Biology EOC Evolution

Male birds of paradise have extremely long, showy tail feathers. Which of the following statements best describes a selective advantage for having this trait?

• The bird attracts more females and therefore mates more frequently.

• The bird is easier for predators to spot.

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Observe the two fish in the image. The cave fish and minnow are genetically related to each other and are similar in many ways. The cave fish lives very deep in the ocean where there is no light. It has only the remnants of eyes and is blind. Minnows live in shallow waters where the water has light. Their eyesight is important for their survival. Which statement below best describes these two fish?

• The DNA of the cave fish has changed over time to differ from the minnow. Since there is no light where the cave fish lives, it was not necessary to have working eyes. Over time, mutations occurred which proved to improve the survival of the cave fish, which is why they are now blind and have only physical remnants of eyes.

• The DNA has not mutated over time and despite all of the evidence that suggests these two are genetically similar, one has eyes and the other does not so they must not be related.

• Cave fish must have been attacked by predators, which is why they only have the remnants of eyes.

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Does the presence of homologous structures in genetically different animals suggest common ancestry?

• Yes

• No

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Scientists have found evidence that about 2.4 million years ago, a gene regulating jaw muscles mutated and may have led to the more graceful human jaw we see today. The diagram below shows the skulls of 3 hominid species. Which statement below most closely explains the link between jaw size and hominid evolution?

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time, as did the skull.

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be larger and more protruding over time.

• There appears to be no change in the jaws of hominids over time.

• The jaws of hominids changed over time due to a change in brain size.

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Based on the illustration to the right, what do the similarities between human and chimpanzee hands and feet suggest about the different organisms?

• Chimpanzees and humans both have hands and feet adapted for walking upright, showing they have identical DNA.

• Chimpanzees and humans both have similar hands for grasping, proving they make and use complex tools.

• Humans and chimpanzees both developed five digits on their hands and feet, suggesting they have a common ancestor.

• Humans and chimpanzees both have thumbs, proving they eat similar foods like meat, nuts, and vegetation.

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How is the scientific theory of evolution supported by the comparison of the skulls and skeletons of modern humans and extinct hominids?

• By making the hip, spine, and skull comparisons, the age of different hominid specimens can be determined.

• Comparison of skull and skeletons provides evidence that humans and different hominid species interacted.

• Similarity in skull shapes, hands, and hips between extinct hominids and humans supports a common ancestry.

• Skull and skeleton comparisons can explain why hominids were inferior and became extinct while humans evolved.

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You look at two species and see very similar DNA. What does this likely tell you?

• These are the same animal.

• These animals have a common ancestor.

• These animals are not likely related.

• These animals are likely becoming one species.

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Horse breeding for specific desired traits is an example of which type of evolutionary evidence?

• Artificial selection

• Embryology

• Fossils

• Biochemical molecules

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____ is when members of a species that are best suited for their environment survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other members of the species.

• natural selection

• artificial selection

• speciation

• adaptation

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Survival of the Fittest and Evolution were proposed by what scientist?

• Charles Darwin

• Albert Einstein

• Steven Hawking

• Isaac Newton

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