Deck 15: Principles of Evolution

Question 1

Who wrote On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection?

A) Malthus
B) Wallace
C) Darwin
D) Mendel
E) Lamarck

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Who presented the idea of natural selection to the Linnaean Society in 1858?

A) Cuvier
B) Darwin and Wallace
C) Darwin
D) Plato
E) Lamarck

Answer 2

B

Question 3

An antibiotic is given repeatedly to treat a recurrent ear infection. It worked initially but now is no longer effective. This indicates that the Streptococcus bacterium

A) is being treated with an antibiotic that has experienced a manufacturing error, making it infective.
B) is very sensitive to the antibiotic.
C) is infectious only if it is sensitive to the antibiotic.
D) experienced natural selection that has allowed the resistant Streptococcus to survive and multiply.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The idea that physical changes I make to myself will be passed on to my children was proposed by

A) Cuvier.
B) Lyell.
C) Darwin.
D) Plato.
E) Lamarck.

Question 5

The publication date of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection is

A) 1900.
B) 1859.
C) 1809.
D) 1869.
E) 1830.

Question 6

Which geologist described the age of the Earth as "eternal"?

A) Malthus
B) Buffon
C) Aristotle
D) Lamarck
E) Lyell

Question 7

Which statement illustrates Lamarck's theory on the mechanism of evolution?

A) Giraffes with longer necks survived and reproduced faster because they could reach a better food source.
B) Plants that can survive in less light will become the dominant species in shaded areas.
C) Birds with bright colors will attract more mates and pass on the colorful plumage.
D) Fish with coloration that matches the river bottom they inhabit will survive to reproduce.
E) A man who routinely shaves the hair off his head will have sons who become bald.

Question 8

Genetic variations in natural populations develop due to

A) random mutations of the DNA.
B) individual activities.
C) changes in the environment.
D) changes in diet.
E) environmental catastrophes.

Question 9

A postulate is

A) a set of four statements that confirm that evolution will occur.
B) a statement accepted as true for the purposes of logical argument.
C) a hypothesis.
D) an idea that has been proven through scientific investigation.
E) an educated guess.

Question 10

Plato's view of species

A) did not allow for evolutionary change.
B) recognized that each individual in a species is unique.
C) was similar to the modern concept of evolution.
D) allowed for limited evolution within species.
E) included species that do not actually exist.

Question 11

The concept that Earth's present landscape is due to gradual geological processes was proposed by

A) Lyell.
B) Buffon.
C) Aristotle.
D) Lamarck.
E) Malthus.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin's postulates?

A) In each generation, some individuals reproduce and others don't.
B) Through natural selection, individuals with useful traits survive longest and leave the most offspring
C) Some of the differences seen in a population result from characteristics passed from parent to offspring.
D) There is variation among members of a population.
E) Luck is an important factor in determining the fate of individuals.

Question 13

Which scientist devised the theory of uniformitarianism to account for Earth's old age?

A) Plato
B) Lamarck
C) Darwin
D) Lyell
E) Cuvier

Question 14

Which of these statements best illustrates the theory of catastrophism?

A) There are no humans in early fossil records because they had not been created yet.
B) Only extinct species appear in the fossil record.
C) Species become extinct due to natural disasters, such as floods and volcanic eruptions.
D) Only plant species have become extinct.
E) The fossil record is incomplete.

Question 15

Whose philosophy was based on the "ideal form"?

A) Cuvier
B) Lamarck
C) Darwin and Wallace
D) Plato
E) Darwin

Question 16

Modern geologists estimate that the age of Earth is about

A) 4.5 trillion years.
B) 4,500 years.
C) 450,000 years.
D) 4.5 million years.
E) 4.5 billion years.

Question 17

Who suggested that giraffes developed their long necks over time by stretching?

A) Plato
B) Wallace
C) Darwin
D) Lamarck
E) Cuvier

Question 18

Fossils include rocks and sediments that

A) bear the impressions or shapes of preserved organisms.
B) have been shaped by wind and water to resemble lifelike forms.
C) have been shaped by people to resemble plants or animals.
D) all of the above.

Question 19

Which organism is LEAST likely to survive to reproduce?

A) A seahorse that mimics the weeds in which it lives
B) A dark- furred rodent that comes out only at night
C) A flower that produces a scent that attracts bees
D) A shrub that produces a toxin in its flower buds that repels deer from eating it
E) A plant that has a sweet flavor before it flowers

Question 20

Who proposed the geological theory of catastrophism?

