Evolution & Genetics

Scientists studied the taxonomic relationship between two lizard species living on the sides of a canyon. One species had long toes and one had short toes, but they were alike in most other ways. What is the MOST likely reason for these findings?

• Short-toed lizards evolved from long-toed lizards on the shady side of the canyon.

• Short-toed lizards evolved from long-toed lizards on the sunny side of the canyon.

• Long-toed lizards evolved from short-toed lizards on the shady side of the canyon.

• Long-toed lizards evolved from short-toed lizards on the sunny side of the canyon.

Which of these characteristics BEST helps scientists classify organisms?

• size

• color

• gender

• structure

Imprints of the shells of ocean clams are often found in the rocks of the Appalachian Mountains. What do these imprint fossils MOST likely indicate?

• These mountains were once under the ocean.

• These mountains once had a more rainy climate.

• Mountain river clams evolved from ocean clams.

• Ocean clams evolved from mountain river clams.

Scientists dug through three layers of rock and found many rabbit fossils. The fossils were complete enough to determine the length of the rabbits' hind feet. Consider the data in the table. Which conclusion is BEST supported by the data?

• Over time, rabbits that had shorter feet lived longer than rabbits that had longer feet.

• Over time, rabbits that had shorter feet lived longer than rabbits that had shorter feet.

• Over time, rabbits that had shorter feet had more offspring than rabbits that had longer feet.

• Over time, rabbits that had longer feet had more offspring than rabbits that had shorter feet.

A paleontologist found a fossil of an organism that looks like modern-day ferns. Which method would most likely assist the paleontologist in proving that the two organisms are related?

• mapping the location of where the fossil grew against where modern-day ferns grow.

• recording how the tectonic plates have moved since the fossil was created.

• analyzing the composition of the rock in which the fossil was discovered.

• comparing the structures of the fossil to that of modern-day ferns.

Imprints of the shells of ocean clams are often found in the rocks of the Appalachian Mountains. What do these imprint fossils MOST likely indicate?

• These mountains were once under the ocean.

• These mountains once had a more rainy climate.

• Mountain river clams evolved from ocean clams.

• Ocean clams evolved from mountain river clams.

What is the MOST likely reason for the findings that scientists observed in the taxonomic relationship between two lizard species living on the sides of a canyon, where one species had long toes and the other had short toes, but they were alike in most other ways?

• Short-toed lizards evolved from long-toed lizards on the shady side of the canyon.

• Short-toed lizards evolved from long-toed lizards on the sunny side of the canyon.

• Long-toed lizards evolved from short-toed lizards on the shady side of the canyon.

• Long-toed lizards evolved from short-toed lizards on the sunny side of the canyon.

Based on the data from three layers of rock showing the range of hind foot length of rabbit fossils, which conclusion is BEST supported?

• Over time, rabbits that had shorter feet lived longer than rabbits that had longer feet.

• Over time, rabbits that had longer feet lived longer than rabbits that had shorter feet.

• Over time, rabbits that had shorter feet had more offspring than rabbits that had longer feet.

• Over time, rabbits that had longer feet had more offspring than rabbits that had shorter feet.

Organisms that live in extremely hot or acidic environments belong to

1. 1. Archaea

2. 2. Bacteria

3. 3. Eukarya

• 1 only

• 2 only

• 1 and 2 only

• 1, 2, and 3

Organisms can reproduce with spores in

1. 1. Archaea

2. 2. Bacteria

3. 3. Eukarya

• 1 only

• 3 only

• 1 and 3

• 2 and 3