Question

can you answer these
Which type of selection leads to increased phenotypic and genetic variation?
directional selection
disruptive selection
stabilizing selection
species selection

Which best describes the fossil record?
The fossil record cannot provide evidence of evolution.
The fossil record provides evidence of a common ancestor to many species.
The fossil record provides evidence that disputes the theory of evolution.
The fossil record is inaccurate because scientists are not able to date fossils.

Scientists notice structural similarities between fossils of a land animal and an aquatic organism. They know the similarities are not a result of the two organisms having to adapt to similar environments. What can they attribute the structural similarities to?
convergent evolution
common ancestry
transitional evolution
similar mating habits

A student has written a paper about a deer population that was separated when a canyon developed between members of the group. In her paper, she showed that the two groups adapted differently and can no longer interbreed. What would be the best title for her paper?
Speciation by Geographic Isolation
Speciation by Reproductive Isolation
How Natural Selection Creates Species
How Adaptation Creates Species

A bird that preys on moths is introduced to the habitat with moths and trees like the ones shown below.

A white moth and a black moth are shown.

What will most likely happen to the population of moths in this habitat?
The population of moths will eventually become extinct.
The moths will evolve from dark to light due to a selective pressure.
The dark colored moths will experience disruptive selection.
The alleles that determine light and dark color in moths will equalize.

Answer 1

1) Disruptive selection — it favors extreme phenotypes and increases phenotypic/genetic variation.

2) The fossil record provides evidence of a common ancestor to many species — fossils document transitional forms and shared ancestry.

3) Common ancestry — if similarities are not from similar environments, they most likely reflect shared evolutionary origin.

4) Speciation by Geographic Isolation — a canyon separating populations leading to reproductive isolation is geographic speciation.

5) The moths will evolve from dark to light due to a selective pressure — birds will preferentially eat the more conspicuous (dark) moths on light trees, increasing the frequency of light-colored moths.