Chapter 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection Flashcards
What is the primary mechanism of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin?
Natural selection
True or False: Natural selection acts on individuals.
True
Fill in the blank: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring is known as __________.
natural selection
What are the four main principles of natural selection?
Variation, inheritance, high rate of population growth, and differential survival and reproduction.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a component of natural selection? A) Variation B) Inheritance C) Mutation D) Differential survival
C) Mutation
What role does genetic variation play in natural selection?
It provides the raw material for evolution by allowing some individuals to have traits that better suit them to their environment.
True or False: All traits are equally advantageous in every environment.
False
Fill in the blank: Natural selection can lead to __________, where one species evolves into two or more distinct species.
speciation
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can lead to evolution? A) Natural selection B) Genetic drift C) Mutation D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?
Artificial selection is human-directed breeding, while natural selection is the process by which nature selects traits that enhance survival and reproduction.
True or False: Natural selection can result in the extinction of species.
True
What is an adaptation?
A trait that increases an organism’s fitness in its environment.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is a measure of an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
fitness
Multiple Choice: Which scientist is known for developing the theory of evolution by natural selection? A) Gregor Mendel B) Alfred Russel Wallace C) Charles Darwin D) Louis Pasteur
C) Charles Darwin
What is the significance of the Galápagos Islands in Darwin’s studies?
They provided unique examples of species that had adapted to different environments, supporting the theory of natural selection.
True or False: Natural selection can only occur in sexually reproducing organisms.
False
What is meant by ‘differential reproductive success’?
It refers to the idea that individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and pass those traits to the next generation.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of natural selection? A) Breeding dogs for specific traits B) Pesticide resistance in insects C) Color changes in moths D) Both B and C
D) Both B and C
What is the term for random changes in allele frequencies in a population over time?
Genetic drift
True or False: Natural selection can only act on phenotypes, not genotypes.
True
What is a common misconception about natural selection?
That it leads to the ‘perfect’ organism; in reality, it only leads to organisms that are well-suited to their current environment.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes stabilizing selection? A) It favors extreme phenotypes B) It favors average phenotypes C) It leads to the formation of new species D) None of the above
B) It favors average phenotypes
What is disruptive selection?
A type of natural selection that favors extreme phenotypes over intermediate phenotypes.
True or False: Natural selection can lead to the development of new traits.
True
What is the role of mutation in evolution?
Mutations introduce new genetic variations that can be acted upon by natural selection.
Fill in the blank: The __________ theory of evolution proposes that evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability.
punctuated equilibrium
Multiple Choice: Which is a direct result of natural selection? A) Increased genetic diversity B) Adaptation to the environment C) Stagnation of species D) None of the above
B) Adaptation to the environment
What is the term for the variety of different species in a given area?
Biodiversity
True or False: Natural selection can result in the emergence of complex traits over time.
True
What is coevolution?
The process where two or more species influence each other’s evolutionary pathway.
Fill in the blank: The concept that all living organisms share a common ancestor is known as __________.
common descent
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure? A) Human appendix B) Bird wings C) Whale fins D) All of the above
A) Human appendix
What is the significance of fossil records in the study of evolution?
Fossil records provide evidence of the historical sequence of life and the changes in species over time.
True or False: Natural selection operates at the level of populations, not individuals.
True
What is the primary source of genetic variation in populations?
Mutation
