Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Natural Selection/Comparative Anatomy/ Succession

Total questions: 33

Worksheet time: 26mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following is the correct definition of natural selection?

a)

The idea that organisms less equipped for their environment tend to survive longer

b)

The idea that organisms more well equipped for their environment tend to survive longer

c)

The idea that organisms more well equipped for their environment tend to not survive

d)

None.

2.
Drawn observed several different types of finches.  Why are there so many different types?
a)
Finches live in different places, but eat the same food.
b)
Finches live in the same place, but eat different types of food.
c)
Finches live in different habitats and eat different types of food.
d)
Finches are found all over the world.
3.
The differences among a species, like different bird beaks, are called
a)
genes.
b)
variations.
c)
traits.
d)
theories.
4.
This scientist developed the theory of evolution as he studied the finches.
a)
Charles Darwin
b)
Isaac Newton
c)
Albert Einstein
d)
Marie Curie
5.
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.
6.

In Survival of the Fittest Darwin believed

a)

The organism with adaptations that allow it to fit into its environment better is the one that will survive and reproduce.

b)

The organisms without the adaptations to fit into its environment is the one that will survive.

7.

Over time natural selection can change how often a trait is seen within a population.

a)

True

b)

False

8.

Which of the following is an environmental pressure that might affect the survival of a species?

a)

Predators

b)

Seasonal Changes

c)

Disease

d)

All of the Above

9.

Animals and plants can choose to adapt to their environment and the effects of natural selection can usually be seen in a very short time.

a)

True

b)

False

10.

Animals compete for resources in the environment. This will affect an organism's survival.

a)

True

b)

False

11.
Why is the mouse population changing over time?
a)
The light mice can reproduce more successfully than the dark mice
b)
The hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because the dark mice taste better
c)
The hawks eat more light mice than dark mice because they can see the light mice more easily
d)
The hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because they can see the dark mice more easily
12.
Why do frogs and other organism reproduce so many eggs or offspring?
a)
so that their babies can have friends to play with
b)
the more offspring the more likely the offspring will survive
c)
the more offspring the less likely offspring will survive 
d)
the more offspring the less competition
13.

A new river forms and splits two populations, causing ______________ speciation

a)

Sympatric

b)

Allopatric

c)

Extreme

d)

Convergent

14.

The formation of a new species is called

a)

Natural selection

b)

Struggle for existence

c)

Speciation

d)

Darwinism

15.

A speciation in which new species evolve from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the SAME geographic region.

a)

Sympatric speciation

b)

Allopatric speciation

c)

Complex speciation

d)

Divergent speciation

16.

Orcas occur in the same habitat but some are avoiding each other and do not interbreed. They have different diets, vocal behavior, and social structures. What type of speciation is this?

a)

Allopatric

b)

Sympatric

c)

Complex

d)

Covergent

17.

When the Grand Canyon in Arizona formed, two populations of one squirrel species were separated by the giant canyon. This is an example of _____________ speciation.

a)

Allopatric

b)

Sympatric

c)

Simple

d)

Divergent

18.

Different finch populations lived on separate islands with different environments. They evolved to best adapt to those particular environments and can no longer mate. What type of speciation is this?

a)

Allopatric

b)

Sympatric

c)

Temporal

d)

Mechanical

19.

___ are the first organisms to colonize an area and begin the process of ecological succession.

a)

foundational organisms

b)

introductory organisms

c)

primary organisms

d)

pioneer species

20.

Primary succession occurs in an area that has:

a)

Has Soil

b)

Has No Soil

c)

Has Some Soil

d)

none of these

21.

What is the main difference between primary and secondary ecological succession?

a)

Primary begins WITHOUT soil; Secondary begins WITH soil

b)

Primary is the first state and secondary is the second stage

c)

Primary builds plant community; secondary builds animal community.

d)

Primary begins WITH soil; Secondary begins WITHOUT soil

22.

What is an example of an area that is likely to undergo primary succession?

a)

Glaciers melt and leave exposed rock

b)

Plants die from drought and decompose

c)

Land is bulldozed and soil remains

23.
What are examples of pioneer species in a primary succession?
a)
Bushes and Shrubs
b)
Oak trees
c)
Mossess and Lichens 
d)
A rose Bush
24.

Primary or secondary ecological succession?

a)
b)
25.
Humans, birds, whales, and lizards all have similar arm bones. What is the reason for this?
a)
The function of these bones is the same in all animals
b)
They live in similar environments
c)
They have a common ancestor
d)
All organisms resemble humans
26.
Structures that are inherited from a common ancestor are homologous.
a)
True
b)
False
27.
Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have different functions, but similar structures.  These are known as
a)
vestigial structures
b)
analogous structures
c)
homologous structures
d)
fossil structures
28.
The structures shown are_________
a)
homologous
b)
heterologous
c)
analogous
d)
vestigial
29.
Evolution occurs quickly (over short periods of time).
a)
True
b)
False
30.
The hind leg bones in a whale are examples of
a)
homologous structures
b)
analogous structures
c)
fossils
d)
vestigal structures
31.
A fossil of an extinct dinosaur is found and the anatomy of the fossil shows similarities to that of a bird. What could this mean?
a)
This is purely by chance and isn't significant
b)
The extinct dinosaur and modern bird share a common ancestor
c)
All dinosaurs evolved into birds and that's why there aren't any dinosaurs alive today
d)
Dinosaurs choose to fly, and evolved into birds to escape predation and capture food
32.
Structures are similar in appearance but not in structure
a)
Vestigial 
b)
Homologous 
c)
Analogous Structures 
d)
Embryonic 
33.

How do homologous structures provide evidence for evolution?

a)

Homologous structures provide evidence for evolution because they are vestigial organs.

b)

Homologous structures provide evidence for evolution because they are similar structures found in different species that suggest a common ancestor.

c)

Homologous structures provide evidence for evolution because they are the result of convergent evolution.

d)

Homologous structures provide evidence for evolution because they are the result of genetic mutations.

Similar Resources on Wayground

Cell Cycle and DNA Review

31 questions

Cell Cycle and DNA Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

Elements and Compounds

28 questions

Elements and Compounds

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 8th Grade

Science study guide

28 questions

Science study guide

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 8th Grade

NSCAS-Change Over Time Review

32 questions

NSCAS-Change Over Time Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

Final Exam Practice Organization of Living Things (The cell)

30 questions

Final Exam Practice Organization of Living Things (The cell)

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

Before & After Moon Phases

29 questions

Before & After Moon Phases

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

Earth Space Final Review

28 questions

Earth Space Final Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 8th Grade

Classification of Matter Review

29 questions

Classification of Matter Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade