Evolution Skills Quiz

What is adaptation in the context of evolution?

• The process by which a species becomes extinct

• The process by which a species comes into existence

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

• The process by which a species remains unchanged over time

Which of the following is considered fossil evidence of evolution?

• A perfectly preserved insect in amber

• A live specimen of a thought-to-be-extinct species

• A detailed drawing of a dinosaur

• A computer model of an ancient ecosystem

What does comparative anatomy allow scientists to study in terms of evolution?

• The differences in cell structure between plants and animals

• The similarities and differences in the anatomical structures of different species

• The chemical composition of fossils

• The behavior of animals in their natural habitats

Why is genetic variation important for the process of evolution?

• It decreases the survival rate of a species

• It ensures that all members of a species are identical

• It provides a basis for adaptation and survival in changing environments

• It prevents species from reproducing

What is speciation?

• The process by which a new species is created from the sun's energy

• The process by which a single species splits into two or more genetically distinct species

• The process by which a species becomes extinct

• The process by which a species migrates to a new habitat

What are analogous structures?

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

• Structures in different species that are similar in function but not in structure or origin

• Structures in the same species that have different functions

• Structures that are present in an organism but no longer serve a function

What are homologous structures?

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

• Structures in different species that are similar in function but not in structure or origin

• Structures in the same species that have different functions

• Structures that are present in an organism but no longer serve a function

What is the key concept of Darwin's theory of evolution?

• Species do not change over time

• Evolution is guided by a higher power

• The strongest and most complex organisms are always the most successful

• Natural selection is the mechanism by which evolution occurs

What did Lamarck propose as a mechanism for evolution?

• Use and disuse of organs

• Natural selection

• Genetic mutation

• Artificial selection

What is relative dating?

• Determining the exact age of a fossil in years

• Comparing the age of fossils to each other to determine which is older

• Using radioactive isotopes to date rocks and fossils

• Dating fossils based on their location in the sedimentary layers