Natural Selection Assessment

Which scientist is most closely associated with the theory of natural selection?

• Isaac Newton

• Charles Darwin

• Albert Einstein

• Gregor Mendel

Isla observes that in a population of birds, those with longer beaks are better able to find food and survive, while those with shorter beaks struggle. Over time, more birds in the population have longer beaks. What is the main mechanism by which this change occurs according to Darwin?

• Natural selection

• Artificial selection

• Genetic engineering

• Cloning

What term describes a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment?

• Mutation

• Adaptation

• Extinction

• Migration

Which of the following best describes a population?

• All the organisms in an ecosystem

• All the members of a single species in an area

• All the plants in a forest

• All the predators in a food web

A population of beetles has green and brown color variations. Birds prefer to eat green beetles. Over time, what is most likely to happen to the population?

• The number of green beetles will increase

• The number of brown beetles will increase

• Both colors will disappear

• The number of green and brown beetles will stay the same

Which of the following is NOT necessary for natural selection to occur?

• Variation in traits

• Inheritance of traits

• Unlimited resources

• Differential survival

If a drought causes only plants with deep roots to survive, which trait will likely become more common in the plant population over generations?

• Shallow roots

• Deep roots

• Bright flowers

• Short stems

Why is genetic variation important for natural selection?

• It allows all organisms to be identical

• It provides differences that selection can act upon

• It prevents evolution from occurring

• It causes extinction

A scientist observes that a certain type of moth is more common in polluted areas because its dark color helps it hide from predators. What is this an example of?

• Artificial selection

• Natural selection

• Genetic drift

• Mutation

Which scenario best illustrates the process of natural selection?

• A farmer breeds cows for higher milk production

• A virus mutates and some individuals survive a new medicine

• A student chooses a pet based on color

• A plant is watered daily