What is the basic mechanism of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin?
Natural selection
True or False: Natural selection is the only mechanism of evolution.
False
Fill in the blank: Natural selection occurs when individuals with _______ traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
favorable
What are the four main principles of natural selection?
Variation, inheritance, high rate of population growth, and differential survival and reproduction.
Which term describes the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring?
Survival of the fittest
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a component of natural selection? A) Variation B) Inheritance C) Mutation D) Competition
C) Mutation
What does ‘fitness’ refer to in the context of natural selection?
The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.
True or False: Natural selection can lead to the evolution of new species.
True
What is the term for the genetic changes in a population over generations?
Evolution
Fill in the blank: Natural selection acts on _______ traits that are heritable.
phenotypic
What is the role of genetic variation in natural selection?
It provides the raw material for evolution, allowing some individuals to have advantageous traits.
Multiple Choice: Which scientist is known for the theory of evolution by natural selection? A) Gregor Mendel B) Charles Darwin C) Louis Pasteur D) Alfred Russel Wallace
B) Charles Darwin
What is meant by ‘differential reproductive success’?
It refers to the varying success of individuals in passing on their genes to the next generation.
True or False: Natural selection can occur without environmental pressures.
False
What is the significance of the Galapagos Islands in the study of natural selection?
They provided key evidence for Darwin’s theory through the diverse adaptations of finches.
Fill in the blank: The concept of natural selection was independently conceived by _______.
Alfred Russel Wallace
What is the term for a change in allele frequencies in a population over time?
Microevolution
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can lead to evolution? A) Natural selection B) Genetic drift C) Gene flow D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What type of selection favors extreme phenotypes over intermediate ones?
Disruptive selection
True or False: Natural selection results in organisms that are perfectly adapted to their environment.
False
What is ‘artificial selection’?
The process by which humans breed specific traits in organisms.
Fill in the blank: The process that leads to the formation of new species is called _______.
speciation
What is the difference between natural selection and evolution?
Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution; evolution is the change in the genetic composition of a population over time.
