Question 1

Evolution is

Accepted Answer

Evolution is strongly supported by scientific evidence, including the fossil record, genetics, and observations of natural selection in action.

Question 2

As terrestrial organisms,both insects and vertebrates evolved legs with joints,but the last common ancestor shared by these lineages existed long before vertebrates had evolved.This knowledge makes it possible to predict that

Accepted Answer

The statement implies that while the last common ancestor had evolved legs with joints, it existed before vertebrates had evolved. Therefore, the DNA sequences that direct leg formation in insects and vertebrates would be very different, and the two lineages may have evolved additional leg anatomy separately. Choices A, C, and D are unrelated to the information provided in the statement.

Question 3

Flounder (a type of fish)generally match the color of the sandy bottoms of the bodies of water they inhabit.Their color functions like camouflage,making them difficult for predators to detect.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

Flounder's ability to change colors to match their surroundings is an example of adaptation, which is a trait developed over time through natural selection to increase the chances of survival and reproductive success. This helps the flounder to blend in with its environment and avoid detection by predators. Speciation refers to the formation of new species over time through evolution, whereas continental drift refers to the slow movement of continents over millions of years. Guided mutation is a controversial idea that suggests that mutations are directed towards a particular outcome, which is not supported by current scientific evidence.

Question 4

As embryos,baleen whales have teeth and also have two nostrils directly above their mouth.Before birth,however,the teeth are reabsorbed,and the nostrils migrate and fuse to become the blowhole.What does this observation suggest about the ancestry of these whales?

Accepted Answer

The observation suggests that baleen whales share inherited developmental features with their terrestrial mammalian ancestors. The fact that their teeth are reabsorbed and their nostrils migrate and fuse to form the blowhole is an example of how baleen whales retain developmental features from their ancestors, despite adapting to an aquatic lifestyle. This is consistent with the theory of evolution by descent with modification, which suggests that species evolve from a common ancestry and retain traits from their ancestors.

Question 5

Humans simulate the process of natural selection when they use ________ to develop new varieties of crop plants that better meet the needs of farmers.

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection is the process of selectively breeding plants or animals with desirable traits in order to produce offspring with those same traits. This is similar to natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. Crop plants that are bred through artificial selection are better suited to farmers' needs, such as increased yields or resistance to pests and diseases. Choices B, C, and D are not relevant to the process of developing new crop varieties through artificial selection.

Question 6

Pangaea is

Accepted Answer

Pangaea is an ancient supercontinent that is believed to have existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, before breaking apart into the continents we know today. Therefore, option C is the correct choice. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe Pangaea.

Question 7

The fact that small,nonfunctioning hind legs are found in the skeletons of many snakes suggests that snakes

Accepted Answer

The presence of small, non-functioning hind legs in the skeletons of many snakes suggests that snakes evolved from organisms with legs. This is supported by the fact that some modern-day snakes still have small hind legs that are capable of limited movement, such as the boa constrictor. This is seen as a vestigial trait - a leftover from their evolutionary history.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about evolution is true?

Accepted Answer

Evolution can result in both the addition and loss of traits in organisms. This is because evolution is driven by natural selection, which favors traits that provide a reproductive advantage in a given environment. Traits that are not advantageous may be lost over time, while new mutations or genetic variations can result in the emergence of new traits in a population. Therefore, evolution can result in both the addition and loss of traits in organisms.

Question 9

Human embryos and fish embryos share a number of features.Why?

Accepted Answer

Humans and fishes share a common ancestor, which is why their embryos have similar features during early development stages.

Question 10

The number of different types of organisms found on Earth is primarily a result of

Accepted Answer

The number of different types of organisms found on Earth is primarily a result of natural selection and speciation. Over time, small differences between individuals of the same species can accumulate and eventually lead to the formation of new species. This process is driven by natural selection, where organisms with certain traits are better able to survive and reproduce than others. As these traits become more common in a population, they can eventually lead to the formation of new species with unique characteristics. This process has led to the incredible diversity of life on Earth. Continental drift and Darwin's theories may have influenced how we understand and approach the study of biodiversity, but they are not the primary drivers of the number of different types of organisms found on Earth. Common descent also plays a role in explaining the relationships between different species, but it is not the primary factor driving the evolution of new species.

Question 11

The genus Lycopodium includes plants that evolved before the breakup of Pangaea.The genus Sequoiadendron (redwood trees)evolved after Pangaea split into separate landmasses.Which genus would you expect to have the widest distribution of living representatives across the modern continents?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The genus Lycopodium includes plants that evolved...

Question 12

Upon his return to England,Darwin realized that the species he had seen in the Galápagos Islands were distinctive to that locale.Which of the following statements best explains the uniqueness of the assemblage of species that Darwin observed?

Accepted Answer

The isolation of the Galápagos Islands from the mainland meant that there was limited gene flow between the species on the islands and those on the mainland, leading to unique assemblages of species on each island.

Question 13

The most probable explanation for why two different species have similar features is

Accepted Answer

The most logical explanation for two different species having similar features (or traits) is that they inherited these traits from a common ancestor. This is the basis of the theory of evolution, which suggests that species change over time through the process of natural selection. Over generations, genetic mutations occur that can lead to new traits and adaptations, but some traits may be conserved because they provide a survival advantage. Therefore, similar traits in different species can be seen as evidence of common ancestry. Genetic drift, gene flow, and artificial selection can also affect the gene pool of a population and ultimately lead to differences among species, but is less likely to result in similar traits between two different species.

Question 14

Many organisms are darker on their dorsal surface and lighter on their ventral surface.They are difficult to see from both above and below because of this ________,which is called countershading.

Accepted Answer

Countershading is a well-known adaptation in which animals have darker coloration on their dorsal surface and lighter coloration on their ventral surface to blend in with their environment and avoid predation.

Question 15

It is quite common for species that are exposed to sexual selection to be sexually dimorphic.What best explains why the males of diverse species like the lion,elephant seal,and elk are so much larger than the females?

Accepted Answer

In populations where males compete for breeding opportunities, size is often a factor in determining success in fights. Larger males are typically more dominant and win more fights, leading to more breeding opportunities.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the evolutionary relatedness of organisms is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Predictions of evolutionary relatedness that are based on DNA sequences often agree with those that are based on anatomical evidence. Therefore, option C is false. The other options are true statements about the evolutionary relatedness of organisms.

Question 17

The term sexual dimorphism refers to a species in which

Accepted Answer

Sexual dimorphism refers to the physical differences between males and females of a species that are separate from their reproductive organs. These differences may include variations in body size, coloration, or plumage.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the fossil record is true?

Accepted Answer

The fossil record shows that major new groups of plants and animals evolved from previously existing organisms, supporting the theory of evolution.

Question 19

All mammals have hemoglobin,but the amino acid sequences are not identical.The human sequence differs from that of the baboon,dog,gorilla,and lemur by seven,ten,one,and seven amino acids,respectively.Based on this comparative DNA analysis,which of these animals most recently shared a common ancestor with humans?

Accepted Answer

The animal with the least number of amino acid differences from humans is the gorilla with only one difference. This suggests that humans and gorillas shared a common ancestor more recently than humans and the other three animals with higher numbers of amino acid differences.

Question 20

Which of the following statements is an example of a behavioral adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral adaptation refers to an organism's actions or behaviors that help them survive and reproduce. The fact that deer mice forage at night and are inactive during the day is an example of a behavioral adaptation that helps them avoid predators and maximize food availability. Choices A, B, and C refer to physical or structural adaptations.

Quiz 14: How Evolution Works