WorksheetsUnit 2 Genes & Heredity
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
1. Humans have influenced desired traits in animals by selective breeding using artificial insemination. Which one of the following would NOT be a reason for this technology to be used in animal breeding? (8-LS4-5)
a)
A. To breed race horses that run faster.
b)
B. To breed dairy cows that produce more milk.
c)
C. To breed chickens that are prone to catching the bird flu.
d)
D. To breed chickens that produce larger quantities of eggs.
2.
2. The Tasmanian tiger is an extinct marsupial that once roamed Tasmania and Australia. There are several preserved specimens in existence. Which of the following DNA technologies offers the best chance of bringing back the Tasmanian tiger? (8-LS4-5)
a)
A. DNA sequencing
b)
B. Selective breeding
c)
C. Gene therapy
d)
D. Cloning
3.
3. Teosinte is a Mexican wild grass that is considered to be a parent plant of modern corn. Over time, farmers selected larger seeds from the teosinte to plant in next year's crop, eventually leading to larger kernel size in corn. This is known as artificial selection. Evaluate the examples and select the one that does NOT show artificial selection. (8-LS4-5)
a)
A. White rabbits have a low survival rate in nature, because it is easy for predators to spot them.
b)
B. A gene for disease resistance in fir trees is transferred to pine trees using modern DNA technology, allowing farmers to maximize pine tree growth.
c)
C. In subsaharan Africa, genetically modified grass varieties that carry genes for disease and drought resistance are now available to farmers, providing more sustainable food sources for their livestock.
d)
D. Because big game hunters sought elephants for ivory, often poaching those with the biggest tusks, more African elephants today naturally lack tusks compared to the elephant populations 100 years ago.
4.
4. Tropical grasslands often have trees that are often covered in thorns. The thorns protect the trees from being eaten or destroyed by the animals, such as rhinos, that live in the grasslands.
A group of animals have adapted to browsing on the leaves and thorns growing on these trees. Which adaptation would be helpful for this group of animals?
(8-LS4-4)
a)
A. A good sense of smell
b)
B. Keen eye sight
c)
C. Short, narrow legs
d)
D. Long, tough tongues
5.
5. Hummingbirds are pollinators.
Why might the living flower in the image have adapted a bright pink color to interact with living or nonliving factors in the environment? (8-LS4-4)
a)
A. Hummingbirds are attracted to dull colors.
b)
B. The soil is basic.
c)
C. The soil is acidic.
d)
D. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors.
6.
6. In a tropical rain forest biome, there is a great diversity of species that live within the ecosystem. Every population of organisms have their own unique adaptations and variations, even within their own population, that enable them to survive in the ecosystem. If the climate of the tropical rain forest started to become colder and drier, then some populations could potentially not survive the change. Identify the organisms best suited to this new climate.
(8-LS4-4)
a)
A. Organisms who rely on the water for food.
b)
B. Organisms who lay eggs resistant to drying.
c)
C. Organisms who are able to shed fur.
d)
D.Organisms who require water to lay eggs.
7.
7. In the ___________ biome, plants typically have deep roots, reduced leaves, and green stems. (8-LS4-4)
a)
A. Salt tolerant
b)
B. Desert
c)
C. Aquatic
d)
D. Epiphytic
e)
8.
8. All of the statements EXCEPT one are true about mutations. Which statement is false? (8-LS3-1)
a)
A. Mutations must be present in parents and then passed to offspring.
b)
B. Mutations can be silent, and not affect the organism that has them, if the mutation is in a non-critical area.
c)
C. Mutations can be positive and produce organisms with improved traits.
d)
D. Mutations can be fatal to the organism that has a mutation, if the mutation is in a critical gene.
9.
9. A particular bird species found in North America obtains most of its food energy by catching and eating insects. A mutation arises in this bird population that increases the length of its beak. Although many mutations are harmful, this particular mutation has increased the ability of the bird to catch and eat certain insects. Formulate the MOST LIKELY outcome resulting from this mutation. (8-LS3-1)
a)
A. Individual birds with the mutation will be more likely to survive and reproduce than birds without the mutation.
b)
B.The insects that are eaten by this bird are likely to become extinct.
c)
C. Sharp pointed beaks will result in the birds eating other more unusual food items.
d)
D. Other bird species will be more likely to also develop pointed beaks in order to compete.
10.
10. Which situation would probably result in a new species due to a mutation of genes? (8-LS3-1)
a)
A.The introduction of a predatory fish that only eats the largest native bass in a Georgia lake.
b)
B. A mutation that causes a purple color form to appear in peacock males, which the peahen females seem to either strongly like or dislike.
c)
C. A period of stable weather conditions that lasts for hundreds of years, allowing a species of grass to do well.
d)
D. Isolation of a population of lizards on an island, which later becomes too distant from the mainland for other lizards to swim to the island.
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