Question 1: Which of the following best describes natural selection?

Answer: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Question 2: True or False: Evolution is a process that occurs within an individual's lifetime.

Answer: False

Question 3: Define 'mutation' in the context of evolution.

Answer: A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism, which can lead to variation within a population.

Question 4: Explain how genetic variation contributes to natural selection.

Answer: Genetic variation provides a population with a range of traits, some of which may offer survival advantages in changing environments. Organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing these traits to the next generation.

Question 5: Match the following terms to their definitions:

Answer: See full answer key

Question 6: Calculate the change in allele frequency using the Hardy-Weinberg equation. Show your work.

Answer: Provide the calculated allele frequency using p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1.

Question 7: List the steps of Darwin's theory of natural selection in order.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 8: Fill in the blank: The process by which different species evolve from a common ancestor is called ________.

Answer: divergent evolution

Question 9: Discuss the impact of human activity on natural selection. Provide examples and evidence to support your argument.

Answer: Human activities such as pollution, habitat destruction, and artificial selection have significant impacts on natural selection. For example, pollution can alter the environment, leading to changes in allele frequencies in a population. Additionally, artificial selection in agriculture and animal breeding can accelerate the development of specific traits, which may not be advantageous in a natural setting.

Question 10: True or False: Genetic drift is more significant in small populations.

Answer: True

Question 11: Explain why genetic diversity is important for the survival of a species.

Answer: Genetic diversity increases a species' ability to adapt to changing environments and resist diseases, which enhances their chances of survival over time.

Question 12: Which process results in the formation of new species and is driven by natural selection?

Answer: Speciation

Question 13: Describe the role of competition in the process of natural selection.

Answer: Competition for limited resources forces individuals to compete for survival, and those with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, driving natural selection.

Question 14: Which of the following is NOT an example of natural selection?

Answer: Breeding dogs for specific traits