Evolution

There are several species of salamanders that have adapted for life in underground caves. These salamanders usually have small, non-functional eyes. Scientists studying biological evolution consider the salamanders’ eyes to be an example of ___.

• a homologous structure

• an analogous structure

• an incomplete adaptation

• a vestigial organ

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Which process results in greater genetic diversity in offspring?

• photosynthesis

• recombination of DNA

• crossing over during mitosis

• inbreeding

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According to the Theory of Evolution by natural selection, which of the following is true?

• genetic traits that aid evolution are not passed onto offspring

• variation does not exist between members of the same species

• no more offspring are born into a population than can survive

• populations will change over time to better fit their environment

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The same kinds of structures/limbs that grow in structurally different patterns in different organisms (penguin and fish fins) are termed as ___.

• endosymbiosis

• natural selection

• analogous structures

• vestigial organs

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The Kaibab squirrel lives on the north of the Grand Canyon. The Abert squirrel, lives only south side of the Grand Canyon. These two species share a common ancestor that lived many years ago.

In this case, speciation most likely occurred because the two species of squirrels _

• utilize different resources

• are geographically separated

• have different mating behaviors

• have different-sized populations

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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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As creatures become adapted to a particular environment, natural selection can cause a decrease in genetic diversity throughout the population. This type of natural selection is ___.

• stabilizing selection

• transcription

• disruptive selection

• incomplete selection

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Which of the following best describes the importance of similar amino acid sequencing of a protein in different organisms?

• the sequence of amino acids in a protein does not directly reflect the DNA that encodes the protein

• the fewer differences in the amino acid sequencing, the less evolutionary relatedness

• fewer differences in the amino acid sequencing of a protein show a greater evolutionary relatedness

• the more differences in the amino acid sequencing, the fewer the mutations in their DNA

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Adaptive radiation can be characterized by ___.

• multiple species rapidly arising - from a single common ancestor

• two different species evolve over time in response to environmental changes

• the extinction of several species at the same time

• presence of vestigial structures

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The total number of different alleles (genes) present in a population is the ___.

• genotype

• phenotype

• gene pool

• gene flow

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