Evolution

Which of the following is a term for a group of similar organisms that can reproduce fertile offspring?

• individual
• population
• species
• fossil

The difference in the physical traits of an individual from those of other individuals in a group is called ____________.

• change
• adaptation
• species
• variation

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?

• the wings of a red-tailed hawk
• the hind limbs of a house cat
• the fins of sharks
• the wings of an ostrich

What is suggested by the similarity of early embryos of different species of vertebrates?

• no evolutionary relationships between the groups
• recent common ancestry
• similar environments in the past
• evolution from a distant common ancestor

Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have different functions, but similar structures.  These are known as ____________.

• vestigial structures
• analogous structures
• homologous structures
• divergent evolution

If an organism has a vestigial structure, that structure likely once had a function in a(n)

• close relative
• early ancestor
• unrelated organism
• embryological stage

Two organisms that are closely related would have ______________.

• very similar DNA sequences
• exactly the same DNA sequences
• no proteins in common
• completely different DNA sequence

DNA sequences in one organism that are very similar those of another suggest a _________.

• coincidence
• lack of evolutionary relationship
• great number of mutations
• shared ancestry

Genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene.  The change is called a(n) _________.

• mutation
• gene flow
• gene pool
• allele

What is adaptive radiation (divergent evolution)?

• Combining of two species to form one with different traits.
• Isolation that affects mating behaviors.
• Timing of mating that prevents normal sexual selection.
• Divergence of two or more species from an existing one.