Unit 3+4 Misconceptions

Question 1

Natural selection and evolution are the same thing

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Evolution is a random process

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Populations without genetic variation cannot evolve

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Stronger and longer-lived individuals have higher fitness

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Populations evolve but individuals do not

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Both harmful and beneficial alleles are passed on to offspring

Answer 7

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

Question 8

For natural selection to occur environmental change must occur

Answer 8

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

Question 9

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

Answer 9

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

Question 10

New traits first appear in one individual at a time

Answer 10

True

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Natural selection tries to make species better through time

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

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

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

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

Answer 16

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