Development of Scientific Knowledge and Evolution Quiz

A theory is a explanation that has

• been proven beyond a doubt

• little evidence to support it

• much evidence to support it

• no evidence to support it

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Different forms of genes are know as

• chromosomes

• alleles

• bones

• brain

Over a long period of time, the food supply for several birds on an isolated island has changed. The original supply of insects, small tender seeds, and vegetation has shrunk while the supply of tough, large, hard seeds has remained unchanged. Which statement below describes the species that was most likely successful after the change in their environment?

• small beaks

•  lays many eggs. 

• high genetic variation.

• has not evolved before. 

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In 1861 paleontologists announced that they had found a fossil with feathers, which lived approximately 150 million years ago. When comparing this fossil to other small dinosaurs and modern-day birds, paleontologists learned that it had more in common with dinosaurs. They were small and had broad wings which likely gave them the ability to fly or glide. How can these fossils be used to support the theory of evolution?

• can demonstrate that animals from long ago are still alive today. 

• show how organisms today share characteristics with fossilized species.

• give evidence to support the idea that organisms inherit the best traits from their parents. 

• indicate that evolution is a theory because scientists do not completely understand the fossil record.

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 Shell color is genetic in the European large-banded snail. Currently, the habitat of the large banded snails is warming due to climate change. What impact will climate change most likely have on this population of snails?

• A. The snails will begin mating with different species. 

• B. The snails will evolve into a new species without a protective shell. 

• C. The snails will grow larger shells because their environment will be hotter.

• D. The snails will go extinct if they are unable to adapt to their changing environment.

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Which statement below best explains how evolution by natural selection influenced the variation demonstrated by the cat family - Felidae?

• Different traits evolved in each species in order to adapt to the environment where they live

• Members of Felidae do not share common ancestors, so each species has its own unique traits.

• Cats have largely been unaffected by evolution because they are bred and influenced by humans

• Different adaptations observed in Felidae are not significant enough to be influenced by natural selection

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the surface and cavefish belong to the same species, but unlike the surface fish, the cavefish has no eyes.

How can the survival of the cavefish population be explained?

• The surface was too bright and predators were catching them, so they adapted to be transparent.

• A cavefish produced offspring after having lost its eyes in an injury and changed the population over time.

• The cavefish population has survived in caves without eyes because it is an adaptation to the environment.

• Cavefish were too far away from sunlight, causing problems in their development and changing their appearance.

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Which of the following statements best explains why genetic variation is important to the survival of a population?

• A. Genetic variation decreases gene flow in the population. 

• B. Genetic variation decreases the likelihood of genetic mutation. 

• C. Genetic variation increases the size of animals so that more offspring will be produced. 

• D. Genetic variation increases the likelihood of an allele being present that is best suited for the environment.  

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Why would scientists use fossil records to help them determine the species of the unknown primate?

• A. To compare the evolution of its family members. 

• B. To see if the fossil has the same mass as the jaw of other primates. 

• . To determine if the fossil has the same number of teeth as a modern primate.

• To identify evolutionary relationships between the unknown and known fossils.

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Alexis learned about the Universal Law of Gravitation which states every object is attracted to every other object with a force that is determined by their mass and distance. Why is it considered a law and not a theory?

• A. Everyone can observe how gravity affects an object, so it is a law. 

• B. It uses observations and has been proven with repeated successful testing, so it is a law.  

• C. It describes what happens in nature, appears to be without exception, and is supported by repeated successful testing, so it is a law.  

• D. All scientists accept gravity's effect on objects as a true concept, and there is no debate about its existence or how it works, so that makes it a law.