Benchmark 3 Review

Natural selection is the mechanism that

• increases the chance of certain individuals reproducing.

• leads to increasing variation within a population.

• allows a weaker species to reproduce more frequently.

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

Four hundred beetles of the same species were sprayed with an insecticide. Several weeks later, nearly all the beetles were dead. A few, however, survived. Which statement best describes the future generations of these beetles?

• The surviving beetles will not pass on their favorable traits to future generations.

• The majority of beetles in future generations will also die from the insecticide.

• The beetles in future generations will have no immunity to the insecticide.

• The future generations of beetles will likely survive the insecticide if it is sprayed again.

The rat snake is found in a wide array of environments. Which of the following explains the differences in colors of the rat snake?

• The rat snakes' colors are adaptations caused by natural selection, which help them blend into their environment and hunt for food.

• The rat snakes' colors vary because they eat different foods in different environments that make their skin color change.

• The rat snakes' colors vary as a result of artificial selection, which allows them to choose the best color suited for their environment.

• The rat snakes' colors vary because they have the ability to change their color like a chameleon in response to a changing environment.

Why does the longnose butterfly fish have an evolutionary advantage over other fish?

• It is more effective at finding mates than other fish.

• It uses less energy to swim than other fish.

• It is more effective at catching shrimp and worms than other fish.

• It is likely to produce more offspring that survive to maturity.

Leopard geckos, a type of lizard, are bred to be sold as pets. Humans have bred leopard geckos to alter their characteristics to become more desirable. Which best describes what this is called?

• natural selection

• natural breeding

• selective breeding

• evolutionary selection

The image shows a fossil of a prehistoric organism. Which of the following can NOT be guessed about the prehistoric organism by its fossil?

• It had feathers similar to a bird.

• It was an omnivore that ate meat and plants.

• It may have used claws to catch prey or to grip surfaces.

• It lived in an environment where flight was a good way of transportation.

The fossil record provides scientists with a history of life on Earth. How is the fossil record consistent with the biological theory of evolution?

• The fossil record shows that Earth's organisms have changed over time.

• The fossil record shows that Earth has not changed over time.

• The fossil record shows that species remain unchanged.

• The fossil record shows that Earth's climate has changed.

The images show slices of sedimentary rock in Earth's surface in two different locations. Which layer is most likely the oldest in location 1?

• layer Q

• layer R

• layer S

• layer T

These fossils were created by a group of living organisms that

• lived in a land environment.

• lived in a water environment.

• were missing a skeleton.

• did not move around.

What type of organism might contain this type of cell?

• algae

• animal

• bacterium

• plant