Evolution Review

Genetic data suggest many frog species that live in Madagascar and India share a common ancestor that lived on the India-Madagascar landmass.

Which statement BEST describes the divergence of frog species found in India and Madagascar?

• Breeding preferences of the frogs prevented interbreeding between frogs, resulting in new species.

• Geographic separation led to divergence in the gene pool, resulting in a new species in each location.

• The frog species occupied different habitats within the same geographic areas, resulting in new species.

• Different mating seasons led to the divergence of the gene pool, resulting in a new species at each location.

Students were asked to identify the following birds using the classification key shown.

Which statement correctly identifies two of the birds?

• Bird 1 is a Ruby-throated hummingbird and Bird 2 is a Tufted titmouse.

• Bird 2 is a Great blue heron and Bird 3 is an Ovenbird.

• Bird 2 is a Red-tailed hawk and Bird 3 is a Killdeer.

• Bird 1 is an Ovenbird and Bird 3 is a Tufted titmouse.

A river changes course so a population of mice is subdivided into two populations. The forest on the eastern side of the stream contains a land predator that is absent on the western side of the stream. Which outcome will MOST likely occur in the mice populations over many generations?

• Mice on the western side of the stream will have better camouflage.

• Mice on the eastern side of the stream will have a different number of chromosomes.

• The two groups of mice will develop different adaptations.

• The two groups of mice will continue to eat the same food.

The data table below shows the percent differences in the DNA of four species.

Based on the data in the table, which cladogram is most accurate?

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A scientist sees the organism shown below in an aquarium and uses a key to help classify the species.

Based on the key above, what species did the scientist observe?

• spotted moray eel

• spotted eagle ray

• glassy sweeper

• glasseye snapper

Drought affects a population of plants. One specific plant’s growth rate slows in response to the drought. How could the drought-resistant trait become more common in the population?

• Other plants will begin to produce drought-resistant seeds.

• The drought-resistant plant will convey its traits to nearby plants.

• Other plant species will cross-pollinate with the drought-resistant plant.

• The drought-resistant plant will produce more seeds than the other plants.

The drawing shows a dark-colored peppered moth and a light-colored peppered moth.

The increased use of coal in 19th-century England lead to the coating of the landscape with black coal dust. The event coincided with a change in peppered moth populations. Over time, the frequency of dark-colored moths became greater than that of light-colored moths. What was the advantage of the dark-colored moths over the light-colored moths?

• The dark color allowed them to successfully migrate.

• The dark color helped them to successfully catch prey.

• The dark color increased their ability to hide from predators.

• The dark color prevented coal dust from harming their wings.

Members of the same species of bird became geographically separated. Over many years, the two groups evolved to become two different species. Which of these observations is the BEST evidence that two separate species developed?

• Each group has a different feeding preference.

• Each group has a different habitat preference.

• Each group has different mating habits.

• Each group is active at a different time of day.

Some scientists have suggested that pandas may be more closely related to raccoons than to bears. What could scientists compare between pandas and the raccoons to help classify the panda more accurately?

• their diets

• their DNA

• their body sizes

• their geographic distribution

Which factor MOST accurately describes the statement “Survival of the fittest” in relation to natural selection?

• the mutation rate

• the ability of offspring to reproduce

• the amount of food an organism obtains

• the ability to withstand environmental extremes