Unit 8: Evolution Pre-Test

In order for natural selection to occur, Charles Darwin stated we must begin with a population of organisms that has genetic _____.

• competition
• engineering
• reproduction
• variation

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3. Consider the model for natural selection. In a population of living things, genetic variation exists. One source of variation is mutation. Which scenario listed here could be a mutation that causes members of a population to die out?

• a. In a population of fast-running cheetahs, some are born that run slower than most.
• b. In a populations of birds, mutations result in different beak sizes so the birds do not compete for food in the area.
• c. In a population of sunflowers, mutations cause some flower heads to produce more seeds.
• d. In a population of brownish rabbits that live in the tundra, some are born with fur that turns white in the winter.

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14. The similarity of these structures is one form of evidence that the organisms ________.

• a. share a common ancestor
• b. all grow at different rates
• c. evolved instantaneously
• d. do not share a common ancestor

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In the earliest stages of development, the embryos of a fish, calf, human, and tortoise all look similar. In the next stage, the calf and the human look most alike. What assumption can be made based on this similarity?

• The fish is not related to the human.
• Of the four organisms, the calf and human are least related.
• Of the four organisms, the calf and human are most closely related.
• The fish is not related to the calf.

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Refer to the illustration above. While the shark and dolphin are similar in appearance, dolphins evolved from ancestors that were very different from sharks. The current similarity between sharks and dolphins is an example of _________.

• coevolution
• biogeography
• convergent evolution
• divergent evolution

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23. This is the partial amino acid sequence for cytochrome-C, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Based on the amino acid sequences, which two organisms are MOST alike?

• moth and tuna
• human and horse
• chicken and tuna
• yeast and human

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27. The Galapagos finches evolved through natural selection from a common ancestor into a wide variety of different looking species. Identify the pattern of evolution shown by this scenario?

• a. gradualism
• b. divergent evolution
• c. punctuated equilibrium
• d. speciation

22. According to the diagram, which two organisms are most closely related?

• a. frog and human
• b. bird and human
• c. dinosaur and human
• d. whale and human

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What separates rodents and primates from crocodiles on this cladogram?

• Bony Skeleton
• Vertebrae
• Eggs with shells and hair
• Four Limbs

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Farmer Fran sprays her sugarcane field with a highly effective pesticide called 'Bayou Bug Blast'. For five years the pesticide works without a hitch, effectively killing almost all of the bayou weevils trying to eat Farmer Fran's crop. However, during the 6th year, some of the crop takes a hit. During the 7th year, she loses half of her crop, and during the 8th year, she loses almost the entire cane field to bayou weevils, despite using twice the usual dose of Bayou Bug Blast. What happened?

• The weaker weevils were killed, and Farmer Fran accidentally caused only pesticide-resistant weevils to survive.
• The sugarcane became used to the pesticide, rendering it ineffective.
• Bayou weevils overpopulated, because Bayou Bug Blast killed all of the predatory insects.
• A small population of weevils survived on other food sources and returned to the sugarcane field to feed.

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