Ns Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is natural selection?
Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
True or False: Natural selection is a random process.
False
Fill in the blank: Natural selection is one of the key mechanisms of __________.
evolution
What are the four main components of natural selection?
Variation, inheritance, high rate of population growth, and differential survival and reproduction.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a requirement for natural selection to occur? A) Variation B) Competition C) Mutation D) Inheritance
C) Mutation
What role does genetic variation play in natural selection?
Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.
True or False: Natural selection can lead to the evolution of new species.
True
What does ‘survival of the fittest’ mean in the context of natural selection?
It refers to the idea that individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Fill in the blank: Natural selection can result in __________, where a species evolves to better fit its environment.
adaptation
What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection?
Natural selection occurs without human intervention, while artificial selection is the intentional breeding of organisms by humans.
Multiple Choice: Which scientist is most closely associated with the theory of natural selection? A) Gregor Mendel B) Charles Darwin C) Louis Pasteur D) Alfred Wallace
B) Charles Darwin
What is meant by ‘differential reproductive success’?
It refers to the idea that individuals with certain traits are more likely to reproduce than others, leading to changes in the population over time.
True or False: Natural selection always results in perfect organisms.
False
Fill in the blank: Natural selection operates on __________ traits.
heritable
What is a common misconception about natural selection?
A common misconception is that natural selection is a linear process aimed at perfection.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of natural selection? A) Breeding dogs for specific traits B) Pesticide resistance in insects C) Planting a garden D) Selective logging in forests
B) Pesticide resistance in insects
What is the significance of the ‘fitness’ concept in natural selection?
‘Fitness’ refers to an individual’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
True or False: Natural selection can only act on physical traits.
False
Fill in the blank: The __________ effect occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population.
founder
What is stabilizing selection?
Stabilizing selection is a type of natural selection that favors average individuals in a population.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of disruptive selection? A) Large beaks favored in birds B) Average height favored in plants C) Color variation in butterflies D) Increased speed in predators
C) Color variation in butterflies
What is directional selection?
Directional selection is a type of natural selection that favors one extreme phenotype over others.
True or False: Natural selection can only occur in large populations.
False
Fill in the blank: The __________ hypothesis explains the evolution of altruistic behavior through natural selection.
kin selection
