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Adaptations, Mutations, Variations, and Natural Selection

Total questions: 71

Worksheet time: 2hrs 12mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
When an organism copies a characteristic of something else in order to better its chances for survival and reproduction
a)
hibernation
b)
camouflage
c)
mimicry
d)
migration
2.
Coloring or another physical characteristic that help an organism blend in with its environment
a)
mimicry
b)
camouflage
c)
hibernation
d)
migration
3.
The differences among a species, like different bird beaks, are called
a)
genes.
b)
variations.
c)
traits.
d)
theories.
4.

What word describes a trait that helps an organism survive in its environment?

a)

natural selection

b)

mutation

c)

camouflage

d)

adaptation

5.
A change in DNA.
a)
Competition
b)
Mutation
c)
Species
d)
Fitness
6.
Organisms with the most beneficial traits will survive.  This is commonly known as ___.
a)
theory of evolution
b)
variations
c)
survival of the fittest
d)
ecosystems
7.
Mutations are a change in what?
a)
DNA
b)
tRNA
c)
genotype
d)
phenotype
8.
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.
9.
____ is when members of a species that are best suited for their environment survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other members of the species
a)
natural selection
b)
artificial selection
c)
speciation
d)
adaptation
10.
The seasonal movement of an organism from one place to another
a)
camouflage
b)
migration
c)
hibernation
d)
function
11.
A giraffe has a long neck in order to better reach leaves to eat.  This is an example of _____. 
a)
an adaptation
b)
environment
c)
response
d)
stimulus
12.
How do adaptations help animals?
a)
To escape animals
b)
to hunt for food
c)
to survive in their habitats
d)
All of these are correct
13.

Which of the following are behavioral adaptations?

a)

a turtle hiding inside its shell

b)

a rabbit burrowing underground

c)

a bear's sharp claws

d)

the spikes on a procupine

e)

a viper biting when threatened

14.

______ _______ are found in birds and help them fly. They have a hard outside but the inside of full of air cavities

a)

xyelm

b)

gills

c)

hollow bones

d)

external adaptation

15.

A permanent change in the DNA of an animal is a...

a)

population

b)

variation

c)

adaptation

d)

genetic mutation

16.

__________ are differences between similar organisms caused by genetic or environmental changes.

a)

Variations

b)

Adaptations

c)

natural selection

d)

domestic animals

17.

During the winter an arctic wolf's fur color changes from brown to white. What is this a response to?

a)

stimulus

b)

internal adaptation

c)

behavior adaptation

d)

adaptation

18.

The changing of genes throughout generations based on things that help the animal survive is called...

a)

natural selection

b)

selective breeding

c)

genetic mutations

d)

internal adaptations

19.

Charles Darwin studied finches in the Galapagos Islands. Which term(s) best describes the 13 different beaks observed in the finches Darwin studied?

a)

behavioral adaptations

b)

external adaptations

c)

internal adaptations

d)

variation within species

20.

The respiratory organs of the fish that filter oxygen out of the water are called...

a)

xylem

b)

gills

c)

behavior adaptation

d)

hollow bones

21.
Individuals that are well adapted to their environment will survive and produce:
a)
Fewer mutations
b)
Stronger genes
c)
More offspring
d)
Better traits
22.
According to the theory of natural selection, some individuals more likely than others to survive and reproduce because they:
a)
pass on to their offspring their newly acquired traits.
b)
are better adapted to their environment than others and will pass on those adaptations to future offspring.
c)
do not pass on newly acquired traits.
d)
produce fewer offspring than others in the same environment.
23.
What is the advantage of having different shaped beaks?
a)
To look different from other species.
b)
To be able to eat the food readily available in the environment.
c)
To protect itself against predators.
d)
To protect itself against prey.
24.

According to Natural Selection, light colored tree trunks would favor

a)

Light colored moths

b)

Dark colored moths

c)

Red colored moths

d)

Red and light colored moths

25.

The peppered moth’s color camouflaged it on the light colored tree bark. It’s color was an example of a(n)

a)

variation

b)

recessive trait

c)

dominant trait

d)

adaptation

26.

