Evolution ACP Mock Test

Cytochrome c is a protein that is found in the mitochondria of all aerobic eukaryotic cells. The gene sequence for cytochrome c has been mapped and analyzed for thousands of species. The table shows the percentage of the cytochrome c amino-acid sequence that different species have in common. Which list is ordered from the species most closely related to the mouse to the species least closely related to the mouse?

• Horse, chimpanzee, donkey, lamprey

• Lamprey, donkey, chimpanzee, horse

• Chimpanzee, donkey, lamprey, horse

• Donkey, horse, chimpanzee, lamprey

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During early stages of development, dolphin embryos begin to develop hind limbs. By the time the dolphin fetuses are fully developed, the hind limbs have disappeared. Which statement best explains the early development and then disappearance of hind limbs in dolphins?

• Dolphin fetuses change their development to adapt to an aquatic environment.

• The genes that control the development of hind limbs are destroyed as the fetus develops.

• The early ancestors of dolphins had hind limbs.

• Dolphins are evolving to become terrestrial animals.

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A phylogenetic tree based on genetic similarities is shown. Which numbered location on the phylogenetic tree identifies characteristics shared by Species B, C, and D?

• Location 1

• Location 2

• Location 3

• Location 4

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Researchers analyzed a mitochondrial gene of different bat species to determine relatedness. A cladogram of their results is shown. Based on the cladogram, which set of bat species is the least related?

• Ptenochirus minor and Megaerops niphanae

• Dyacopterus spadiceus and Otopteropus cartilagonodus

• Haplonycteris fischeri and Ptenochirus jagori

• Cynopterus sphinx and Chironax melanocephalus

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This cladogram shows the evolutionary relationships among some mammals based on homologous structures. Which statement is supported by this cladogram?

• Hippopotamuses are more closely related to cows than to javelinas.

• Toothed whales are more closely related to mouse deer than to hippopotamuses.

• Javelinas and pigs are more closely related than baleen whales and toothed whales.

• Cows and mouse deer are more closely related than javelinas and pigs.

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Certain species of the coral-like sea organisms called bryozoans first appeared about 140 million years ago. They remained unchanged for the first 40 million years and then suddenly experienced rapid genetic change. When did bryozoans first appear?

• 100 million years ago

• 140 million years ago

• 180 million years ago

• 200 million years ago

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Which process would BEST account for the pattern of evolution in bryozoans?

• Convergent evolution

• Differentiation

• Punctuated equilibrium

• Gradualism

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Two scientists studied patterns of evolution in the fossil record. Many species they analyzed showed periods of slow changes interrupted by a period of rapid change. This pattern of periods of slow change interrupted by periods of rapid change with few, if any transitional fossils, best describes the theory of -

• natural selection

• genetic drift

• punctuated equilibrium

• gene flow

When multiple transitional fossils are found in many rock layers, they provide evidence of -

• seasonal variation in the diet of a species

• gradual change of a species over time

• DNA functioning as the genetic material of organisms

• an unchanging environment

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The data in the diagram is evidence that –

• a new species of horse suddenly appeared

• horses slowly developed over time

• horses have similar stages of rapid embryological development

• horses have a common ancestry with other hooved animals

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