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Variation and Nautural Selection

Total questions: 18

Worksheet time: 40mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A genetic mutation causes a newt to have faster reflexes. After many generations, most of the newt population has the reflex mutation.

Which of the following most likely caused this change?

a)

Newts with the mutation are better able to survive and reproduce than newts without the mutation.

b)

Other newts learned to copy the strategies of the mutated newt.

c)

The newt passed on its mutated gene to other adult newts

d)

The mutation was contagious.

2.

Cheetahs have come close to extinction due to hunting, drought, and disease. This has caused a decrease in the genetic variation in their populations.

Which of the following is a result of the limited genetic variation?

a)

The cheetah populations are less likely to be able to adapt to environmental changes.

b)

Cheetahs in current populations are more resistant to new diseases.

c)

Cheetahs have greater mate choice.

d)

The survival rate of young cheetahs is increased.

3.

Which of the following is true regarding Darwin's theory of evolution?

a)

Characteristics acquired during an individual’s life are always passed on to future generations.

b)

Pure chance determines which species evolve.

c)

Species change over long periods of time, giving rise to new species.

d)

Darwinʼs views are no longer accepted by the scientific community.

4.

Which of the following are true about natural selection?

a)

It can cause an individual to become better adapted over its lifetime.

b)

It acts on existing heritable variation.

c)

It means that certain species have a programmed plan for evolution.

d)

It always results in bigger, stronger individuals.

5.

Which of the following is an example of genetic variation?

a)

One child eats meat and the other is a vegetarian.

b)

One child has a scar and the other does not.

c)

One child is older than another.

d)

One child has blue eyes and the other has brown eyes.

6.
Inside the nucleus, genes are found on which of the following?
a)
Chromosomes
b)
Chloroplasts
c)
Mitochondria
d)
Vacuole
7.
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.
8.
What was the name of the scientist who had the theory of evolution?
a)
Lamarck
b)
Einstein
c)
Washington
d)
Darwin
9.
Which of the following is a term for a group of similar organisms that can reproduce fertile offspring?
a)
individual
b)
population
c)
species
d)
fossil
10.
Which animals and features did Darwin study on his journey to the Galapagos Islands?
a)
Finches' wings and alligators' tails
b)
Lizards' claws and finches' beaks.
c)
Lizards' claws and finches' wings
d)
The camels' eyes and penguins' teeth.
11.
What is it called when better adapted organisms survive to pass traits along to their offspring.
a)
Evolution
b)
Natural Selection
c)
Extinction
d)
Artifical Selection
12.
Any variation that can help a species survive in a given environment is called...
a)
an adapatation
b)
a characteristic
c)
a homologous structure
d)
a vestigial structure
13.
Some lizards have different size legs.  Lizards with longer legs are able to better access food. Over time, lizards with short legs became less common.
What is the successful adaptation?
a)
Lizards
b)
Long legs
c)
Food
d)
Leg sizes
14.
Where did Charles Darwin travel to?
a)
Australia
b)
Barbados
c)
Galapagos 
d)
Trinidad
15.
What was the name of the ship Charles Darwin sailed on?
a)
Boaty McBoaty Face
b)
HMS Beagle
c)
HMS Britannia
d)
HMS Bulldog
16.
What is survival of the fittest?
a)
It is where the fittest die out and therefore reproduce and pass on their genes
b)
It is where the fittest die out and therefore can't reproduce and pass on their genes
c)
It is where the fittest don't die out and therefore can't reproduce and pass on their genes
d)
It is where the fittest don't die out and therefore reproduce and pass on their genes
17.
This image shows that 
a)
These animals have no simliarities in their structures. 
b)
two different species may have evolved from a common ancestor. 
c)
These animals are from the same species. 
d)
These animals likely evolved from different ancestors due to their differences. 
18.
Two organisms that are closely related would have
a)
very similar DNA sequence
b)
exactly the same DNA sequences
c)
no proteins in common
d)
completely different DNA sequence