Evolution Practice questions - Mrs. Reece's Science Pages



Evolution Practice questions

1. The diagram below shows a comparison of nitrogen base sequences in the DNA of some organisms to those of a human. According to this diagram, humans may be most closely related to the (1.) gorilla (2.) ancestral primate (3.) orangutan (4.) chimpanzee

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2. Blood proteins in horses are chemically similar to blood proteins in monkeys. This similarity suggests that horses and monkeys (1.) can interbreed (2.) evolved at the same time (3.) live in the same habitat (4.) have a common ancestor

3. The diagram below shows the gradual change over time in the anatomy of the horse. Which concept is best illustrated by the physical variations in the horse as its body size and structure change over time? (1.) acquired characteristics (2.) artificial selection (3.) intermediate inheritance (4.) organic evolution

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4. Fossils of an extinct species of giant armadillo were found to be similar to a smaller species of armadillo presently inhabiting the same region. This similarity could best be explained on the basis of (1.) evolution from older forms (2.) use and disuse (3.) inheritance of acquired characteristics (4.) the heterotroph hypothesis

5. A study of the position and shape of the bones in the forelimbs of a flying squirrel, a bat, and a beaver showed that the beaver and the flying squirrel appear to be most closely related. This determination was most likely based on a study in the field of comparative (1.) anatomy (2.) biochemistry (3.) embryology (4.) cytology

6. Fossils would most likely be found in (1.) amber that is over 8 billion years old (2.) icebergs that are 500 billion years old (3.) sedimentary rocks that are 500 million years old (4.) volcanic rocks that are 50 million years old

7. The diagram below shows undisturbed sedimentary strata at the bottom of an ocean. The fossils found in layer B resemble the fossils found in layer A. This similarity suggests that (1.) the fossils in layer B were formed before the fossils in layer A (2.) modern forms of life may have evolved from earlier forms of life (3.) vertebrate fossils are only found in sediments (4.) the fossils in layer A must be more complex than those in layer B

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8. According to Darwin's theory of evolution, differences between species may be the result of (1.) the disuse of body structures (2.) the transmission of acquired characteristics (3.) natural selection (4.) mutagenic agents

9. Two nucleotide sequences found in two different species are almost exactly the same. This suggests that these species (1.) are evolving into the same species (2.) contain identical DNA (3.) may have similar evolutionary histories (4.) have the same number of mutations

10. According to Charles Darwin, one factor that affects the evolution of a species is (1.) variation due to genetic mutations (2.) rapid fossil formation (3.) survival of the fittest (4.) exposure to environmental pollutants

11. The diagrams below represent stages in the embryonic development of four organisns. The similarities in embryonic development shown in the diagram suggest that these organisms (1.) are all members of the same species (2.) all undergo external development (3.) may have evolved from a common ancestor (4.) have adaptations for the same environment as adults

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12. In the diagram of a whale below, the bones labeled "pelvis" and "femur" appear to be useless. The possibility that these bones were once useful gives support to the (1.) modern theory of evolution (2.) heterotroph hypothesis (3.) concept of fossil formation (4.) concept of stable gene frequencies

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13. Which statement best describes evolution? (1.) Evolution is a predictable change from simple to complex organisms. (2.) Evolution is a process of change through time. (3.) Evolution often proceeds from complex to simpler organisms. (4.) Evolution causes organisms to develop characteristics they need.

14. In Yellowstone National Park, some species of algae and bacteria can survive and reproduce in hot springs at temperatures near the boiling point of water. The ability to survive and reproduce at these temperatures is an example of (1.) aggregate formation (2.) adaptation (3.) artificial selection (4.) reproductive isolation

15. The diagrams below show embryos of three different vertebrate species. According to one theory, similarities in these embryos suggest common ancestry. As these embryos mature, they will most likely (1.) develop new organs according to the nutritional requirements of each organism (2.) show no similarity as adults (3.) continue to closely resemble each other as adults (4.) develop the distinctive characteristics of their species

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16. Darwin's studies of finches on the Galapagos Islands suggest that the finches' differences in beak structure were most directly due to (1.) acquired characteristics in the parent finches (2.) the size of the island where the finches live (3.) mating behaviors of the different finch species (4.) adaptations of the finches to different environments

