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Darwin, Natural Selection, Evolution

Total questions: 37

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A behavioral change in individuals of a species that allow for better survival. (acquired traits)

a)

Variation

b)

Adaptation

c)

Behavior

d)

Environment

2.
Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed onto offspring?
a)
Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.
b)
Because they come from dominant alleles.
c)
Because they come from recessive alleles.
d)
Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.
3.

The differences among individuals of a species, like different bird beaks, are called

a)

genes.

b)

variations.

c)

traits.

d)

theories.

4.

A grizzly bear survives because he is well-adapted to his environment. When he reproduces he passes on those traits to his offspring. This process is called:

a)

natural selection.

b)

selective breeding.

c)

random mutations.

d)

variations in a species.

5.

The peppered moth species color changed over time to camouflage it on the darker-colored tree bark. This is an example of a/n:

a)

variation.

b)

dominant trait.

c)

recessive trait.

d)

adaptation.

6.

Why might it be helpful for a species to have a lot of variations?

a)

They can't be seen by predators.

b)

If the environment changes, they might be better able to adapt.

c)

It is helpful in asexual reproduction.

d)

They don't recognize each other.

7.

If a sick person takes an antibiotic but it doesn't kill all of the bacteria causing the sickness, how might we explain this?

a)

Variations in the bacteria allowed of them to be less affected by the antibiotic.

b)

Bacteria cannot be killed by antibiotics.

c)

You cannot cure a bacterial infection.

d)

Bacteria do not cause sicknesses.

8.

Changes in inherited characteristics can cause a species to change or 'branch off' into a new one. This change over time is called?

a)

Graduation.

b)

Selective Breeding.

c)

Revolution.

d)

Evolution.

9.

Another term for Natural Selection is:

a)

breeding.

b)

symbiosis.

c)

mutualism.

d)

survival of the fittest.

10.
Which is not an example of an adaptation?
a)
A bird's beak allows it to crack open hard nuts.
b)
A zebra's stripes allow it to confuse its predators.
c)
A frog's large hind legs allow it to jump from danger.
d)
A cat sleeps on the sofa to avoid the vacuum cleaner.
11.

What was the name of the scientist who proposed the theory of evolution?

a)

Lamarck

b)

Einstein

c)

Mendel

d)

Darwin

12.

Evolution means...

a)

that change over time occurs in a population.

b)

that everything is the same.

c)

that organisms never change.

d)

negative traits are acquired in populations.

13.

Any variation that can help a species survive in a given environment is called...

a)

an adaptation.

b)

a characteristic.

c)

a homologous structure.

d)

a vestigial structure.

14.

The difference in the physical traits of an individual from those of other individuals in a group is called a(n)

a)

change.

b)

adaption.

c)

species.

d)

variation.

15.

"Survival of the Fittest" describes the theory of:

a)

natural selection.

b)

gravity.

c)

heredity.

d)

genetic flow.

16.

Modern whales developed their traits through natural selection. What occurs during the process of natural selection?

a)

Organisms choose mates from other species to create new species.

b)

Breeders selectively cross organisms with desired traits.

c)

Only the fittest organisms can survive and reproduce.

d)

Organisms remain exactly the same over time.

17.

Why did the population of peppered moths in England change from light to dark after the Industrial Revolution?

a)

Light moths were easy to see against sooty trees and were eaten.

b)

Light moths were killed by soot.

c)

The birds that ate the dark moths were killed by soot.

d)

Dark moths were produced by industrial processes.

18.

The example of the peppered (brown) moths living near English industrial cities demonstrates that:

a)

a change in an environment can result in the evolution of species living there.

b)

evolution occurs so slowly that is it not possible to determine that it has happened in less than a million years.

c)

the environment near these cities has always favored dark colored moths.

19.

what did Charles Darwin observe in finch populations of the Galapagos Islands off the coast of South America?

a)

different species on different islands

b)

all species on one of the islands

c)

identical species on all the islands

d)

the same species as North America

20.

Darwin wrote that organisms with traits that are best suited to the environment will ________________

a)

increase in number.

b)

become extinct.

c)

decrease in number.

d)

remain stable.

21.

For Darwin, how have animals and plants survived?

a)

through luck

b)

through natural selection

c)

through careful management

d)

through choice

22.

The variety of living things on Earth is called:

a)

genetic flow.

b)

biodiversity.

c)

assimilation.

d)

genetic drift.

23.

Charles Darwin’s observation that finches of different species on the Galápagos Islands have many similar physical characteristics supports the hypothesis that these finches

a)

have the ability to interbreed.

have the ability to interbreed.

b)

acquired traits through use and disuse.

c)

all eat the same type of food.

d)

descended from a common ancestor.

24.

A mutation is:

a)

a change in genetic code.

b)

a change that is harmful to the organism.

c)

splitting of chromosomes into alleles.

d)

defective DNA.

25.

What is a species?

a)

A group of organisms that can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring.

b)

A group of organisms that can mate and produce offspring even if those offspring are infertile.

c)

A group of organisms that genetically are very different from each other.

d)

Indivual organisms that live in the same environment.

26.

Bird's beaks evolve mainly due to the type of ___________________ available.

a)

food

b)

water

c)

shrubs

d)

mates

27.

Heredity is:

a)

survival of the fittest.

b)

the passing of genetic traits from parent to offspring.

c)

the record of time as evidenced by fossils.

d)

unexplained.

28.

Which of the following can be learned by using the fossil record?

a)

when organisms changed or evolved

b)

when organisms appeared on Earth

c)

when organisms became extinct

d)

All the above

29.
By determining the age of fossils, scientists can reconstruct the history of life on Earth
a)
True
b)
False
30.

How do fossils provide evidence that evolution has happened on Earth?

a)

Fossils show how the sizes of certain animals has changed drastically over millions of years.

b)

Fossils show that some species have gone extinct.

c)

Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past.

d)

Different sedimentary rock layers provide evidence for how the environment has changed over time.

31.

A bird with a narrow beak that can probe for insects illustrates:

a)

a behavioral adaptation.

b)

mimicry.

c)

a structural adaption.

d)

an instinctive behavior.

32.

A chameleon lies next to a large blue flower so predators can NOT find it. This is an example of

a)

camouflage.

b)

mimicry.

c)

physiological adaptation.

33.

Some butterflies have spots on their wings that look like snake eyes. This is called:

a)

disguise.

b)

instinct.

c)

camouflage.

d)

mimicry.

34.

The sharp teeth of lions are what type of adaptation?

a)

Structural

b)

Physilogical

c)

Behavioral

35.

Some types of birds migrate to the warmer places in the winter. This is a _____________________ adaptation.

a)

structural

b)

physilogical

c)

behavioral

36.

Some animals pretend to be dead to protect themselves from predators

a)

Structural

b)

Behavioral

c)

Physiological

37.

Snake produces venom.

a)

Structural Adaptation

b)

Behavioral Adaptation

c)

Physiological Adaptation

d)

Mimicry