Evolution Unit Test

By looking at the genes of some animals we can determine which living species are most closely related to each other. This also reveals which species most recently diverged from their common ancestor.

Based on the partial gene segments shown, which pair of animals are genetically most closely related and therefore most recently diverged from their common ancestor?

• Chimpanzee and Mouse

• Rat and Mouse

• Rat and Chimpanzee

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Charles Darwin’s observation that finches of different species on the Galápagos Islands have many similar physical characteristics supports the hypothesis that these finches

• have the ability to interbreed.
  have the ability to interbreed.

• acquired traits through use and disuse.

• all eat the same type of food.

• descended from a common ancestor.

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Images of the embryo and adult stages of three different organisms are shown.

Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be drawn from this evidence?

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms eat the same types of food.

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms live in a similar environment.

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms share a recent common ancestor.

• Having similar embryos indicates that a certain protein controls how many legs the adult organisms will have.

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If a new trait DOES help an organism survive, what may happen to it?

• It dies and its DNA is not passed on

• It survives and its DNA is passed on

• It changes its traits to adapt and survive

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In the table shown, the DNA found in five primate species was compared to the DNA found in humans. The number of sequence differences was recorded. Based on the data in this table, what inference could you make about these species compared to humans?

• Lemurs are most like humans.

• Gorillas are most like humans.

• None of the species are similar to humans.

• Only the lemur differs from humans in any way.

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Researchers discovered that the legs of birds are homologous to the feet of reptiles. Which claim is BEST supported by this fact?

• Birds do not require legs

• Birds and reptiles have a common ancestor

• They randomly developed the same structures

• Selection pressures have acted on birds, but not on reptiles

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Common ancestry relates to evolution because

• evolution only happens when there are common ancestors.

• Common ancestors make evolution happen more quickly.

• evolution can never take place with common ancestors.

• the more two organisms have in common, the more recent is their common ancestor during their evolution.

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What evidence presented here supports the argument that vertebrates and insects evolved from a common ancestor?

• The fact that the eye structures of vertebrates and insects are analogous

• The fact that the genes encoding the eye structures of vertebrates and insects are analogous

• The fact that the eye developmental genes of vertebrates and insects are homologous

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What does it mean that the eye structures and specific genes for those structures are analogous but the genes that control eye development are homologous? Select all that apply

• It means vertebrates and insects had a common ancestor that possessed genes that coded for a primitive eye

• It means every species that descended from the common ancestor developed additional genes that made changed the structure of their eye

• It means that vertebrates and insects are not related to each other but developed eyes in a similar pattern

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Which of these statements does NOT help explain why the development of gene sequencing technology provided a turning point in evidence gathering related to this claim? Select all that apply

• Before gene sequencing, the only evidence was the anatomical appearance of the eyes of vertebrates and insects

• Because the eye structures are so different in appearance, it was easy to conclude these groups had no evolutionary relationship with each other

• Gene sequencing shows that there are enough genetic similarities in the genes of eye development to suggest a very early common ancestor

• Gene sequencing shows that, since the genes encoding eye structures are analogous, that vertebrates and insects share no common ancestors

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