Variations in Populations

Variations are important in populations because they can lead to new

• species

• extinctions

• habitat loss

• populations

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He developed the theory of evolution

• Linnaeus

• Lamarck

• Darwin

• Aristotle

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A(n) _____ is any variation that makes an organism better suited to its environment.

• variation

• mutation

• adaptation

• evolution

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On a farm, Marcia observes that individuals of a certain goat species have slightly different sizes and colors. What characteristic of populations is Marcia observing?

• adaption

• evolution

• selection

• variation

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Individuals within a population have slightly different traits, called variations. How do variations improve the likelihood that a population will survive?

• Variation enables individuals to produce offspring that will survive into adulthood.

• Variation enables the population to create new genes, which help individuals survive a significant change in their environment.

• Variation provides the raw material upon which natural selection acts in a population.

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Which refers the process by which populations of organisms with variations that help them survive in their environments live longer, compete better, and reproduce more than those that do not have the variations?

• adaptation

• mimicry

• natural selection

• selective breeding

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Which finch shown below would most likely have an advantage for survival in an environment where seeds are the main source of food?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

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The picture below shows the forelimbs of three different organisms: a bat, a bird, and a horse. All of these animals originally are descended from a common ancestor.

What is most likely responsible for the changes that occurred to form distinctly different organisms over millions of years?

• The organisms' environments changed, and natural selection diversified each species.

• The damage from basic injuries cause mutations to occur that passed onto offspring.

• The organisms created new traits and species through selective breeding.

• The introduction of humans allowed for artificial selection to take place.

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What causes evolution?

• Natural selection

• wind

• water

• Charles Darwin

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The theory of evolution states that groups of organisms undergo changes in their traits over time. Evaluate the following statements and decide which one provides the LEAST convincing evidence for this theory.

• The fossil record shows that humans have developed a smaller chin in the last few 100,000 years

• Genetic evidence suggest that chimpanzees and humans shared a common ancestor about 5 million years ago

• In response to cold weather, humans have adapted by wearing warmer clothing and migrating to areas with warmer climate

• The human hand and whale flippers share a basic common form

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