Evolution and Classification Exam

A population of mice is evenly divided into two groups, and each group is placed on an isolated island with no existing mouse population. Which statement best explains the difference in the mouse populations on the Island A and Island B at the end of 20 years?

• On Island A, the allele for gray fur was dominant, while on Island B, the allele for brown fur was dominant

• More brown mice were in the half of the original population that was sent to the Island B than in the group sent to Island A.

• Conditions on Island B favored the brown-furred individuals, while both fur colors were evenly advantaged on Island A

• The recapturing of mice on Island A and Island B was done differently

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Organisms can be classified based on homology, which is shared characteristics inherited from a common ancestor. In the past, homologies were based on studies of anatomical structures and patterns of embryonic development. In more recent years, the use of molecular biology techniques has allowed homologies to be compared at the level of nucleotide sequences. Nucleotide sequence comparisons are possible because all organisms share which of the following?

• DNA bases

• Cellular organelles

• Division of the nuclear chromosomes

• Types of proteins needed for cellular functions

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Genome maps provide the DNA sequences of chromosomes. Some scientists have compared the genome maps of a hedgehog and a sloth. What do these genome maps allow the scientists to determine?

• The color patterns of the offspring of each species

• How much the size ranges of the two species differ

• The methods of protein synthesis that each species uses

• How closely related the two species are to each other

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of the following best characterizes natural selection?

• Faced with an environment in which leaves grew only at the tops of short trees, giraffes responded by growing long necks.

• Only giraffes with long necks moved into an environment where leaves grew only at the tops of short trees

• The necks of giraffes that did not eat leaves from the tops of short trees grew shorter from lack of exercise

• Among a population of giraffes, those with long necks were able to survive better in an environment in which leaves grew only at the top of short trees.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Two populations of mice living in the same forest are separated by a large water-filled ditch. After a rainstorm, flooding brings several mice from one population to the other population. When the mice from the first population reproduce with members of the second population, which of the following will likely occur?

• All the offspring will die as a result of reproductive mutations

• The offspring will be forced to leave the second population

• The offspring will be genetically identical to their parent from the first population

• The offspring in the second population will have greater genetic variety

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

The evolutionary theory proposed by Lamarck is considered an important step in scientific thought, even though it was eventually rejected. Which of the following best describes why Lamarck’s theory was rejected?

• Characteristics acquired by a living organism cannot be passed to offspring.

• There is no evidence that giraffe necks have gotten longer over time

• It was not well documented and was never written down in a science paper

• It was not as good a theory as Darwin’s, so people rejected its accuracy

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following best describes the theory of punctuated equilibrium?

• Biological change occurs slowly and steadily over a long period of time

• Biological change occurs quickly over a short period of time and is followed by long periods of little or no change

• Tiny changes in a species add up to major changes over time

• Events throughout the history of life have caused the extinction of species

What term describes parts of organisms that have a similar structure but a different function?

• Homologous Structures

• Vestigial Structures

• Embryological Structures

• Analogous Structures

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Homologous structures are defined as anatomical structures originating from the same structure in ancestral form.

For instance, a bird’s wing and the front flippers of a seal are examples of homologous structures. Which of the following does the presence of homologous structures in vertebrates suggest?

• All vertebrates probably developed at the same rate

• All vertebrates developed internally

• All vertebrates have a common ancestor

• All vertebrates evolved from different animals

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

An analysis of DNA and RNA sequences can be used to classify organisms. A dendrogram, such as the one shown below, is based on molecular data. It can be used to represent evolutionary relationships within a group of organisms that are hypothesized to have descended from a common ancestor. Which statement is best supported by the information in this dendrogram?

• Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to raccoons

• Brown bears are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to sun bears

• Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to raccoons than they are to giant pandas

• The bear species are all more genetically similar to dogs than they are to giant pandas

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2