Semester Test: Evidence for Evolution

Scientists have discovered several species of insect that all contain the DNA sequence ATTACGCGATC on their second chromosome. What does this evidence suggest? Choose the correct answer.

• similar feeding habits

• susceptibility to habitat loss

• genetic basis of photosynthesis

• common ancestry among organisms

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A scientist has found fossils of an organism that she suspects is related to a living vertebrate species, but it has different physical characteristics. The fossil is dated at 10 million years old. The scientist wishes to look for a transitional species between the fossil organism and the living vertebrate species. Which location would be the best to find fossils of a transitional species? Choose the correct answer.

• in volcanic rock that is dated at 5 million years old

• in sedimentary rock that is dated at 5 million years old

• in volcanic rock that is dated at 20 million years old

• in sedimentary rock that is dated at 20 million years old

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which event shows conditions that lead to natural selection? Choose the correct answer.

• Weeds are removed by a gardener from a public park.

• Wild horses are tamed over many years and selectively allowed to reproduce.

• A crab produces millions of offspring in a year, but few survive to adulthood.

• Farmers collect the largest corn seeds to plant in their fields the following year.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A scientist presented the information in the illustration as part of a report on the evolution of species. In order for the presence of pharyngeal arches in embryos to provide support for a claim of common ancestry between the species shown, which of these must be true? Choose the correct answer.

• Pharyngeal arches must be present in all of the species.

• Pharyngeal arches must differentiate in function but not in structure.

• Pharyngeal arches must differentiate in structure but not in function.

• Pharyngeal arches must have different development patterns in different species.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Although flight evolved separately in bats and birds, their forelimbs are considered homologous.What does this information suggest about the relationship between bats and birds? Choose the correct answer.

• While birds and bats do have a common ancestor, wings evolved separately in the two species.

• The fact that birds and bats have the same bones in their wings shows that they must be closely related.

• Differences in the structures of the wings of birds and bats suggest that they do not have a common ancestor.

• Wings in birds and bats provide little evidence for common ancestry but offer plausible explanations for a connection to winged dinosaurs.

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Which of these is an example of an environment in which natural selection would not occur? Choose the correct answer.

• All offspring have the same chance of survival.

• Offspring inherit beneficial and detrimental traits from parents.

• Some offspring have a physical trait that helps the organism compete more successfully.

• There is genetic diversity in the population due to mutation and/or sexual reproduction.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which area of biology provides evidence that organisms are continuing to evolve in modern times? Choose the correct answer.

• studies of human impact on endangered animal population numbers

• investigations leading to new vaccines every year to fight infections from the influenza virus

• research into the nature of stem cells for the purpose of replacing damaged tissues and organs

• analysis of fossilized remains of organisms using new techniques that can determine genetic information

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In some species of anglerfish, the male fish are parasites of the females. When a male anglerfish comes into contact with a female, he bites her body and eventually fuses with her, losing all internal organs except for his testes. Which of these best explains why this relationship exists? Choose the correct answer.

• It ensures that all offspring will be genetically identical.

• It reduces the amount of resources available to anglerfish females.

• It increases the reproductive success of anglerfish females and males.

• It benefits male anglerfish survival while harming female anglerfish.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Annalisa is studying the fossilized remains of extinct organisms shown.She notices that each of these species has a segmented body, similar to modern arthropods, such as lobsters and spiders. Which statement is the most likely explanation for this observation? Choose the correct answer.

• The organisms evolved to mimic modern arthropods.

• The organisms share a common ancestry with modern arthropods.

• The organisms lived at a time when modern arthropods also lived.

• The fossils were all found geographically close to each other.

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The image shows a fossil of Archaeopteryx, thought to be the first fully feathered dinosaur. How does this piece of evidence support the theory of evolution? Choose the correct answer.

• It suggests that dinosaurs evolved from modern birds.

• It suggests that birds and dinosaurs have a common ancestor.

• It suggests that the bone structures of birds are different from those of dinosaurs.

• It suggests that birds and dinosaurs were alive at the same time during geologic history.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1