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Why Populations Change Over Time

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 12mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Natural Selection cannot occur without...

a)

competition for unlimited resource

b)

gradual warming of earth

c)

genetic variation in species

d)

asexual reproduction in species

2.

Which factor will most likely increase the survival chances of an organism living in an environment that is undergoing rapid changes?

a)

encountering strong competition

b)

having a long life span

c)

producing identical offspring

d)

having a diverse gene pool

3.

Diversity among members of a species is important because diversity....

a)

ensures high levels of competition

b)

increases he available ecosystem resources

c)

ensures the variety of reproductive methods for a species

d)

increases the chances of survival under changing conditions

4.

Which is most likely responsible for the chinch bugs' ability to survive repeated exposure to insecticides?

a)

species diversity

b)

genetic diversity

c)

ecosystem diversity

d)

population diversity

5.

One rabbit runs faster than other rabbits in its population. How will the ability to run fast most likely benefit the rabbit?

a)

by keeping the rabbit warmer in winter

b)

by making it easier for the rabbit to escape from predators

c)

by allowing the rabbit to find more sources of food

d)

by helping the rabbit blend in with its environment

6.

Dalmatian dogs sometimes become deaf due to a recessive trait they may inherit. For this reason, some Dalmatian owners will not let their dogs have puppies if they are deaf. Allowing only Dalmatians that can hear to produce offspring is an example of...

a)

Selective breeding

b)

Sexual reproduction

c)

Cross breeding

d)

Learned traits

7.

Based on the picture and chart, which characteristic are these three types of poodles specifically bred for?

a)

Size

b)

Color

c)

Coat length

d)

Retrieving ability

8.

Researchers breed plants to produce crops that have helpful traits. One of these traits is the ability to grow where there is little moisture. How would this trait most likely benefit farmers?

a)

It allows crops to survive without fertilization

b)

It allows crops to be grown in drier climates

c)

It allows crops to be unaffected by disease

d)

It allows crops to survive in areas with fewer seasons

9.

The Great Pyrenees is a breed of dog that has long, white, water-resistant hair with a shorter, thick undercoat. They are able to withstand extremely cold temperature in mountainous regions. The neck of the dog is strongly muscled, with a thick skin and extra hair.

These dogs are most likely bred for...

a)

sniffing out drugs at airport terminals

b)

protecting livestock from predators

c)

retrieving small game from desert burrows

d)

assisting law enforcement workers in protecting property

10.

Some dairy farmers want their cows to produce greater amounts of milk than average cows. Which process will help the dairy farmers develop cows with this trait?

a)

Geographical isolation

b)

ecological succession

c)

behavioral modification

d)

selective breeding

11.

Which statement best describes the theory of natural selection?

a)

It happens over a long period of time

b)

It requires the individuals to be identical

c)

It increases the size of a population

d)

It guarantees the survival of a species

12.

The flow chart shown describes the process of natural selection. Which statement best completes the empty box in the flowchart?

a)

Natural selection eventually stops as a population becomes more limited

b)

Overpopulation naturally follows as a consequence of natural selection

c)

As only a few organisms survive, populations will eventually die out

d)

As environmental pressure constantly change, adaptations of organisms continue

13.

Several kinds of birds live on a small island. A storm destroys most of the plants on which the bords feed and build their nests. Which kind of bird is most likely going to survive on the island?

a)

The birds that have the greatest number

b)

The birds that are most able to adapt

c)

The birds that can fly the farthest

d)

The birds with the strongest beaks

14.

A species with highly specialized traits is most likely vulnerable to extinction because...

a)

small changes in its habitat can affect its ability to survive

b)

it is able to adapt quickly to extreme weather conditions

c)

it is able to eat a wide variety of foods from the environment

d)

it cannot survive without enough water

15.

Polar bears are well adapted to the Arctic environment due to their white fur coats. Which statement best explains why white coat color was possibly favored by natural selection over other coat colors?

a)

Polar bears choose mates with the whitest coat color

b)

Polar bears with white coats are better camouflaged

c)

The white-coat color is able to capture more heat

d)

The white-coat color attracts more prey

16.
The theory that organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
"Survival of the fittest."
a)
Natural selection
b)
Adaptation
c)
Extinction
d)
Fossil
17.
What is the definition of natural selection?
a)
Genes that are chosen by humans such as farmers and ranchers
b)
Organisms that are chosen by environmental pressures such as climate, available food, predators and habitat.
c)
Dogs and Wolves
d)
Genes that are chosen by scientist and academics. 
18.

The image shows light and dark colored moths that live on a tree. Which result is most likely to occur to the moth population over time due to predation?

a)

The number of light colored moths in the population will increase

b)

There will be more dark colored moths than light colored moths

c)

The number of light colored moths will decrease

d)

The dark colored moths will move to a different type of tree

19.

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

20.
Due to a mutation, some jaguars inherit larger jaw sizes than other jaguars within that population and this trait is passed down from parent to offspring. This gives those jaguars an advantage when it comes to hunting down turtles as prey.
Of the four parts of natural selection, which is this an example of?
a)
overproduction
b)
genetic variation
c)
selection
d)
adaptation