Survival of the Fittest

Suppose a certain species of insect lives in the lush green canopy of the rain forest. Some of the insects are bright green in color, and some are bright yellow. Assume there is a natural predator of the insect in the area. What do you expect to happen to the populations of the green and the yellow insects over time?

• The green insect population will increase and the yellow insect population will decrease.

• The green insect population will decrease and the yellow insect population will increase.

• Both insect populations will remain constant over time.

• Both insect populations will increase over time.

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Due to pollution, a pond becomes darker over time. Which trait variation became more common?

• light fish

• dark fish

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Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed onto offspring?

• Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.

• Because they come from dominant alleles.

• Because they come from recessive alleles.

• Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.

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Behavioral changes of individuals of a species that allow for better survival. (Acquired traits)

• Variation

• Adaptation

• Behavior

• Environment

Which of the following is most likely to have caused the change in the distribution?

• A new predator arrived that preferred dark-tan crabs.

• A new predator arrived that preferred light-tan crabs.

• A change in beach color made medium-tan crabs the least visible to predators.

• A change in beach color made medium-tan crabs the most visible to predators.

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Grass plants in a population range in height from 6 cm to 25 cm. The short plants receive little sunlight, and the tall plants are eaten by grazing animals. Which statement best describes the effect of natural selection on the grasses?

• Because average height grass plants are favored, stabilizing natural selection is occurring.

• Because average height grass plants are favored, disruptive natural selection is occurring.

• Because tall grass plants are favored by the animals that eat grass, directional selection is occurring.

• Because short and tall grass plants are favored, normal natural selection is occurring.

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Which of the following is NOT part of the that mechanisms of natural selection?

• Organisms produce more offspring than can survive.

• Disease and natural disaster will limit population growth.

• Species today descended with modifications from ancestral species.

• Organisms with advantages will survive and reproduce.

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Before the invention of the light bulb, Americans burned oil in lamps for light. Whale oil was popular bio-fuel for these

lamps. Ship crews would hunt whales for their oil. They searched for the largest whales they could find so that they could obtain as much whale oil as possible. How mighty decades of whale hunting possibly affect the natural selection of the species?

• The whales lost their legs.

• The whales became slower.

• The whales became smaller.

• The whales changed their calls.

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Which of the following best describes the concept of 'Survival of the Fittest'?

• A) The strongest individuals in a species will always survive.

• B) Individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

• C) Only the largest individuals in a species will survive.

• D) Survival is purely a matter of chance.

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In an experiment, a population of beetles is exposed to a new pesticide. After several generations, most beetles are resistant to the pesticide. What does this demonstrate?

• A) Genetic drift

• B) Natural selection

• C) Artificial selection

• D) Mutation without selection

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