Question 1

Through observing the variation in snails,which individuals would you predict would most easily hide from predators if this population existed in variable (mixed patches of light and dark areas)environment?

Accepted Answer

The multicolored (variable) snails would most easily hide from predators in a mixed patch environment because they have a variety of colors that can blend in with different parts of the environment. Dark-colored snails may stand out in brighter areas while light-colored snails may stand out in darker areas. Therefore, the snails with multiple colors would have the most advantages in terms of camouflage and would be the most successful in avoiding predators.

Question 2

When comparing chick and pig embryos,the similar eyes,pharyngeal pouches,and post-anal tails are evidence of

Accepted Answer

The presence of similar eyes, pharyngeal pouches, and post-anal tails in chick and pig embryos are evidence of common ancestry, indicating that these organisms share a common ancestor. These features are not the result of convergent evolution or analogy, and are not dependent on biogeography or artificial selection.

Question 3

What do fossils of transitional links illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Fossils of transitional links show how one species evolved into another through shared characteristics, proving that the two groups are related. This supports the theory of evolution and the idea that all life is connected through a common ancestor.

Question 4

Monkeys in the New World (the Americas)have prehensile tails,strong flexible tails that grip branches and operate much like another hand while Old World (Africa and Asia)monkeys do not have such a tail.The explanation for this is

Accepted Answer

The prehensile tail evolved in New World monkeys after the Americas separated from Africa and Asia, leading to different evolutionary paths and adaptations.

Question 5

When hiking high in the mountains,you find fossil marine shells lying about.This provides evidence that

Accepted Answer

Finding fossil marine shells on top of a mountain indicates that the mountain was once under the ocean and has since been uplifted. This is a common occurrence in geology where tectonic activity can cause the land to rise and fall over time. Option A is unlikely as it would require someone to transport the shells to such a high altitude. Option B is also unlikely as it is highly improbable for marine animals to live at such high altitudes. Option C is plausible but highly unlikely as it would require a significant series of tsunamis or other high-energy events to carry the shells to such high elevations. Option E is not relevant to the evidence presented.

Question 6

The artificial selection of different breeds of dogs is an example of speciation.

Accepted Answer

Speciation occurs naturally over a very long time. Breeds produced through artificial selection can still interbreed and remain one species.

Question 7

The presence of vestigial organs supports evidence of evolution because

Accepted Answer

The presence of vestigial organs, which are similar to functional organs in related species, suggests that they have been passed down from a common ancestor and have become useless over time due to changes in the environment or selection pressures. This is consistent with the theory of evolution through natural selection.

Question 8

Analogous structures are evidence of common ancestry.

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures are evidence of common ancestry. Analogous structures serve a similar function but are not constructed similarly, and therefore could not have a common ancestry.

Question 9

If a population lacks variation (fixed),no individual has any advantageous trait,and the environment changes for the worse.What will most likely happen to the population in terms of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

If a population lacks variation and no individual has any advantageous trait, they will not have the trait necessary to survive the changes in the environment. Therefore, the entire population will go extinct.

Question 10

The fossil similarity of the extinct glyptodont to the living,modern armadillo is an example of comparative anatomy.

Accepted Answer

Comparative anatomy involves comparing anatomical structures of both living an extinct forms.

Question 11

The forelimbs of manatees,penguins,seals,and sea turtles are all flipper-shaped.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The flipper-shaped forelimbs of manatees, penguins, seals, and sea turtles are an example of convergent evolution, where different organisms develop similar traits to adapt to similar environments. In this case, the flipper-shaped forelimbs are an adaptation to movement in water.

Question 12

The wing of a penguin and the wing of an eagle are

Accepted Answer

The wing of a penguin and the wing of an eagle are homologous structures because they have a similar bone structure and embryonic origin, indicating that they evolved from a common ancestor. Although the function of the wings may be different (swimming for the penguin and flying for the eagle), the underlying structure is similar.

Question 13

h  Interpreting this figure,Which of the following is a similarity between Lamark's proposal for evolution and that of Darwin?

Accepted Answer

The answer of h  Interpreting this figure,Which of the...

Question 14

If a finch population with heritable,variable beak size and shape arrived on an island on which only large seeds were available as a source of food,describe the natural selection process that would follow.

Accepted Answer

In this situation, natural selection would favor the finches with larger beaks, as they would more easily be able to consume the large seeds that are the only available food source on the island. The finches with smaller beaks would likely struggle to feed and therefore have a lower chance of survival and reproductive success. Over time, the frequency of larger beaks within the population would increase as they would have a selective advantage. Option A and D suggest that all finches would grow larger beaks, which is not necessarily the case, as the selection pressure would only be on those with smaller beaks. Option C suggests a scenario where all but one trait is selected for, which is unlikely in a complex system such as natural selection. Option E suggests that finches with larger beaks would not need to reproduce, which is not accurate, as reproductive success is crucial for passing on advantageous traits to future generations.

Question 15

The species of finches,tortoises,cacti,iguanas,and many others that are found on the Galápagos Islands are found nowhere else in the world.Which physical attribute of these islands has not played a role in permitting such unique life forms to evolve?

Accepted Answer

The fact that food is plentiful and diverse on every island actually supports the evolution of unique life forms, as there are abundant resources for different species to specialize and adapt to. The other options (A, B, D, E) are all factors that have contributed to the evolution of distinct and endemic species on the Galápagos Islands.

Question 16

Environmental catastrophes are a requirement of natural selection.

Accepted Answer

Natural selection occurs with or without environmental catastrophes. Catastrophes are not a requirement of natural selection.

Question 17

Broccoli,kohlrabi,Brussels sprouts,Chinese cabbage,and cauliflower were all derived from the single wild species.This diversity is a result of

Accepted Answer

The diversity of these crops is a result of artificial selection, which involves human intervention in selecting desirable traits and breeding plants with those traits.

Question 18

Many people refer to Alfred Russel Wallace as the "Father of Biogeography." Which of the following contributions led Wallace to achieve this title?

Accepted Answer

Wallace is credited with describing the "Wallace Line," a boundary that separates the ecozones of Asia and Australia, highlighting the distinct differences in species distribution, which is a fundamental concept in biogeography.

Question 19

As you hike up a mountain,you realize that the plants and animals present at the base are not the same as those at the top.This observation is the basis of

Accepted Answer

The observation that different plants and animals are present at different elevations on a mountain is the basis of biogeography, which studies the distribution of life on Earth. Natural selection, comparative anatomy, geology, and paleontology may also be relevant fields for exploring why certain species are found at certain elevations, but they are not specifically focused on these patterns of distribution.

Question 20

Why are Australian mammals all marsupial while mammals on other continents are mostly placental?

Accepted Answer

When Australia separated from the other continents, there were no placental mammals present on the continent. This allowed marsupials to evolve and diversify without competition from placental mammals. As a result, all mammals in Australia are marsupials.

Quiz 14: Darwin and Evolution

Through observing the variation in snails,which individuals would you predict would most easily hide from predators if this population existed in variable (mixed patches of light and dark areas) environment?