If Easter eggs were living species of organisms, their different colors would be considered

a)

adaptations

b)

different species

c)

variations

d)

extinct species

27.

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

a)

They can't be seen by predators

b)

It is helpful in asexual reproduction

c)

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

d)

They don't recognize each other

28.

Another term for Natural Selection is

a)

Breeding

b)

Communism

c)

Selective breeding

d)

Survival of the fittest

29.

Although dinosaurs lived for over 150 million years, they may have become extinct because a catastrophic event changed the environment more rapidly than the dinosaurs could

a)

Breed

b)

Adapt

c)

Mutate

d)

Eat

30.
Do organisms "decide" to adapt?
a)
Yes, if they don't adapt they will die
b)
No, they can't adapt.  They either have adaptations or they don't
c)
No, they adapt by random mutations during their lifetime
d)
Yes, they can force mutations in one lifetime
31.

Species with ______variation are ______likely to survive.

a)

more, less

b)

less,less

c)

more,more

32.
Which is NOT a way seeds scatter?
a)
water
b)
wind
c)
animals eat fruit and seeds are deposited
d)
lightning
33.
Deserts are hot and dry so an example of a plant adaptation here is... 
a)
long and deep root systems to absorb ground water 
b)
plants grow on each other to reach sunlight 
c)
dark in color to absorb sunlight 
d)
grow on each other to protect from wind 
34.
The tundra is very cold year round.  So plants will.... 
a)
grow together in a lump to protect from wind and cold. 
b)
have hair to keep them warm 
c)
"follow" the direction of the sun to stay warm and obtain a lot of sunlight for Photosynthesis. 
d)
All of the above.
35.
I have parachute like structures. What is likely my dispersal method?
a)
wind
b)
water 
c)
animals
d)
explosive action
36.
Which adaptation might help protect a plant from being eaten?
a)
A flower that looks like a bee
b)
A thorny stem
c)
A waxy coating
d)
Substance that attracts insects 
37.
The Tickle Me Plant folds its leaves in when touched - is this a behavioral adaptation or physical adaptation?
a)
Behavioral adaptation
b)
Physical adaptation
38.
Venus flytraps have two leaves to trap bugs - is this a behavioral adaptation or a physical adaptation?
a)
Behavioral adaptation
b)
Physical adaptation
39.
Cactus have a thick waxy coating on their stem that keeps them from drying out- is this a behavioral adaptation or physical adaptation?
a)
Behavioral adaptation
b)
Physical adaptation 
40.
Which adaptation is an example of a behavioral adaptation?
a)
A turtle having a hard shell to protect it
b)
A duck having webbed feet to help it swim
c)
A puffer fish puffing up to scare predators
d)
A frog having bright colors to warm predators
41.

Ariana likes to visit the park in her neighborhood to watch hummingbirds. Based on the beak of the hummingbird, what does it most likely eat?

a)

fish

b)

nuts

c)

insect

d)

nectar

42.

Rivers are home to many kinds of birds. Which foot is most likely the adaptation of a bird that swims in water to find food?

a)
b)
c)
d)
43.

Water lilies live in lakes and ponds. The lilies have very long stems. The picture above shows a water lily in a pond. How do long stems help water lilies live in ponds?

a)

They absorb food for the plant.

b)

They absorb water from the pond.

c)

They enable the pads and flower to reach sunlight.

d)

They prevent the plant from floating away.

44.

Ashton drew the picture above of a silver Javan gibbon in a tropical forest tree. What adaptation helps this gibbon survive in the ecosystem in which it lives?

a)

It has thick fur that keeps it warm during the very cold winters of the tropical forest.

b)

It has long arms with grasping fingers that allow it to hang and swing from branches.

c)

It has white fur and a dark face that allow it to blend into the background of the leafy treetops.

d)

It has white fur and a dark face that allow it to blend into the background during a snowy winter.

45.

Why did the number of white peppered moths decrease so much by 1895?

a)

they did not blend in with the trees and birds ate them

b)

they tasted better to the birds than the black moths

c)

they were easier to reach on the trees

d)

white moths flew away to find better trees to blend in with

46.

