Natural Selection

What is natural selection?

• Natural selection is the process in which helpful traits become more common over time.

• Natural selection is the random change in traits of a population over generations.

• Natural selection is the method by which organisms are created from non-living matter.

• Natural selection is the process of breeding organisms for specific traits.

What is an adaptation?

• A trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

• A process of changing an organism's genetic makeup over generations.

• A method of communication between different species.

• A type of habitat where organisms live.

What is the difference between natural selection and evolution?

• Natural selection is a type of evolution.

• Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution; evolution is the change in the genetic makeup of a population over time.

• Natural selection and evolution are the same thing.

• Natural selection occurs only in animals, while evolution occurs in plants.

Why is the mouse population changing over time?

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

• The mouse population is increasing due to a decrease in predators.

• Light mice are better at finding food than dark mice.

• The weather has become more favorable for dark mice.

How does natural selection relate to the concept of fitness?

• Fitness is unrelated to survival and reproduction.

• Natural selection favors organisms with lower fitness.

• Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce; natural selection favors those with higher fitness.

• Natural selection only applies to plants, not animals.

How do environmental changes affect natural selection?

• Environmental changes have no effect on natural selection.

• Environmental changes can lead to the extinction of all species.

• Environmental changes can alter which traits are advantageous, leading to shifts in population dynamics.

• Environmental changes only affect the physical characteristics of organisms.

What role do predators play in natural selection?

• Predators help increase the population of prey species.

• Predators can influence which traits are favorable by preying on individuals with less advantageous traits.

• Predators have no impact on the evolution of species.

• Predators only affect the behavior of their prey, not their traits.

What is a mutation?

• A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits in an organism.

• A process of cell division that results in two identical cells.

• A type of genetic engineering used to create genetically modified organisms.

• A method of DNA replication that ensures accuracy in genetic information.

What is genetic variation?

• Differences in DNA among individuals in a population, essential for natural selection.

• The process by which organisms adapt to their environment over time.

• The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

• The total number of genes in a population at a given time.

What word describes a trait that helps an organism survive in its environment?

• Adaptation

• Mutation

• Evolution

• Migration