Question 1

How do we define natural selection?

Accepted Answer

The organisms with the best adaptations survive and pass their genes to their offspring

Question 2

What is an adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Adaptations are traits that help an organism to survive

Question 3

What is a speciation?

Accepted Answer

Two populations of the same species become two different species

Question 4

Why do only some organisms survive to pass on their genes?

Accepted Answer

Organisms must COMPETE over limited resources

Question 5

Why would different populations of the same species become different?

Accepted Answer

They might become adapted to different environments

Question 6

Does natural selection cause organisms to become adapted?

Accepted Answer

No it does not cause adaptations, it just selects the best adaptations

Question 7

What processes cause there to be variations within a species?

Accepted Answer

Mutations and recombination cause genetic variations within a species

Question 8

What are some examples of genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

Differences in flower color, beak length, height, and spotting patterns are all examples of genetic diversity

Question 9

What is the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of organisms in a population that can survive on the available resources

Question 10

What happens when a population exceeds the carrying capacity?

Accepted Answer

The weak and sick organisms do not survive

Question 11

Does natural selection change organisms or populations?

Accepted Answer

It changes populations over time

Question 12

Why do populations change over time?

Accepted Answer

New and better adaptations are passed to offspring which go on to reproduce themselves

Question 13

What must a species do in order to avoid extinction?

Accepted Answer

Every species must continue to reproduce successfully

Question 14

What might happen to a species that could not adapt to a change in the ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

It might die out completely and become extinct

Question 15

What do we call a species that is on the brink of extinction?

Accepted Answer

Species which are close to extinction are called endangered species

Question 16

Which resources would be the most likely to limit a population's growth?

Accepted Answer

1. Food 2. Water 3. Shelter 4. Energy

Question 17

What is an organism's niche?

Accepted Answer

The role an organism plays in an environment. This includes where it lives, what it eats, and what jobs it performs (producer, decomposer, etc.)

Question 18

If an organism's niche is destroyed, what must the organism do to survive?

Accepted Answer

The organism must find a new niche (This means finding new shelter or a new food source)

Question 19

What does it mean for an organism to be over-specialized?

Accepted Answer

It means that they are able to fill ONE niche very well (This can be a problem if this one niche is destroyed or disrupted)

Question 20

What might happen to an organism if its niche is too specialized?

Accepted Answer

It might not be able to adapt to a new niche if its niche is destroyed

Related quizzes