A) Plato
B) Darwin and Wallace
C) Lamarck
D) Darwin
E) Cuvier

Question 21

Natural selection can act on a certain trait only if the trait is

A) heritable.
B) favorable.
C) morphological.
D) behavioral.
E) new.

Question 22

Which of the following are vestigial structures?

A) Fish fins
B) Hoofs of horses
C) Wings of bats
D) Pelvic bones of whales
E) Vertebral columns in snakes

Question 23

The human upper arm bone (the humerus) is structurally similar to the upper wing bone of a bat. The structural similarity is an example of

A) analogous structures.
B) mutation.
C) vestigial structures.
D) homologous structures.
E) adaptation.

Question 24

An emu is a flightless bird that still has wings. These wings are an example of

A) mutation.
B) adaptation.
C) homologous structures.
D) analogous structures.
E) vestigial structures.

Question 25

Some animal species found in caves have tiny, nonfunctional eyes. These are best described as

A) mutations.
B) vestigial structures.
C) analogous structures.
D) homologous structures.

Question 26

Which of the four postulates of Darwin's theory of evolution was not well established when On the Origin of Species was first published but is overwhelmingly supported today?

A) Some individuals in a population survive and reproduce better than do other individuals.
B) Individuals in a population differ physically from one another in many ways.
C) Individuals with advantageous traits survive longest and have the most offspring.
D) Some differences among individuals in a population are due to genetics and are heritable.

Question 27

Where are the Galápagos Islands?

A) Off the west coast of North America
B) Near the center of the south Atlantic Ocean
C) Off the northwest coast of South America
D) Off the west coast of Australia
E) Near Southeast Asia

Question 28

No one is certain what the function of the human appendix is. But, one thing we do know is that we can live without it, without noticeable consequences. Therefore, the human appendix is an example of a(n)

A) vestigial structure.
B) analogous structure.
C) homologous structure.
D) mutation.
E) adaptation.

Question 29

Natural selection is best described as

A) causing the death of a significant proportion of the population.
B) increasing the perfection of a species.
C) driving the species toward an eventual endpoint in which the species possesses the best possible adaptations for that particular environment.
D) working on the existing variation of traits to favor those better suited to the organism's environment.
E) the ability to generate new traits that better suit the species.

Question 30

Which trait provides a survival advantage?

A) A shrub that loses the ability to make seeds
B) A tree that grows shorter than the surrounding trees
C) A brightly colored fish that attracts predators
D) A horse that lacks the ability to digest either grains or grass
E) A flower that attracts more bees

Question 31

Which of the following statements about mutations is TRUE?

A) Mutations occur at random and are by chance.
B) Mutations almost always leave the organism worse off than before.
C) Mutations are caused by natural selection.
D) Mutations have no effect on the survival and reproduction of an organism.
E) Mutations are almost always better for the organism.

Question 32

Darwin was influenced by Thomas Malthus's writings on

A) natural selection.
B) genetics.
C) evolution.
D) population growth.
E) uniformitarianism.

Question 33

The theory of natural selection states that

A) the most well- adapted individuals in their environments survive and reproduce, contributing the most genes to the next generation.
B) only the largest and strongest individuals survive.
C) individuals that mutate in response to changes in their environment will contribute the most genes to the next generation.
D) random assortment of genes results in better physical characteristics in the following generations.
E) all individuals live to reproduce in each generation.

Question 34

Inheritable mutations in the genes of an individual arise due to

A) other species in the environment.
B) artificial selection.
C) environmental change.
D) vigorous exercise or effort.
E) random chance.

Question 35

Boa constrictors have tiny pelvic girdles and leg bones inside their bodies. Because these structures are nonfunctional "evolutionary baggage," they are called

A) vestigial.
B) convergent.
C) maladaptive.
D) homologous.
E) analogous.

Question 36

Which English economist predicted that the rapid growth of human populations would soon exceed Earth's capacity to support it?

A) Wallace
B) Mendel
C) Lyell
D) Hutton
E) Malthus

Question 37

Sea squirts and lampreys, which are closely related aquatic animals, have a perforated pharynx, a ventral heart, and a notochord at some stage of development. These similarities are best explained by

A) artificial selection.
B) a common ancestry.
C) inheritance of acquired characteristics.
D) the "Ladder of Nature."
E) uniformitarianism.

