Mistakes in making copies of a cell’s chromosomes can occur as the cell is dividing. Such mistakes can affect a single gene or a portion of a chromosome. Which term describes this process?
Mutation
Genetic material that influences the traits of an individual can be found where in the cell?
Nucleus
What is the main function of genes?
Synthesis of protein
Can mutations be beneficial? Explain your answer..
Yes, individual answers will vary. An example of a beneficial mutation would be a mutation that allows an organism to better withstand a toxin.
A mutation can occur if a base pair is _____, _______, or ___________ for another.
Added, deleted, substituted
Are inherited traits passed from parent to offspring?
Yes
Genetics affect how you grow and develop. What other factors can be responsible for growth and development?
Nutrition and Enviroment
A species of rodent lives in a moist forest climate. Over time, the climate becomes drier and more desert-like. Which adaptation would most likely improve the chances that the rodent species could survive as its environment changes?
Being able to eat plants that survive in the changed environment would be an example.
Is genetic variation required for evolution to occur? Explain your answer.
Yes. Genetic variation needs to exist in the traits of the population for evolution to occur
Natural selection? - Dogs of the same breed and having a desirable coat color are bred with one another to produce more puppies with that same coat color.
No, selective breeding
Natural Selection?-
Wolves with thick coats survive a cold winter more than wolves with thin coats. Thick-coated wolves have more offspring the following spring.
Yes, this is natural selection as the wolves environment determines which traits are beneficial and which are not.
Scientists are observing a population of insects living in a warm, dry climate over time. What type of evidence would you expect to see that would support evolution has occurred within the population?
The distribution of traits in a population have shifted. The population is better adapted to survive in its environment. The allele frequency of a particular form of a gene has increased.
The arctic fox is uniquely adapted to its environment with white fur for camouflage, a small nose and ears, and a warm coat to prevent heat loss and strong paws for running and hunting. Explain how the arctic fox population may have adapted to its environment over time..
Variation existed in the traits of the fox population. Foxes with smaller ears and noses were able to stay warmer and were more likely to survive and reproduce to pass their genes onto offspring. Over time, the fox population showed a shift to smaller ears and noses.
Explain what speciation is and when it occurs.
Occurs when 2 or more populations no longer successfully reproduce. Can occur when man made barriers prevent breeding,
Scientists have been observing salamanders in an area over a long period of time and have recently discovered that there may now be multiple species of salamanders in the area. What method could they use to determine if a new species has formed?
Study their reproductive habits to see if they are able to mate with one another.
Explain what extinction is and provide an example.
Occurs when there are no members of a species left on Earth. Every individual in a species of wolf dies from a lack of food.
Why might a species become extinct after an environmental change?
There are not enough members of the species born with a trait necessary to survive in the new environment.
What causes a background extinction?
When a species fails to adapt or compete in their environments while others succeed. (Example: a species of birds fails to adapt to a drought condition in its habitat)
