Evolution Unit Test 7th grade answers
1. What is genetic variation and why is it important in the process of evolution?
Genetic variation refers to differences in the genetic makeup of individuals within a population. It is important in evolution because it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon. Without genetic variation, populations would not be able to adapt to changing environments and evolve over time.
2. How does natural selection work and how does it lead to evolution?
Natural selection is the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their genes to the next generation. Over time, this leads to the accumulation of beneficial traits in a population, resulting in evolution.
3. Explain the difference between adaptation and evolution.
Adaptation refers to specific traits or characteristics that help an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. Evolution, on the other hand, refers to the gradual change in the genetic makeup of a population over time, resulting in the emergence of new species or variations within a species.
4. What is a fossil and how do they provide evidence for evolution?
Fossils are preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived in the past. They provide evidence for evolution by showing the gradual changes in species over time, as well as the emergence and extinction of different species.
5. How does the theory of natural selection explain the diversity of life on Earth?
The theory of natural selection explains the diversity of life on Earth by proposing that organisms with traits that are well-suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the accumulation of beneficial traits in a population. Over time, this process results in the emergence of new species and the diversity of life we see today.