Unit 3+4 Misconceptions Flashcards

1
Q

Natural selection and evolution are the same thing

A

False. Natural selection is just one of the many ways evolution occurs

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2
Q

Evolution is a random process

A

False. Parts of evolution such as natural selection and sexual selection are both non-random processes

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3
Q

Populations without genetic variation cannot evolve

A

True. Genetic variation (mutations) are the only way populations can evolve

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4
Q

Stronger and longer-lived individuals have higher fitness

A

False. Fitness refers to reproductive output not health, strength or size

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5
Q

Populations evolve but individuals do not

A

True. Change does not occur within generations; it occurs across or between generations

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6
Q

Most individuals in a population of fish that was isolated in a dark cave 500 years ago can no longer seen. This is because they didn’t use their eyes

A

False. Using or not using traits does not impact alleles.

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7
Q

Both harmful and beneficial alleles are passed on to offspring

A

True. Alleles are not inherited from parents one at a time; Chromosomes contain beneficial, harmful, and neutral alleles.

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8
Q

For natural selection to occur environmental change must occur

A

False. Natural selection does not require environmental change. Natural selection occurs when the following are present: heritable variation, the transmission of variation, some individuals reproduce and some don’t

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9
Q

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

A

False. Evolution is a sorting process that produces differences between generations. Change in frequency of alleles occurs, not changing of the alleles themselves.

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10
Q

New traits first appear in one individual at a time

A

True

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11
Q

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

A

False. Nothing forces mutations. The variation factory cannot be manipulated, it is completely random. No outside force can cause beneficial mutations (or any mutations) to occur.

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12
Q

Natural selection tries to make species better through time

A

False. Natural selection doesn’t have a plan or goal.

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13
Q

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

A

False. Mutations are random no matter what may be good or bad for survival.

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14
Q

In a population of organisms, traits can appear or be lost by the same mechanisms or processes

A

True. Traits are lost and gained by the same processes.

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15
Q

The fitness of an individual cannot be determined without knowing the environment the individual lives in

A

True. The fitness of a trait is dependent on the environment. The same traits can increase fitness in one environment while decreasing fitness in other environments.

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16
Q

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

A

False. Pressure can’t cause mutations or new variations.