17. The diagrams below represent homologous structures. The study of the evolutionary relationships between these structures is known as comparative (1.) cytology (2.) biochemistry (3.) anatomy (4.) embryology

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18. Biologically similar organisms have similar DNA and proteins. This statement supports the concept of (1.) diversity in species (2.) acquired characteristics (3.) use and disuse (4.) organic evolution

19. The embryos of fish, chickens, and pigs have gill slits and a tail. The presence of these features suggests that (1.) all these animals can swim (2.) these animals may have had a common ancestor (3.) gill slits and tails are required for embryonic development (4.) pigs developed from chickens

20. Characteristics of a species that make its members better able to live and reproduce in their environment are known as (1.) abiotic factors (2.) biotic factors (3.) favorable adaptations (4.) homologous structures

21. The diagram below represents undisturbed rock strata in a given region. A representative fossil of an organism is illustrated in each layer. Which statement best describes a relationship between these representative organisms? (1.) Organism A was probably more structurally advanced than organism B and organism C. (2.) Organism C probably gave rise to organism A and organism B. (3.) All of these organisms probably evolved at the same time. (4.) Organism A was probably more primitive than organism B and organism C.

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22. In the early stages of development, the embryos of birds and reptiles resemble each other in many ways. This resemblance suggests that they (1.) belong to the same species (2.) are adapted for life in the same habitat (3.) share a common ancestry (4.) are both animal-like protists

23. In his theory of evolution, Charles Darwin was not able to explain (1.) competition (2.) overproduction (3.) reproduction (4.) variation

24. Which statement is best supported by the theory of organic evolution? (1.) Every period of time in earth's history has its own group of species. (2.) Present day species developed from early distinctly different species. (3.) Every different location on the surface of the earth has its own distinctly different species. (4.) A new species moves into a habitat when another becomes extinct.

25. In the early stages of development, both chicken and pig embryos have gills slits, two-chambered hearts, and tails. This similarity suggests that chickens and pigs most probably (1.) have a common ancestry (2.) carry on aerobic respiration as adults (3.) use gills for breathing during embryonic development (4.) have inadequate circulation

26. Charles Darwin proposed that organisms produce many more offspring than can possible survive on the limited amount of resources available to them. According to Darwin, the offspring that are most likely to survive are those that (1.) are born first and grow fastest (2.) are largest and most aggressive (3.) have no natural predators (4.) are best adapted to the environment

27. The graph below shows the results of an investigation related to evolution. This graph was most likely developed from data involving a study of the (1.) transmission of acquired characteristics (2.) concept of punctuated equilibrium (3.) concept of gradualism (4.) variation within a species

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28. One concept that supports the theory of evolution states that organisms best adapted for survival are the ones that will reproduce and pass traits on to future generations. Adaptations that can be passed on do not include (1.) the basic structure of the organism (2.) the reflex actions of the organism (3.) the manner in which the organism carries out respiration (4.) techniques for hunting food taught by the parents of the organism

29. In the diagram below B, C, and D represent organisms that exist in the present time and show a striking similarity to each other in their bone structure. In the diagram, letter A most likely represents (1.) homologous structures (2.) a common ancestor (3.) an acquired characteristic (4.) geographic distribution

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30. Which area of biology compares and attempts to explain the structural changes that have taken place in living things over millions of years, as well as those changes occurring today? (1.) classification (2.) reproduction (3.) physiology (4.) evolution

31. Two organisms are closely related and are thought to share a similar evolutionary history. If this assumption is correct, these organisms most likely have (1.) no structural differences (2.) few biochemical similarities (3.) identical chromosome mutations (4.) similar embryological development

Use the information provided in the chart below questions 32 and 33, and your knowledge of the living environment to answer questions 32 and 33 which follow.

32. According to this information in the chart that follows, the closest evolutionary relationship most likely exists between the (1.) human and chimpanzee (2.) human and the gorilla (3.) chimpanzee and the gorilla (4.) horse and the zebra

33. The information in the chart provides data that can help in the identification of possible evolutionary relationships from the study of comparative (1.) cytology (2.) embryology (3.) anatomy (4.) biochemistry

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34. Many biologists believe that the great number of different species of organisms which exist on the planet and the present time has resulted from billions of years of (1.) gel electrophoresis (2.) recombinant DNA (3.) cloning (4.) evolution

35. What is the most probable reason that fossils found in lower layers of undisturbed rock are not found in upper layers of undisturbed rock in the same rock sequence? (1.) The development of many different organisms is part of an evolutionary process which has occurred for billions of years. (2.) Fossils of early organisms are much more complex than those of later organisms. (3.) Organisms living today show no relationship to organisms living billions of years ago. (4.) Changing environments on the earth have resulted in the extinction of many organisms.

