Natural Selection- Accelerated Science

1. If a rock layer is labeled A, B, and C with A being on the top and C being on the bottom; which fossil would be the youngest?

The one found in A

The one found in B

The one found in C

All would be the same age

Rock layers on the bottom are the oldest and ones on the top are youngest. Law of superposition

Explanation

Rock layers on the bottom are the oldest and ones on the top are youngest. Law of superposition

2. What determines an organism's fitness?

How physically strong it is

How much it changes to fit its environment within its life

How well it can survive within its environment

Where it fits in on the food chain

An organisms fitness is its ability to survive within its environment. Organisms with higher fitness survive, while those with lower fitness die out- hence, "survival of the fittest". An animals fitness is based on inherited traits- organisms don't try to be more perfect; rather, the fitter ones survive and pass those traits on to their descendants.

Explanation

An organisms fitness is its ability to survive within its environment. Organisms with higher fitness survive, while those with lower fitness die out- hence, "survival of the fittest". An animals fitness is based on inherited traits- organisms don't try to be more perfect; rather, the fitter ones survive and pass those traits on to their descendants.

3. What does geographic isolation of the same species result in?

Neither group changes at all

The two groups will refuse to be isolated and immediately attempt to return to the others

Evolution is based on survival, not desire for perfection. However, in different environments, different factors determine fitness of an organism, and thus different organisms survive to reproduce in different environments.So two groups from the same species in different environments would evolve differently

Explanation

Evolution is based on survival, not desire for perfection. However, in different environments, different factors determine fitness of an organism, and thus different organisms survive to reproduce in different environments.So two groups from the same species in different environments would evolve differently

4. Which of these is NOT one of the three requirements for evolution to occur?

More organisms are born than can survive

All organisms are exactly the same as other organisms of their species

There is variation of inherited traits amongst organisms

Some organisms have a higher level of fitness than others in their environment

There needs to be variation for evolution to occur, because otherwise a species would never evolve to its surroundings and could potentially die out. If all members of the species were the same, environmental factors that eliminate the less fit members would eliminate everyone equally.

Explanation

There needs to be variation for evolution to occur, because otherwise a species would never evolve to its surroundings and could potentially die out. If all members of the species were the same, environmental factors that eliminate the less fit members would eliminate everyone equally.

5. Which is NOT an example of natural selection?

Butterflies that have designs on their wings that look like large eyes to scare off predators.

Plants with flowers that have a sweet fragrance will attract a greater number of pollinators.

Plants with thorns being more likely to be eaten by herbivores than other members of the same species that lack thorns is not an example of natural selection because natural selection favors traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction. In this case, the presence of thorns actually decreases the plant's chances of survival by making it more susceptible to being eaten. Natural selection would instead favor plants without thorns that are better able to avoid being consumed by herbivores.

Explanation

Plants with thorns being more likely to be eaten by herbivores than other members of the same species that lack thorns is not an example of natural selection because natural selection favors traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction. In this case, the presence of thorns actually decreases the plant's chances of survival by making it more susceptible to being eaten. Natural selection would instead favor plants without thorns that are better able to avoid being consumed by herbivores.

6. The main idea of evolution states that

The characteristics of organisms within a population change over time

The characteristics of organisms can change during thier lifetime

Only the best and strongest organisms survive

Organisms can survive in any environment on Earth

only A describes the defintion of evolution

Explanation

only A describes the defintion of evolution

7. Which event listed below does not lead to fossil formation?

Floods

Forest fires

Earthquakes

Mudslides

For a fossil to be formed, sediment has to trap the animal. No sediment will be disturbed in a fire.

Explanation

For a fossil to be formed, sediment has to trap the animal. No sediment will be disturbed in a fire.

8. A continent is divided into 2 smaller land masses that drift apart from one another. Which of the following would most likely result?

Diversity of species on land decreases

Diversity of species on land increases

Diversity of species is water increases

Diversity is not impacted

when land masses split, diversity increases

Explanation

when land masses split, diversity increases

9. In the Trinidad guppies (Poecilia reticulata), natural selection may act differently in different locations of the waterfalls. Upstream of such waterfalls, guppies typically face only mild predation pressure from one small species of fish. Downstream of the waterfalls, however, populations of guppies are often under severe predation pressure from voracious predators such as the pike cichlid. What life history strategy would be favored by natural selection in the downstream waterfalls?

Natural selection should now favor females that produce smaller offspring, since they wouldn't be eaten by predators

Natural selection doesn't act differently on guppy populations in the high-predation and low-predation sites

Natural selection favors females that can produce offspring that are relatively large and grow fast

Natural selection favors females that produce as many offspring as possible, rather than producing larger and fewer offspring.

In downstream waterfalls where guppies face severe predation pressure from voracious predators, natural selection would favor females that produce as many offspring as possible, rather than producing larger and fewer offspring. This is because the high predation risk would make it more advantageous for females to produce a larger number of offspring, increasing the chances of some surviving and passing on their genes. This strategy would help to compensate for the high mortality rate caused by the predators and ensure the continuation of the guppy population.

Explanation

In downstream waterfalls where guppies face severe predation pressure from voracious predators, natural selection would favor females that produce as many offspring as possible, rather than producing larger and fewer offspring. This is because the high predation risk would make it more advantageous for females to produce a larger number of offspring, increasing the chances of some surviving and passing on their genes. This strategy would help to compensate for the high mortality rate caused by the predators and ensure the continuation of the guppy population.

10. The fossil record

Only represents a small fraction of life that has existed on Earth

Represents a complete record of all organisms that have lived on Earth

Is a hoax developed by scientists

Represents a moderate amount of the history of life on Earth

Only about 1% of all organisms that have lived on Earth, can be found in the fossil record.

Explanation

Only about 1% of all organisms that have lived on Earth, can be found in the fossil record.