Natural Selection Acts on Phenotypes

Which level does natural selection act on?

• Individual Genotype

• Individual Phenotype

• Population Genotype

• Population Phenotype

Answer explanation

Natural selection is acting on specific phenotypes in a population. The individuals able to blend into their environments are less likely to be consumed and more likely to survive. The genotype is not involved in the selection of individuals.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

What level does natural selection select?

• Individual Genotype

• Individual Phenotype

• Population Genotype

• Population Phenotype

Answer explanation

Natural selection is selecting the individuals with the favorable phenotypes. The individuals able to blend into their environments are less likely to be consumed and more likely to survive.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

What level does natural selection cause change?

• Individual Genotype

• Individual Phenotype

• Population Genotype

• Population Phenotype

Answer explanation

The individuals who are more likely to survive share alleles that led to the favorable phenotype. The allele frequency will increase in the population, thus natural selection causes changes in the population’s genotype (allele frequency).

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

An individual evolves to better match its environment.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Individuals DO NOT evolve.

Populations evolve.

The individuals are selected for or against, but the population will change due to those selections.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

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What is a phenotype?

• Genes

• Physical Characteristics

Answer explanation

Phenotype is the physical (observable) characteristics from the proteins synthesized by the genes (genotype).

What does natural selection MODIFY?

• Genotype

• Phenotype

Answer explanation

Due to specific traits being selected for or against, the alleles for those traits will either increase or decrease in the population. Natural selection modifies the allele frequency which is genotype.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

What does it mean by fitness?

Answer explanation

Fitness is the ability for an organism to contribute to the gene pool. It’s about being able to survive and reproduce and leave offspring that can survive and reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

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What does natural selection act on?

Act on means that is selected for or against.

• Genotype

• Phenotype

Answer explanation

Natural selection will determine which individuals will survive. If a phenotype allows for an individual to be more likely to survive, it will be able to leave more offspring. If a phenotype allows for an individual to be less likely to survive, it will leave less offspring.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-5