10.8 Changing population characterisics

Question 1

Explain natural selection. (2 marks)

Answer 1

Organisms that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. As a result, these characteristics will become more common in the population.

Question 2

Give two modern examples of evolution. (2 marks)

Answer 2

Anti-biotic resistant bacteria
Peppered moths
Sheep blowflies
Flavobacterium

Question 3

Explain how peppered moths evolved during the industrial revolution. (2 marks)

Answer 3

Before, the lighter peppered moths had the advantage, due to being able to blend in with the light trees.
During the industrial revolution, the trees were covered in soot, so the darker moths had the advantage…

Question 4

How did sheep blow flies evolve after a pesticide was developed to kill them. (1 mark)

Answer 4

They developed a high resistance to the pesticide, this trait was then passed on.

Question 5

Give an example of evolution due to an opportunity. (2 marks)

Answer 5

Flavobacterium, evolved to feed on nylon (more available, due to production of it in the waste from factories.

Question 6

What is the founder effect? (2 marks)

Answer 6

When a few individuals of a species colonise a new area, their offspring initially experience a loss in genetic variation, often resulting in individuals that physically and genitcallyi different from their source population.