Evolution Part 1 Content Basics

Question 1

What is the definition of ‘fitness’?

Answer 1

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce.

Fitness is a key concept in evolutionary biology, indicating an organism’s reproductive success.

Question 2

Which deer is considered more ‘fit’, A or B?

Answer 2

Deer A has more antlers

Fitness in this context can be determined by traits that enhance survival and reproductive success.

Question 3

What features of the polar bear increase its fitness?

Answer 3

Fur
Claws
Teeth
Size

Larger size can aid in hunting and thermoregulation in polar environments.

Question 4

What is the best definition of adaptation?

Answer 4

Structural or behavioral features an organism has that increase its chances of survival.

Adaptations can be physiological, morphological, or behavioral.

Question 5

What adaptations does the arctic fox have that enhance its survival?

Answer 5

Fur coat

The thick fur coat provides insulation against cold temperatures.

Question 6

What is the purpose of the animal adaptation shown in the picture?

Answer 6

Lizard mouth open is shown Capturing prey; obtaining food

Adaptations often serve multiple purposes, including hunting efficiency.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the adaptation of male with colorful feathers? (Example: peacock displaying its plume of feathers)

Answer 7

Attracting mates

Bright colors in males can indicate health and vitality to potential mates.

Question 8

What unique adaptation is displayed by the animal? (Lizard climbing on branch of same shape/color)

Answer 8

Camouflage

Mimicry helps organisms avoid detection by predators or prey.

Question 9

What is the best definition of a selective pressure?

Answer 9

External agents which affect an organism’s ability to survive; can be positive or negative.

Selective pressures can include predation, climate, and competition.

Question 10

What impact does a larger number of predators in an environment have on an organism?

Answer 10

Negative

Question 11

What impact does an abundance of resources such as food and water have on an organism?

Answer 11

Positive

Question 12

What impact does a natural disaster, such as a flood, hurricane, or fire, have on an organism?

Answer 12

Negative

Question 13

Is the scenario of a bird eating green ones an example of natural selection?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

In the context of antibiotic resistance, which bacteria would be considered the ‘fittest’?

Answer 14

Resistant

Question 15

What type of selection is occurring when humans selectively breed cattle for traits such as milk production?

Answer 15

Artificial Selection

Question 16

Fill in the blank: Natural selection is the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to _______.

Answer 16

survive and produce more offspring

Question 17

True or False: Natural selection results in the elimination of susceptible individuals in a population.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What is the primary outcome of natural selection in the context of antibiotic resistance?

Answer 18

Population shifts towards antibiotic-resistant strains

Question 19

What evidence supports the classification of selective breeding of cattle as artificial selection?

Answer 19

Natural selectioon…..Humans have selectively bred

Question 20

What is mimcry often used for?

Answer 20

To protect a species

Mimicry can serve as a defense mechanism against predators.

Question 21

Define genetic drift.

Answer 21

Change in allele frequency due to chance events.

Question 22

What is a cladogram?

Answer 22

A diagram used to show relations among organisms.

Question 23

What is artificial selection?

Answer 23

The intentional breeding of individuals to produce desired traits.

Question 24

Who is known as the ‘father of evolution’?

Answer 24

Charles Darwin

Known for his contributions to the science of evolution.

Question 25

What are vestigial structures?

Answer 25

Structures in an organism that have lost most or all of their original function.

Question 26

Give an example of a vestigial structure.

Answer 26

Whales have hip bones, but no functional legs.

Question 27

What is natural selection?

Answer 27

The process in nature that supports the survival and reproduction of the best-adapted individuals.

Question 28

What are analogous structures?

Answer 28

Anatomical structures that have the same function but different underlying anatomy.

Question 29

Provide an example of analogous structures.

Answer 29

Butterfly wing and a bat wing.

Question 30

Define adaptation.

Answer 30

Any structure or behavior of a species that helps it to become better fit to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Question 31

What are homologous structures?

Answer 31

Anatomical structures that have the same structure but different functions.

Question 32

Provide an example of homologous structures.

Answer 32

Bat wing and a horse leg.

Question 33

What is the significance of fossils?

Answer 33

Preserved remains or imprints of organisms from earlier times.

Question 34

What does the theory of evolution propose?

Answer 34

All organisms have evolved from simpler life forms.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: The _______ of organisms from earlier times is used to support the theory of evolution.

Answer 35

Fossils

Question 36

GENE FLOW

Answer 36

The movement of genes or alleles between inter-breeding populations of a particular species

Question 37

GENE POOL

Answer 37

The total number of genes of every individual in a population

Question 38

ALLELE FREQUENCY

Answer 38

How often a form of a gene shows up in a population over several generations

Question 39

EVOLUTION

Answer 39

The process of heritable change in populations of organisms over multiple generations
- change over time

Question 40

EMBRYOLOGY

Answer 40

The study of embryos and their development. Embryology is used to support the theory of evolution as an understanding of the growth and development of a species before birth can show how it evolved and how species are related or come from a common ancestor