Evolution Exam 2021

Scientists estimate that there are more than 20,000 species of ants. The species range in size from 1mm long to 38mm long and live in most environments. The diets of ants range from flowers and seeds to fluids from their own larvae. Ants have been able to successfully inhabit so many different environments because their populations have been able to –

• hybridize with other species of insects

• adapt to a variety of habitats and food sources

• fill niches occupied by mammals

• occupy habitats that have no other life forms

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The opossum, which is native to North America, and the kangaroo, which is native to Australia are marsupials.

The fact that both these mammals incubate their immature offspring in a pouch provides evidence that they –

• belong to the same species

• must range great distances to eat

• have very similar skeletal structures

• are descended from a common ancestor

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Plants have developed many methods of seed dispersal. The table below shows seeds of two different plants.

How has the seed dispersal method developed by these plants given them a reproductive advantage?

• The method ensures that offspring will be dispersed and reduces competition for resources.

• The method reduces the chance that herbivores will consume the seeds.

• The method lengthens the life cycle of each of these plants.

• The method reduces the plants’ need for water and other nutrients.

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Some organisms have genes that improve their ability to survive and reproduce. If the genes also help their offspring survive and reproduce, then which of the following will most likely increase?

• the frequency of the genes in one individual

• the number of genes in one chromosome

• the frequency of the genes in the population

• the number of genes in the species

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The limbs of several organisms are shown in the illustrations below. Scientists sometimes compare the limbs of these organisms to look for evidence of common ancestry.

These limbs provide evidence of common ancestry because they--

• have the same basic structure

• have an original structure

• perform the same function

• have a vestigial structures

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

After examining the fossil record, scientists have determined that scorpions today are much smaller than their extinct ancestors. For example, Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a giant scorpion species that lived 255 million to 460 million years ago, was 2.5 meters long. Which of the following conclusions is supported by this information?

• Scorpions living today have increased their numbers since they first appeared.

• Scorpions in the fossil record are smaller than their descendants are.

• Scorpions have changed as a result of natural selection.

• Scorpions do not appear in their original state in the fossil record.

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Which condition is essential for natural selection to result in a new species?

• unlimited resources

• an inherited variation

• a static environment

• a long life span

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This diagram of the fossil record represents changes in mollusks over millions of years.

How can the pattern of change in the fossil record best be explained?

• The mollusks were well adapted to their stable environment. A large, sudden change occurred in their environment. After the change the mollusks with the bigger shells were better adapted for the new environment.

• The mollusks were well adapted to their stable environment. The mollusks hybridized with a smaller species of mollusk. A new species of mollusk with a bigger shell resulted.

• The mollusks were not well adapted to their environment. The length of the mollusks’ shells changed gradually over time. The mollusks in the original population that had small shells died over a period of many years.

• The mollusks were well adapted to their environment. Humans introduced a new species of mollusk that was not adapted to this environment. The introduced mollusk out-competed the native mollusk species.

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Two populations of mice living in the same forest are separated by a large water-filled ditch. After a rainstorm, flooding brings several mice from one population to the other population. When the mice from the first population reproduce with members of the second population, which of the following will likely occur?

• All the offspring will die as a result of reproductive mutations.

• The offspring will be forced to leave the second population.

• The offspring will be genetically identical to their parent from the first population.

• The offspring in the second population will have greater genetic variety.

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Genetic variation can aid in the survival of species when the environment changes. Which of the following is the best example of an organism with a genetic variation that could improve survival chances over time?

• An ant that is resistant to pesticide

• A wasp that is infected with parasites

• A cactus that has no spines

• A mouse that has learned to avoid mousetraps

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