Ch. 17.4 Evidence of Evolution (Honors)

Since Darwin’s time, scientists have studied genes and gene function in a wide variety of organisms. What type of evidence for evolution is provided by data from these studies?

• Inconclusive evidence, because the genes of ancient species cannot be studied

• Inconclusive evidence, because scientists have not yet related genes to physical traits

• Weak evidence, because evolution involves changes only to body shape and body functions

• Strong evidence, because of homologous genes and the overwhelming similarities in the genetic code

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The wings of ostriches are examples of vestigial structures. The wings provide evidence for which of these evolutionary relationships?

•  A new bird species without wings will evolve from ostriches.

• A new bird species that has useful wings will evolve from ostriches.

• An ancestor of ostriches had useful wings.

• An ancestor of ostriches had vestigial structures.

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Scientists have discovered and analyzed a huge number of fossils that represent a wide variety of species.

Which of these is an accurate claim about the usefulness of the evidence provided by the fossil record?

• There are too many gaps that remain in the fossil record, thus it cannot be used as evidence

• Fossils show that modern species are identical to ancient species

• Sequences of fossils show how modern species evolved from ancient ancestors

• Fossils show that ancient species were smaller, simpler versions of modern species

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The diagram shows the bone structure of the front legs of two animals: a frog (amphibian) and an alligator (reptile). Shading is used to identify similar bones. 

How does a comparison of the bone structures of the two animals provide evidence of an evolutionary relationship?

• The analogous structures are evidence that one animal evolved from the other.

• The homologous structures are evidence of descent with modification from a common ancestor.

• The homologous structures are evidence that one animal evolved from the other.

• The analogous structures are evidence that the two animals do not share a recent common ancestor.

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A student states the following claim:

“Biogeography provides evidence for the theory of evolution.”

To support this claim, which evidence would be MOST useful for the student to cite?

• A sequence of fossils shows that horses became smaller over time.

• Polar bears and grizzly bears are similar in many ways, but are adapted to live in different regions.

• Farm crops developed in Asia are now raised successfully in regions all over the world.

• Fossils of plants and animals have been found on Antarctica, which now is covered in ice.

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A scientist argues that the hair of mammals and the feathers of birds are analogous structures.

If the scientist is correct, what is the evolutionary relationship between hair and feathers?

• The evolution of hair in mammals occurred independently of the evolution of feathers in birds.

• Either hair evolved from feathers, or feathers evolved from hair.

• Hair evolved in mammals at the same time as feathers evolved in birds.

• Both hair and feathers evolved from the same structure in a common

  ancestor of birds and mammals.

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When scientists uncover a fossil, they record the precise location where the fossil was found. Does this location provide useful evidence for conclusions about the fossil and evolutionary processes?

• Yes. Patterns in the distributions of fossils and living species are useful evidence of evolution.

• No. Evidence for evolution comes only from body structures, not the environment of organisms.

• Yes. Evolution occurs only in certain locations on Earth, and not others.

• No. Fossils and living species are distributed evenly across all of Earth's land and water.

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Giraffes, camels, and horses share some traits, although they vary in other traits.

Based on what we know about evidence for evolution from this chapter, which statement describes the evolution of these species?

• Each species descended from an ancient common ancestor.

• All three species evolved from three unrelated ancient ancestors.

• Each species evolved uniquely, without any ancestors.

• Two of the species descended from the other species.

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The diagram describes a proposed evolutionary relationship among three ancient species, all of which were relatives of modern whales.

What evidence would MOST STRONGLY support the evolutionary relationship described in the diagram?

• data from experiments on whale behavior

• the number of fossil discoveries of each species

• a comparison of the fossil skeletons of the species

• a comparison of the ages of the fossils of each species

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The diagram describes a proposed evolutionary relationship among three ancient species, all of which were relatives of modern whales.

Which of these conclusions about the three ancient species does this diagram support?

• Similar body parts among the three species, such as the mouth, legs, and

  tail, are examples of homologous structures.

• Similar body parts among the three species, such as the mouth, legs, and

  tail, are examples of analogous structures.

• The hip and shoulder bones in each of the three species are examples of

  vestigial structures.

• The hip and shoulder bones in each of the three species are examples of

  analogous structures.

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