Variation and Evolution: Learn about the Diversity of Life

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a physical characteristic that can vary within a species?

Accepted Answer

Personality

Answer

Size

Answer

Shape

Answer

Color

Question 2

What is the term for the process of forming new species?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Variation

Question 3

Which of the following is a characteristic of a population that evolves over time?

Accepted Answer

Increased genetic variation

Answer

Decreased genetic variation

Answer

Loss of genetic variation

Answer

Gain of new traits

Question 4

A group of rabbits has longer ears. How might this variation benefit the rabbits?

Accepted Answer

Improved hearing to detect predators

Answer

Increased chances of finding food

Answer

Better ability to regulate body temperature

Answer

Improved means of locomotion

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can influence natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Gender of the organism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Availability of food

Answer

Climate change

Question 6

How does evolution help species to survive in changing environments?

Accepted Answer

It allows them to develop new traits that enhance their survival

Answer

It keeps the population size same

Answer

It removes harmful traits from the population

Answer

It prevents geographic variation in the population

Question 7

Why is genetic diversity important for a population?

Accepted Answer

It allows the population to adapt to changes in the environment

Answer

It prevents the spread of disease

Answer

It ensures the survival of the strongest individuals

Answer

It eliminates harmful genes

Question 8

How did the giraffe's long neck evolve?

Accepted Answer

Giraffes with necks that were longer than average had an advantage in reaching high leaves

Answer

The increase in neck length was caused by a single mutation

Answer

All of the giraffes in the population had a sudden growth spurt

Answer

The giraffe's neck evolved to allow them to reach insects on the ground

Question 9

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is its observable characteristics

Answer

Phenotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while genotype is its observable characteristics

Answer

Genotype and phenotype are the same thing

Answer

Genotype is present only in plants, while phenotype can be seen in both plants and animals

Question 10

The gradual change in the traits of a population over many generations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Variation

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Adaptation

Question 11

Variation, natural selection, and evolution are all connected. How are they related?

Accepted Answer

Variation provides the starting point for natural selection, which drives evolution

Answer

Natural selection removes unfavorable variations, leading to evolution towards perfection

Answer

Evolution is a random process that is independent of variation and natural selection

Answer

Variation and natural selection are unrelated to evolution

Question 12

Which of these is NOT a variation that can be found within a species?

Accepted Answer

Different ages

Answer

Different colors of fur

Answer

Different sizes of beaks

Answer

Different behaviors

Question 13

What is the term for the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation

Question 14

What happens when individuals with a certain trait are less likely to survive and reproduce?

Accepted Answer

The trait becomes less common in the population.

Answer

The trait becomes more common in the population.

Answer

The trait stays the same in the population.

Answer

The trait is eliminated from the population.

Question 15

Which of these is NOT a type of evidence that supports the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Creation myths

Answer

Fossil record

Answer

Comparative anatomy

Answer

Molecular biology

Question 16

What is the term for the process by which species gradually change over long periods of time?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Variation

Answer

Natural selection

Question 17

What is NOT a possible source of variation within a species?

Accepted Answer

Identical reproduction

Answer

Genetic changes

Answer

Environmental influences

Answer

Human intervention

Question 18

According to the theory of natural selection, which individuals are most likely to pass on their genes to the next generation?

Accepted Answer

Those with traits that help them survive and reproduce better

Answer

Those with traits that are most common in the population

Answer

Those with traits that are inherited from both parents

Answer

All individuals equally

Question 19

What is a characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in a particular environment called?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Variation

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Evolution

Question 20

How can variations in species contribute to the process of evolution?

Accepted Answer

They provide the basis for natural selection to act upon

Answer

They guarantee identical individuals in a species

Answer

They prevent adaptation to the environment

Answer

They have no impact on evolution

Question 21

What is NOT a potential outcome of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced genetic variety

Answer

Accumulation of beneficial traits

Answer

Specialization of organisms to specific environments

Answer

Emergence of new species

Question 22

If different animals have homologous structures, what does this tell us about their history?

Accepted Answer

They share a common ancestor.

Answer

They use those body parts in the same way.

Answer

All living things have those structures.

Question 23

What does the idea of common ancestry refer to?

Accepted Answer

All living things share a common ancestor from which they evolved over time.

Answer

Only humans and apes share a common ancestor.

Answer

All living things look the same.

Question 24

Artificial selection can change domesticated animals and plants. How does artificial selection differ from natural selection? Give one example.

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection can lead to rapid changes in traits, such as larger vegetables or faster-growing animals.

Answer

Natural selection takes a shorter time compared to artificial selection.

Answer

Artificial selection increases the genetic diversity within a species.

Answer

Natural selection only occurs in domesticated species, while artificial selection occurs in wild populations.

Question 25

What does natural selection do in evolution?

Accepted Answer

Chooses the traits that are best suited to an environment

Answer

Creates new species

Answer

Makes a population healthier overall

Answer

Removes all differences in genes

Question 26

Which of these is NOT true about evolution?

Accepted Answer

It always leads to more complex organisms.

Answer

It is a random process.

Answer

It can happen in response to changes in the environment.

Answer

It can only happen over millions of years.

Question 27

Which of these best describes variation within a species?

Accepted Answer

Individuals within a species can have different traits, like size or color.

Answer

All members of a species are exactly the same.

Answer

A species can only have one type of variation.

Answer

Variation is only found in plants, not animals.

