Organisms and Adaptations Quiz

Some organisms have genes that improve their ability to survive and reproduce. If the genes also help their offspring survive and reproduce, then which of the following will increase?

• The frequency of the genes in one individual

• The frequency of the genes in the population

• The number of genes in one chromosome

• The number of genes in the species

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Scientists estimate that there are more than 20,000 species of ants. The species range in size from 1 mm long to 38 mm long and live in most environments. The diets of ants range from flowers and seeds to fluids from their own larvae. Ants have been able to successfully inhabit so many different environments because their populations have been able to -

• compete with other species for insect populations

• adapt to a variety of habitats and food sources

• fill niches usually occupied by mammals

• occupy habitats that have no other life-forms

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In Madagascar scientists have discovered a moth, Xanthopan morganii praedicta, that has a 30.5 cm proboscis and feeds from and pollinates Darwin’s orchid, Angraecum sesquipedale. The orchid has a nectar-producing tube. How is the moth’s proboscis size an adaptation for its environment?

• The moth can avoid larger animals.

• The moth can pollinate other flowers.

• The moth has little competition for food.

• The moth has time to feed during the day.

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A harmless scarlet king snake and a venomous eastern coral snake have similar band patterns, as shown below. For the scarlet king snake, the adaptation of having a banding pattern like the eastern coral snake’s is known as mimicry. The outcome of this adaptation in the scarlet king snake is to -

• make it easier for the scarlet king snake to attract prey

• make it easier for the scarlet king snake to interbreed with the other snake

• allow the scarlet king snake to blend in with its environment

• protect the scarlet king snake from predators

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The diagram shows light- and dark-colored beetles that live on a tree. Which result is most likely to occur to the beetle population due to predation over time?

• The number of light-colored beetles in the population will increase.

• There will be more dark-colored beetles than light-colored beetles.

• The number of light-colored beetles will decrease.

• The dark-colored beetles will move to a different type of tree.

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The table shows the survival rate of two types of beetles in the same environment over a period of three years. Which statement about the beetles in this environment is best supported by the data?

• Green beetles are more fit for the environment than brown beetles are.

• Brown beetles undergo a greater number of unfavorable mutations than green beetles do.

• Green beetles have a greater gene frequency among their population than brown beetles have.

• Brown beetles have a shorter life cycle than green beetles have.

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Nudibranchs are marine gastropods that lack shells. Many of these gastropods retain the foul-tasting poisons of their prey and secrete them when threatened. The bright coloration of the nudibranchs warns predators to avoid them. Based on this information, how has adaptation allowed marine gastropods to be successful without a shell?

• They find enough food as they move through the marine environment.

• They blend in with their environment to hide from their predators.

• They are not attacked by most predators and are able to reproduce successfully.

• They have bright colors that attract a mate.

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Why does the ability to lay 1,000 to 5,000 eggs increase the fitness of the species *L. clamitans clamitans*?

• It increases opportunities for offspring to compete for limited resources.

• It increases the probability that some offspring will survive long enough to reproduce.

• It increases the probability that moving water will promote gene flow from one population to another.

• It increases the chance of the recombination of alleles, leading to genetic drift in the population.

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Why is delayed implantation an advantageous adaptation for the European roe deer?

• Delayed implantation allows the mother to continue to breed with other males.

• Without delayed implantation, the females would not be able to carry a pregnancy to full term.

• Delayed implantation enables the female to give birth to more fawns each year.

• Without delayed implantation, the fawns would be born in the winter when food is scarce and the weather is harsh.

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Adaptations that result from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness?

• Being able to escape from predators

• Being among the strongest organisms in a population

• Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring

• Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage

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