A drought hits the habitat of a semi-aquatic bird population. All ponds dry up, and fish populations decline. There are two groups of birds in the population that differ in leg length and diet. Long-legged birds eat fish, while short-legged birds eat insects. The drought has little effect on insect populations.
What is the main selective pressure in this scenario?
(1 point)
Responses
fish population
fish population
leg length
leg length
insect population
insect population
drought
In the observed bird population, we can find three different varieties that possess different variations in their traits. For instance, birds belonging to the first variety might have long beaks, whereas birds from the second variety could have feathers with a specific color pattern. Finally, birds from the third variety might have particularly swift flight patterns that allow them to fly faster than the other two. These variations could impact the birds' relationships with the environment and predators. For example, swift-flying birds might be more elusive to predators and better at catching prey in a specific environment, whereas birds with colorful feathers might use them to attract specific mates or confuse predators. Similarly, birds with longer beaks might be able to forage more efficiently and specialize in eating specific foods.
drought
Which statement is accurate about variations?(1 point)
Responses
In all cases, variations affect how likely it is that an organism reproduces.
In all cases, variations affect how likely it is that an organism reproduces.
Organisms with variations are less likely to pass these variations to their offspring.
Organisms with variations, , are less likely, , to pass these variations to their offspring.
In all cases, variations become more common in a population.
In all cases, variations, , become more common in a population, .
Organisms with variations that give an advantage are more likely to survive.
Organisms with variations that give an advantage are more likely to survive.
In a muddy lake environment, some fish have brown scales. Most fish, however, have silver scales. Predators have a harder time seeing the fish with brown scales.
Which term best describes the brown scales?
(1 point)
Responses
advantageous trait
advantageous trait
inactivated gene
inactivated gene
new mutation
new mutation
predominant phenotype
predominant phenotype
advantageous trait
How did the Industrial Revolution impact the population of peppered moths in Britain? (1 point)
Responses
The Industrial Revolution caused the proportions of each color morph in the population to become unequal.
The Industrial Revolution caused the proportions of each color morph in the population to become unequal.
The Industrial Revolution caused the proportions of each color morph in the population to become equal.
The Industrial Revolution caused the proportions of each color morph in the population to become equal.
The dark-colored moths became more common.
The dark-colored moths became more common.
The light-colored moths became more common.
The dark-colored moths became more common.
There are two varieties in a population of squirrels: short tails and long tails. Long-tailed squirrels are better at jumping and balancing in trees. Scientists observe that over the span of 100 years, the proportion of the population with long tails increases from 10% to 60%. Which statement is most likely? (1 point)
Responses
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to an increase in trees.
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to an increase in trees.
The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to increased food availability.
The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to increased food availability.
The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to a decrease in trees.
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.
Why is the cheetah gene pool small today? (1 point)
Responses
multiple bottleneck events
multiple bottleneck events
poor adaptability
poor adaptability
inbreeding in zoos
inbreeding in zoos
lack of advantageous traits
multiple bottleneck events
After a bottleneck event, the population of rabbits in an area has significantly decreased. A decade later, the population of the rabbits recovers to its original numbers. Which statement is correct about the rabbits? (1 point)
Responses
They are as likely to survive environmental changes because they survived the bottleneck event.
They are as likely to survive environmental changes because they survived the bottleneck event.
They are more likely to survive environmental changes because of the bottleneck event.
They are more likely to survive environmental changes because of the bottleneck event.
They are as likely to survive environmental changes because their population has recovered.
They are as likely to survive environmental changes because their population has recovered.
They are less likely to survive environmental changes because of the bottleneck event.
They are less likely to survive environmental changes because of the bottleneck event.
They are less likely to survive environmental changes because of the bottleneck event.
What change is observed in a distribution curve for a trait affected by directional selection?(1 point)
Responses
It shifts to the right.
It shifts to the right.
It shifts to the left.
It shifts to the left.
It shifts either to the right or to the left.
It shifts either to the right or to the left.
It shifts to the right and to the left.
It shifts to the right.
In a population of birds, brightly colored males and very dull males survive best. Which type of selection is this, and what is most likely true about the proportion of males of intermediate coloring?(1 point)
Responses
Directional; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.
Directional; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.
Disruptive; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.
Disruptive; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.
Stabilizing; males of intermediate coloring make up the greatest part of the population.
Stabilizing; males of intermediate coloring make up the greatest part of the population.
Directional; males of intermediate coloring make up the greatest part of the population.
Directional; males of intermediate coloring make up a small part of the population.
Which action an example of genetic modification (creating GMOs)?(1 point)
Responses
raising animals via animal husbandry for food purposes
raising animals via animal husbandry for food purposes
selecting fruit that is fleshy with small seeds and planting those the following season
selecting fruit that is fleshy with small seeds and planting those the following season
breeding dogs for specific traits like size, coat color, and temperament
breeding dogs for specific traits like size, coat color, and temperament
making crops that are resistant to pesticides and insects
making crops that are resistant to pesticides and insects
Imagine you are a scientist observing rats in the wild. As the rats reproduce, rats born with white fur slowly begin to outnumber rats with black fur. In three to five sentences, provide two or more different explanations of why the rats with white fur might be outnumbering the rats with black fur.(4 points)
in 3 to 4 sentences
There are different possible explanations of why rats with white fur are outnumbering rats with black fur. It might be that the habitat where the rats live has gone through some changes, and white fur provides better camouflage than black fur under those conditions. Alternatively, it might be that the predators of the rats are more attracted to black fur, leading to higher predation rates among black-furred rats. Finally, it could be that mating preferences are driving the change if white-furred rats are more attractive to other rats as mates.
Pretend you are a scientist observing three different varieties of a single bird species that are part of the same population. In three to five sentences, describe what genetic variations exist in your population. Then, using reasoning skills and mock evidence from your observations, describe the impact these traits have on the birds’ relationships with their environment and predators.(4 points)
in 3 to 4 sentcence
Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of selective breeding versus genetic modification. Why might a person choose to use selective breeding over genetic modification? Why might a person choose to create a GMO over a selectively bred organism? Use three to five sentences to formulate your argument.(4 points)
in 3 to 4 sentences