Evolution review

Which of the following best supports the scientific theory of evolution?

• fossil evidence

• climate change

• plate tectonics

• rock types

The pictures below show fossils of the pakicetus and aetiocetus, ancestors of the modern gray whale. What do the placement of the nostrils show? (click on the image to make it bigger)

• evidence that they evolved over time from an earlier species adapting physical characteristics to what was best suited for their environment

• evidence that the species lived in different areas of Earth at the same time which required different physical characteristics to suit their environments

• evidence that they did not change over time and the physical characteristics of the species remained the same

• evidence that the species migrated to environments that were best suited for their physical characteristics

On a farm, Marcia observes that individuals of a certain goat species have slightly different sizes and colors. What characteristic of populations is Marcia observing?

• adaption

• evolution

• selection

• variation

What term refers to body parts that perform a similar function but differ in structure?

• analogous structures

• homologous structures

• pharyngeal pouches

• vestigial pelvis

Which refers the process by which populations of organisms with variations that help them survive in their environments live longer, compete better, and reproduce more than those that do not have the variations?

• adaptation

• mimicry

• natural selection

• selective breeding

Which is an inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance of surviving and reproducing in its environment?

• adaptation

• camouflage

• natural selection

• variation

Which finch shown below would most likely have an advantage for survival in an environment where seeds are the main source of food?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Individuals within a population have slightly different traits, called variations. How do variations improve the likelihood that a population will survive?

• Variation enables individuals to produce offspring that will survive into adulthood.

• Variation enables the population to create new genes, which help individuals survive a significant change in their environment.

• Variation provides the raw material upon which natural selection acts in a population.

The picture below shows the forelimbs of three different organisms: a bat, a bird, and a horse. All of these animals originally are descended from a common ancestor.

What is most likely responsible for the changes that occurred to form distinctly different organisms over millions of years?

• The organisms' environments changed, and natural selection diversified each species.

• The damage from basic injuries cause mutations to occur that passed onto offspring.

• The organisms created new traits and species through selective breeding.

• The introduction of humans allowed for artificial selection to take place.

The picture below shows a Florida panther, a subspecies of cougar. The Florida panther is an endangered organism and may become extinct. Which of the following is NOT a reason why the Florida panther may become extinct?

• There are more deaths due to car impacts because the human population is growing.

• There are few adaptive traits that allow the panther population to survive in a quickly changing environment.

• There is more aggression and death among the limited number of panthers due to limited resources.

• There is an increased reproductive rate, causing too much competition between the Florida panthers.