Evolution & Genetics

Which best explains the relationship between evolution and natural selection?

• Natural selection prevents evolution.
• Evolution prevents natural selection.
• Evolution causes natural selection.
• Natural selection is one aspect of evolution.

A gardener applies herbicide in a garden. Which best explains why some weeds in the garden survive applications of the herbicide while others die?

• The weed species that survive have a high degree of genetic variation, and have adapted to be resistant to the herbicide.
• The weed species that die have a low degree of genetic variation, and have adapted to be resistant to the herbicide.
• The weed species that die have a high degree of genetic variation,which has prevented them from adapting to the herbicide.
• The weed species that survive have a low degree of genetic variation,which has prevented them from adapting to the herbicide.

Some peacocks are born with a genetic variation that makes them completely white. How does this affect the likelihood of their survival?

• Genetic variation in the white peacock makes it stand out in a crowdas a target for potential predators, resulting in fewer white peacocks.
• Genetic variation in the white peacock makes it stand out in a crowd and scares potential predators, resulting in more white peacocks.
• Genetic variation in the white peacock makes it more attractive to mates, which will result in more white peacocks.

Fossils of land-dwelling mammals found in both Australia and southern Asia were discovered to have body structures believed to have evolved from a common ancestor. What does this evidence most likely suggest?

• These organisms were capable of swimming from one continent to the other.
• Australia and Asia were once part of a larger continent.
• These organisms developed during the same time period.

Which is true about fossils?

• They are remains of organisms that lived on Earth.
• They are documentation of evolutionary changes in every organism that has ever lived on Earth.
• They are most often found in igneous rock formations.

Which characteristic of organisms allows them to adapt to problems in their environment?

• genetic variation
• genetic isolation
• genetic drift

If global warming increases, which animal is most likely to be selected against for survival?

• monkey
• polar bear
• grizzly bear

Tigers and household cats are members of the same family; however, their sizes are vastly different. What is the cause of this difference?

• biochemical makeup
• behavioral makeup
• genetics
• habitat size

Many plants and animals native to Australia are found nowhere else on Earth. Which best explains this?

• The soil of Australia has a high mineral content with plenty of moisture.
• Geologic evolution occurred, separating Australia from other landmasses.
• The climate of Australia is very favorable to many plant and animal species.
• Biological evolution failed to create changes in the plant and animal species of Australia.

Two organisms have homologous structures. Which can most likely be concluded about the two organisms?

• They are unrelated.
• They are the same organism.
• They share a common ancestor.
• They evolved in a similar environment.