Animals have been domesticated for centuries, some species longer than others, for a variety of purposes. Scientists constantly research this fascinating field. Take this quiz and be fascinated by their findings.
Long, long ago, how did human beings make use of animals?
for clothing only
for food only
for protection only
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In those days, animals were seen only in terms of their food value. Over time, this changed.
How does artificial selection determine a particular trait in an animal?
It doesn't. What artificial selection does do is artificially regenerate new species and clone genes.
An animal is selected and artificially inseminated with a certain trait.
It is determined artificially by means of human efforts to breed certain animals together.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Under the process of artificial selection, animals are bred to have the desired traits, such as breeding large horses together to artificially create a pedigree of large horses.
According to archeological research, civilizations that _____ wielded more power and were able to spread their culture.
freed their captive animals
domesticated their animals
lived without reliance on animals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
It seems that those civilizations that domesticated their animals had greater power and succeeded in spreading their culture and language (more than those that did not domesticate).
Scientists believe that a domesticated species changes over time. What reason do they give for this?
The species forgets its natural instincts/patterns of behavior and must relearn them in unfamiliar environments.
The species no longer needs the same intelligence or sharp level of hearing/sight.
It remains a mystery.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
What was good for the wild is not needed in the domesticated environment. The species no longer needs the intelligence or sharp senses that were necessary for survival in the wild.
One theory about how cats became domesticated suggests a trade-off of sorts. What trade-off?
They would be devoted pets in exchange for their loss of freedom.
They would purr and mew adoringly in exchange for petting and pampering.
They would keep rodents at bay in exchange for food and shelter.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
The trade-off involved their keeping rodents under control while receiving food and shelter in exchange. This helped overcome their aversion to domestication.
Why, according to scientific theory, did cats not take to domestication as well as dogs?
because they were taken into homes, far from the wild outdoors, and couldn't adapt
because they are independent creatures, without a social hierarchy
because they don't breed as easily in captivity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Cats, by nature, live independently of a social system. Therefore, humans didn't replace any first order as they did with dogs, which live in packs and follow a leader.
Which came first: chicken/rooster domestication for entertainment purposes or for food purposes?
food purposes
entertainment purposes
neither; both purposes were enjoyed simultaneously
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Chicken and rooster domestication was initially for entertainment purposes in the form of cockfighting. Later on, their food value (in the form of egg production) was recognized.
