Different Types of Natural Selection Quiz

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  • 1/10 Questions

    In which type of natural selection does the average trait remain unchanged?

    • Directional selection
    • Stabilizing selection
    • Disruptive selection
    • Sexual selection
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About This Quiz

Put your skills to the test with the, "Different Types of Natural Selection Quiz! Explore the complex world of evolution and learn about the diverse range of forces that shape species' traits. This quiz offers insights into the complexities of natural selection's role in the evolution of species.

Join us to expand your understanding of evolutionary biology and witness the incredible ways in which nature crafts and diversifies life forms. Whether you're a biology enthusiast or simply curious about the forces driving species diversity, this quiz invites you to explore the wonders of natural selection. Happy quizzing!

Different Types Of Natural Selection Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What type of natural selection involves competition for mates?

    • Directional selection

    • Stabilizing selection

    • Disruptive selection

    • Sexual selection

    Correct Answer
    A. Sexual selection
    Explanation
    Sexual selection is a form of natural selection that arises from differences in mating success. It favors traits that enhance an individual's ability to attract and compete for mates, such as bright plumage in birds, elaborate courtship behaviors, or large antlers in deer. These traits may not directly contribute to survival but are critical for reproductive success.

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  • 3. 

    What is the primary mechanism behind "sexual selection"?

    • Competition for resources

    • Competition for mates

    • Random mating

    • Mutation accumulation

    Correct Answer
    A. Competition for mates
    Explanation
    Sexual selection focuses on traits that increase an individual's chances of attracting and securing a mate. This type of selection drives the evolution of characteristics that improve reproductive success, such as physical displays, courtship behaviors, and combat abilities among males competing for female attention.

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  • 4. 

    Which type of natural selection is common in stable environments?

    • Directional selection

    • Stabilizing selection

    • Disruptive selection

    • Speciation selection

    Correct Answer
    A. Stabilizing selection
    Explanation
    Stabilizing selection is most common in stable environments where the conditions do not change significantly over time. In such environments, traits that are average or typical for the population are usually well-suited to the conditions, and natural selection works to maintain these traits by selecting against extremes.

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  • 5. 

    Which type of natural selection favors extreme traits?

    • Directional selection

    • Stabilizing selection

    • Disruptive selection

    • Random selection

    Correct Answer
    A. Disruptive selection
    Explanation
    Disruptive selection occurs when environmental conditions favor individuals at both extremes of a trait spectrum, rather than those with intermediate traits. This type of selection can lead to the survival and reproduction of individuals with extreme traits at both ends of the spectrum. Over time, this can increase the frequency of these extreme traits in the population, potentially leading to the development of distinct subpopulations or even new species.

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  • 6. 

    In "stabilizing selection," what happens to extreme traits?

    • They are favored.

    • They remain unchanged.

    • They are eliminated.

    • They become more variable.

    Correct Answer
    A. They are eliminated.
    Explanation
    In stabilizing selection, extreme traits are selected against because they are less likely to be advantageous in a stable environment. This process reduces the genetic diversity of a population by eliminating individuals with extreme variations, thereby favoring those with traits closer to the population average.

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  • 7. 

    Which type of natural selection leads to new species formation?

    • Directional selection

    • Stabilizing selection

    • Disruptive selection

    • Speciation selection

    Correct Answer
    A. Disruptive selection
    Explanation
    Disruptive selection can lead to speciation, the process by which new species are formed. When extreme traits are favored at both ends of the spectrum, the population may split into distinct groups, each adapted to different environmental conditions. Over time, these groups may become so different that they can no longer interbreed, leading to the formation of new species.

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  • 8. 

    What does "directional selection" favor?

    • Extreme variations

    • Intermediate variations

    • No specific traits

    • Traits for camouflage

    Correct Answer
    A. Extreme variations
    Explanation
    Directional selection occurs when environmental changes or pressures favor individuals at one extreme of a trait spectrum. Over time, this leads to a shift in the population's traits towards that extreme. For example, if the environment becomes colder, directional selection may favor animals with thicker fur, gradually increasing the prevalence of this trait in the population.

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  • 9. 

    Which natural selection type promotes traits for successful mimicry?

    • Directional selection

    • Stabilizing selection

    • Camouflaging selection

    • Artificial selection

    Correct Answer
    A. Directional selection
    Explanation
    Directional selection is often involved in the evolution of traits that promote successful mimicry. In this context, individuals that closely resemble another species or a specific object (such as a leaf or a predator) have a survival advantage, as they are less likely to be preyed upon or more likely to deceive other species. Over time, the population may evolve to enhance these mimicry traits, with directional selection favoring increasingly accurate mimicry.

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  • 10. 

    Which type of selection maintains genetic diversity in a population?

    • Directional selection

    • Stabilizing selection

    • Disruptive selection

    • Diversifying selection

    Correct Answer
    A. Disruptive selection
    Explanation
    Disruptive selection maintains genetic diversity by favoring extreme traits at both ends of the spectrum, which prevents the dominance of a single phenotype. This type of selection can lead to the coexistence of multiple phenotypes within a population, increasing its overall genetic diversity.

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  • Current Version
  • Feb 19, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 11, 2023
    Quiz Created by
    Kriti Bisht
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