Genetic Variation and Natural Selection Review

Which of the following best describes how genetic variations can affect an individual's survival in a specific environment?

• Genetic variations always decrease an individual's chance of survival.

• Genetic variations can increase an individual's probability of surviving and reproducing.

• Genetic variations have no impact on an individual's survival.

• Genetic variations only affect physical appearance, not survival.

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Explain how natural selection can lead to an increase in a specific trait within a population over time.

• Natural selection randomly increases traits without any environmental influence.

• Natural selection favors traits that are disadvantageous in a given environment.

• Natural selection increases traits that provide a survival advantage in a specific environment.

• Natural selection decreases all traits equally over time.

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Which practice has changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms?

• Natural breeding

• Genetic engineering

• Random mutation

• Natural selection

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Construct an explanation of how a specific genetic variation can increase an individual's probability of survival in a cold environment.

• Genetic variation has no effect on survival in cold environments.

• A genetic variation that increases body fat can help retain heat, increasing survival.

• A genetic variation that decreases body size is always beneficial in cold environments.

• A genetic variation that increases metabolism is disadvantageous in cold environments.

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Which of the following is an example of a mathematical representation that supports explanations of natural selection?

• A pie chart showing the distribution of traits in a population.

• A bar graph illustrating the frequency of a trait over several generations.

• A line graph showing the change in population size over time.

• A table listing the names of different species.

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What is the primary goal of genetic engineering in influencing the inheritance of traits?

• To eliminate all genetic variations.

• To introduce random mutations.

• To enhance desired traits in organisms.

• To decrease the survival rate of organisms.

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Describe a scenario where a genetic variation could decrease an individual's probability of survival.

• A genetic variation that increases camouflage in a predator-rich environment.

• A genetic variation that causes a disease in a population with no medical treatment.

• A genetic variation that enhances resistance to a common virus.

• A genetic variation that improves food digestion efficiency.

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How can humans use genetic information to influence the traits of future generations of crops?

• By allowing natural selection to take its course.

• By using selective breeding and genetic modification.

• By preventing any form of genetic variation.

• By relying solely on environmental changes.

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Which of the following best illustrates the concept of natural selection?

• All individuals in a population survive and reproduce equally.

• Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

• Natural selection eliminates all genetic variations.

• Natural selection occurs only in artificial environments.

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Explain how a mathematical model can be used to predict changes in a population's traits over time.

• Mathematical models are not useful for predicting changes in traits.

• Mathematical models can simulate environmental conditions and predict trait frequency.

• Mathematical models only show current trait distributions, not future changes.

• Mathematical models are only used for calculating population size.

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