In the diagram below is a whale, the bones labeled "pelvis" and "femur" appear to be useless. The possibility that these bones were once useful gives support to the-

Method of artificial reproduction

The diagram below represents stages in embryonic development of eight organisms. The similarities in embryonic development shown in the diagrams suggests that these organisms-

May have evolved from a common ancestor

All undergo external development

Are all members of the same species

Have adaptation for the same environment as adults

A study of the embryos of a red squirrel, an owl, and a beaver showed that the beaver and the red squirrel appear to be most closely related. This conclusion would be reasonable if the scientist observed that-

The red squirrel embryo looked most similiar to the beaver embryos

The beaver embryo looked most similiar to the owl embryo.

The owl embryo looked most similiar to the red squirrel embryo.

The beaver, red squirrel, and owl embryos all looked the same.

The diagram illustrates how some characteristics of the horse have changed over time. Which of the following is an anatomical difference between the modern horse and its ancestors?

The size of the molar has increased.

The structure of the tooth has been adapted for eating meat.

The length of the forefoot has decreased.

The number of toes has increased.

A biologist discovers two new species of birds, one in North America and one in Northern Canada. While slightly different, they resemble each other closely. Which type of evidence would be most useful in determining whether or not these organisms are closely related?

A comparison of DNA from the two species

The geologic history of the two area revealed in the fossil record

Analysis of the ecosystems in which the two species live

Analysis od the breeding and embryo development of the two species

The given excerpt suggests that all four-limbed animals are descended form a common four-limbed ancestor. Based on this assumption, which of the following statements most accurately explains why all bird species are more closely related to each other than to bats?

All modern bird species are directly evolved from earlier birds, and bats branched off from a common ancestor.

Modern bird species branches on the evolutionary tree, and bats have not evolved since them.

No modern bird species ever shared a common ancestor with bats

This is an untrue statement; because bats fly, they are more closely related to flying birds than flying birds are to flightless birds.

The diagram above represents a section of undistributed sedimentary rock. The general location of fossils of several closely related species is indicated. According to recently adapted evolutionary theory, which is the most probable correct assumption to be made concerning species A, B, C, and D?

B was already extinct when C evolved

C evolved recently that A, B, and D

D is the ancestor of A, B, and C

Long periods of stasis in the fossil record, followed by short periods of significant evoluntionary change, are explained by which model of evolution?

Evolution through geographic isolation

What does Model A in the above diagram represent?

Evolution through geographic isolation

Certain insects resemble the twigs of trees. Based on modern evolutionary theory, the most probable explanation for this is that-

A mutation that caused the resemblance

Genes were transferred from the trees to the insects

Predation of insects resembling twigs of trees occured

Which of the following best explains how natural selection occurs?

Traits are genetically based, and individuals with adaptive triats are more likely to survive and pass on their traits to offspring.

Individuals acquire traits during their lives that they pass on to offspring.

Only individuals with adaptive traits want to reproduce and pass their traits to offspring.

When organisms reproduce, they pass along only their most useful traits to offspring.

The long-term survival of any species of organism is possible only if the organisms can-

migrate when temperatures change

Why might a species of finch have a slightly shorter beak than its ancestors' beaks?

The ancestor finches had a viral fungi that eroded the keratin of the beaks to the size they are today.

The shorter-beaked finches had a feeding advantage that became more successful over time.

The shorter-beaked finches had beaks that were worn down from overuse.

The shorter beaked finches resulted from a finch mating with a different species

What is the survival value of a fish or frog species that lays hundereds of eggs each time it reproduces compared to a species which lays only a single egg?

More eggs laid increases the likelihood that more offspring will survive predation or failed fertilization

More eggs laid increases the likelihood that more males will be attracted to the eggs for fertilization

Single-egged laying species are generally more reproductively efficient and do not need to lay multiple eggs.

There is no survival value for the species, only for the individual

Average beak sizes of the seed-eating medium ground finch on one of the Galapagos Islands are shown in the diagram below. During wet years, all types of seeds are abundant. The medium ground finch prefers to eat small seeds that are easy to crush. However, during droughts (dry years), when small seeds are not as abundant, they eat the larger seeds on the island. How might an extended period of drought influence the ground finch population?

The birds with larger beaks would be more numerous

The birds with smaller beaks would be more numerous

Drought decreases seed availabilty, but has no influence on the ground finch.

Drought increases seed availiability, and all ground finches would be more numerous

Average beak sizes of the seed-eating medium ground finch on one of the Galapagos Islands are shown in the diagram below. During wet years, all types of seeds are abundant. The medium ground finch prefers to eat small seeds that are easy to crush. However, during droughts (dry years), when small seeds are not as abundant, they eat the larger seeds on the island. The most likely explanation for this variation in the beak size of the medium ground finch is that-

different adaptations gave some birds a better chance for survival

the birds acquired larger beaks so they could take advantage of the supply of small seeds

the birds with smaller beaks mutated due to the drought so they produced momre offspring

the evironment caused the birds to exercise their beaks

How does genetic diversity help the process of natural selection and aid the survival of a population

There is an increased chance for benefial traits within the gene pool

There are fewer mutations within the gene pool

There is a reduced predation of the population members

There is less competition between the population members

Natural selection and it evolutionary consequences provide scientific explaination for each of the following except-

protein and DNA similarities between different organisms

similar structures among different organisms

Some various of white clover produced cyanide (CN), which is a powerful poison. What advantage does a plant gain by producing cyanide?

Cyanide increases its ability to resist predation because the snails that eat it die.

Cynaide makes it more efficient at gas exchange in respiration and photosynthesis.

Cynaide toxins leach into the ground water and eliminated competitive plants within it niche.

