Biology STAAR Evolution Questions

 Animals in which of the following locations will most likely have originated from a common ancestor.

•  Two species that are separated by a mountain range
•  Two species that are separated by a large body of water
• Two species in different continents
•    Two species living in the same area

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 Which of the following is evidence to support the idea that two different species might have a common ancestor?

•  Their fossils were discovered in the same location
•  Many of their genes are the same
•  Their method of respiration are alike
• They use the same means of locomotion

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Whale fins and bat wings are anatomically similar. Which of the following does this suggest about the animals?

•  Whales and bats move in the same way
•  Whales and bats have a common ancestry
• Whales and bats have existed for the same amount of time
•  Whales and bats were once adapted to the same environment

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

 A scientist wants to determine if two species of mammals are related. Which of the following is the best evidence in determining if the species had a common ancestor.

•  Both species move in similar ways
• Both species both live in the same area
•  Both species have very similar DNA sequences
• The embryos of both species are similar

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Which of the following is the best example of natural selection?

•  The lifespan of a chimpanzee is extended to 60 years in captivity
•  The population size of giraffes changes over time as a result of immigration
•  A populations of bunnies select for brown fur when winter is approaching
•  Ants develop poisonous chemicals in response to high predation

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The different species of the Hawaiian honeycreepers shown all descended from a single species of North American bird. They now have different beaks, eat different food, sing different songs, and live in different environments on the islands. Which factor probably contributed MOST to the development of these different species?

• Loss of habitat
• Geographical isolation
• Egg size
• Predation

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Which of the following is the best evidence that mammals evolved from reptiles?

• Similarities in the diets of extinct reptiles and modern mammals
• Similarities in the average lifespans of modern reptile and modern mammals
•  Fossils of ancient reptiles and mammals that appear together in the same layers of rock

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Which of the following statements best explains why many different finch species originated from the single ancestral species?

•  Populations adapted to environmental pressures
• Recessive traits in populations were elimanted over time
•  Individuals acquired unique characteristics during their lifetimes
•    Random mutations caused some individuals to have harmful traits

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The picture shows the members of the Camelidae family. The physical features and the geographical origin of these animals provide evidence that - 

• they live in the same type of environment.
• have slowly evolved to become herbivores.
• have a common ancestor.
• exchanged DNA in the past.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The Galapagos Islands, a small group of islands off the coast of Ecuador, is home to reptiles such as the giant tortoise and the iguana. The eastern islands are much older than the islands to the west.  Which statement about the origin of these reptiles is best supported by this information?

• The ancestor of each species came from different continents at different times.
• The common ancestors of the reptiles probably came from Equador.
• The common ancestor of each species evolved in Peru and came to the islands at the same time.

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