RC 3 Bio STAAR Questions

The similarities of organisms in which two areas numbered above provide the best evidence for common ancestry between the organisms in both locations?

• 1 and 2

• 3 and 4

• 5 and 6

• 7 and 8

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7.A

The limbs of several organisms are shown in the illustrations below. Scientists sometimes compare the limbs of these organisms to look for evidence of common ancestry. Describe what you observe about the limbs and discuss what this might suggest about common ancestry.

Tags

7.A

These limbs provide evidence of common ancestry because they —

• have the same basic structure

• perform the same function

• are the same size

• are parts of mammals

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7.A

The opossum, which is native to North America, and the kangaroo, which is native to Australia, are marsupials. The fact that both these mammals incubate their immature offspring in a pouch provides evidence that they —

• belong to the same species

• must range great distances to eat

• have very similar skeletal structures

• are descended from a common ancestor

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7.A

Genome maps provide the DNA sequences of chromosomes. Some scientists have compared the genome maps of a hedgehog and a sloth. What do these genome maps allow the scientists to determine?

• The color patterns of the offspring of each species

• How much the size ranges of the two species differ

• The methods of protein synthesis that each species uses

• How closely related the two species are to each other

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7.A

An analysis of DNA and RNA sequences can be used to classify organisms. A dendrogram, such as the one shown below, is based on molecular data. It can be used to represent evolutionary relationships within a group of organisms that are hypothesized to have descended from a common ancestor.

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7.A

Which statement is best supported by the information in this dendrogram?

• Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to raccoons.

• Brown bears are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to sun bears.

• Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to raccoons than they are to giant pandas.

• The bear species are all more genetically similar to dogs than they are to giant pandas.

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7.A

Which statement about the ancestry of the lizards from the genus Gallotia is best supported by this information?

• The common ancestor of the lizards first colonized the island of El Hierro.

• The ancestors of each species came from different continents at different times.

• The common ancestor of the lizards probably came from Africa.

• The ancestors of each species evolved in Spain and were brought to the islands at the same time.

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7.A

The cladogram shows the evolution of land plants as indicated by fossil records. Which discovery would challenge the validity of this cladogram?

• A large aquatic vascular plant about 200 million years old

• A species of algae that has existed for less than one million years

• A moss species that has existed for less than 380 million years

• A fossil of a fern more than 425 million years old

Tags

7.B

This diagram of the fossil record represents changes in 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.

Tags

7.B