Evolution and Diversity

2 groups in Mrs. Halferty's class conducted experiments. Each group's experiment is

described below.

Group 1 tested the leaves from Plant A three different times (trials) to see how the leaves responded to being soaked in yellow food coloring.

Group 2 followed Group 1’s procedure and compared the data they collected to Group 1’s data.

Which description best contrasts Experiment 1 and Experiment 2?

• Experiment 1 did not measure an outcome variable. Experiment 2 did.

• Experiment 1 focused on biology. Experiment 2 explored geology.

• Experiment 1 is an example of repetition. Experiment 2 is an example of replication.

• Experiment 1 is an example of replication. Experiment 2 is an example of repetition.

A 7th grade class is conducting an investigation on the number of butterfly species in the school yard as part of their unit on inherited traits and adaptations. 

Which statement is NOT a possible inference about the data the students collected?

•    The number of butterfly species present in the school yard is decreasing over time.

• The data is incorrect because a teacher once saw butterflies in February.

• These butterfly species hibernate during the colder months in this climate.

• The number of butterfly species detected increases as temperature increases.

Scientists sometimes create models to help them understand organisms , objects or concepts they are researching.

What is a limitation that all models have?

• Models must be physical objects.

• Models must be three-dimensional

• Models are never exactly like the real thing.

• Models must be based on mathematical laws.

Elmo is looking at a display of bones from a dolphin's flipper and a cat's leg. They are different but, the display shows that their bones have homologous structures in their limbs.

 

What can you infer about these two organisms from their homologous structures?

•   They evolved at the same time.

• They evolved rapidly.

• They evolved to live in similar environmental conditions.

• They evolved, are related, and share a common ancestor.

Scientists learn a great deal about past life forms by studying fossils.

Which of the following does the fossil record support concerning the evolution of some forms of life?

 

• A.   large body size

  ->

  small body size

• simple body plan ->

  complex body plan

• multicellular organism

  ->

  unicellular organism

• organized body plan

  ->

  disorganized body plan

This graph shows the length in a population of fish.

Which of the following conclusions is supported by the graph?

• There is no variation among the members of the population.

• There is an equal distribution of males and females in the population.

• There is greater chance of survival for the larger members of the population.

• There is a variation in the characteristics of the members of the population.

This table shows the survival of the two color forms of the moth in North and South locations.

Natural selection acts on which genetic trait in the moth species?

•   time of reproduction

•   geographic location

• color form

• habitat preference

During the Industrial Revolution, pollution from coal burning resulted in frequent, heavy fog and soot deposits on surfaces.

Populations of light speckled and dark speckled lizards are shown in the graph.

Based on the data for 1850 to 1900, what inference can you make about the light speckled     

      lizard and the mutant black speckled lizard?

• White lizards were easier for predators to see.

• Black lizards were unable to find sources of food.

• White lizards were unable to absorb heat from sunlight.

• Black lizards were less likely to migrate to other places.

Based on the graph, how would you expect the populations of the speckled lizards predators to change throughout the years?

 

• increase, because there are more black lizards to eat

• decrease, because there are fewer white lizards to eat

• stay the same, because the number of lizards was about the same

•   evolve, because the food source was changing

Recently, people are reporting seeing more of the light speckled lizard.

What is the best explanation for these observations?

 

• Predatory birds have now discovered the black speckled lizards.

• Climate change has made it easier for the light speckled lizards to survive.

•   The mutant allele that codes for black coloring is recessive.

•   Now we have less soot deposits and the light speckled lizards are better camouflauged