Theory of Evolution

Which statement most closely agrees with the theory of evolution by means of natural selection, as explained by Charles Darwin?

• Only the strongest organisms can survive.

• Humans were created from chimpanzees.

• Only favorable traits are passed from one generation to the next.

• Organisms better adapted to their immediate environment are most likely to survive and reproduce.

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What is Natural Selection?

• The process by which humans breed a species for certain traits.

• The process in which inherited traits of a population change over many generations.

• The process by which Charles Darwin noted the differences in finches while visiting the Galápagos Islands.  

• The process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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Which statement must be present for evolution to occur?

• Genetic variation in a population must be present

• Variation that does not affect the survival of a species must be present

• Resources must be abundant

• stable environment must be present

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A slight difference in an inherited trait between individual members of the same species.

• analogous structures

• variations

• adaptations

• homologous structures

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The Asian shore crab invaded parts of the eastern coast of the United States about 15 years ago. The Asian shore crab preys on blue mussels. In the time since the Asian shore crab arrived, the average shell thickness of the blue mussel population has increased.

Which of the following is the most likely reason that this increase in shell thickness has occurred?

• Blue mussels with thick shells attract more crabs that mussels without thick shells.

• Blue mussels with thick shells grow in larger colonies than mussels without thick shells.

• Blue mussels with thick shells catch more food per day than mussels without thick shells.

• Blue mussels with thick shells survive and reproduce more successfully than mussels without thick shells.

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When visiting the Galápagos Islands, Charles Darwin observed finches. These observations became the basis of his ideas about genetic variation and evolution. He wondered why the finches on each island had different shaped beaks. What conclusion did Darwin provide to explain the differences in the finch beaks on the islands?

• As the islands evolved, the finches changed, so their food sources also changed

• The finches on each island were able to change their beaks to eat the food source that was available.

• The finches migrated among the islands and changed their diet habits based on the food source available.

• The finches with beak adaptations favorable for feeding on available food sources survived and reproduced.

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The trees these moths used to live on were white, but have been covered in soot from coal factories. Which moth will be more successful in this environment?

• Both will be equally successful

• Light moth

• Dark moth

• Neither will be successful

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The praying mantis has few predators. Yet it is adapted to look just like the twigs and small branches where it is usually found. Explain how this adaptation helps the praying mantis survive. 

• It hides better in its environment to be harder prey to find.

• It eats twigs and you are what you eat.

• It hides better in its environment to be a better predator.

• It wants to camouflage itself.

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