Dark colored moths living on light colored trees have _____.

a)

high fitness

b)

low fitness

c)

more resources

d)

good luck

47.

What happened when the trees turned dark color?

a)

Moths that were light color survived and reproduced successfully

b)

Moths that were dark color survived and reproduced successfully

c)

Moths that were light color turned dark color to hide

d)

Moths went extinct because they were all light color and got eaten

48.

Protective colorings or markings that

make an organism appear to be part of

its surroundings

a)

Adaptation

b)

Camouflage

c)

Function

d)

Mimicry

49.

What part of a hummingbird is adapted to help it obtain food from inside flowers?

a)

beak

b)

wings

c)

eyes

d)

head

50.
Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals UPWARDS from a plant's roots is known as ______.
a)
Cuticle
b)
Phloem
c)
Stomata
d)
Xylem
51.
What is the TISSUE that carries food from a plant's leaves to its cells?
a)
xylem
b)
phloem
c)
photsynthesis
d)
vascular tissue
52.
What are the root's job in a plant?
a)
absorb water and sunlight
b)
give off oxygen and absorb water
c)
make sugar and absorb water
d)
anchor the plant to the ground and absorb water
53.

The protective covering on this holds a baby plant & a food supply.

a)

fruit

b)

roots

c)

seed

d)

flower

54.

This adaptation has helped with plant survival in environments that change conditions throughout seasons

a)

Roots

b)

Bulb

c)

Seeds

d)

Folds

55.

This is a special structure that stores food and water for a plant through a cold or dry season.

a)

Roots

b)

Xylem

c)

Bulb

d)

Leaf

56.

The purpose of seed dispersal is for the seeds to __________.

a)

germinate at the same time

b)

move to the same place and grow

c)

move further away from the parent plant

d)

compete with one another for minerals in the soil

57.

State the characters ideal for dispersion by wind.

a)

Small, light and hair-like

b)

Small, light and sharp hooks

c)

Big, light and fibrous husk

d)

Big, light and explode

58.

Spines are considered small leaves on cacti. What would be the benefit of having smaller leaves on desert plants?

a)

Reduced amount of water lost by the plant

b)

It can conduct photosynthesis faster

c)

Reptiles can eat it without killing the plant

d)

It allows the plant to absorb more nutrients

59.

A fish's swim bladder regulates...

a)

speed

b)

breathing

c)

floating depth

d)

ammonia excretion

60.

Whales and sea lions have a layer of ___, or fat, under their skin to keep them warm.

a)

gills

b)

fur

c)

blubber

d)

beaks

61.

The sharp teeth of lions are what type of adaptation?

a)

Structural

b)

Physilogical

c)

Behavioral

62.

A bird uses its beak to take food

a)

Structural

b)

Physilogical

c)

Behavioral

63.

A giraffe has a long neck to obtain food.

a)

Structural

b)

Physilogical

c)

Behavioral

64.

Some kinds of birds migrate to the warmer places in the winter

a)

Structural

b)

Physilogical

c)

Behavioral

65.

The wings of a butterfly look like snake heads

a)

Camouflage

b)

Webbed Feet

c)

Pretend Play

d)

Mimicry

66.

Octopus changes its own colors to blend in with the sand

a)

Camouflage

b)

Webbed Feet

c)

Pretend Play

d)

Mimicry

67.

Skunk releases and sprays odor at predator

a)

Structural

b)

Behavioral

c)

Physiological

68.

Some animals pretend to be dead to protect themselves from predators

a)

Structural

b)

Behavioral

c)

Physiological

69.

Frogs use webbed feet to swim in water

a)

Structural

b)

Physilogical

c)

Behavioral

70.

Snake produces venom

a)

Structural Adaptation

b)

Behavioral Adaptation

c)

Physiological Adaptation

d)

Mimicry

71.

The stripes of a zebra

a)

Camouflage

b)

Webbed Feet

c)

Pretend Play

d)

Mimicry

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