Question 38

Darwin realized that most species produce many more offspring than is necessary to maintain a constant population. The "excess" individuals in a population

A) die before they can reproduce.
B) mutate and are able to adapt to new environments.
C) evolve to become new species.
D) migrate to another location.

Question 39

Some of Darwin's most important discoveries were based on studies of birds and tortoises that he observed in

A) the Galápagos Islands.
B) Jamaica.
C) Tahiti.
D) Ecuador.
E) the Bahamas.

Question 40

Humans still have body hair even though it is greatly reduced and serves little function. The hair is a(n)

A) mutation.
B) adaptation.
C) vestigial structure.
D) homologous structure.
E) analogous structure.

Question 41

Dolphins (which are mammals) and sharks (which are fish) have stiff dorsal fins projecting from their backs that help them maneuver through water. These relationships of structures to each other are best described as

A) mutations.
B) analogous structures.
C) vestigial structures.
D) homologous structures.

Question 42

The fact that whales have pelvic and leg bones leads to the conclusion that

A) they probably evolved from fish.
B) ancestral whales had legs.
C) whales did not evolve by natural selection.
D) whales should have functional legs.
E) having a pelvis is advantageous.

Question 43

The amino acid sequences of human and bonobo hemoglobin are almost identical, yet they differ considerably from the sequence of the hemoglobin of wolves. This fact indicates that

A) bonobos are more closely related to humans than to wolves.
B) wolves and bonobos are closely related.
C) humans are more closely related to wolves than to bonobos.

Question 44

Convergent evolution occurs when

A) analogous structures evolve to be homologous.
B) unrelated organisms develop analogous structures.
C) two or more populations merge into one.
D) two or more different species evolve to become one species.

Question 45

Most commercial pesticides are effective for only 2 or 3 years because

A) the chemicals mutate and become ineffective.
B) those pests born with mutations that provide immunity will survive and reproduce.
C) the pests learn to hide when the chemicals are being applied.
D) the chemicals induce mutations that provide immunity.
E) new pests invade the area.

Question 46

"Cole" refers to any of various plants belonging to the Cruciferae or mustard family, which include broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, and other familiar vegetables. The controlled breeding of cole crops to produce certain physical traits in those organisms is called

A) natural selection.
B) agricultural selection.
C) artificial selection.
D) physical selection.

Question 47

Which of the following supports the idea that all organisms share a common ancestry?

A) All cells use the same collection of lipids.
B) All cells use DNA as a cellular energy carrier.
C) All cells use ATP as the template for protein synthesis.
D) All cells have a similar biochemistry, including amino acids, nucleic acids, and ATP.
E) All cells use amino acids as a carrier of genetic information.

Question 48

A farmer noticed that two of her cotton plants produce cotton with a slight greenish hue. By repeatedly crossing the greenish plants, she has produced a variety of deep- green cotton without the use of any dyes. This is an example of

A) convergent evolution.
B) natural selection.
C) artificial mutation.
D) artificial selection.
E) inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Question 49

Imagine that a biologist develops a strain of corn with a lower fat content by choosing low- fat variants and crossbreeding them over several generations. This is an example of

A) convergent evolution.
B) natural selection.
C) artificial selection.
D) artificial mutation.
E) inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Question 50

The amino acid sequences of human and chimpanzee hemoglobin are almost identical, yet they differ considerably from the sequence of the hemoglobin of dogs. This fact

A) opposes the theory of evolution.
B) supports the theory of evolution.
C) neither supports nor opposes the theory of evolution.

Question 51

Of all the possible amino acids, all living organisms make use of only the same 20 amino acids. This supports the idea that

A) only a limited number of DNA mutations are possible.
B) bacteria, animals, and plants developed independently.
C) natural selection drives evolution.
D) all living things are derived from a single common ancestor.
E) only 20 amino acids exist on Earth.

Question 52

A farmer produces a variety of apple with deep pink flesh by selectively crossbreeding apples with pinkish hues. This is an example of

A) convergent evolution.
B) natural selection.
C) artificial mutation.
D) artificial selection.
E) inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Question 53

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

A) The many different species of Oak trees found in the forest.
B) Cheetahs that can outrun their prey
C) The many different breeds of domestic cats
D) Green tree frogs that blend perfectly into their leafy surroundings
E) All of the above

Question 54

Daisies and daffodils, have flowers that serve as organs of reproduction, leaves that serve as organs of photosynthesis, and xylem and phloem that move water and food throughout the plant. These similarities are best explained by

A) inheritance of acquired characteristics.
B) uniformitarianism.
C) a common ancestry.
D) the "Ladder of Nature."
E) artificial selection.

