Evolution Practice

Test your knowledge of evolution with our engaging practice worksheet!

Describe what is happening in figures 1-3. Is the population of mice different in figure 3 than in figure 1? Explain why. Evolution The gradual process by which something changes into a different form. Natural Selection The process by which certain traits make it more possible for an organism to survive. Adaptation When a population becomes better suited to its habitat. Homologous Structure Similar structure that can be found in very different animals. Analogous Structures Structures that evolved independently in two living organisms to serve the same purpose. Place the scenario with the proper group (Adaptation or Harmful Variation). Adaptation Sharks are colored white on the underside and blue or gray on the top. This is their camoflage as the top blends with the water color to someone looking down into the water and the bottom blends with the light coming through the water above. Peacock females pick their mate according to the male's tail. The ones with the largest and brightest tails mate more often. Today most males have bright tails. Deer mice that migrated to the sand hills of Nebraska changed from dark brown to light brown over time to better hide from predators in the sand. Harmful Variation The Chernobyl nuclear disaster exposed living things to radiation which caused birth defects in humans and animals. Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which a person's body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells, and this leads to anemia. Dolphins in the ocean are typically grey; however, albino dolphins have a pink color. Which of the following factors is necessary in order for natural selection to occur in a species? Genetic variation within a population An abundance of food resources A strong family structure None of the above Make it easier for the scarlet king snake to attract prey Make it easier for the scarlet king to interbreed with the other snake Allow the scarlet king snake to blend in with its environment Protect the scarlet king snake from predators Homologous or Analogous Structure Identify as Homologous or Analogous (spelling counts). Click the blue flashing dot to type your answer. Analogous Homologous or Analogous Structures Identify as Homologous or Analogous (spelling counts). Click the blue flashing dot to type your answer. Homologous Use your Evolution vocabulary to fill in the blanks (SPELLING COUNTS). Natural Selection- a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment.Evolution- change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation.Adaptation- any change in the structure or function of an organism by which the organism becomes better fitted to surviveand multiply in its environment .Homologous structure- same structure and can have a different function.Analogous structure- same function but different structure. Reptiles adapted to a terrestrial environment during the Cretaceous period. Environmental conditions for speciation were most favorable for reptiles during the Permian period. Competition for food and shelter among reptile species was very low during the Triassi period. A great extinction occurred during the Jurassic period. Explain why the finches on each of the islands has a different beak. The common ancestor of the lizards first colonized the island of El Hierro. The ancestors of each species came from different continents at different times. The common ancestor of the lizards probably came from Africa. The ancestors of each species evolved in Spain and were brought to the islands at the same time.. The more closely related two different organisms are, the more similar their habitats are. less similar the DNA sequences are. more recently they shared a common ancestor. less likely they are to have the same genes in common. According to natural selection, adaptations beneficial in one habitat should generally be beneficial in all other habitats. Different species occupying the same habitat will adapt to that habitat by undergoing the same genetic changes. Adaptations beneficial at one time should generally be beneficial during all other times. Well-adapted individuals leave more offspring, and thus contribute more to the next generations gene pool, than do poorly adapted individuals. What was Darwin's major contribution to the theory of evolution? Natural Selection The inheritance of acquired characteristics The importance of sexual selection Pangenesis What is the number of amino acid differences between E. ferus and A. forsteri? 13 17 3 0 Which two organisms are more closely related? E. ferus and D. polylepsis G. gallus and A. forsteri E. ferus and E. africanus D. polylepsis and G. gallus Which two organisms are the least closely related? E. ferus and D. polylepsis G. gallus and A. forsteri E. ferus and E. africanus D. polylepsis and G. gallus Adaptations that results from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness? Being able to escape from predators Being among the strongest organisms in a population Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage Differences among individual members of the same species are referred to as.... Variation Fitness Natural Selection Adaptation