Evidence of Evolution

Multiple Choice

In this diagram, called a phylogenetic tree, which letter represents the most recent common ancestor between humans and gorillas? (Hint: where do humans and gorillas intersect?)

• U

• V

• W

• Z

Multiple Choice

Which statement is true about the fossil record?

• Organisms generally evolved to be more complex and diverse over time.

• Organisms generally evolve to be less complex and diverse over time.

• Fossils found in higher layers of rock are older than fossils found in lower layers of rock.

• The fossil record is incomplete, and is thus not good evidence to support evolution.

Multiple Choice

The evolution of these insects is an example of what type of evolution?

• gradualism

• punctuated equilibrium

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

Multiple Choice

This diagram of a portion of the fossil record shows what type of evolution?

• punctuated equilibrium

• gradualism

• stasis

• convergent evolution

Multiple Choice

Which type of structure is derived from (comes from) having a common ancestor?

• vestigial structure

• homologous structure

• analagous structure

• important structure

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a vestigial structure, which has no apparent use in the modern organism?

• appendix

• heart

• brain

• skin

Multiple Choice

This image shows the embryos of four species at similar stages in development. Which two species are most closely related?

• tortoise and mouse

• mouse and human

• snake and mouse

• tortoise and human

Multiple Choice

Hemoglobin is a protein that helps red blood cells carry oxygen. Similarities in the amino acid sequence of the hemoglobin protein of different species provide evidence for their relatedness.

The chart shows the percent similarity of the amino acid sequence of this protein between humans and other species. Which of the following species is the LEAST closely related to humans?

• rhesus monkey

• frog

• chicken

• mouse

Multiple Choice

All mammals are considered to have evolved from a common ancestor that lived 180 million years ago. Mammal limbs (arms, legs, wings) are similar in the number of bones they share and the arrangement or order of these bones. What type of homology is this?

• anatomical homology

• molecular homology

• developmental homology

Multiple Choice

Organisms that are more closely related show similarities in their embryos during development. What type of homology is this?

• anatomical homology

• developmental homology

• molecular homology

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a molecular homology between species?

• Chimpanzees and humans are considered to be closely related because their DNA base sequences are 95% similar.

• The similarities between whale flippers and human arm bones suggest they share a common ancestor.

• Turtle and crocodile embryos are remarkably similar during development, suggesting they share a recent common ancestor.