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Charles Darwin and Natural Selection

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
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.
2.

Lamarck’s ideas about evolution include the concept that differences among the traits or characteristics of organisms arise as a result of:

a)

continual increases in population size.

b)

the actions of organisms as they use or fail to use certain body structures.

c)

an unchanging local environment.

d)

the natural variations already present within the population of organisms.

3.

The economist Thomas Malthus suggested that

a)

in the human population, people die faster than babies are born.

b)

without certain checks on population size, there would soon be insufficient food for the growing human population.

c)

in the 1700s, England needed more housing.

d)

the majority of a species’ offspring die.

4.

According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, individuals who survive are the ones best adapted for their environment. Their survival is due to the

a)

possession of adaptations developed through use.

b)

possession of favorable, inherited adaptations that maximize fitness.

c)

lack of competition within the species.

d)

choices made by plant and animal breeders.

5.
Charles Darwin called the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its specific environment 
a)
diversity.
b)
evolution
c)
adaptation. 
d)
 fitness.
6.
The principle of common descent helps explain why
a)
well-adapted species have many offspring.
b)
conditions in an organism’s environment ensures the organism’s survival.
c)
birds and reptiles share a number of inherited characteristics.
d)
tigers are so different from cheetahs.
7.

READ CAREFULLY!!!!

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection explains each of the following EXCEPT how...

a)

species can become extinct.

b)

inherited traits are passed from parent to offspring.

c)

species descend from common ancestors.

d)

evolution takes place in the natural world.

8.

What was the name of Darwin's boat?

a)

Indefatiguable

b)

Bugle

c)

Sloop John B

d)

Beagle

9.

Who created the theory of evolution?

a)

Charles Darwin

b)

Charles Derwin

c)

Charlie Darwin

d)

Chris Darwin

10.

1. The process in which humans choose parent organisms looking to obtain desired characteristics is called:

a)

natural selection

b)

Artificial selection

c)

random selection

d)

genetic manipulation

11.

What is an example of artificial selection?

a)

Letting dogs choose their own mate

b)

Letting plants pollinate on their own

c)

Crossing a labrador and a poodle to create a labradoodle

12.

Which statement is true contrasting (differences) natural selection and artificial selection?

a)

In natural selection, traits benefit humans and in artificial selection, the traits benefit the species

b)

In natural selection, traits benefit the species and in artificial selection, the traits benefit humans

c)

In natural and artificial selection, the process takes hundreds of years to occur

d)

In natural and artificial selection, nature determines what traits will be passed down to offspring.

13.
The phrase "Survival of the Fittest" would best describe...
a)
Natural Selection 
b)
Artificial Selection 
c)
Selective Breeding
d)
Rainbow Trout 
14.

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

15.

The difference in the physical traits of individuals within the same population is called a(n)

a)

change

b)

adaption

c)

species

d)

variation

16.
Genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene.  The change is called a(n)
a)
mutation
b)
gene flow
c)
gene pool
d)
allele
17.

Identify the observation that supports the following conclusion of the theory of natural selection: "Small variations within species can confer advantages to certain individuals that allow them to survive & reproduce"

a)

Monkeys and orangutans are found on Borneo, while other islands are home to tree kangaroos but no monkeys.

b)

Individuals within a given species are not exactly alike.

c)

Animals have distinct geographic ranges, but more similar species tend to live closer to each other.

d)

Fossils of extinct animals turn up where similar animals live today.

18.
Scientific theories are based on
a)
general assumptions of how systems work.
b)
mathematical principles that can be proven true.
c)
large amounts of data collected over time.
d)
observations from within only one scientific discipline.
19.
Scientific theories do not change once they have been written down.
a)
True
b)
False
20.

Scientists create both scientific theories and scientific laws as they make observations and conduct experiments about the natural world. Which of the following statements most accurately compares the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws

a)

science laws are based on evidence while science theories are not

b)

science theories involve only biology, while laws involve all types of science

c)

science theories involve mathematical equations, while science laws are based on observations

d)

science theories are ideas that explain the why of natural events, while science laws predict how or what will happen in a natural event.