Genetic Safety Net Review

Diversity of species, a result of variation of traits, occurs through the process of evolution and extinction over many generations. A population of rabbits lives in a snowy area. Most are white, but a few are brown. If the snow melts permanently due to climate change, what will likely happen?

• The brown rabbits will become extinct immediately.
• The white rabbits will have a better adaptation for camouflage.
• The brown rabbits will survive and reproduce more successfully.
• All rabbits will decide to change their fur color to green.

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8.LS.1

Diversity of species, a result of variation of traits, occurs through the process of evolution and extinction over many generations. Based on the "Swiss Army knife" analogy, which species is most likely to survive a new disease?

• A species where every individual has the exact same immune system.
• A species with a wide variety of different immune system traits.
• A species that reproduces very slowly.
• A species that has already gone extinct in the fossil record.

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8.LS.1

Diversity of species, a result of variation of traits, occurs through the process of evolution and extinction over many generations. If a scientist finds a fossil layer where the number of species suddenly drops from 50 to 3, what did they likely discover evidence of?

• A period of high genetic diversity.
• A mass extinction event.
• A population with too many adaptations.
• The beginning of a lush forest.

Tags

8.LS.1

Diversity of species, a result of variation of traits, occurs through the process of evolution and extinction over many generations. Why would a "toothpick" species (low variety) be at a disadvantage compared to a "Swiss Army knife" species during a flood?

• The toothpick species has too many tools to choose from.
• The toothpick species lacks the genetic "backup plan" to handle a new problem.
• The Swiss Army knife species is physically larger.
• Toothpicks float better than knives in flood water.

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8.LS.1

Diversity of species, a result of variation of traits, occurs through the process of evolution and extinction over many generations. In the beetle example, if the forest never changed into a desert, what would likely happen to the sandy tan beetles?

• They would become the most common type.
• They would likely be eaten more often by predators because they stand out.
• They would pass on their "tan" genes more successfully than brown beetles.
• They would instantly turn brown to match the trees.

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8.LS.1

Diversity of species, a result of variation of traits, occurs through the process of evolution and extinction over many generations. Which of these is the best evidence that a species has evolved over many generations?

• One individual animal learning a new trick.
• A change in the common traits of a population seen in the fossil record.
• A species staying exactly the same for millions of years.
• An animal moving from Ohio to a different state.

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8.LS.1

Diversity of species, a result of variation of traits, occurs through the process of evolution and extinction over many generations. A farmer grows a field of corn where every plant is a genetic clone. A new pest arrives that kills one plant. What is the most likely result?

• The other plants will develop an adaptation to fight the pest.
• The other plants will survive because they are clones.
• The entire field will likely die because there is no genetic variety.
• The pest will only eat that one specific plant.

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8.LS.1

How does the fossil record help us understand "Great Changes"?

• It shows us exactly what the weather will be tomorrow.
• It shows that the number and types of species change over time.
• It proves that extinction never actually happens.
• It tells us that ancient beetles were better than modern beetles.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

If a population has high genetic variety and a new predator is introduced, which individuals are most likely to survive?

• The ones with traits best suited to avoid the predator.
• The ones that are the most common in the group.
• None of them, because variety doesn't help with predators.
• The oldest individuals in the population.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A species of fish has survived for millions of years despite ice ages. What can you infer about this species?

• It has very low genetic variety.
• It has had enough variation to adapt to different environments.
• It has never faced a "Great Change."
• It does not appear in the fossil record.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4