Generation Genius-Natural Selection

What is natural selection?

• A process in which organisms better suited to their environment are able to survive and reproduce more offspring

• A process in which all organisms survive equally

• A process in which organisms choose their environment

• A process in which only plants survive

Answer explanation

Natural selection is the process where organisms that are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully. This leads to the evolution of species over time, making the first choice the correct answer.

Natural selection is also referred to as survival of the _______.

Answer explanation

Natural selection is often summarized by the phrase 'survival of the fittest,' which emphasizes that those best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

What can cause differences in traits within a single population?

• Only genetic factors

• Only environmental factors

• Both genetic and environmental factors

• Neither genetic nor environmental factors

Answer explanation

Differences in traits within a single population can arise from both genetic factors, such as mutations and inheritance, and environmental factors, like climate and nutrition. Thus, the correct answer is both genetic and environmental factors.

Look at the image of the three dogs. What does this image show about traits in a population?

• All individuals look the same

• Traits can vary between individuals

• Only one type of dog exists

• Traits do not change

Answer explanation

The image of the three dogs illustrates that traits can vary between individuals, as each dog may have different colors, sizes, or features, highlighting the diversity within a population.

What are mutations?

• Changes that occur in our genetic material

• A type of plant

• A type of animal

• A type of disease

Answer explanation

Mutations are defined as changes that occur in our genetic material, which can affect how genes function and lead to variations in traits. This makes the first answer choice the correct one.

What is artificial selection?

• The process in which humans decide what traits they want an organism to have

• The process of natural disasters

• The process of photosynthesis

• The process of cell division

Answer explanation

Artificial selection is the process in which humans choose specific traits they want in organisms, such as in breeding plants or animals, distinguishing it from natural selection.

Who is Charles Darwin?

• A famous scientist known for his work on the idea of evolution resulting from natural selection

• A famous artist

• A famous mathematician

• A famous engineer

Answer explanation

Charles Darwin was a renowned scientist who developed the theory of evolution through natural selection, making the first answer choice correct.

Fill in the blank: A ________ is a characteristic belonging to a population or organism.

Answer explanation

A trait is a specific characteristic or feature that can be observed in a population or organism, making it the correct choice to fill in the blank.

Fill in the blank: A ________ is part of a chromosome that is inherited from the parent(s) and determines some of an organism's characteristics.

Answer explanation

A gene is a segment of DNA located on a chromosome that carries the information necessary to produce proteins, which in turn influence an organism's traits and characteristics inherited from its parents.

What is natural selection?

• A process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

• A method of artificial breeding by humans.

• A sudden change in the genetic material of an organism.

• A process where all organisms survive equally regardless of adaptation.

Answer explanation

Natural selection is the process where organisms that are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more, leading to evolutionary changes over time. This makes the first choice the correct answer.