Question 1

What is extinction an example of?

Accepted Answer

Extinction refers to the complete elimination of a species or group of organisms, which represents a major change in the history of life on earth. This process is an example of macroevolutionary change, as it occurs over long periods of time and leads to the loss of biodiversity, which can have significant ecological and evolutionary impacts. While natural selection and microevolutionary changes can lead to variation and adaptation within a population, they do not necessarily result in the extinction of entire species or groups. Mendelian genetics involves the study of inheritance patterns of specific traits within populations and is not directly related to the process of extinction.

Question 2

Which of the following studies provide compelling evidence of evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

Studies of adaptation, the fossil record, historical biogeography, and comparative morphology provide the most comprehensive evidence of evolutionary change. Adaptation and comparative morphology demonstrate how organisms have changed over time, while the fossil record and historical biogeography provide evidence of when and where these changes occurred. Together, these studies provide a robust understanding of the processes of evolution.

Question 3

The wings of insects and birds have similar traits. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. In this case, both insects and birds evolved wings to facilitate flight, resulting in similar structural adaptations.

Question 4

The wings of bats and insects have similar traits. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of convergent evolution, where distantly related species evolve similar structures or adaptations due to similar environmental pressures. In both cases, the wings evolved independently as a means of flight, but have similar traits such as light weight, thin membranes, and the ability to fold when not in use.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of sexual dimorphism?

Accepted Answer

Sexual dimorphism refers to differences in physical characteristics between males and females of a species. In lions, males (lions) and females (lionesses) have distinct physical differences in size, mane, and other features. Therefore, A is the correct choice as it describes a visual difference between a lion and a lioness, which is an example of sexual dimorphism.

Question 6

Which of the following explains why snakes do not have forelimbs or necks?

Accepted Answer

The expression of Hoxc8 extending into a more forward region of the body inhibits the development of forelimbs, contributing to the snake's elongated body without limbs.

Question 7

Suppose that inherited characteristics of an individual allow it to survive longer and reproduce more than others without those characteristics. What are the particular traits that make these individuals more fit?

Accepted Answer

The particular traits that make these individuals more fit are considered adaptive, meaning they have evolved to help the individual survive in its environment and are therefore necessary for its continued survival and reproduction.

Question 8

What are homologous traits?

Accepted Answer

Homologous traits are characteristics that are similar in two species because they inherited the genetic basis of the trait from their common ancestor. This means that the traits are not just similar in function but also have similar underlying genetic mechanisms. For example, the forelimbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats all have the same basic bone structure, but serve different functions for each species.

Question 9

Which of the following matches between evolutionary evidence and biological disciplines is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

Pesticide resistance is not evidence of historical biogeography, but rather of natural selection in action. Therefore, the correct biological discipline would be evolutionary ecology or population genetics.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the wings of bats and the wings of birds?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures are those that have a similar internal bone structure inherited from a common ancestor, and the wings of bats and birds fit this definition. Analogous structures are those that are adapted for the same function but do not share a common ancestor with a similar structure. Therefore, option A is incorrect. Option B is incorrect because although both types of wings are adapted for flight, they have different structures and are not functionally interchangeable. Option D is incorrect because the existence of wings in the common ancestor of bats and birds is unknown.

Question 11

Which of the following is modern synthesis NOT based on?

Accepted Answer

Modern synthesis is based on linking Darwinism with Mendelism, interpreting microevolution and macroevolution, interpreting data from a wide variety of biological disciplines in an evolutionary framework. However, it is not based on linking population growth with variation to explain natural selection.

Question 12

What did Cohn and Tickle's research suggest about snake evolution?

Accepted Answer

Cohn and Tickle's research suggested that the reduction or complete absence of hindlimbs in snake evolution is linked to genetic variations following changes in the expression pattern of Hoxc8.

Question 13

Which of the following is a result of expression of both Hoxc6 and Hoxc8 genes in pythons?

Accepted Answer

The expression of both Hoxc6 and Hoxc8 genes in pythons results in the development of ribs right behind the head. However, there is no expression of Hox genes associated with the development of limb buds or appendages in snakes, so no limb buds or forelimbs or hindlimbs develop. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 14

Which of the following is evidence that woolly mammoths were determined to be more closely related to Asian elephants than to African elephants?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA sequences have revealed that woolly mammoths share a more recent common ancestor with Asian elephants than they do with African elephants. This is because mitochondrial DNA is passed down exclusively from the mother and evolves faster than nuclear DNA, making it a useful tool for examining evolutionary relationships.

Question 15

Suppose that inherited characteristics of an individual allow it to survive longer and reproduce more than others without those characteristics. What do these individuals have?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with inherited characteristics that allow them to survive longer and reproduce more than others without those characteristics have enhanced fitness. This means that they are better adapted to their environment and have a higher likelihood of passing on their advantageous traits to their offspring.

Question 16

Which of the following is Archaeopteryx an important link for?

Accepted Answer

Archaeopteryx is an important link between dinosaurs and birds, providing evidence for the evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs. It has characteristics of both groups, such as feathers like birds and reptile-like features like teeth and a long tail.

Question 17

What is the independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated species termed?

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated species. This occurs when different species face similar selective pressures and end up developing similar adaptations to survive.

Question 18

The wings of bats and birds have similar traits. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of convergent evolution, where two different species evolve similar traits to adapt to similar environmental pressures.

Question 19

Which of the following reflects genetic differences?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following reflects genetic differences?
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Question 20

Which of the following have extended the achievements of the modern synthesis and what is the result?

Accepted Answer

Molecular techniques, such as DNA sequencing, have allowed for a more precise analysis of the genetic basis of evolutionary change and the genetic relationships between living and extinct organisms. This has extended the achievements of the modern synthesis by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying evolution.

Quiz 17: Evolution: the Development of the Theory