Evolution is the process by which populations accumulate inherited changes over time. Which of the following mechanisms drives evolution?
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fossilization
natural selection
nitrogen fixation
plate tectonics
natural selection
In a population of short, ground-dwelling animals, some offspring were produced that were approximately 1 cm taller than others in the population. This group was able to reach slightly higher vegetation than the rest of the population. When these animals grew up, they were able to produce more offspring than other animals in the population. This pattern, where the tallest animals were more likely to survive and reproduce, continued over several generations.Eventually, after many generations, all members of the population were at least 20 cm taller than animals of the original population had been. What does this illustrate?
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Only major differences between parents and offspring can result in future generations that are very different from their ancestors.
Slight differences between parents and offspring can eventually result in future generations that are very different from their ancestors.
Ground-dwelling animals would survive better if they evolve to be shorter.
Biological change does not apply to ground-dwelling animals.
Slight differences between parents and offspring can eventually result in future generations that are very different from their ancestors.
A deer is born with the ability to smell predators better than the other deer in its population. As a result, this deer has several seconds of warning every time wolves or other predators attack. This trait may be selected by natural selection because it increases the deer's _______.
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ability to survive
sense of safety
ability to select mates
ability to find food
ability to survive
Biological change over time accounts for the diversity of species. This diversity
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occurs in the animal kingdom but not in the plant kingdom.
develops through gradual processes over many generations.
occurs in the plant kingdom but not in the animal kingdom.
develops only through sudden change over a single generation.
develops through gradual processes over many generations.
The process of natural selection favors certain characteristics in organisms, while it selects against other characteristics.What would happen if there was zero variation between all of the organisms on Earth?
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Natural selection would operate faster.
Organisms would evolve to increase variety.
Less food would be available.
Evolution through natural selection would not occur.
Evolution through natural selection would not occur.
Below is a diagram indicating the limb bones of a human, a crocodile, a bat, a whale, and a bird. Similar bones are highlighted in the same colors. Humans, crocodiles, bats, whales, and birds have similar limb bones. What do these similarities suggest?
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Humans, crocodiles, bats, whales, and birds evolved from a common ancestor.
Humans, bats, and crocodiles share an ancestor with whales but not with birds.
A similar limb structure evolved in each species independently and by chance.
The common ancestor of a human and a bird was a whale.