Evolution Evidence Quiz

What are the two bold claims made by the theory of Biological Evolution?

• Living creatures have remained unchanged throughout history.

• All living things on earth are related and evolved from a common ancestor.

• Evolution is a random process without any natural order.

• All living things have unique origins and processes.

What is the primary focus of comparative anatomy?

• Comparing the genetic makeup of different species.

• Focusing on the habitat preferences of cetaceans.

• Studying the bone structure of humans only.

• Analyzing the differences and similarities between living things.

What feature of whales suggests they evolved from land mammals?

• Their ability to breathe underwater.

• The presence of arm, wrist, hand, and finger bones in their flippers.

• Their exclusively fish-based diet.

• The absence of hair on their bodies.

What does embryology reveal about the development of whales?

• Embryos of whales develop fur during early stages.

• Whales develop gills like fish.

• Whale embryos show leg buds that eventually disappear.

• Whale embryos are identical to fish embryos.

What is the significance of the basilosaurid whales' nasal opening position?

• It shows they were incapable of breathing air.

• It suggests they were primarily land dwellers.

• It is an intermediate trait supporting their evolution from land mammals.

• It indicates they were fully aquatic with no land ancestry.

What does the existence of Maiacetus suggest about whale evolution?

• Whales have always been fully aquatic.

• Maiacetus represents a transitional form capable of land locomotion.

• Maiacetus was not related to modern whales.

• It suggests that whales evolved from birds.

How does DNA analysis contribute to our understanding of whale evolution?

• DNA analysis has no role in studying evolution.

• It reveals a close genetic relationship between whales and hippos.

• It shows whales are most closely related to fish.

• It disproves the theory of evolution.

What common ancestor do whales and hippos share according to genetic findings?

• There is no common ancestor; they evolved independently.

• A large, carnivorous dinosaur.

• A small, fish-like creature from the Cambrian period.

• A land-dwelling mammal that lived about 54 million years ago.

Which of the following is NOT a shared feature between whales and hippos?

• They lack a coat of fur.

• Both have external testicles.

• They share specially shaped ankle bones.

• Both species give birth and nurse their young underwater.

What does the evolutionary history of birds reveal?

• Bird wings are modified arms and claws, evolved from dinosaur-like ancestors.

• Birds evolved directly from fish without any intermediate ancestors.

• Birds have always had the ability to fly and did not evolve from other creatures.

• The evolution of birds is unrelated to dinosaurs.