Download Name: Date - Dorsey High School

Name: _________________________________ Date: ______________________ Period: ________ Assignment #: ___________
Assignment #_____  Evolution & Genetic Variation Worksheet
VOCABULARY TO KEEP IN MIND
Evolution
Species
Environmental Conditions
Diversity
Genetic Variation
Favorable or Beneficial trait
Natural Selection
Survival of the Fittest
1. What is the definition of a “evolution?___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. List and explain the evidence for evolution.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Horses and donkeys seem to be very similar. In fact, they can even reproduce successfully to make offspring (called a
“Mule”). However, their offspring (mules) cannot reproduce. Why are horses and donkeys considered to be different
species, even though they can reproduce? __________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is “genetic variation?” ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Why is genetic variation considered to be a good thing? Use the words “chance” and “survive” in your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Now, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, explain why genetic variation is a GOOD THING WHEN YOU WANT TO INCREASE
THE CHANCE OF A SPECIES’ SURVIVAL: _______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Evolution just describes the change in a species over time. There is more than one way to evolve, but one major
mechanism is NATURAL SELECTION. According to your NOTES, what is natural selection? ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Now, without using your notes, describe what natural selection is, IN YOUR OWN WORDS. If you use the phrase
“survival of the fittest,” you must also explain how this phrase relates to natural selection. ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Why MUST there be variation in a population in order for natural selection to happen? [HINT: You should start your
answer with, “Because if the individuals were all the same, then…
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Imagine a population of bobcats that have much variation in the sharpness of their teeth. Some have very sharp teeth,
while others have wider, more flat teeth. This is usually o.k. because there are animals that can be eaten by both varieties of
the bobcat. But, what if the food that the dull-tooth bobcat eats suddenly starts to die off in large number from a disease.
Over time, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE POPULATION OF THESE BOBCATS? [WHAT WILL THEY LOOK LIKE
IN MANY, MANY YEARS]_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________ Date: ______________________ Period: ________ Assignment #: ___________
Assignment #
 MUTATIONS & GENETIC DIVERSITY Worksheet
VOCABULARY TO KEEP IN MIND
Evolution
natural selection
phenotype
genotype
Genetic Variation (diversity)
sexual reproduction
mutation
gene pool
1. What is our definition of “evolution”? __________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Natural selection tells us that organisms with the most favorable ___________________ will survive, reproduce,
and pass on their genes more successfully.
a. existing genotype
c. future trait
b. existing phenotype
d. natural selection
3. Imagine that there are 2 different kinds of forest:
- Forest #1 has a genetically diverse species of bird with different possible beaks – some beaks are long, some
are short, some can be used for eating insects, while others can be used for eating fruit.
- Forest #2 has the same species of bird, but only one variety (1 beak type).
If environmental conditions change in both of these forests, in WHICH forest are the birds MOST LIKELY to
survive the change?
[First or Second]
EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER USING THE WORDS “genetic variation” and “phenotype.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What are the two sources of genetic variation? _____________________________________________________
5. Sexual Reproduction allows parents to each give ½ of their DNA to their child – but this doesn’t create new
genes (alleles). If sexual reproduction doesn’t create new alleles, then HOW does sexual reproduction help create
genetic diversity? _____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Compared to their parents, babies will have
a. the same traits and some new alleles
b. mostly the same traits and a few new alleles
c. the same traits and no new alleles
d. different traits and no new alleles.
7. What is a “mutation?” ________________________________________________________________________
8. If a population has HIGH genetic diversity, then they have many different phenotypes. How do mutations help
create genetic diversity? [Use the word “phenotype” in your answer]. ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Mutations can have favorable effects, unfavorable effects, or they can have __________________________.
10. The flow of genetic information goes from DNA  __________  Protein  ___________.