Natural Selection and Evidence of Evolution Test Review

The digram shows that many generations of genetic changes led to the modern-day giraffe. Based on the diagram, it is plausible that the giraffe formed:

• longer legs to attack predators

• a longer neck to reach food in higher areas when the food is scarce

• a narrower head to reach deep into trees and eat food that is hard to reach.

• more spots to attract mates to produce offspring.

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Sexual reproduction carries with it the potential for genetic mutation. Some mutations are destructive, as they make an organism less capable of surviving, while other mutations are beneficial and improve the individual's chance for survival. If an animal has a genetic mutation that allows it to defend itself extremely well, which of the following is most likely to occur?

• The characteristic would be represented in lore individuals in successive generations.

• The characteristic would be passed on to every member of the next generation.

• The characteristic would disappear from the species in a few generations.

• The characteristic would skip the immediate offspring and appear in a future generation.

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There are five species of the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet. Each flower is found in a different region of Texas, and has slightly different traits. What most likely accounts for the variation?

• selective pollination

• genetic engineering

• natural selection

• selective breeding

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The diagram shows variations of Galapagos Island finches that formed over many generations. What most likely caused the variations in these finches?

• the temperatures on the islands

• the available food on the islands

• the available water on the islands

• the number of mates on the islands

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Explain the principles of Natural Selection. What is necessary for it to occur? Select three statements that are defined as the main points of Darwin's ideas about natural selection.

• A. There is a struggle for survival, which results in the production of more offspring than can survive.

  B. Differences in traits are determined by an organism's immediate needs.

  C. Organisms that are better adapted to their environment will have a greater chance of survival and reproduction.

• A. There is a struggle for survival, which results in the production of more offspring than can survive.

  C. Organisms that are better adapted to their environment will have a greater chance of survival and reproduction.

  E. There is a natural variation of traits among individuals of a species.

• C. Organisms that are better adapted to their environment will have a greater chance of survival and reproduction.

  E. There is natural variation of traits among individuals of a species.

  F. Organisms that are naturally selected are at a higher risk for extinction.

• D. Changes within a population happen immediately when the environment changes.

  E. There is a natural variation of traits among individuals of a species.

  F. Organisms that are naturally selected are at a higher risk of extinction.

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An adaptation is a trait helps organisms

• become less diverse

• survive and reproduce

• overproduce variations

• become smaller and weaker

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This picture shows a fossil. Which type of fossil is shown?

• trace fossil

• body fossil

• amber fossil

• cast fossil

How does the fossil record best support the theory of evolution?

• It shows geographic changes over time.

• It shows behavioral changes over time.

• It shows population changes over time.

• It shows structural changes over time.

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Whales have a remarkably complete history recorded in the fossil record, dating back to approximately 60 million years ago. What does the fossil record most likely tell us about whales?

• Whales have changed over long periods of time.

• Whales have not adapted to changes in their environments.

• Whales live longer today than they did in the prehistoric eras.

• Whales live similarly to their prehistoric ancestors.

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How should the fossils in the sediment layer of Earth appear if species have evolved over time?

• All of the layers should contain fossils of simple organisms.

• All of the layers should contain fossils of complex organisms.

• The lower layers should contain fossils of more complex organisms.

• The upper layers should contain fossils of more-complex organism.

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