Evolution Quiz #1

An inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival

• adaptation

• evolution

• fitness

By looking at the genes of some animals we can determine which living species are most closely related to each other. This also reveals which species most recently diverged from their common ancestor.

Based on the partial gene segments shown, which pair of animals are genetically most closely related and therefore most recently diverged from their common ancestor?

• Chimpanzee and Mouse

• Rat and Mouse

• Rat and Chimpanzee

Which rock layer contains the newest fossils?

• F
• E
• B
• C

Charles Darwin’s observation that finches of different species on the Galápagos Islands have many similar physical characteristics supports the hypothesis that these finches 
 

• have the ability to interbreed.
  have the ability to interbreed.
• acquired traits through use and disuse.
• all eat the same type of food.
• descended from a common ancestor.

Images of the embryo and adult stages of three different organisms are shown.

Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be drawn from this evidence?

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms eat the same types of food.

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms live in a similar environment.

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms share a recent common ancestor.

• Having similar embryos indicates that a certain protein controls how many legs the adult organisms will have.

In the table shown, the DNA found in five primate species was compared to the DNA found in humans. The number of sequence differences was recorded. Based on the data in this table, what inference could you make about these species compared to humans?

• Lemurs are most like humans.

• Gorillas are most like humans.

• None of the species are similar to humans.

• Only the lemur differs from humans in any way.

Researchers discovered that the legs of birds are homologous to the feet of reptiles. Which claim is BEST supported by this fact?

• Birds do not require legs

• Birds and reptiles have a common ancestor

• They randomly developed the same structures

• Selection pressures have acted on birds, but not on reptiles

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers
• Near the bottom of the rock layers
• In the middle of the rock layers
• Somewhat near the surface

Similarities in bone arrangements, like those in the picture, support the hypothesis that...

• these organisms are not well adapted

• these organisms share a common ancestor

• these organisms all share the same DNA sequences

• these organisms are members of the same species

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

• the wings of a red-tailed hawk

• the hind limbs of a house cat

• the fins of sharks

• the wisdom teeth in a human