36. According to most scientists, which sequence best represents the order of biological evolution on Earth?

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(1) A ( B ( C (2) B ( A ( C (3) B (C ( A (4) C (A ( B

True/False Section: Indicate whether the following statements are true or false based on your knowledge of the living environment and study of evolutionary theories.

1. The concept of biological evolution is that the Earth's present-day species developed from earlier, distinctly different species.

2. The sorting and recombination of genes during mitosis and fertilization result in a great variety of different gene combinations which drive the process of evolution.

3. New heritable characteristics can result from new combinations of existing genes or from mutations of genes in reproductive cells.

4. Gene mutations can be caused by agents such as radiation and chemicals.

5. Only gene mutations which occur in gametes or sex cells can be passed on to the offspring.

6. Asexually reproducing species have more variations which make the species more likely to survive changing conditions.

7. Natural selection and its evolutionary consequences provide a scientific explanation for the fossil record of ancient life forms, as well as for the molecular and structural similarities seen amongst many diverse organisms living today.

8. Individuals with advantageous adaptations to the environment tend to increase in numbers.

Constructed Response Section

1. Use the terms gene, variation, adaptation, and survival of the fittest to explain the evolution of resistance to a virus in gerbils. Underline these key terms in your explanation. Your explanation should be in accordance with the theory of natural selection.

|2. The diagram at the right shows a series of homologous |[pic] |

|bone structures in four different species of vertebrates. | |

|Explain how these structures support the theory of organic| |

|evolution. | |

|3. Use the chart at the right which compares similarities |[pic] |

|between nitrogenous base sequences in different primates and | |

|your knowledge of the living environment to answer the | |

|following questions. | |

|(a.) Based on the information provided, which primate is mostly| |

|closely related to humans? Why? | |

|(b.) Based on the chart at the right, explain why chimpanzees, | |

|humans, and gorillas produce enzymes and hormones with | |

|identical sequences of amino acids. | |

4. List and explain three sources of variation in sexually reproducing living things.

Multiple Choice Section

1. 4 10. 3 19. 2 28. 4

2. 4 11. 3 20. 3 29. 2

3. 4 12. 1 21. 4 30. 4

4. 1 13. 2 22. 3 31. 4

5. 1 14. 2 23. 4 32. 1

6. 3 15. 4 24. 2 33. 4

7. 2 16. 4 25. 1 34. 4

8. 3 17. 3 26. 4 35. 4

9. 3 18. 4 27. 4 36. 3

True/False Section

1. True 2. False (would be true if the word mitosis said meiosis)

3. True 4. True 5. True

6. False (would be true if the word asexually was replaced by the word sexually)

7. True 8. True

Constructed Response Section (keep in mind that other responses may be acceptable)

1. Different kinds of variations of gerbils existed having slightly different DNA sequences or genes. Some gerbils with this different genetic makeup were not harmed by a particular virus. This was an adaptation which better suited this variety of gerbils for surviving an outbreak of this virus. This ability to be better suited for survival in this particular situation is referred to as survival of the fittest in Darwin's theory of natural selection.

2. These similarities in bone structure indicate that these four mammals may have evolved from a common ancestor.

3. (a.) The chimpanzee has a 98.2% similarity with the human nitrogenous base sequence and would be considered evolutionally most similar.

(b.) Enzymes and hormones are proteins composed of amino acid sequences. The more similar the nitrogenous base sequences making up the DNA of different organisms, the more similar their proteins, such as enzymes and hormones are likely to be. Since all these primates have very similar nitrogenous base sequences, it is reasonable that they will have many common enzymes, hormones, and other proteins.

4. Mutations are changes in DNA. Recombination occurs when the Mother and Father's genes are mixed at fertilization. Crossing over is the exchange of chromosome pieces in the first meiotic division. This means essentially that no two gametes producing offspring from any parent will be the same.

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