Natural Selection Scenarios

A group of frogs live in a lake. The mother produces hundreds of baby tadpoles each time she reproduces. Many of these tadpoles do not survive. However, of the ones that do survive, they can have many different lengths of tongues as adults. Which TWO factors of natural selection is illustrated by this scenario?

• Overproduction

• Variation

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A black widow reproduces hundreds of babies at one time. Some of the babies can make much stronger webs than the other spiders. A new type of insect moves into the area that is much larger than the other flies. The new insects can easily break the webs of most of the spiders. However, the spiders who spin the stronger webs can catch the new insects. Which factors of natural selection is illustrated by this scenario?

• Overproduction

• Variation

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Rainbow trout live in the rivers of Minnesota. The mother fish deposits hundreds of eggs into the water at one time. The rainbow trout that survive are well adapted to the cold temperature of the river. However, a few of the offspring can survive in water up to 20 degrees colder. During one especially cold winter, most of the plants the trout feed on in the river die from the cold. This caused a food shortage for the rainbow trout that managed to survive the colder-than-normal water. Which factor(s) of natural selection is illustrated by this scenario?

• Overproduction

• Variation

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A mother sea turtle crawls onto shore and lays over one hundred eggs. The eggs hatch and more than half don’t survive. Decide whether this is a case of overproduction, competition, or variation.

• Overproduction

• Variation

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Some species of geckoes are different shades of green. These differences help the species survive in different types of habitats in the regions where they live. Decide whether this is a case of overproduction, competition, or variation.

• Overproduction

• Variation

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A species of lions is living in the African plains. Over the past year, there has been very little rain, which has caused the water holes to dry up. Consequently, the antelope and other mammals of the region are dying due to lack of water. The lions are experiencing a great shortage of food. Only the best hunters are surviving.

• Overproduction

• Variation

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A species of road runners nest in the hollowed-out bases of cactus plants. In one area of the desert, land developers have bought the land and have removed most of the old cacti. Only the road runners who are the best nest builders can survive. Which factor of natural selection is illustrated by this scenario?

• Overproduction

• Variation

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Why is the mouse population changing over time?

• The light mice can reproduce more successfully than the dark mice

• The hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because the dark mice taste better

• The hawks eat more light mice than dark mice because they can see the light mice more easily

• The hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because they can see the dark mice more easily

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The long and sharp beak of a woodpecker is an example of:

• Natural Selection

• Selective Breeding

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 organism knew it needed that trait, survives, and passes it on.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4