Connect Traits to Survival Success - Biology
- What is an adaptation?
- A heritable trait that increases fitness in a specific environment. Must improve survival or reproduction in that environment.
- Which option best describes why antibiotic resistance can spread quickly in bacteria?
- Resistant bacteria survive treatment and reproduce, increasing resistance alleles. Antibiotics create strong selection pressure favoring resistance.
- What is an allele?
- An alternative version of a gene at a specific locus. Different versions create variation within populations.
- Which term describes a trait that evolved because it increased survival to reproduction age?
- Adaptation. Trait evolved specifically to enhance survival to maturity.
- What is a heritable trait?
- A characteristic that can be passed from parents to offspring via genes. Encoded in DNA and transmitted through reproduction.
- What is a physiological adaptation?
- An internal functional trait (biochemical/process) that increases fitness. Internal processes that improve survival or reproduction.
- What is differential reproductive success?
- Individuals with certain traits leave more viable offspring than others. Drives evolution by favoring beneficial traits.
- What is a structural (morphological) adaptation?
- A physical body feature that increases fitness. Body form or anatomy that enhances fitness.
- Choose the correct statement: Can a trait be beneficial in one environment and harmful in another?
- Yes; a trait's fitness effect depends on the environment. Context determines whether traits are adaptive.
- Which option describes how sexual selection can favor traits that reduce survival?
- Traits can increase mating success enough to outweigh survival costs. Reproductive benefits can outweigh survival costs.
- What is the definition of gene pool?
- All alleles present in a population. Contains all genetic variation available for selection.
- What is the relationship between variation and natural selection?
- Selection requires variation; without variation, no trait is favored. Variation provides raw material for selection to work on.
- What is the definition of a population in evolution?
- A group of the same species living and interbreeding in one area. Basic unit where evolution occurs through mating.
- Which option best describes why pesticide resistance evolves in insect populations?
- Resistant individuals survive spraying and leave more offspring. Pesticides act as selection pressure favoring resistance genes.
- What is mimicry as an adaptation?
- Resembling another organism or object to gain a survival advantage. Deception strategy that confuses predators or prey.
- What is the key difference between survival and fitness?
- Fitness measures reproduction; survival alone does not guarantee gene transfer. Reproduction is essential for passing genes forward.
- Which option is the best evidence that a trait is adaptive?
- Individuals with the trait leave more viable offspring in that environment. Reproductive advantage demonstrates adaptive value.
- What is camouflage as an adaptation?
- A trait that reduces detection by predators or prey. Reduces predation risk by blending with surroundings.
- What is a mutation in the context of evolution and traits?
- A change in DNA that can create new alleles. Source of new genetic variants in populations.
- What is a trade-off in evolution?
- A trait improves one aspect of fitness but reduces another. Evolution involves compromises between competing demands.
- What is gene flow?
- Movement of alleles between populations via migration and reproduction. Introduces new alleles from other populations.
- Which option best defines survival of the fittest in biology?
- Those with higher fitness leave more offspring, not necessarily the strongest. Fitness is about reproduction, not physical dominance.
- Which term describes random changes in allele frequencies, not driven by trait advantage?
- Genetic drift. Random changes not based on trait advantages.
- What is the phenotype?
- Observable characteristics produced by genes and environment. Result of genotype interacting with environment.
- Which option best connects a thicker fur trait to fitness in a cold climate?
- Thicker fur increases survival, raising reproductive success. Better insulation improves survival in cold conditions.
- Which option best connects a bright male plumage trait to reproductive success?
- It can increase mate attraction, increasing mating success. Bright colors signal male quality to potential mates.
- What is aposematic coloration?
- Warning coloration that signals toxicity or danger to predators. Honest signal that deters predators from attacking.
- What is the definition of fitness in evolutionary biology?
- Relative reproductive success; contribution of genes to next generation. Fitness is about reproductive success, not physical strength.
- What is the relationship between heritability and natural selection?
- Traits must be heritable for selection to change allele frequencies. Only heritable traits can evolve through natural selection.
- Identify the correct outcome: If medium beak size is best, which selection type acts on beak size?
- Stabilizing selection. Extremes are selected against when medium is optimal.
- Identify the correct outcome: If predators prefer large prey, which selection type is likely on prey size?
- Directional selection favoring smaller size. Predation creates consistent pressure against large size.
- Identify the correct conclusion: A new predator appears; darker coloration reduces predation.
- Dark coloration will likely increase in frequency over generations. Selection favors camouflage, increasing dark allele frequency.
- Identify the correct outcome: If only very small or very large seeds exist, which selection type favors extreme beaks?
- Disruptive selection. Two food sizes favor two different beak extremes.
- Identify the correct link: How does a beneficial trait affect allele frequency over generations?
- It tends to increase the allele's frequency in the population. Selection increases frequency of advantageous alleles over time.
- What is adaptive value?
- The extent to which a trait increases fitness in a given environment. Measures how much a trait improves fitness.
- What is the genotype?
- An organism's genetic makeup; the alleles it carries. Determines which traits can be expressed.
- What is a selective pressure?
- An environmental factor that affects survival or reproduction. Creates the selection that drives evolutionary change.
- What is phenotypic variation?
- Differences in observable traits among individuals in a population. Raw material for natural selection to act upon.
- What is an environmental change that can shift which traits are favored called?
- A change in selective pressures. Alters which traits provide survival or reproductive advantage.
- Identify the correct interpretation: A trait increases survival but decreases mating success.
- It involves a fitness trade-off. Evolutionary compromises between competing fitness components.
- Identify the correct cause of variation that selection can act on in a population.
- Mutations and genetic recombination. Creates new alleles and gene combinations for selection.
- Identify the correct conclusion: A drought favors plants with deeper roots for water access.
- Alleles for deeper roots will likely become more common. Water access advantage increases deep root alleles.
- Identify the correct statement: Does natural selection act on individuals or populations?
- It acts on individuals, but populations evolve (allele frequencies change). Selection targets individuals but changes population genetics.
- Which term describes the ability to produce offspring that can also reproduce?
- Reproductive success. Ultimate measure of evolutionary fitness.
- What two conditions are required for natural selection to occur?
- Heritable variation and differential reproductive success. Without variation, selection has nothing to act on.