Bio 3.3: Pre-Assessment

Scientists compared the DNA sequence of a gene in four mammals. A portion of the gene’s DNA sequence in each mammal is shown below. Based on the sequence data, which of the mammals are most closely related to each other?

• Mammals 1 and 2
• Mammals 2 and 3
• Mammals 1 and 3
• Mammals 2 and 4

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The diagram shows the fossil record of mollusks over millions of years. How can the pattern of change in the fossil record best be explained?

• The mollusks were well adapted to their stable environment. A large, sudden change occurred in their environment. After the change the mollusks with the bigger shells were better adapted for the new environment.
• The mollusks were well adapted to their stable environment. The mollusks hybridized with a smaller species of mollusk. A new species of mollusk with a bigger shell resulted.
• The mollusks were not well adapted to their environment. The length of the mollusks’ shells changed gradually over time. The mollusks in the original population that had small shells died over a period of many years.
• The mollusks were well adapted to their environment. Humans introduced a new species of mollusk that was not adapted to this environment. The introduced mollusk outcompeted the native mollusk species.

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Fish, frogs, birds, and monkeys all have an embryonic stage in which structures called pharyngeal slits appear on the sides of the throat. In fish, these slits develop into gills, but in frogs, birds, and monkeys, these slits develop into other structures. Based on this information, which of the following is the best conclusion about the evolutionary histories of fish, frogs, birds, and monkeys?

• The animals evolved from a common ancestor.
• The animals did not develop lungs for breathing.
• The animals are not adapted to eat the same kinds of food.
• The animals have evolved similar developmental rates from fertilization to birth.

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Two different populations of mice are separated by a large water-filled ditch. After a rainstorm, flooding brings several mice from one population to the other population. When the mice from the first population reproduce with members of the second population, which of the following will likely occur?

• The population will decline because reproductive mutations will cause all the offspring to die.
• The offspring will evolve into a new species and be forced to migrate to a new location.
• The offspring will be genetically identical to their parent from the first population.
• The population will be greater genetic variety because of genetic recombination.

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The sorting and recombination of genes during reproduction is an important step in the evolution process. What effect do sorting and recombination have on a population?

• Increases variation that enables a species to adapt to change
• Increases the ability of all the offspring to adapt to the environment
• Decreases variation which helps maintain a stable population
• Decreases the chances of producing offspring that are adapted to the environment

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In 1915, a disease killed almost all the oysters in a Canadian bay. The few oysters that survived reestablished the population. By 1940, the disease-causing organism was still present in the bay, but the size of the oyster population was greater than it was before 1915. Which of the following statements describes what most likely occurred in the oyster population between 1915 and 1940?

• The oysters that survived in 1915 bred with other species, so the offspring could not be infected by the disease anymore.
• The oysters that survived in 1915 had offspring that learned to fight the disease, so disease rates in the oyster population were lower.
• The oysters that survived in 1915 had resistance to the disease, so the proportion of resistant oysters in the population increased by natural selection.
• The oysters that survived in 1915 mutated to reproduce more quickly, so the reproductive rate exceeded the disease rate in the oyster population.

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In a certain insect species, body color varies from very light gray to very dark gray. These insects are eaten by birds that find their prey by sight. A brush fire occurs, blackening the ground where one population of this insect species lives. Which of the following is most likely to occur over the next few years?

• The body color in the population will mutate to black.
• The percentage of very dark gray individuals will increase.
• The distribution of body color in the population will not change.
• The very light gray individuals will learn how to reproduce at a later age.

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Gene flow is one force that can cause evolutionary change. Which example BEST illustrates gene flow?

• A flock of migrating geese enters in the territory of another flock and begins interbreeding.
• A flock of geese becomes isolated on an island, and over time, the population begins showing new characteristics.
• Some individuals in a flock of geese have genes that are more advantageous, and over time, the numbers of geese increase.
• A flock of migrating geese loses its way to its wintering grounds, leaving other geese without competition for resource and enabling to geese to produce more offspring.

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In the 1990's, the Florida panther population was estimated to be less than 50 in the wild. Which of the following describes the impact of such a small population on the fate of the Florida panther?

• Immigration will cause less genetic diversity and decreased survival of future generations
• Emigration will cause greater genetic diversity and increased survival of future generations
• Genetic drift will cause less genetic diversity and decreased survival of future generations
• Genetic drift will cause greater genetic diversity and increased survival of future generations

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Which of the following correctly describes the general trend in hominid evolution?

• Larger body size, broad forehead, smaller brains
• Increase in brain capacity, bipedalism, and use of tools
• Thickening of the skull, protruding teeth, organized hunting
• Large canine teeth, small skulls, diet of coarse plant material

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