Biology Chapter 17 EOC Darwin Evolution

Scientists before Darwin's theory had proposed that living things could change over time. Why was Darwin's theory of evolution more powerful and useful than the proposals of the other scientists?

• Darwin explained the mechanism by which evolution occurred.

• Darwin cited examples from nature that were based on observations.

• Darwin used logical reasoning to argue that living things could change.

• Darwin hypothesized that evidence from DNA and genes would explain how evolution occurs.

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Darwin collected and studied a variety of fossils. the fossils provided clues to ancient organisms. As Darwin concluded, how did ancient organisms compare to modern species?

• The ancient organisms were identical to modern species.

• The ancient organisms were larger or smaller than modern species, but otherwise identical.

• The ancient organisms were similar to modern species, but differed in several ways.

• The ancient organisms were very different from modern species, and lacked any significant similarities.

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Artificial selection has produced a wide variety of crop plants, livestock, and pets. Which characteristic of artificial selection makes it different from natural selection?

• Humans, not the environment, select which organisms survive and reproduce.

• Adaptations develop gradually over many generations.

• The stock that are reproduced are genetically identical.

• All offspring are allowed to survive and reproduce.

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The adaptations of a pelican include its long, pouch-like beak. Why is the beak of the pelican an example of an adaptation?

• The beak is a unique feature that is found only in pelicans.

• All birds have beaks, but the beaks vary among different species.

• The shape and structure of the beak have remained the same over many generations.

• The shape and structure of the beak are inherited and help the pelican survive its environment.

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A variety of plants and animals live in a meadow ecosystem. According to Darwin's ideas about evolution, which of these meadow organisms has the greatest fitness?

• A snake that eats many mice, and then is eaten by a hawk.

• A large, healthy hawk that does not find a mate.

• A female mouse that has many offspring.

• A lone tree that grows in the middle of the meadow.

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Edwin is studying a population of rabbits in the neighborhood that surrounds his home. He observes a variety of fur colors among the rabbits, including gray, white and brown. The rabbit fur also has a variety of markings, including spots and bands. Edwin argues that natural selection will occur on the rabbit population. It will result in a change in the distribution of fur colors and markings. Which observation would provide the STRONGEST evidence in support of Edwin's argument?

• Neighborhood plans can support a large increase in the rabbit population.

• Fur color and markings do not affect the running speed of a rabbit.

• A new predator tends to hunt more white rabbits than gray or brown rabbits.

• Most of the rabbits are wildlife, while some are pets.

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Jon states the following claim: "Biogeography provides evidence for the theory of evolution." To support this claim, which evidence would be MOST useful for Jon to cite?

• A sequence of fossils shows that horses became smaller over time.

• Polar bears and grizzly bears are similar in many ways, but are adapted to live in different regions.

• Farm crops developed in Asia are now raised successfully in regions all over the world.

• Fossils of plants and animals have been found in Antarctica, which now is covered in ice.

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The wing of a bird and the front limb of a mammal have a similar number and arrangement of bones. Which evolutionary relationship explains these similarities?

• The wing and front limb are homologous structures, each evolved from a common ancestor.

• The wing and front limb are analogous structures; each evolved from a common ancestor.

• The wing and front limb are analogous structures; one evolved from the other.

• The wing and front limb are analogous structures; one evolved from the other.

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A scientist argues that the hair of mammals and the feathers of birds are analogous structures. If the scientist is correct, what is the evolutionary relationship between hair and feathers?

• Either hair evolved from feathers, or feathers evolved from hair.

• Both hair and feathers evolved from the same structure in a common ancestor of birds and mammals.

• Hair evolved in mammals at the same time as feathers evolved in birds.

• The evolution of hair in mammals occurred independently of the evolution of feathers in birds.

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The wings of ostriches are examples of vestigial structures. The wings provide evidence for which of these evolutionary relationships?

• A new bird species without wings will evolve from ostriches.

• A new bird species that has useful wings will evolve from ostriches.

• An ancestor of ostriches had useful wings.

• An ancestor of ostriches had vestigial structures.

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