U3: Evolution Misconceptions

Question 1

Natural selection and evolution are pretty much the same thing

Answer 1

FALSE

–> Natural selection is a PART of evolution

Question 2

Evolution is a random process

Answer 2

FALSE

–> Certain components of evolution are random but most are non-random

Question 3

Populations without genetic variation cannot evolve

Answer 3

TRUE

–> Mutation is the source of variation

Question 4

Strong and longer-lived individuals have higher fitness

Answer 4

FALSE

–> Fitness = reproductive output (it is not about strength or lifespan)

Question 5

Populations evolve but individuals DO NOT

Answer 5

TRUE

–> Changes occur BETWEEN generations (not within)

Question 6

Most individuals in a population of fish that was isolated in a dark cave 500 years ago can no longer see.

This is a result of them not using their eyes.

Answer 6

FALSE

–> Using/not using traits does NOT impact alleles

Question 7

Both harmful and beneficial alleles are passed on to offsprings

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

For natural selection to occur, environmental change must also occur

Answer 8

FALSE

–> Natural selection occurs when there is:
1) Heritable variation
2) transmission of variation
3) Some individuals reproducing while others don’t

Question 9

Evolution typically occurs when most members of a population gradually adjust to a changing environment

Answer 9

FALSE

–> Evolution is generational

Question 10

Evolutions often occurs because organisms and species are forced to change or go extinct

Answer 10

FALSE

–> It’s not possible for anything to force a mutation to occur

Question 11

Natural selection tries to make species better through time

Answer 11

FALSE

–> Natural selection does not have a plan or a goal

Question 12

Traits that are needed for survival are more likely to appear in a population

Answer 12

FALSE

–> Mutations are random

Question 13

In a population of organisms, traits can appear or be lost by the same mechanism or process

Answer 13

TRUE

–> Mutation can result in new phenotype or eliminate phenotypes

Question 14

The fitness of an individual cannot be determined without knowing something about the environment in which it lives

Answer 14

TRUE

–> No trait is inherently fit: depends on the environment

Question 15

Evolutionary pressures typically cause more mutations to occur in a population experiencing environmental change

Answer 15

FALSE

–> Pressure can’t cause mutations or new variation