Adaptation, Natural Selection, and Evolution

O1: Which of the following describes an allele?

• A version of a gene passed on from parent to offspring.

• A section of DNA that determines a trait.

• The entire genetic material within a cell.

• A component of the cell membrane.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-2

O1: Read the statement.

In the mid-1800s, a mold infected the potato plants of Ireland. The mold spread fast among the potato plants, killing a lot of them. Almost no potato plants had any resistance to the mold. This is one of the causes of a period of starvation and suffering in Ireland’s history called The Irish Potato Famine.

Based on this information, which option describes the potato plants in Ireland at the time?

• They likely had very high variation.

• Their population growth was slow.

• They likely had very little variation.

• They adapted to their environment very fast.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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O1: Complete the sentence.

______ variation includes differences in genes, whereas ______ variation includes differences in traits.

• Allele ; genetic

• Genetic ; physical

• Genetic ; allele

• Physical ; genetic

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NGSS.HS-LS3-2

O1: Read the statement.

An individual has blue eyes while both parents have green eyes.

In this example, what caused the offspring to look different than the parents?

• The offspring received one allele from the mother and one allele from the father. The combination of alleles led to blue eyes.

• The offspring received more alleles from the mother than it did the father. This led to blue eyes.

• The offspring received both alleles from the father. The alleles led to blue eyes.

• The offspring received both alleles from the mother. The alleles led to blue eyes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

O1: Which option describes a source of variation in a population?

• Evolution.

• Natural selection.

• Mutations.

• Adaptations.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

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O1: Which option describes what is meant by the term variation in a population?

• It means that, within a population, individuals have different traits.

• It means that only some individuals in a population survive.

• It means that organisms get larger and physically stronger over time.

• It means that a population experiences steady growth.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

O2: Read the statement.

At the genetic scale, natural selection ___________ in a population.

Which option correctly completes this statement?

• increases the amount of variation

• determines which genes become physical traits

• changes the frequency of alleles

• decreases the number of genes

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

O2: Which option summarizes natural selection?

• Individuals change their traits over their lifetime to become better at survival. This maintains variation within the population, making it stronger.

• Some individuals pass more genes to the next generation due to their ability to survive. Over time, the population changes to include traits that are beneficial for survival.

• Individuals that require fewer resources are more successful at survival. These are the only individuals that survive.

• Some individuals are physically stronger and tougher than others. These are the only individuals that survive.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

O2: Read the statement.

Camouflage allows organisms to blend in with their surroundings. This allows organisms to be more difficult to see.

Which options correctly describe how natural selection results in camouflage?

• Individuals that have the wrong shape or color for camouflage are at a disadvantage. Fewer of them survive.

• Individuals that have the right shape or color for camouflage are at an advantage. More of them survive.

• Individuals change shape and colors over their lifetime until they get the correct patterns. Those who can achieve this fast can survive.

• Individuals change shape and colors over their lifetime until they get the correct patterns. Those who cannot achieve this in time do not survive.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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O2: What is artificial selection?

• The differences in individuals of the same species.

• Humans selecting individuals with desirable traits to breed and have offspring.

• Some genetic traits not appearing as physical traits in an organism.

• Nature selecting individuals with beneficial traits for the environments in which they live.

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