Natural Selection Quiz Review

How did genetic variation contribute to the change in the caterpillar population?

• The yellow caterpillars had more desirable traits.

• The brown caterpillars were better able to find food.

• The yellow caterpillars had fewer resources available.

• The brown caterpillars were better able to avoid predators.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What variation of an individual owl in an owl population would make the individual most likely to survive in an environment where the owl's prey is scarce?

• having better eyesight to spot prey more easily

• having shorter wings to increase flight speed

• having bigger nests to support more offspring

• having fewer feathers to increase agility

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Over time, the food supply for birds on an isolated island has changed. The supply of insects, small tender seeds, and vegetation has shrunk, whereas the supply of tough, large, hard seeds has remained unchanged. Over several generations, variations in genetic traits of birds' beaks have occurred. Which beak shape is the most likely result of this change to the environment?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In a certain area, mosquitoes that are resistant to the pesticide DDT now exist in greater numbers than 10 years ago. What is the best explanation for the increase in their numbers?

• Genetic differences permitted some mosquitoes to become immune to DDT.

• DDT was extremely harmful to the predators of mosquitoes.

• DDT killed only the weak in the previous generations of mosquitoes.

• Mosquito eggs were most likely to have been fertilized when exposed to DDT.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The graph below shows the populations of dark- and light-colored moths over a 10-year period. Which statement below best describes how natural selection is demonstrated in this data?

• A. An environmental change did not occur. Light-colored moths were always favored.

• B. An environmental change occurred, which began to favor dark-colored moths.

• C. An environmental change did not occur. Dark-colored moths were always favored.

• D. An environmental change occurred, which began to favor light-colored moths.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Natural selection is the mechanism that

• A. increases the chance of certain individuals reproducing.

• B. leads to increasing variation within a population.

• C. allows a weaker species to reproduce more frequently.

• D. explains why populations produce more offspring than the environment can support.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Due to the environmental changes, which diagram represents the most likely features of the field mice over the next two generations?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Darwin's scientific theory of evolution explains and predicts which of the following?

• Species change over time.

• Extinct species are NOT related to living species.

• Variations in populations have no effect on natural selection.

• Competition for mates and food does NOT cause changes in populations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

How has natural selection affected species of insect pests?

• Natural selection has not affected the number of species that are resistant to pesticides.

• Natural selection has gradually decreased the number of species that are resistant to pesticides.

• Natural selection has rapidly increased the number of species that are resistant to pesticides.

• Natural selection has only affected the numbers of species that were previously resistant to pesticides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

As a result of rising temperatures, what changes could someone most likely predict about future generations of polar bears?

• A. They will grow thicker, warmer coats.

• B. They will grow thinner, darker fur.

• C. They will lose their ability to swim.

• D. They will become herbivores.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4