Ch. 6 Evidence of Evolution & Natural Selection Quiz

Analyze the data in the table. What is the relationship between the color of the

mice and the color of their surroundings?

• Lighter mice live on lighter surfaces, whereas darker mice live on the darker

  surfaces.

• Lighter mice live on darker surfaces, whereas darker mice live on the lighter

  surfaces.

• Mice in the desert do not have a long life span.

• Mice in the desert can survive, thrive, and reproduce without water.

Owls are more likely to catch and eat mice that do not match the color of their

surroundings because those mice are more visible. Given this, what is the best

explanation for the data in the table?

• Mice try to find habitats that match their coat color and then stay there.

• Mice changed their coat color to match their environment.

• Mice are only able to survive on surfaces that match their coat color.

• Mice whose color matches their habitat are better able to survive and reproduce.

Which of the following statements does not provide evidence that differences in

mice coat color could have evolved through natural selection?

• Evidence suggests that the mice have lived in the area for very long periods of time,

  so they have had enough time to evolve.

• Evidence from genetics indicates that the color differences between the mice can be

  inherited.

• Evidence from embryology suggest that lighter mice are not related to darker mice.

• Evidence from the sites shows that owls provide a plausible mechanism for natural

  selection.

What might account for the relatively light color of mice living in study area E?

How could you study this further?

All populations of rock pocket mice show some variation in color from individual

to individual. Why is such natural variation a key requirement for natural selection to

occur?