Diversity and Evolution Review Questions

The idea that evolutionary changes occur suddenly and are followed by long periods without change is called _____.

• punctuated equilibrium

• speciation

• crossing-over

• gradualism

Which of these conditions is considered necessary for a planet to support life?

• the presence of carbon dioxide

• high temperatures

• the presence of free oxygen

• the presence of liquid water

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Which term describes a process that causes an offspring’s traits to be different from those of either of its parents?

• recombination

• replication

• fertilization

• genetic variation

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A scientist has several types of prokaryotes to classify. Which of these tests can the scientist use to determine whether they are Eubacteria or Archaebacteria?

• the presence or absence of a cell membrane

• the presence or absence of peptidoglycans in the cell wall

• the presence or absence of a nucleus

• how the organisms obtain food

Which term describes parts of organisms that have a similar function but not a similar structure?

• homologous structures

• vestigial structures

• embryological structures

• analogous structures

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What did Francis Crick and Leslie Orgel discover about the chemicals needed for life to form?

• Amino acids could be formed from matter present on the early Earth.

• RNA can act as an enzyme and plays a role in the formation of proteins.

• Cells can be created in a test tube from simple inorganic materials.

• Earth’s early atmosphere was toxic to modern organisms.

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Which statement correctly describes a trend in hominid evolution?

• The size of the brow ridge in hominids has increased over time.

• The cranial capacity of modern humans is smaller than that of earlier hominids.

• The brain size of hominids has likely increased over time because cranial capacity has increased.

• There has been an increase in jaw size and in the angle at which the jaw protrudes.

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Which of the following includes modern humans?

• Australopithecus afarensis

• Australopithecus robustus

• Homo habilis

• Homo sapiens

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Which of these is not evidence that two organisms should be classified in the same group?

• Their embryos are similar.

• They can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

• They eat the same prey.

• They have similar bones in their legs.

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Which of these hominid species is the oldest?

• Australopithecus robustus

• Australopithecus afarensis

• Homo sapiens

• Australopithecus africanus

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