Biology- Darwin's Theory Quiz

Which statement describes natural selection? A. It is the primary mechanism for evolution. B. It must act on structural traits. It acts to cause overpopulation. It causes learned skills to become heritable traits.

A. It is the primary mechanism for evolution.

During a trip to the Galapagos Islands, which observation led Charles Darwin to suspect that organisms change over time? A. Island finches were able to breed with mainland species. B. Island finches resembled mainland finches but were not the same species. C. Island finches resembled extinct species from other islands around the world. D. Island finches did not have beaks of the same size and shape.

B. Island finches resembled mainland finches but were not the same species.

A population of rabbits has individuals with fur coloring that ranges from white to brown. The population lives in a temperate deciduous forest where the summers are mild and average about 50°F. The winters are often below freezing. If warmer temperatures last longer into the fall and the average temperature in the winter is getting warmer, what do you expect to happen to the population? A. The percentage of the population with brown fur will decrease. B. The percentage of the population with white fur will decrease. C. The population will increase in size, but the color percentages will remain unchanged. D. The population will decrease in size, but the color percentages will remain unchanged.

B. The percentage of the population with white fur will decrease.

Which statement would least likely be used to describe variation? A. Variations are inherited differences between individuals of the same species. B. Variations that decrease reproductive success are more likely to be passed on. C. Variations may result in changes to an entire population after many generations. D. Variations provide some individuals with an advantage.

B. Variations that decrease reproductive success are more likely to be passed on.

Which would LEAST likely be a cause of natural selection? A. adaptation B. evolution C. overpopulation D. variation

B. evolution

Koalas are marsupials that are found in eastern Australia. Although their ancestors lived mostly on the ground, modern koalas spend most of their time in eucalyptus trees. This is possible because their hands and feet have strong claws and opposable digits. What other adaptation could have helped koalas as they evolved from land-dwellers to tree-dwellers? A. the ability to have several offspring at one time B. fur color that closely matches the eucalyptus bark color C. longer hind legs that allow for faster running D. better ability to communicate with their peers

B. fur color that closely matches the eucalyptus bark color

A frog has more offspring than can survive on available resources. Which is this an example? A. structural adaptation B. overpopulation C. variation in a population D. artificial selection

B. overpopulation

Scientific investigations often lead to the formulation of new scientific questions. The observations Charles Darwin's work after he returned home from his voyage and studying the selective breeding of pigeons prompted him to ask which question? A. Do living things change over time, and if so, how? B. Are the Galapagos finches and those on the mainland the same species? C. Are pigeons related to the Galapagos finches? D. Can selection in nature also lead to a new species over time?

D. Can selection in nature also lead to a new species over time?

What is natural selection?

a process that selects variations that help with survival and that spreads the variations to more offspring

Charles Darwin observed a unique beak size and shape in the finch population of each of the Galapagos Islands that he visited. Which is the most likely cause of the observed variation? A. differences in the climate among the islands B. competition among individuals for available food sources C. competition among individuals for desirable mates D. differences in egg size among the populations

B. competition among individuals for available food sources