Cynaide makes the clover plant larger so it can withstand some predation and still survive

The diagram above illustrates the change that occured in a bug population over 10 years, a probable explaination for this change would be that over time there was-

An increase in the ability of gene "a" to adapt

A decrease in the ability of gene "a" to adapt

An increase in the population of the insect

A decrease in the mutation rate of gene "A"

For many decades, doctors prescribed penicillin to fight bacterial infections. As explained by natural selection, how did so many bacterial populations become tesistant to the original form of penicillin?

The presence of penicillin was an environmental pressure that selected for bacteria that were resistant to it.

The use of penicillin induced mutations that promote penicillin resistance.

Differnt bacterial species evolved due to behavioral isolation

Different bacterial species evolved due to geographic isolation

The model shows a demonstration a student prepared using black and white marbles to show how populations of organisms can change. Which of the following concepts is best illustrated by this demonstration?

Genetic drift accompanying natural selection

Evolution of a predatory species

Environmentally induced genetic mutations

Immunity from virulent microorganisms

Which of the folowing best described early cellular life?

The first cells were anaerobic and broke apart small molecules for energy

The first cells were photosynthetic and did no require oxygen

The first cells took in oxygen from fresh water

The first cells were very similar to present-day eukaroytic cells

Scientists have duplicated the chemical conditions of the early oceans and atmosphere inside an apparatus in a controlled laboratory experiment. The chemicals were subjected to an energy source in the form of electric sparks. The resulting compounds of the classical experiment were

Organic molecules and simple amino acids

Unchanged from the original compounds

Functional mitochondria and chloroplasts

Inorganic molecules and electrons

Some mesquite trees have deeper roots than any other plant in the desert. How are deep roots an adaptation for the survival in the dessert?

Roots can extend great distancces to reach water.

Deep roots can protect the tree from predators

Roots encounter cooler conditions far below the desert surface.

Deep roots interact with beneficial bacteria below the surface.

cacti grow slowly compared to most other plants. The fact that cacti keep their stomata closed for much of the day can help explain this growth characteristic. Which of these best explains the advantage of keeping ctomata closed during the day?

It limits water loss htrough transpiration

It conserves oxygen produced in photosynthesis

It recycles carbon dioxide within plant systems

It protects plant tissues from predators

The compound leaf shown in the diagram is an adaptation that has advantages over the simple leaf in certain environments. These leaves have most likely adapted for what type of enironment?

Windy environments; The compund leaf lets the wind pass more easily between the leaflets while the simple leaf is likely to tear in high wind

Dry environments; The compound leaf has less surface area through which to lose water than the simple leaf.

Insect-infested damp areas; The compund leaf allows the plat to survive since the leaflets dont support the weight of predatory insects

Cold environments-The compund leaf allows the plant to survive because the smaller leaflets lose less heat than the large simple leaf.

The succulent leaf shown in the diagram is an adaptation that has advantages over the simple leaf in a certain environment. These leaves have most likely adapted for what type of environment?

Drought conditions; The fleshy succulent leaf allows the plant to store more water than the simple leaf.

Flood conditions; The succulent leaf is lighter which allows it to float and replant itself better than the simple leaf.

Windy environments; The spongy succulent leaf bends more easily than the simple leaf.

Cloudy environments; The succulent leaf's thick, rounded shape is more efficient at capturing sunlight from all directions than the flat simple leaf.

Which of the following ecosystems does the organism above live in?

Moderate Tempurature and Rainfall Environment

Which of the following ecosystems does the organism above live in?

Moderate Tempurature and Rainfall Environment

Evolution STAAR Review

Quiz

•

Biology

•

9th Grade

•

Practice Problem

•

Medium

•

NGSS

HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-1

+13

Standards-aligned

Lauren Murphy

Used 317+ times

FREE Resource

49 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Given the information in the table below, which species are most closely related?

Human and the gorilla

Human ad the chimpanzee

Chimpanzee and the gorilla

Horse and the zebra

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which two species are least closely related?

Species 1 and 2

Species 1 and 3

Species 2 and 3

Species 3 and 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

The similarities in the human arm and bat wing indicates that they-

May share a common ancestor.

Are competitive with each other

Eat the same foods

Are both birds.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which statement best represents the illustration?

All of the above animals are mammals

All of the above share homogous structures.

All of the above structures show no evidence of relationship.

All of the above animals evolved in the same habitat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

The diagram above #3 represents an example of what type of homology?

Vertebrate homology

Molecular homology

Biogeographical homology

Anatomical homology

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

The illustration above shows the structures of two unrelated species. Each have a similar function but are different in structure. This is an example of-

Vestigial structures

Cyclic structures

Analogous structures

Homologous structures

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

The fossils of an extinct amphibian can be found in South America, Africa, and Australia. Which of the following statements best describes this occurence?

These were once next to one another before the process of contintental drift seperated them.

Underwater tunnels once connected these continents

Ancient amphibians were able to swim long distances and cross oceans that seperated the continents

The same amphibians evoved seperated in three different areas of the world.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

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Evolution STAAR Review

49 questions

Given the information in the table below, which species are most closely related?

Which two species are least closely related?

The similarities in the human arm and bat wing indicates that they-

Which statement best represents the illustration?

The diagram above #3 represents an example of what type of homology?

The illustration above shows the structures of two unrelated species. Each have a similar function but are different in structure. This is an example of-

The fossils of an extinct amphibian can be found in South America, Africa, and Australia. Which of the following statements best describes this occurence?

In the diagram below is a whale, the bones labeled "pelvis" and "femur" appear to be useless. The possibility that these bones were once useful gives support to the-

___________ structures are structures found in an organism that serve no known function.

The diagram below represents stages in embryonic development of eight organisms. The similarities in embryonic development shown in the diagrams suggests that these organisms-

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