Lab: Natural Selection

Question 1

Darwin studied actual birds on the Galapagos Islands instead of using a simulation, as you did in this lab. Studying natural selection in the field can be challenging. List at least three possible challenges Darwin might have faced.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Darwin faced several challenges while studying finches in the Galapagos. First, adaptation through natural selection often takes many generations to observe, which can span decades. Second, the natural environment is incredibly complex compared to a simulation, making it difficult to control for variables like weather or food scarcity. Third, traits other than beak type, such as a bird's size or behavior, might also influence survival, making it harder to determine which specific trait is being selected for. Finally, birds have interdependent relationships with other organisms in their ecosystem that may also be changing.

Question 2

Below is a list of possible challenges. Check all errors that you mentioned in your answer.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Traits other than beak type might affect natural selection.; It could take many generations to observe adaptions to a population.; The environment may be complex and hard to study.; Changes in the environment may occur faster or slower than changes to the birds; The birds may be interdependent with other organisms that may change, too.

Question 3

Galapogos tortoises have a number of shell variations, shown right. What are the advantages of choosing a system examining the beaks of finches instead of the shells of tortoises? Check all that apply.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Birds have shorter lifespans, making generations shorter.; The bird population is likely much greater, allowing for more data.

Question 4

An organism has two different possible traits, A and B. A graph of the population is shown right. Which of the following statements is true about Trait B? Check all that apply.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It decreased in frequency over time.

Question 5

There was a change in the environment between generations 10 and 30. The change likely caused a genetic mutation eliminated a recessive trait✔ favored trait Afavored trait B.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ favored trait A

Question 6

The graphs above show a change in distribution of beak phenotypes X, Y, and Z over 10 generations. Notice that Beak X completely disappears from the population by Generation 5, but reappears by Generation 10. Could this occur in nature? How?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Yes, the alleles for Beak X could remain in the population as a recessive gene.

Question 7

Compare and contrast genetic engineering to the process of natural selection. Select all statements that are true.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

By selecting the genetic information that is passed on to future generations, genetic engineering is similar to natural selection.; By selecting the genetic information that is passed on to future generations, genetic engineering can happen at a different rate than natural selection.; Like natural selection, genetic engineering may be used on all organisms, including humans.

Question 8

Researchers can genetically select lettuce crops to cultivate for pest resistance. One of the concerns scientists have about genetically selected crops is that some traits for pest resistance may affect the texture of lettuce.What question could be asked to begin this investigation by looking at a measurable dependent variable?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

What is the effect of crop selection for pest resistance on the toughness of lettuce leaves?

Lab: Natural Selection Answers

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