Module: Natural Selection and Adaptations

The picture below shows a giraffe eating leaves off of a tree. Which of the following characteristics would help individuals in a population of giraffe outlive the other giraffes?

• Having the longest necks

• Having the brightest fur

• Having the most spots

• Having the sharpest teeth

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Chameleons are reptiles that have the ability to hide from predators and prey by blending in with their environment. They can change the pattern and/or color of their skin.

This ability is known as —

• natural selection

• imitation

• mimicry

• camouflage

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Over time, the food supply for birds on an isolated island has changed. The supply of insects, small tender seeds, and vegetation has shrunk. The supply of tough, large, hard seeds has remained unchanged. Over several generations, changes in genetic traits of birds' beaks have occurred. Which beak is most likely to improve the survival rate of the birds?

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The Galapagos Islands are home to a variety of finches. Charles Darwin observed the finches on the island and noticed that each species was well suited to the life it led. For example, finches that ate insects had sharp, slender beaks; finches that ate seeds had strong, wide beaks.

According to the above information and image, beak shape in these finches is an example of —

• adaptation

• simulation

• competition

• environmentalism

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Differences in traits are called _________ and explain why siblings don't look exactly alike.

• mutations
• variations
• traits
• evolution

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A physical or behavioral trait an organism is born with that helps it survive is -

• A mutation

• An adaptation

• Genetic variation

• Gene flow

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True or False. All mutations are harmful.

• True

• False

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Survival of the Fittest and Evolution were proposed by what scientist?

• Charles Darwin
• Albert Einstein
• Steven Hawking
• Isaac Newton

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Organisms with the most beneficial traits will survive.  This is commonly known as ___.

• theory of evolution
• variations
  
• survival of the fittest
• ecosystems
  

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Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed onto offspring?

• Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Because they come from dominant alleles.
• Because they come from recessive alleles.
• Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.

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