'24 Biological Evolution Test

Whales live in the ocean. They do not have legs, but they do have a pelvis with small leg bones attached to it. This is evidence that:

• Whales are not well adapted to ocean life.
• Whales do not have homologous structures
• Whales evolved from animals that once lived on land
• Whales evolved from some type of fish

The chart identifies the geological time periods when certain aminals first appeared. A scientist studied sedimentary rock samples from the Devonian period. He claimed he found bird fossils mixed with fish fossils. Which response to the scientist's claim is MOST supported by the chart?

• Finding fossils in the Devonian period is impossible.
• Devonian rocks are too old to contain fish fossils.
• Fish fossils appeared after the Devonian period.
• Fish and bird fossils cannot be found in the same time period.

Butterflies usually are identified by the colors and patterns on their wings. Butterflies have four wings: The two wings near the butterfly’s head are “forewings” while the wings near the butterfly’s tail are “hindwings.” You can use the following dichotomous key to identify four common butterfly species in North America.

• Papilio glaucus
• Papilio polyxenes
• Danaus plexippus
• Colias philodice

Which one of these is an example of a vestigial organ?

• human coccyx (tailbone)
• human stomach
• human brain
• human liver

Dorsal fins in sharks and dolphins are an example of

• homologous structures
• vestigial structures
• water to land evolution
• analogous structures

What is true about the embryology of vertebrate organisms?

• Embryos look the same as the adult organism
• Haeckel's drawing were completely accurate and detailed
• Embryos do not change much during development
• The more closely related two organisms are, the closer their embryology will be.

What evidence do similarities between fossil bones and modern organisms provide?

• species that face similar environmental pressure will develop similar traits.
• homologous structures are evidence that the two species are related or shared a common ancestor
• natural selection
• adaptive structures help organisms survive in their habitat

Human beings are taller than they used to be. Over the last 150 years, humans have on average increased in height of about 10 centimeters. What principle does this provide evidence for?

• species change over time
• extinction occurs when the species cannot adapt to rapid change in environmental pressures
• homologous structures
• camouflage is an adaptive change

What evidence do fossils provide?

• Anatomical similarities with living organisms
• Animals’ favorite foods
• Mating rituals
• Modern clothing styles

Why do scientists examine fossils?

• To find hidden treasures
• To predict earthquakes
• To understand ancient organisms
• To measure temperature