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Adaptations and Evolution

Total questions: 13

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Saber toothed cats hunted giant, elephant-like creatures called mastodon. Over time, both the mastodon and the saber toothed cats died out. The saber toothed cats can be categorized as ______.

a)

An extinct species

b)

A thriving species

c)

A threatened species

d)

An endangered species

2.

The front leg of a cat, the front flipper of a dolphin, and the wing of a bat have the same structure and order of bones. These structures do not look alike and are not used in the same way, but their bones are similar. What might scientists say about the cat, dolphin, and bat based on this evidence?

a)

They may share a common ancestor

b)

They all live in an aquatic environment

c)

They have completely different ancestors

d)

They all have the ability to fly

3.

Which is the best description of Darwin's theory of evolution?

a)

It is the same as natural selection

b)

It is based on the same ideas as Lamarck's acquired characteristics

c)

It states that all species evolve over time through natural selection

d)

It describes DNA passed from parent to offspring as the driving force of evolution

4.

A certain species of owl lives only in old growth forests. If the trees where these owls live are removed by loggers, what will most likely happen to the owl population?

a)

It will decrease to the point of extinction

b)

It will hibernate until the trees grow back

c)

It will increase in number

d)

It will evolve into a new species

5.

6.


Suppose the environmental conditions on a particular island gradually changed. Those organisms that could adapt to the new conditions survived and reproduced, while those that could not adapt died out. This is an example of:

a)

Genetic isolation

b)

Hybridization

c)

Natural selection

d)

Selective breeding

6.

A walking stick is an insect that looks like a twig. How does this adaptation help the walking stick survive?

a)

It is small so it needs to eat less food

b)

It is able to stay cooler

c)

It is able to run after prey faster in the trees

d)

Its appearance makes it difficult for predators to see

7.

.


The snowshoe hare has the ability to change its coat color. It is brown during the spring, summer, and early fall but changes to white as winter approaches. What adaptation does the snowshoe hare have that allows it to hide from predators?

a)

Symbiosis

b)

Commensalism

c)

Camouflage

d)

Mutation

8.

Species become extinct when they are not able to:

a)

Reproduce quickly

b)

Adapt to changes in the environment

c)

Produce large number of offspring

d)

Evolve into a new species

9.

Odors that repel, spines, poisonous chemicals, and thorns are all considered ___________.

a)

Adaptations that enhance survival

b)

Traits that oppose natural selection

c)

Characteristics associated only with fossils

d)

Only physical appearances

10.

All of the following are protective adaptations except one. Which adaptation described below probably does not protect the plant from being eaten by herbivores?

a)

Leaves that are covered with tiny, sharp spines

b)

Leaves that have a very bitter taste

c)

Leaves that contain a chemical that is poisonous to animals

d)

Leaves that store large amounts of water

11.

Over time, an organism's behavior evolves to fit its environment. This process is called:

a)

Modification

b)

Adaptation

c)

Primal instinct

d)

Inherited behavior

12.

Organisms that can adapt to changes in their environment are most likely to survive and reproduce, while those that cannot adapt die out. This idea is known as:

a)

Mutation

b)

Natural Selection

c)

Variation

d)

Population

13.

Suppose a particular predator in an area eats rabbits. If hunters kill off all of those predators, the rabbit population will increase, resulting in more __________ among the rabbits for food and space.

a)

Competition

b)

Extinction

c)

Symbiosis

d)

Cooperation