Darwin's theory
Scientific investigations often lead to the formulation of new scientific questions. The observations Charles Darwin made during his time aboard the H.M.S. Beagle prompted him to ask which question? -Do living organisms change over time and, if so, how? -Are the finches of the Galapagos Islands the same as those on the mainland? -Can selective breeding occur in nature? -Can the accumulation of gradual changes in a population lead to a new species over time?
Do living organisms change over time and, if so, how?
Which was Charles Darwin's contribution to the study of biology? -He was the first person to recognize that organisms change over time. -He believed that organisms adapted through the inheritance of acquired traits. -He explained how traits are passed from parents to offspring. -He proposed that natural selection is the primary mechanism of evolution.
He proposed that natural selection is the primary mechanism of evolution
In the African savanna, more wildebeests are born than the environment can support. Which is most likely to happen over a period of years as a result? -The chances for survival of the population are reduced. -New food sources are discovered and become the regular diet. -Individuals that are well suited to the environment reproduce, and those that have lesser adaptations die before they reproduce. -The environment adapts by providing more resources to the growing population, increasing the chances of survival for individuals within the habitat.
Individuals that are well suited to the environment reproduce, and those that have lesser adaptations die before they reproduce.
During a trip to the Galapagos Islands, which observation led Charles Darwin to suspect that organisms change over time? -Island finches were able to breed with mainland species. -Island finches resembled mainland finches, but were not the same species. -Island finches resembled extinct species from other islands around the world. -Island finches did not have beaks of the same size and shape.
Island finches were able to breed with mainland species
Which best describes the relationship between evolution and natural selection? -Natural selection leads to evolution. -Evolution leads to natural selection. -Natural selection is the same as evolution. -Evolution and natural selection are not related.
Natural selection leads to evolution.
Which statement would least likely be used to describe variation? -Variations are inherited differences between individuals of the same species. -Variations that decrease reproductive success are more likely to be passed on. -Variations may result in changes to an entire population after many generations. -Variations provide some individuals with an advantage.
Variations that decrease reproductive success are more likely to be passed on.
What is natural selection? -a process that selects variations that help with survival and that spreads the variations to more offspring -a process through which nature selects an individual within a population for extinction -the difference in heritable traits within a population -the process of nature that causes random variations to appear in the offspring of every generation
a process that selects variations that help with survival and that spreads the variations to more offspring
According to the concept of "survival of the fittest," if a population of birds eats worms that they find deep under ground by using their beaks, which members of the bird population would be more fit? -birds that have flatter beaks -birds that have longer beaks -birds that have wider beaks -birds that have brighter beaks
birds that have longer beaks
Consider this image of a gazelle. Which of the gazelle's naturally selected traits is shown in this picture to be an evolutionary advantage? -feeding only at certain times of the day -coat color for blending in with dry grass -specialized gut due to a diet of grasses -specific gender roles to diminish predation
coat color for blending in with dry grass
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? -differences in the climate among the islands -competition among individuals for available food sources -competition among individuals for desirable mates -differences in egg size among the populations
competition among individuals for available food sources
Which would least likely be a cause of natural selection? -adaptation -evolution -overpopulation -variation
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? -the ability to have several offspring at one time -fur color that closely matches the eucalyptus bark color -longer hind legs that allow for faster running -better ability to communicate with their peers
fur color that closely matches the eucalyptus bark color
A frog lays thousands of eggs because many eggs die. This behavior is an example of ___________
overproduction (population?)
Veronica wrote Charles Darwin's main points on the board, but she made a mistake in one point. 1. Since more offspring are produced than an environment can support, organisms within a population must compete for resources to survive. 2. Due to variations within the population, some competitors will be better equipped for survival than others. 3. The best-equipped organisms will survive and will produce well-equipped offspring. 4. Variations that help with survival will be passed on to future generations and will rapidly change the whole population. Which of these points is wrong?
point 4
Natural selection is a process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to -increase in size. -migrate. -evolve new traits. -survive.
survive.
Which statement describes natural selection? -It is the primary mechanism for evolution. -It must act on structural traits. -It acts to cause overpopulation. -It causes learned skills to become heritable traits.
It is the primary mechanism for evolution.
