Conceptual Survey: Evolution

1
Conceptual Survey Evolution

• Please get out a piece of paper

2
In this task...

• You will be shown a series of statements made by
  biology students. Read them carefully, then sort
  them into one of two categories
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.

3
Statement 1 of 7

• (Pepper Moths) During times of environmental
  change, caterpillars would be aware that their
  environment is changing and would try to change
  the color of their skin to blend in.
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.

4
Statement 2 of 7

• (Seal diving time) Ancestral seals that could
  stay underwater for 10 minutes survived longer
  than seals that could stay underwater for 5
  minutes. As time went on, in each generation, the
  seals that could stay underwater and hunt the
  longest could survive better. Eventually the
  competition became so big that seals that could
  stay underwater 45 minutes are now the ones that
  survive and reproduce.
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.

5
Statement 3 of 7

• The colder the winter gets, the more cold the
  arctic foxes will get, so they would have to
  start growing their fur. They cant will
  themselves to grow extra fur, but it should
  happen over many years.
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.

6
Statement 4 of 7

• (Cave salamanders) The first salamanders probably
  lived in sunshine. A few might have ventured into
  caves and had babies. The offspring would have
  less use for their sight in the caves. Eventually
  (after years of offspring) the salamanders would
  have no use for their eyes and they will cease to
  function.
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.

7
Statement 5 of 7

• The ancestors to porcupines didnt have quills.
  They needed quills for defense. So nature gave
  them quills so they could defend themselves from
  predators.
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.

8
Statement 6 of 7

• When the fruit flies were sprayed with
  pesticides, the pesticide caused a mutation that
  made the fruit flies immune to it. So after a
  while the pesticide stopped working.
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.

9
Statement 7 of 7

• (Polar bears) In the past, there were northern
  bears with variation in color just like every
  species. Those with lighter fur had a better
  chance of surviving in snowy winters, and a
  better chance of reproducing. Since the darker
  bears were more likely to be killed it was less
  likely that they would have a chance to reproduce
  and pass on these traits.
• A Evolutionary biologists would agree with
  this.
• B Evolutionary biologists would disagree with
  this.
• Then explain your choice in writing.