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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What would increase the likelihood of variations occurring in a given population?
(a) Dramatic environmental changes.
(b) Domestication.
(c) Increase in available food.
(d) Fewer members of the species to compete with.

2. What is the best example of traits that continue to vary?
(a) Migration characteristics.
(b) Mating habits.
(c) Primary sexual characteristics.
(d) Secondary sexual characteristics.

3. What does natural selection say must be true for change to be preserved?
(a) It must be universal.
(b) It must be beneficial to the species.
(c) It must be unique.
(d) It must be genetic.

4. When is the only time a rational conclusion can be reached on a theory?
(a) You can never draw a conclusion in science.
(b) When one side comes up with more proof.
(c) When both sides have been considered.
(d) After a committee discussion and agreement.

5. What classification has a large number of species?
(a) Genera.
(b) Flora.
(c) Organism.
(d) Colony.

6. What is unique about white cats with blue eyes?
(a) They are deaf.
(b) They are blind.
(c) They do not reproduce.
(d) They are not seen in the wild.

7. What do scientists attribute to organs that cannot be explained by natural selection?
(a) Disuse.
(b) Inheritance.
(c) Overuse.
(d) Use.

8. What term refers to change from one generation to the next?
(a) Generational change.
(b) Growth.
(c) Natural process.
(d) Hereditary modification.

9. Which term refers to organisms with no distinct gender?
(a) Hermaphrodite.
(b) Polymorphic.
(c) Neutral.
(d) Single cell.

10. Who is one individual that Darwin mentions as helping him in every way prior to the publication of The Origin of Species?
(a) Dr. Hooker.
(b) Dr. Lovette.
(c) Rev. W. Horbert.
(d) Edward Forbes.

11. What can some amount of variation be attributed to?
(a) External conditions.
(b) Genetics.
(c) Location of species.
(d) Size of species.

12. What type of relationship do organisms have with one another?
(a) Competitive.
(b) Environmental.
(c) Cooperative.
(d) Genetic.

13. What is the struggle for existence caused by?
(a) Quick reproduction.
(b) Natural selection.
(c) Little food sources.
(d) Too many species.

14. What does Darwin suggest about variation for parts that are NOT specialized?
(a) More variation.
(b) Becomes correlational.
(c) Less variation.
(d) Eventually stops.

15. In what type of species are variations of the eye found?
(a) Dogs.
(b) Crustaceans.
(c) Humans.
(d) Birds.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do most organisms have a very good ability to do?

2. What bodily system do some scientists believe is responsible for producing individual differences?

3. What aspect of organisms is not caused by chance?

4. In extreme environments, what are species in competition with?

5. Which term refers to a type of variation that is NOT inherited and only affects individuals?

(see the answer keys)

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