LE Homework 4.3

Which of these traits are most likely to be adaptations for butterfly caterpillars in a butterfly population that lives in a meadow? Select all correct answers.

• bright coloration that makes them highly visible

• thin skin that easily absorbs pesticides

• mouthparts that easily chew grass leaves

• behavior that causes them to stop moving when predators are near

If the climate were to change in an environment, it is more likely that some individuals within a population will survive if

• the individuals stop reproducing.

• the individuals are genetically identical.

• there is genetic variation within the population.

• the individuals reproduce asexually.

Use the correct terms to complete the statement about natural selection:

Natural selection acts on ________ in a(n) ________.

• Traits, Population

• Chromosomes, Population

• Traits, Individual

• Chromosomes, Individual

Which of the following are key elements of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection? Select all correct answers.

• genetic variation

• genetic engineering

• fitness

• adaptation

• independent assortment

How do mutations lead to genetic variation?

• Mutations directly result in changes in an organism’s traits.

• Mutations produce random changes in an organism’s DNA.

• Mutations lead to a random arrangement of chromosomes during meiosis.

• Mutations decrease the variety of traits observed in a population.

Use the correct terms to complete the statement about natural selection.

Natural selection can be modeled by representing “beaks” with plastic forks, knives, and spoons. Participants use their beaks to obtain as many beans as possible from a plate of beans. In this simulation, the different utensils represent _________, and trying to obtain beans represents _________over limited resources. This is typically the result of _________, as more individuals are born than can survive. Having more participants take on the form of beak that was most successful at obtaining food is one way to represent ______.

• genetic variation, overproduction, competition, adaptation

• genetic variation, competition, overproduction, adaptation

• genetic variation, adaptation, overproduction, competition

• genetic variation, competition, adaptation, overproduction