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Natural Selection Quiz

Total questions: 19

Worksheet time: 18mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Who proposed the theory of natural selection?
a)
Lamarck
b)
Darwin
c)
Watson
d)
Malthus
2.
A population of birds colonizes an area and starts eating insects that live in trees. Over time, the average beak size in the bird population grows. Which of the following is the best explanation?
a)
Increased fitness of large-beaked birds, leading to natural selection
b)
Increased fitness of the large-beaked birds, creating a new species
c)
Decreased fitness of small-beaked birds, creating a new species
d)
Decreased fitness of the insects, allowing the birds to catch them more easily
3.
Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?
a)
Only a FRACTION of an individual's offspring may survive.
b)
Species produce MORE offspring than the environment can support.
c)
Poorly adapted individuals NEVER produce offspring.
d)
There is heritable VARIATION among individuals
4.
The smallest biological unit that can evolve over time is
a)
Individuals
b)
Populations
c)
Ecosystems
d)
Species
5.
Which of the following is an example of genetic variation?
a)
One child has blue eyes and the other has brown eyes.
b)
One child eats meat and the other is a vegetarian.
c)
One child has a scar and the other does not.
d)
One child is older than another.
6.
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 is the best explanation?
a)
The mutation was contagious.
b)
Newts with the mutation are better able to survive and reproduce than newts without the mutation.
c)
The newt passed on its mutated gene to other adult newts.
d)
Other newts learned to copy the strategies of the mutated newt.
7.
Mutations are a change in what?
a)
DNA
b)
tRNA
c)
genotype
d)
phenotype
8.
In the rock pocket mice, there were two populations of black mice. What evidence showed that they evolved the black fur independently?
a)
The traits evolved in the same gene.
b)
The traits evolved on different genes.
c)
The black fur was beneficial in both populations on the black rock.
d)
The black fur was beneficial to one population but not the other on the black rocks.
9.
Briefly explain what you learned in the Natural Selection Lab.
4 lines
10.

Which of the following best describes the role of mutations in evolution?

a)

Mutations always lead to harmful traits.

b)

Mutations provide genetic variation that can be acted upon by natural selection.

c)

Mutations are always beneficial and lead to new species.

d)

Mutations occur only in response to environmental changes.

11.

What is the primary mechanism by which populations adapt to their environment over time?

a)

Genetic drift

b)

Natural selection

c)

Gene flow

d)

Artificial selection

12.

What theory proposes that organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce?

a)

Acquired Characteristics

b)

Embryology

c)

Survival of the Smartest

d)

Natural Selection

13.

The fur of the snowshoe rabbit changes to a lighter color in the winter. This allows the rabbit to blend in with its surroundings. This change is an example of:

a)

Adaptation

b)

Extinction

c)

Competition

d)

Succession

14.
Evolution typically happens...
a)
in a few weeks
b)
over millions of years
c)
never
d)
in 100 years
15.
Bird's beaks evolve mainly due to the type of ___________________ available.
a)
food
b)
water
c)
shrubs
d)
mates
16.

Match the following terms with their definitions

a)

Evolution

1.

a change in a species DNA over time because of natural selection

b)

Adaptation

2.

Any variation that makes an organism better able to survive

c)

Variation

3.

An inherited trait that makes and individual different

d)

Mutation

4.

A permanent change in the DNA

17.

Whales and dolphins both descended from a dog-like creature. What would we call the dog-like creature?

a)

Great-Grandparent species

b)

Old Species

c)

A common ancestor

d)

A common descendant

18.

In the phrase "survival of the fittest," the term "fittest" refers to:

a)

The best-adapted organisms

b)

The biggest organisms

c)

The smartest organisms

d)

The fastest organisms

19.

the process by which organisms that are best adapted to their environment are most likely to survive and reproduce.

a)

adaptation

b)

natural selection

c)

niche

d)

competition

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