Question 55

Charles Darwin believed that artificial selection was

A) similar in many ways to natural selection.
B) a process completely identical to natural selection.
C) a common phenomenon in nature.
D) impossible.
E) unimportant.

Question 56

Strong evidence for the common ancestry of all vertebrates is

A) they all evolved from fish.
B) the similarity of their embryological stages.
C) they all possess DNA.
D) they all have legs.
E) their means of reproduction.

Question 57

The controlled breeding of domestic plants and animals by humans to produce certain physical traits in those organisms is called

A) physical selection.
B) agricultural selection.
C) artificial selection.
D) natural selection.

Question 58

Observations of a wide variety of vertebrate embryos suggest that

A) fish are unrelated to other vertebrates because they are the only vertebrates that develop gills.
B) all vertebrate species have similar genes for development.
C) fish, turtles, and mice are more closely related to one another than to either chickens or humans because they have substantial tails.
D) chickens and humans are closely related because they lack substantial tails.

Question 59

The many different breeds of domestic dog were produced by

A) artificial mutation.
B) artificial selection.
C) natural selection.
D) physical selection.

Question 60

When unrelated organisms living under similar environmental demands evolve superficially similar structures, it is called

A) comparative anatomy.
B) convergent evolution.
C) coevolution.
D) superficial selection.

Question 61

Insects and bats both have wings. This proves they evolved from a common ancestor.

Question 62

Early in embryonic development, all vertebrate embryos have some similarities in their appearance.

Question 63

Dandelions in a lawn that is mowed have short flower stalks, whereas those in a field have tall flower stocks. This illustrates

A) convergent evolution.
B) natural selection.
C) artificial mutation.
D) artificial selection.
E) inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Question 64

In theory, individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce.

Question 65

Mammalian appendages with similar bone structures can be used for flying, swimming, running, or grasping. These are examples of structures.

Question 66

Darwin and both developed and proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Question 67

If a woman learns to speak many languages, her children will inherit fluency in many languages.

Question 68

There were biologists before Darwin who proposed mechanisms for evolution.

Question 69

Which of the following would you predict would evolve in guppies that are taken from streams in Trinidad with predators and put into streams lacking predators?

A) Male guppies will become more colorful.
B) Male guppies will not change in coloration.
C) Guppies would evolve to have females avoid more colorful males.
D) Male guppies will become less colorful.
E) Guppies would evolve to have females prefer less colorful males.

Question 70

Coprolites (animal dung), bones, and impressions of body parts in rocks are called _ .

Question 71

Darwin's theory of evolution was based on his observations during his voyage to Asia.

Question 72

Variations in a population are produced by .

Question 73

Evidence that supports the theory of evolution is found in the studies of

A) fossils.
B) artificial selection.
C) biochemistry.
D) embryos.
E) embryos, biochemistry, fossils, and artificial selection.

Question 74

The theory that earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters cause extinctions of some species while leaving others unharmed is .

Question 75

Based on the way natural selection works, what is the best way to make use of antibacterial soap?

A) Never use it because bacteria will evolve to become resistant to it.
B) Always use it because it is unlikely that bacteria will evolve to become resistant to it.
C) Always use it because most bacteria will cause illness.
D) Never use it because all bacteria are harmless.
E) Use it only when you need to be free of bacterial contamination, so bacteria will be less likely to evolve resistance to it.

Question 76

In any evolving population of organisms, individual variations exist.

Question 77

Through artificial selection, it is possible to select for characteristics that may not be advantageous to the organism in a natural environment.

Question 78

In most geological formations, younger rocks are layered over older rocks.

Question 79

Anolis lizards can be informally subdivided into long- legged forms (which move by jumping from tree to tree) and short- legged forms (which mostly crawl from one area to another). Both forms are usually found in any population. A group of Anolis lizards with long legs are transplanted from an island with many large trees to an island with many small plants and no trees. In future generations, the transplanted lizard population is most likely to

A) evolve even longer legs.
B) evolve shorter legs adapted for the smaller plants.
C) undergo no evolutionary change.
D) evolve to be able to maneuver less efficiently.
E) evolve to be able to run away from predators more quickly.

Question 80

Pelvic bones in snakes and whales are _ structures.