inheritance and Genetic Variation

The offspring of sexually-reproducing organisms have greater genetic variation than the offspring of asexually-reproducing organisms. Why is this so?

• The offspring of asexual organisms get a copy of their one parent’s genes, not a combination from two parents.

• If the offspring of asexual organisms are different from their parents, they do not survive.

• Sexually-reproducing organisms develop over longer periods of time, allowing their genetic material to change.

• The genetic material of sexually-reproducing organisms is much more complex than that of asexual organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Some students are observing the behavior of a male bird in the schoolyard. Which of the following observed behaviors might increase the probability of reproductive success?

• Flew from tree to tree

• Flew away when a cat appeared

• Hopped along a tree branch

• Flew from a tree to the ground

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

The Articum lappa plant produces prickly burrs that grow on the ends of the stems. These burrs can easily catch on the fur of animals. This plant structure most likely benefits the plant in which of the following ways?

• increases the plant’s water absorption

• Attracts animals to come near the plant

• Keeps the plant warmer

• Helps the plant transport its seeds

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Students visiting the zoo observe a male peacock spreading his feathers in the presence of a female peacock. This behavior most likely helps the peacock –

• scare off female birds.

• hide from predators.

• attract a mate.

• find food to eat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Male widow birds have very long tail feathers. What evidence would support the claim that these tails are used by the birds to attract mates and lead to reproductive success?

• In every generation, the small number of males with the longest tail feathers produce the greatest number of offspring.

• Only the males of the species have long tail feathers, and the females always have much shorter tail feathers.

• The males with the longest tail feathers are the easier to locate in their habitat than those with shorter tail feathers.

• Even though the wingspan of males does not exceed 15 centimeters, some males have tail feathers 50 centimeters long.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following plant adaptations allows plants to use animals to transport their seeds to new locations?

• Large leaves

• Sweet fruit

• Strong stems

• Deep roots

Check all the answers that apply:

Certain frogs can reproduce sexually and asexually. What would be the most reliable way to determine if a group of offspring of the frogs were produced through sexual or asexual reproduction?

• The offspring are all genetically different but look alike then they were produced by sexual reproduction

• The offspring are all genetically alike and look exactly the same then they were produced by asexual reproduction

• The offspring are all genetically different and look different, then they were produced by sexual reproduction.

• The offspring are all genetically alike but look different then they were produced by asexual reproduction

• There is no way to determine how the frogs were reproduced.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Select as many answers as apply:

A fern reproduces asexually. What is true of its offspring?

• They are genetically different

• They are genetically the same

• They all look different

• They will all look the same

• They are all clones

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Which of the following best describes the genes of offspring of organisms that reproduce sexually?

• The genes of each offspring are identical to that of every other offspring.

• Each offspring receives genes that are identical to one, and only one, of the parents.

• Every offspring has genes that are a combination of the genes of each parent.

• The genes of each offspring are unique and do not resemble those of either parent.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

A table showing several organisms and some data on their characteristics is provided.

Based on the data in the table, which organism is likely to produce offspring that doesn't have genetic variation?

• Puffball

• Rose bush

• Largemouth bass

• Hydra

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2