Evidence of Evolution and Natural Selection Quiz

What does the fossil record provide evidence for?

• The age of the Earth

• The extinction of species over time

• The gradual changes in species over long periods

• The immediate creation of complex life forms

What are homologous structures?

• Structures in different species that are similar because of common ancestry

• Structures that have the same function in different species

• Structures that are present in an organism but have no apparent function

• Structures that are different in every species

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial organ?

• The human appendix

• The heart

• The liver

• The kidney

What is adaptation in the context of natural selection?

• A process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment

• A random mutation that occurs in an organism

• The ability of an organism to move from one habitat to another

• A characteristic that is harmful to an organism's survival

What is selective breeding?

• A natural process by which organisms choose their mates

• A process where humans breed plants and animals for particular traits

• A random process that occurs in the wild

• The selection of breeding partners by animals based on natural instincts

What are analogous structures?

• Structures that are similar in different species because of a common ancestor

• Structures that have a similar function in different species but do not share a common ancestor

• Structures that are present in an organism but have no function

• Structures that are different in every species

How does the molecular record support the theory of evolution?

• By showing that all living organisms share a universal genetic code

• By proving that mutations never occur

• By indicating that all organisms have the same DNA

• By demonstrating that fossils are not real

What role does embryology play in understanding evolution?

• It shows that embryos of different species develop in completely unique ways

• It demonstrates that embryos of different species show significant similarities during development

• It proves that development in embryos is completely random

• It has no role in understanding evolution

Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?

• The strongest individuals in a species are always selected to survive

• Traits that improve survival and reproduction become more common in a population over time

• Individuals in a species evolve during their lifetime to adapt to their environment

• All members of a species evolve together at the same rate

Why are fossils considered important evidence for evolution?

• They provide direct evidence of organisms that lived in the past

• They show that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old

• They demonstrate that organisms have not changed over time

• They are not considered important by scientists