Evolution

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the theory of evolution?

• Living species are identical to their ancestral species.

• Evolution is a process that occurred only in the past.

• Living species are descendants of ancestral species that were different from present-day ones.

• Evolution is a process that happens only to animals.

Multiple Choice

How did Darwin's theory differ from the earlier belief about species on Earth?

• It proposed that all species are unchanging.

• It suggested that all life is connected by common ancestry and changes over time.

• It stated that Earth is young and species are recent.

• It denied the existence of adaptations.

Open Ended

What was Darwin’s phrase for evolution? What does it mean?

Multiple Choice

Based on the map of Darwin's voyage, which islands played a significant role in the development of his theory of evolution?

• Galápagos Islands

• Hawaiian Islands

• Canary Islands

• Falkland Islands

Open Ended

How do the differences in beak shapes among the finches, shell shape and neck length among the tortoises, and unique behavior of the iguanas support the theory of evolution?

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blank: Fitness is the ability of an individual to ___ and ___.

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements are true about natural selection?

• Natural selection creates new traits in a population.

• Natural selection selects for traits already present in the population.

• The environment determines which traits are selected for or against.

• Natural selection always leads to extinction.

Open Ended

What is the role of fossils in providing evidence for evolution?

Multiple Choice

What is the primary reason fossils are preserved in sedimentary rock layers?

• Because sedimentary rocks are formed from deposited sediments that bury and compress ancient life

• Because sedimentary rocks are the hardest type of rock

• Because sedimentary rocks are formed by volcanic activity

• Because sedimentary rocks are always found underwater

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements about the fossil record and evolution are correct?

• Deeper rock layers contain older and simpler fossils

• Upper rock layers contain younger and more complex organisms

• Fossils are only found in volcanic rocks

• The fossil record reveals evolution over time

Open Ended

Compare the evolutionary changes seen in the skeletons of Pakicetus, Rhodocetus, Dorudon, and Balaena. What do these changes suggest about whale evolution?

Open Ended

What is a cladogram, and how do biologists use it to represent evolutionary relationships?

Multiple Choice

Are crocodiles more closely related to lizards or birds?

• lizards

• birds

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best describes Darwin's reasoning about artificial selection and natural selection?

• Artificial selection and natural selection both result in changes in species, but artificial selection is guided by humans.

• Artificial selection occurs naturally in the wild, while natural selection only happens in controlled environments.

• Natural selection produces changes in species much faster than artificial selection.

• Artificial selection cannot result in significant changes in species.

Open Ended

Explain how natural selection led to a higher proportion of black mice in the population over time, as shown in the diagram.

Multiple Choice

True or false: Individual organism can choose to evolve.

• true

• false

Open Ended

In what sense is natural selection more an editing process than a creative process?

Open Ended

Why can't an individual evolve?

Open Ended

How might gene flow between populations living in different habitats actually interfere with each population's adaptation to its local environment?

Multiple Choice

What type of natural selection is shown?

• directional

• stabilizing

• disruptive

Open Ended

Males with the most elaborate ornamentation attract the most mates. How might choosing such a mate be advantageous to the female?

Open Ended

Explain why the following statement is incorrect: Antibiotics have created resistant bacteria.