Question 28

What is the main role of natural selection in evolution?

Accepted Answer

To favor individuals with traits that help them survive and reproduce better.

Answer

To make all individuals in a species identical.

Answer

To create new species.

Answer

To eliminate all variation within a species.

Question 29

What is a fossil?

Accepted Answer

The preserved remains or traces of living things from the past.

Answer

Only found in very old rocks.

Answer

Always complete and perfectly preserved.

Answer

Cannot tell us anything about extinct species.

Question 30

What is the process by which new species are formed from existing ones called?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Evolution

Question 31

Which of these is an example of a homologous structure?

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bird and the wings of a bat.

Answer

The skin of a dolphin and the scales of a fish.

Answer

The legs of a dog and the arms of a human.

Answer

The eyes of a cat and the eyes of a dog.

Question 32

What evidence from fossils shows that organisms have changed over time?

Accepted Answer

The fossil record

Answer

Comparative anatomy

Answer

Molecular evidence

Answer

Behavioral similarities

Question 33

Which of these is not a source of variation within a species?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutations

Answer

Selective breeding

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 34

What is the process by which individuals with advantageous traits have a better chance of surviving and reproducing?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Adaptation

Question 35

What is the long-term result of natural selection acting on a population over many generations?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Extinction

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Selective breeding

Question 36

What term describes the gradual change in the genetic makeup of a population over time?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Question 37

What process leads to the formation of new species from an existing one?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Extinction

Answer

Adaptive radiation

Answer

Natural selection

Question 38

What is the process called where organisms with traits that help them survive are more likely to reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic diversity

Answer

Selective breeding

Answer

Genetic modification

Question 39

How does variety in the genes of a population contribute to evolution?

Accepted Answer

It provides the foundation for natural selection to work

Answer

It guarantees that all individuals are identical

Answer

It makes it harder for the population to adapt to changes

Answer

It has no impact on evolution

Question 40

Which of these is NOT evidence that supports the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Religious beliefs

Answer

Fossils

Answer

Similarities in body structures

Answer

Genetic comparisons

Question 41

What is the role of scientific theories in understanding evolution?

Accepted Answer

They provide explanations based on evidence

Answer

They are set in stone and never change

Answer

They are made up by scientists without proof

Answer

They are simply opinions

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

It occurs randomly without any guiding force.

Answer

It favors traits that enhance survival and reproduction.

Answer

It acts on inherited variations.

Answer

It leads to the accumulation of favorable traits over time.

Question 43

Which of the following is an example of an inherited variation?

Accepted Answer

Eye color

Answer

Learning to ride a bike

Answer

Favorite food

Answer

Broken leg

Question 44

Which of the following is an adaptation that has evolved in birds?

Accepted Answer

Feathers for flight

Answer

Webbed feet for swimming

Answer

Sharp claws for hunting

Answer

Thick fur for warmth

Question 45

According to the theory of evolution, which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

The Earth is only a few thousand years old.

Answer

All living things share a common ancestor.

Answer

Evolution occurs through natural selection.

Answer

Evolution is a slow and gradual process.

Question 46

Who is known as the father of modern genetics?

Accepted Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Isaac Newton

Answer

Albert Einstein

Question 47

How do environmental factors influence natural selection?

Accepted Answer

They favor traits that help organisms survive and reproduce better

Answer

They create new traits in a population

Answer

They prevent evolution from occurring

Answer

They have no impact on natural selection

Question 48

Which of the following characteristics is common to all living things?

Accepted Answer

They contain DNA

Answer

They move around

Answer

They have a pulse

Answer

They can speak

Question 49

What is the name of the process by which living things change to become better suited to their environment?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Variation

Question 50

How does genetic variation contribute to evolution?

Accepted Answer

It provides the raw materials for natural selection.

Answer

It ensures that all individuals in a species are identical.

Answer

It prevents the extinction of species.

Answer

It has no role in evolution.

Question 51

Who is known as the father of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Louis Pasteur

Question 52

What is the overall purpose of evolution?

Accepted Answer

To increase the chances of survival and reproduction for organisms.

Answer

To create perfect organisms.

Answer

To eliminate all genetic variation.

Answer

To prevent extinction.

Question 53

Which of the following is a description of variation within a species?

Accepted Answer

Some individuals in a species have different traits.

Answer

All individuals in a species have identical traits.

Answer

The species is not changing over time.

Answer

The environment is not changing.

Question 54

An adaptation is:

Accepted Answer

A trait that helps an organism survive in its environment.

Answer

A trait that makes an organism look different from others.

Answer

A trait that is passed on from parents to offspring.

Answer

A trait that is not useful to an organism.

Question 55

Which of the following is a selective pressure?

Accepted Answer

A factor that affects the survival or reproduction of an organism.

Answer

A change in the environment.

Answer

A variation within a species.

Answer

An adaptation.

Question 56

The process by which organisms become better adapted to their environment over time is called:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 57

Which process is the driving force behind natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Survival of the fittest

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 58

Which of the following adaptations helps a desert plant survive in extreme heat?

Accepted Answer

Thick, waxy leaves

Answer

Shallow root system

Answer

Large, flat leaves

Answer

Parasitic lifestyle

Question 59

What is the process that leads to the formation of new species?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 60

Which of the following shows variation within a population?

Accepted Answer

Different eye colors

Answer

Same height

Answer

Similar behaviour

Answer

Shared ancestry