Question 1
What affect did the rabbits have on their new habitat?
Responses
the rabbits ate the native plants causing erosion, damaging aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Question 2
What was the purpose of bringing rabbits to Australia with the First Fleet?
Responses
To use them for hunting
Question 3
Which of the following best describes natural selection?
Responses
The process by which organisms adapt to their environment over time
Question 4
How does natural selection lead to the adaptation of populations?
Responses
Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to future generations
In 1778 the First Fleet, a group of English citizens, arrived to establish a new settlement in Australia. They brought with them a number of rabbits, which were to be bred for food. In 1859, Thomas Austin, missing the rabbit hunting he was accustomed to in England, had 24 European rabbits shipped to him so that he could establish a rabbit population large enough that it could be used for hunting in Australia.%0D%0A%0D%0AWhat these settlers did not realize is that Australia’s mild winters allow rabbits to breed throughout the year and feed on the abundant low-lying vegetation. By 1886, the rabbit population exploded, despite the fact that over two million of them were shot every year.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe rabbits had become a pest species in their new habitat. Their ravenous appetites caused a drastic loss of native plant species, which in turn increased erosion. This wreaked havoc on both the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the area.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe government finally had to resort to dealing with the rising population by promoting increased hunting and trapping, destroying the rabbits’ holes, and introducing viruses that decreased the population by one sixth of its size. However, genetic resistance (through natural selection) allowed the number to rise three-fold by the early 1990s. The government tried to use another virus to control the population. This grew out of the government’s control and started infecting many pets around the country. Australia still struggles with rabbits as a pest species today.%0D%0AQuestion 1%0D%0AWhat affect did the rabbits have on their new habitat?(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0Athe rabbits ate the native plants causing erosion, damaging aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.%0D%0Athe rabbits ate the native plants causing erosion, damaging aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.%0D%0A%0D%0Athe rabbits rapidly reproduced, physically occupying areas previously used by humans%0D%0Athe rabbits rapidly reproduced, physically occupying areas previously used by humans%0D%0A%0D%0Athe rabbits retaliated and threw over the Australian government, and soon took over their jobs..%0D%0Athe rabbits retaliated and threw over the Australian government, and soon took over their jobs..%0D%0AQuestion 2%0D%0AWhat was the purpose of bringing rabbits to Australia with the First Fleet?(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0ATo provide companionship for the settlers%0D%0ATo provide companionship for the settlers%0D%0A%0D%0ATo use them for hunting%0D%0ATo use them for hunting%0D%0A%0D%0ATo establish a new settlement%0D%0ATo establish a new settlement%0D%0A%0D%0ATo breed them for food%0D%0ATo breed them for food%0D%0AQuestion 3%0D%0AWhich of the following best describes natural selection?(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0AThe migration of individuals from one population to another%0D%0AThe migration of individuals from one population to another%0D%0A%0D%0AThe intentional breeding of organisms for desired traits%0D%0AThe intentional breeding of organisms for desired traits%0D%0A%0D%0AThe process by which organisms adapt to their environment over time%0D%0AThe process by which organisms adapt to their environment over time%0D%0A%0D%0AThe random mutation of genes in a population%0D%0AThe random mutation of genes in a population%0D%0AQuestion 4%0D%0AHow does natural selection lead to the adaptation of populations?(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0AIndividuals with disadvantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the elimination of those traits from the population%0D%0AIndividuals with disadvantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the elimination of those traits from the population%0D%0A%0D%0AAdaptation is a random process and not influenced by natural selection%0D%0AAdaptation is a random process and not influenced by natural selection%0D%0A%0D%0AIndividuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to future generations%0D%0AIndividuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to future generations%0D%0A%0D%0ANatural selection does not lead to adaptation
1 answer