Natural Selection & Evolution Practice

Who do you get your inherited traits from?

• Your brother

• Your parents

• Your sister

• Nobody

Answer explanation

You inherit traits from your parents, as they pass down genetic information that determines characteristics like eye color, height, and more. Siblings share some traits due to shared parents, but the source is always the parents.

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What is an inherited trait that increases an organisms chance of surviving and reproducing?

• Luck

• Variation

• Evolution

• Adaptation

Answer explanation

An adaptation is an inherited trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. Unlike luck or variation, adaptations are specific traits that have evolved to improve fitness.

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The process of change over a period of time is called _____.

• Adaptation

• Selective Breeding

• Evolution

• Getting old

Answer explanation

The process of change over time in species is known as evolution. It explains how organisms adapt and diversify through natural selection and genetic variation, making it the correct choice for this question.

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____ occurs when the environment changes and the adaptations hurt the species

• Natural selection

• Evolution

• Extinction

• Isolation

Answer explanation

Extinction occurs when a species cannot adapt to environmental changes, leading to its demise. In this context, adaptations that were once beneficial may become detrimental, ultimately resulting in extinction.

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The process where organisms with favorable adaptations are most likely to survive is called __

• Natural selection

• Speciation

• Change over time

• Evolution

Answer explanation

The process where organisms with favorable adaptations are more likely to survive is known as natural selection. This mechanism drives evolution by favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction.

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What is the number one goal of an organism?

• Survive and reproduce

• Become famous

• To help others

• Learn about global warming

Answer explanation

The number one goal of an organism is to survive and reproduce. This ensures the continuation of its species, making survival and reproduction fundamental biological imperatives.

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What did Darwin help to explain?

• Genetics

• How birds fly

• How species change over time

• How old the Earth is

Answer explanation

Darwin helped to explain how species change over time through the process of natural selection, which describes how traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in successive generations.

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According to Darwin, why did the Galapagos tortoises have different shell shape and neck length?

• Difference in defenses

• Difference in flight

• Feeding habits and diet

• Genetic mutation

Answer explanation

According to Darwin, the different shell shapes and neck lengths of Galapagos tortoises evolved due to their feeding habits and diet, as these traits allowed them to access different food sources in their environments.

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TRUE or FALSE: Natural selection will still occur if each individual has the same exact traits

• False

• True

Answer explanation

False. Natural selection relies on variation among individuals. If all individuals have the same traits, there is no differential survival or reproduction, which is essential for natural selection to occur.

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A species could go extinct if:

• the environment changes drastically and no one can adapt.

• there is less competition for resources.

• members of the species have adaptations to enhance survival.

• food becomes more plentiful.

Answer explanation

A species could go extinct if the environment changes drastically and no one can adapt, as this would eliminate their ability to survive. Other options, like less competition or more food, do not directly lead to extinction.

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