6.4 Evidence of Evolution

Choose the choice that correctly completes the sentence. Darwin was curious about the patterns in the distribution of living things, which is the study of ________.

• biogeography

• species

• hybridization

• variation

Scientists use homologous structures to identify evolutionary relationships. Which is an example of homologous structures?

• the hip and shoulder bones of snakes

• the wings of a dragonfly and the wings of a bat

• the front legs of a horse and the wings of a bat

• the front legs of a horse and the back legs of a zebra

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

When scientists uncover a fossil, they record the precise location where the fossil was found. Does this location provide useful evidence for conclusions about the fossil and evolutionary processes?

• Yes

• No

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Scientists have discovered and analyzed a huge number of fossils that represent a wide variety of species. What type of evidence for evolution is provided by the fossil record?

• Incomplete evidence for evolution, because of the many gaps that remain in the fossil record

• Weak evidence for evolution, because fossils show that modern species are almost the same as ancient species

• Strong evidence for evolution, because sequences of fossils show how modern species evolved from ancient ancestors

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram shows the bone structure of the front legs of two animals: a frog (amphibian) and an alligator (reptile). Shading is used to identify similar bones. How does a comparison of the bone structures of the two animals provide evidence of an evolutionary relationship?

• The analogous structures are evidence that one animal evolved from the other.

• The homologous structures are evidence of descent with modification from a common ancestor.

• The homologous structures are evidence that one animal evolved from the other.

• The analogous structures are evidence that the two animals do not share a recent common ancestor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Since Darwin’s time, scientists have studied genes and gene function in a wide variety of organisms. What type of evidence for evolution is provided by data from these studies?

• Inconclusive evidence, because the genes of ancient species cannot be studied

• Inconclusive evidence, because scientists have not yet related genes to physical traits

• Weak evidence, because evolution involves changes only to body shape and body functions

• Very strong evidence, because of homologous genes and the overwhelming similarities in the genetic code

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

The fossils found closer to the surface of the ground are generally -

(a)  

• Younger & more complex
• Older & simpler
• Younger & simpler
• Older & more complex

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1