UNIT 3 - Natural Selection, Adaption & Behaviour

Question 1

What is a mutation?

Answer 1

A random change to genetic material. Mutations are spontaneous and are the only sources of new alleles

Question 2

What can mutations be?

Answer 2

-Neutral,
-Advantageous,
-Disadvantageous,

Question 3

What are some of the factors which increase the rate of mutation?

Answer 3

-radiation (X-rays, UV)
-some chemicals (e.g. those found in cigarettes)

Question 4

What is an adaptation?

Answer 4

It is an inherited characteristic that makes an organism well suited to survive in its environment

Question 5

What does variation within a population make possible?

Answer 5

It makes it possible for a population to evolve over time in response to changing environmental conditions

Question 6

What is Natural Selection?

Answer 6

Natural selection is a process where organisms which are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce, passing on their favourable alleles. Those organisms which are less well adapted die before they reproduce