestor. Judge each statement below and select the ones that explain how natural selection has played a role in the diversity of life on Earth from that single ancestor. Select all that may apply.

• Natural selection acted on phenotypes that were the result of new mutations in a population.

• Natural selection reduced the species numbers on a global scale since individual organisms did not mutate quickly enough.

• Natural selection maintained the fitness of populations on a global scale, which maintained species numbers at a constant level.

• Natural selection acted on isolated populations separately, allowing for those populations to diverge over time, allowing for speciation.

• Natural selection increased the fitness of certain populations as traits that were considered adaptations became more prevalent in the population.

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Which statement is true about the speciation of the Galapagos finches?

• The finches evolved traits to help them survive in different environments.

• The finches had different traits that influenced the environment in which they chose to live.

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The evolution of a new species requires several components, including all, BUT:

• A) Evolution of a new species requires a change in a population over time.

• B) Evolution of a new species requires individual organisms to evolve during a single lifespan.

• C) Evolution of a new species requires differentiation in individuals.

• D) Evolution of a new species requires variations or mutations that produce new genetic traits.

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Geographic isolation of a small population from a main group may contribute to the development of new species. This speciation is more likely to happen if the members of the geographically isolated population, compared to the members of the main group, have –

• an inability to survive environmental conditions

• different environmental factors acting on them

• the ability to resist genetic mutations

• the same initial gene frequencies

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In future generations, the frequency of a mutant gene may increase or decrease. What would cause the frequency of a given trait to increase in an environment?

• If the new trait has the ability to form a fossil

• If the new trait has common ancestry

• If the new trait has no advantage in competition

• If the new trait has a high survival value

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In any field of sunflowers, the height of the plants vary. Birds first eat the seeds from the tallest plants. If this eating pattern continues season after season, what would we expect to happen to sunflowers over time?

• Sunflowers will become taller over time.

• Sunflowers will become shorter over time.

• Sunflowers will not change in height.

• Sunflowers will produce more seeds.

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What will happen to a plant species if it cannot adapt to a changing environment?

• Become extinct

• Reproduce asexually

• Stop producing seeds

• Get shorter

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You can see two moths in this image, living on the bark of trees. They are the same species of moth; they differ in color. If the habitat of the two moths does not change, predict what will happen to the moth population in this area and explain why.

• If the habitat does not change there should be no change in the moth population.

• The lighter moth population will have better chance of survival due to camouflage. Light moths will increase; dark moths will decrease.

• The population will shift to the favor the light moth. The light moth population will increase because the dark moths will leave the area

• As the seasons change, both moths will be hidden by foliage growing on the trees. We would predict no big change in the moth populations, light or dark.

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