QUARTER 4 CONTENT 2023 2024 EOC PREP

Artificial selection has produced a wide variety of crop plants, livestock, and pets. Which characteristic of artificial selection makes it different from natural selection?

• Humans, not the environment, select which organisms survive and reproduce.

• Adaptations develop gradually over many generations.

• The stock that is reproduced is genetically identical.

• All offspring are allowed to survive and reproduce.

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The adaptations of a pelican include its long, pouch-like beak. Why is the beak of the pelican an example of an adaptation?

• The beak is a unique feature that is found only in pelicans.

• All birds have beaks, but the beaks vary among different species.

• The shape and structure of the beak have remained the same over many generations.

• The shape and structure of the beak are inherited and help the pelican survive in its environment.

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Edwin is studying a rabbit population in the neighborhood surrounding his home. He observes a variety of fur colors among the rabbits, including gray, white, and brown. The rabbit fur also has a variety of markings, including spots and bands. Edwin argues that natural selection will occur in the rabbit population. It will result in a change in the distribution of fur colors and markings. Which observation would provide the STRONGEST evidence in support of Edwin's argument?

• Neighborhood plants can support a large increase in the rabbit population.

• Fur color and markings do not affect the running speed of a rabbit.

• A new predator tends to hunt more white rabbits than gray or brown rabbits.

• Most of the rabbits are wildlife, while some are pets.

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A variety of plants and animals live in a meadow ecosystem. According to Darwin's ideas about evolution, which of these meadow organisms has the greatest fitness?

• a snake that eats many mice, and then is eaten by a hawk.

• a large, healthy hawk that does not find a mate.

• a female mouse that has many offspring.

• a lone tree that grows in the middle of the meadow.

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Fifteen iguanas survived a hurricane on a raft of uprooted trees. After a month at sea, they colonized an island. They were the first of their species to arrive there. Evolutionary biologists predict that this group of iguanas could become a new species. Which statements explain why the iguanas would become a new species? Select two answers.

• The island iguanas fill exactly the same niche on the island as they did before.

• The island iguanas are geographically isolated from the original population.

• The island iguanas evolve through favorable adaptations and natural selection.

• The island iguanas have more genetic variation than the original population.

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A group of Biology students conducted an experiment mimicking genetic variation and coloration. Students used different colored beans to represent animals that might be prey like mice. A student in each group was the predator like a hawk. Beans (mice) were randomly scattered on multicolored floor tiles. The hawk collected mice (beans) for 10 seconds. Mice that were not eaten were able to reproduce. Three generations of data are shown in the table. Speckled and striped mice (beans) had the best survival rates. Why?

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The number of Florida Panthers (Felis concolor) that survive in the wild today is estimated at about 80-100 animals. This extremely small population is also very similar genetically. According to Darwin’s theory of evolution, what is the most likely consequence for this particular population that is both small and genetically nondiverse?

• The rate of mutations will decrease since few different genes exist in the population.

• The panther population is not well suited to adapt to changes in the environment and may become extinct.

• The panthers may need to crossbreed with different species in order to survive.

• The panther population is likely to adapt well in the future since most individuals are already similar.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A forest had a bug population containing equal numbers of red bugs and green bugs. The birds in the forest preyed on the red bugs as they were easily spotted and tasted better. What effect did this preference shown by the birds have on the bug population?

• The population of green bugs evolved to be better tasting.

• The bug population changed to consist more of red bugs.

• The bug population changed to consist more of green bugs.

• The population of red bugs migrated to an area with no predators.

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If a mutation introduces a new skin color in a salamander population, which factor could determine whether the frequency of the skin color will increase among the population?

• Whether it will make the salamander more fit to survive.

• How many other colors are present in the population.

• How many phenotypes the population has.

• Whether the mutation was natural or artificial.

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The image below shows four different finches that Charles Darwin found while exploring the Galapagos Islands. This information led Darwin to develop the idea that organisms evolve over time. Which of the following would best describe what Darwin would consider as the main reason the finches are different species?

• They had different ancestors.

• They adapted differently because they varied in their food sources.

• They adapted to the different types of predators.

• They crossbred with different bird species.

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