Natural Selection in Action: How Traits Influence Evolution

1. Brain Warmer 7

4. Scientific Explaination: A If Pikas are removed, predators will have fewer prey and the area down river will become more vulnerable to flooding.

5. Natural Selection and adaptation – STAAR Problem Solving

6. 1.Certain traits can be passed from parents to their offspring. These are called heritable traits. Natural selection most favors the organisms whose heritable traitsA.increase the number of their offspring who successfully reproduce.B.ensure all members of the species are as similar as possible.C.increase the organism's lifespan.D.make the organism more desirable to humans

7. 1 A. Consider the extreme case of a genetic mutation that kept an organism from reproducing at all. In one generation, there would no longer be any organisms alive with that particular trait. Now consider a heritable trait that increases how quickly an organism can reproduce. Suppose that half the unicorns in the world are white and half are black. Also suppose that black unicorns reproduce twice as quickly as white unicorns. In the next generation, two thirds of all unicorns will be black. In another generation, four fifths will be black, and so on. These examples illustrate that natural selection favors traits that increase reproduction.

8. 1. Certain traits can be passed from parents to their offspring. These are called heritable traits. Natural selection most favors the organisms whose heritable traitsA. increase the number of their offspring who successfully reproduce.B. ensure all members of the species are as similar as possible.C. increase the organism's lifespan.D. make the organism more desirable to human

9. 1 A. Phenotypic variations, or changes in visible physical traits, often result from genotypic or chromosomal variations. The genotypic variations may be due to a mutation or random variations that naturally occur during sexual reproduction.Since the white rabbits were moved from a snow-filled environment to a prairie, they would benefit the most from a genotypic variation that causes their fur to darken, since darker fur would serve as better camouflage in a prairie.

10. 2. A family of white rabbits is transferred from a snow-filled ecosystem to a prairie. Which of the following adaptations would be most beneficial to the offspring of these white rabbits?A. longer and sharper claws B. darkening of the furC. increase in overall size D. ability to jump higher

11. 2 B

12. 3. Some plants have a waxy, hairy, or spiny outer surface. These adaptations allow the plants to store water in their stems and leaves and reduce water loss.In which of the following habitats would a plant adapted to store water in its stems and leaves most likely live?A. a small pond B. the desert C. the rainforest D. the tundra

13. 3 B. Plants develop adaptations to become better suited to a particular environment or climate. The plant's adaptations must match the conditions of the environment where it lives to ensure its survival.Desert biomes are often hot and very dry. Plants that live in the desert frequently have waxy, hairy, or spiny outer surfaces that reduce water loss and allow for the storage of water in their leaves or stems. These plants are known as succulents.In order to further reduce water loss, desert plants also often lack leaves, have long root systems that go deep into the ground, and have a reduced number of stomata in their leaves.

14. 4. Several species of finch live on the Galapagos Islands. They are very similar in appearance, but have adapted beaks of different sizes and shapes based on their major food source. Finches with large beaks eat mainly large seeds and cacti. Finches with small beaks eat mainly small seeds and insects.

15. Which of the following best explains the variety of beaks found in finches on the Galapagos Islands?A. Biological evolution does not have any effect on the species diversity of an ecosystem.B. Biological evolution only affects the species diversity of plants in an ecosystem.C. Evolution through natural selection can increase the species diversity of an ecosystem.D. Evolution through natural selection always causes a decrease in the species diversity of an ecosystem.

16. 4 C. The diversity of species is the result of speciation, or the splitting and divergence of former species into new species. Speciation occurs as organisms evolve to better fit their environment. For example, the finches on the Galapagos Islands evolved different sized and shaped beaks based on the food sources that were easily accessible to them.Evolution through natural selection can increase the species diversity of an ecosystem

17. 5. Place the following events in chronological order to show how speciation can occur • C,D,A,B • C,A,B,D • D,C,A,B • C,B,D,A

18. 5 A. Speciation is the process by which two populations of the same species become so genetically different that they can no longer successfully interbreed. Speciation can occur in a few ways, but the end result always increases biodiversity. The following process describes the general steps that occur in most cases of speciation.Separation — Different populations of the same species become geographically isolated from one another.Adaptation — The separated populations adapt independently to their new environments in response to different selective pressures.Speciation — Over time, the divided populations accumulate enough difference in their genetic material that they are no longer able to successfully breed with one another.

19. 6. All organisms that sexually reproduce exhibit behavior that prompts reproductive activities with the opposite sex. Why would this form of behavior most likely be naturally selected?A. Organisms that have behaviors that encourage reproduction would be more likely to reproduce.B. Organisms will not reproduce without the appropriate behaviors being exhibited by the opposite sex.C. Natural selection cannot occur without reproduction. D. Organisms that have behaviors that encourage reproduction also have behaviors that encourage survival.

20. 6 A. While organisms can reproduce without mating behavior, mating behavior makes successfully finding and reproducing with a mate more likely. Because these individuals are more likely to reproduce, they are more likely to have offspring. The offspring that inherit the trait governing the mating behavior will likewise be more likely to reproduce.

21. 7. Which of the following is true about natural selection?A. Natural selection acts upon individual organisms by changing their genetic code through a process known as gene flow.B. Natural selection causes changes in individual organisms because individuals adapt during their lifetime to better suit their environment.C. Natural selection acts upon asexually reproducing populations that lack genetic variation among individual organisms.D. Natural selection causes changes in populations because of the differential reproductive success of genetically varied individuals.

