Adaptation

Question 1

Which of the following best defines adaptation?

a) the change of allele frequencies in a population over time
b) a trait that increases an individual’s survival and/or reproductive success
c) the ability of individual organisms to change their traits within their lifetime
d) the formation of a new species from an ancestor

Answer 1

a) the change of allele frequencies in a population over time (evolution–genetic drift, natural selection, natural disaster)

b) A TRAIT THAT INCREASES AN INDIVIDUAL’S SURVIVAL AND/OR REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS

c) the ability of individual organisms to change their traits within their lifetime (phenotypic plasticity)
d) the formation of a new species from an ancestor (speciation)

Question 2

What does natural selection do?

Answer 2

increases the FREQUENCY of beneficial alleles (adaptations) in a POPULATION over many generations (evolution)

Question 3

Non-dead, reproducers are the only ones that contribute alleles to next generations. Their alleles have been ____.

Answer 3

Their alleles have been ‘NATURALLY SELECTED’.

Question 4

What is an adaptation?

Answer 4

a static, beneficial trait. alter’s organisms phenotype, such that it better fits its environment.

Question 5

Adaptations are… (3 answers_)

Answer 5

-Adaptations are HERITABLE
-Adaptations are PERMANENT for an individual
-Adaptations PROVIDE A BENEFIT for the individuals that possess them.

Question 6

What are the three adaptation types?

Answer 6

1. morphological
2. physiological
3. behavioral

Question 7

This is an example of what adaptation?

A drought on a remote island killed many of the plants eaten by a population of medium ground fences. Mainly plants that produced large, hard seeds survived. 80% of all medium ground finches died, but those with deeper (stronger) beaks had better survival.

Answer 7

Morphological adaptation

Question 8

What is physiological adaptation?

Answer 8

species can acquire adaptations, such as altered physiology, in response to other organisms, rather than the abiotic conditions.

Question 9

This is an example of what adaptation?

Pines adapt by increasing chemical defenses and resisting bark beetle infestation.

Answer 9

Physiological adaptation

Question 10

This is an example of what adaptation?

Migratory behavior is, in part, genetically determined. European blackbirds have adapted to urbanization by reducing migratory behavior. Urban populations are now year round residents, due to a food surplus.

Answer 10

Behavioral adaptation