Evidence for Evolution (Strand 4.1)

A current hypothesis about the relationship between reptiles and birds proposes that birds evolved from a group of dinosaurs that was able to survive the extinction event that killed out all other dinosaurs. How could fossil evidence affect this proposed relationship?

• If fossils of dinosaurs that show bird-like characteristics are discovered, it supports the link between the two.

• The presence of fossils of birds would disprove the relationship.

• If fossils of dinosaurs with feathers are discovered, it would be an example of analogous structures.

• If birds evolved from dinosaurs, then we should have a definite fossil record that shows how and when the transition happened. 

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Read the article excerpt: While the genetic difference between individual humans today is minuscule – about 0.1%, on average – study of the same aspects of the chimpanzee genome indicates a difference of about 1.2%. The bonobo (Pan paniscus), which is the close cousin of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), differs from humans to the same degree. The DNA difference with gorillas, another of the African apes, is about 1.6%. Most importantly, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans all show this same amount of difference from gorillas. A difference of 3.1% distinguishes us and the African apes from the Asian great ape, the orangutan. How do the monkeys stack up?  All of the great apes and humans differ from rhesus monkeys, for example, by about 7% in their DNA. What category of evidence is being discussed here?

• molecular biology

• anatomy

• fossil record

• embryology

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Based on the diagram included here, which two species are the most closely related?

• hippo

• perch

• whale

• cow

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Homologous structures are structures that have similar structures because the species that have them evolved from a common ancestor.

• TRUE

• FALSE

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Analogous structures are evidence of a close common evolutionary ancestor.

• FALSE

• TRUE

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?

• humans have wisdom teeth.

• snakes have scales.

• monkeys have tails.

• fish have gills.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Two organisms have embryos that are almost identical until a very late stage in their development. Based on this information, these two species would have a ______ evolutionary relationship.

• close

• very close

• distant

• very distant

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Which of the following is NOT a use of fossil evidence?

• Fossils provide a timeline of evolution.

• Fossils show evidence of organisms that once existed, but do not anymore.

• Fossils show how groups of organisms changed over time.

• Fossils show the environment that species existed in.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The amino acid sequence for the protein hemoglobin is almost identical in humans and chimpanzees and this is used to suggest that we share a close evolutionary relationship with chimps. What kind of evidence does this use?

• Molecular biology

• fossil record

• anatomy

• embryology

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

The dinosaur fossil Archaeopteryx has feathers and has been used to support an evolutionary relationship between birds and dinosaurs. Which type of evidence would this analysis use?

• embryology

• anatomical structures

• amino acid sequences

• proteins

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2