22. 7 D. Natural selection is a process by which organisms with traits well suited to an environment survive and reproduce at a greater rate than organisms less suited to that environment. Natural selection causes changes in populations of organisms, as opposed to individual organisms, because it requires the differential reproductive success of genetically varied individuals

23. 8. Which of the following statements describes an example of natural selection?A.An aloe vera plant possessing a trait for extra thick leaves survives a long drought in a desert, while an aloe vera plant that has thinner leaves does not.B.Owls sleep during the day, while many other animals sleep during the night.C.A farmer breeds a certain cow that produces large quantities of milk in order to produce more cows with the same trait.D.A species of corn is genetically modified to produce a natural insecticide, resulting in an increased harvest.

24. 8 A. Natural selection is the process by which nature determines which traits (or even which types of organisms) will continue to exist in a population over time. Organisms with favorable traits are more likely to thrive, survive, and reproduce than organisms without favorable traits.In this case, the aloe vera plant with thicker leaves has an advantage over the other aloe vera plants because it is able to survive longer without water.

25. 9. Natural selection causes changes in populations of organisms, not individual organisms, becauseA. differential reproductive success caused by genetic variation is necessary for the process of natural selection.B. differential reproductive success caused by acquired behaviors is the most important mechanism of natural selection.C. organisms within sexually reproducing populations all have the same genetic information and the same likelihood of survival.D. organisms within sexually reproducing populations can only pass on genes that reduce their reproductive success.

26. 9 A. Natural selection is a process by which organisms with traits well suited to an environment survive and reproduce at a greater rate than organisms less suited to that environment. Natural selection causes changes in populations of organisms, not individual organisms, because differential reproductive success caused by genetic variation is necessary for the process of natural selection.

27. 10 Adaptations that result from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness? A Being able to escape from predators B Being among the strongest organisms in a population C Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring D Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage

28. 10 Adaptations that result from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness? A Being able to escape from predators B Being among the strongest organisms in a population C Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring D Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage

29. 11 The white cattail is a hybrid species of plant that is a result of the cross between the broad-leaved cattail and the narrow-leaved cattail. Over time, the white cattail has established itself in the wetlands of Midwestern states. Which of these explains the success of the white cattail? A Favorable genes from parental generations provide advantageous characteristics to the hybrid species. B Hybridization produces offspring traits that allow different species to survive in extreme environments. C Inherited traits passed on from parental generations make hybrid species more susceptible to disease. D Hybrid species display more adaptations due to their reduced genetic diversity.

30. 11 The white cattail is a hybrid species of plant that is a result of the cross between the broad-leaved cattail and the narrow-leaved cattail. Over time, the white cattail has established itself in the wetlands of Midwestern states. Which of these explains the success of the white cattail? A Favorable genes from parental generations provide advantageous characteristics to the hybrid species. B Hybridization produces offspring traits that allow different species to survive in extreme environments. C Inherited traits passed on from parental generations make hybrid species more susceptible to disease. D Hybrid species display more adaptations due to their reduced genetic diversity.

31. The correct answer is A.Over time the white cattail was able to take over the Mid western states. This is because favorable genes were passed on from their parents that helped them survive and reproduce. This is natural selection.

32. 12 Adaptations that result from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness? A Being able to escape from predators B Being among the strongest organisms in a population C Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring D Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage

33. 12 Adaptations that result from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness? A Being able to escape from predators B Being among the strongest organisms in a population C Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring D Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage

34. Composition Book Entry

35. 6 Organizational levels of life forms

36. 1. Organism -  fully functional form of a living being (unicellular or multicellular) Ex. plant, animal, human

37. 2. Population - group of organisms which belong to the same species. Ex. deer

38. 3. Community - two or more populations together constitute a community, Ex. deer, tiger, eagle

39. 4. Ecosystem - an area or environment, where one or more communities can live. Ex. all biotic and abiotic factors together 

40. 5. Biome - group of communities, their space and conditions. Ex. desert biome, tundra biome

41. 6. Biosphere - defined as the place, area, and zone where the entire life on Earth exists. Ex. the entire Earth

42. Brain Warmer 11 This diagram demonstrates why the ocean is a large carbon sink.

43. An increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause atmospheric temperatures to increase. Which statement explains how this could affect the ocean as a carbon sink? FLess atmospheric carbon dioxide would be available to phytoplankton. GDissolved carbon dioxide gas in the ocean would increase because surface winds would cause a deeper circulation pattern, making more room for the gas. HLess carbon dioxide gas would be contained in the ocean because increasing precipitation would dilute the carbon entering the ocean. J Less carbon dioxide would be dissolved in the ocean because increasing atmospheric temperatures would cause ocean temperatures to increase.

44. Scientific Explanation: J Increasing atmospheric temperatures would cause ocean temperatures to increase. As a result, less carbon dioxide would be dissolved in the ocean.

45. Human Systems

46. Describe the interactions that occur among systems that perform the functions of regulation, nutrient absorption, reproduction, and defense from injury or illness in animals.

47. List of Body Systems Lymphatic/Immune System Nervous System Reproductive System Respiratory System Endocrine System Integumentary System Muscular System Skeletal System Circulatory System Digestive System Excretory System

48. Integumentary System Interrelationship • Covers all other systems • Endocrine: Hormones stimulate oil secretion in skin • Immune: First line of defense • Digestive: Creation of Vitamin D • Nervous- stimulus response • Excretory – helps regulates body temperature by releasing sweat and gasses.

50. Muscular System Structures: • muscle tissue types (pg. 926) label skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and give brief description of each • structure of skeletal muscle (pg. 927) label skeletal muscle, bundle of muscle fibers, single muscle fiber Function: • Works with skeletal system to produce voluntary movement; helps to circulate blood and move food through the digestive system.