Examine the diagram of a ring species. Which population can produce offspring with the red population?

• 1

• 2

• 3

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The process by which populations slowly change over time is called__________

• selective breeding

• adaptation

• natural selection

• evolution

Answer explanation

Natural Selection

Natural selection is when animals and plants that are better at surviving in their environment have more babies. This means their helpful traits get passed down to the next generation.

• Example: A rabbit with brown fur in a forest can hide better from predators than a white rabbit, so it is more likely to survive and have babies.

Evolution

Evolution is the way living things slowly change over many, many years. These small changes can add up and make new species over time.

• Example: Over millions of years, some animals that lived on land slowly changed into animals that now live in the ocean, like whales.

Key Difference:

• Natural selection is how some traits help animals or plants survive and have babies.

• Evolution is the long-term result of many small changes, which can lead to new species.

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According to evolutionary theory, all living things have a common

• Purpose

• Function

• Ancestor

• Phone Number

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The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct from the evolutionary perspective?

• Fossil A and C are the same age

• Fossil B is older than fossil C

• Fossils A is older than fossil B

• Fossil D is older than fossil C

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Humans, birds, whales and lizards all have similar arm bones. What do evolutionists consider is the reason for this?

• The function of these bones is the same in all animals

• They live in similar environments

• They have a common ancestor

• All organisms resemble humans

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From an evolutionary perspective, organisms that share a common ancestor have structures that are similar, but have different functions.These similar structures are known as

• vestigial structures

• analogous structures

• homologous structures

• fossil structures

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The cave fish and minnow are related to each other but the cave fish is blind and only has the remnants of an eye. What type of structure is this?

• vestigial

• analogous

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If two organisms have similar traits of DNA they are probably

• share a common ancestor

• share a common environment

• share a common population

• speciation

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About how long ago did the first primates appear on Earth according to fossil evidence?

• About 100 million years ago

• About 100 years ago

• About 2 million years ago

• About 225 million years ago

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Study of embryos of various organisms to show a common ancestor because of similarities in development

• natural selection

• embryology

• speciation

• evolution

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