Evolution 5.10 to 5.25

Where the better adapted organisms survive to pass traits along to offspring.

• Evolution

• Natural Selection

• Extinction

• Artifical Selection

Answer explanation

Natural Selection is the process where better adapted organisms survive and reproduce, passing advantageous traits to their offspring. This concept explains how species evolve over time.

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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 trait is an acquired phenotype.

Answer explanation

Advantageous traits enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. This increases the likelihood that these traits will be passed on to the next generation, making them more common over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Natural selection is when ____________ decides who survives and who doesn't

• nature

• humans

• animals

• years

Answer explanation

Natural selection is a process where nature determines which organisms are best suited to survive and reproduce in their environment, making 'nature' the correct choice.

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The trees these moths used to live on were white, but have been covered in soot from coal factories. Which moth will be more successful in this environment?

• Dark moth

• Light moth

• Both will be equally successful

• Neither will be successful

Answer explanation

In a soot-covered environment, dark moths are better camouflaged against predators compared to light moths. This increased survival rate allows dark moths to be more successful in this environment.

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Change over time

• Natural Selection

• Selective Breeding

• Homeostasis

• Evolution

Answer explanation

Evolution refers to the change over time in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. It encompasses processes like natural selection and is the overarching concept that explains how species adapt and diversify.

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Which best describes mutations?

• Always helpful

• Always harmful

• Can be helpful or harmful

• Always neutral

Answer explanation

Mutations can lead to various outcomes. Some mutations may provide advantages, while others can be detrimental or have no effect at all. Therefore, the best description is that mutations can be helpful or harmful.

Tags

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Structures with the same parts have different functions; suggests that organisms share a common ancestry

• vestigial structures

• homologous structures

• adaptive radiation

• fossil

Answer explanation

Homologous structures are anatomical features in different organisms that share a common origin but may serve different functions, indicating a shared ancestry. This supports the idea of evolution and common descent.

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Study of embryos of various organisms to show a common ancestor because of similarities in development

• natural selection

• embryology

• speciation

• evolution

Answer explanation

Embryology is the study of embryos and their development. It reveals similarities among different organisms, supporting the idea of a common ancestor, making it the correct choice for this question.

Tags

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The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct?

• Fossil A and C are the same age
  

• Fossil B is older than fossil C

• Fossils A is older than fossil B

• Fossil D is older than fossil C

Answer explanation

In sedimentary rock layers, older fossils are found deeper. Since Fossil D is in a lower layer than Fossil C, it is older. Therefore, the correct statement is that Fossil D is older than Fossil C.

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What does Darwin's theory of evolution suggest?

• species change over time

• extinct species are not related to living species

• different species can interbreed

• animals that look alike are most closely related

Answer explanation

Darwin's theory of evolution suggests that species change over time through processes like natural selection, leading to adaptations and the emergence of new species, making 'species change over time' the correct choice.

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