Mr. Pearl – BiologyNAME:

WPHSDATE:

VARIATION!!!!

A science class was studying various human physical characteristics in an investigation for a report on human genetics. As part of the investigation, the students measured the arm span of the class members. The data table below summarizes the class results.

Directions (1 & 2): Using the information in the data table, construct a bar graph on the

grid provided, following the directions below.

  1. Mark an appropriate scale on the axis labeled “Number of Students.”
  1. Construct vertical bars to represent the data. Shade in each bar.

  1. What do we call this naturally occurring range of differences in a population?

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  1. Based on the data, it appears that most students have arm lengths within a certain range. What might this tell you (what can you infer) about natural selection and the arm length of humans?

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  1. The diagram below illustrates the change that occurred in the physical appearance of a rabbit population over a 10-year period.

Which condition would explain this change over time?

(1) a decrease in the mutation rate of the rabbits with black fur

(2) a decrease in the advantage of having white fur

(3) an increase in the advantage of having white fur

(4) an increase in the chromosome number of the rabbits with black fur

  1. Most of the hereditary information that determines the traits of an organism is located in

(1) only those cells of an individual produced by meiosis

(2) the nuclei of body cells of an individual

(3) certain genes in the vacuoles of body cells

(4) the numerous ribosomes in certain cells

  1. A variation causes the production of an improved variety of apple. What is the best

method to use to obtain additional apple trees of this variety?

(1) selective breeding(3) DNA reproduction

(2) natural selection(4) hormone therapy

  1. Coded instructions that are passed from one generation to the next can be most directly changed by the processes of

(1) passive transport, natural selection, and synthesis

(2) selective breeding, replication, and absorption

(3) recombination, mutation, and genetic engineering

(4) evolution, reproduction, and digestion

  1. Ancestors of the giant panda had rounded paws with five very short toes. Today, the giant panda has a sixth toe, often referred to as a thumb, even though it develops from a wrist bone. This unique thumb is an adaptation that allows the panda to easily hold and eat bamboo shoots. The presence of the giant panda’s thumb is most likely the result of

(1) natural selection(3) asexual reproduction

(2) selective breeding(4) ecological succession

  1. What is one reason that variation in a species may allow it to survive a change in the environment?