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WorksheetsEvolution: Biology
Total questions: 35
Worksheet time: 18mins
Which is the most modern definition for evolution?
Change in populations of organisms over time.
Change in traits of populations of organisms over time.
Change in allele frequencies of populations of organisms over time.
Change in adaptive characteristics of populations of organisms over time.
Evolution is a scientific theory because
it is supported by data through repeated observation and experiment.
it is the best guess as to how species change over time.
it is an educated guess.
it has been proven to correct.
The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
natural selection
artificial selection
selective breeding
genetic engineering
Who is credited with developing the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Gregor Mendel
Andrew Krummen
James Watson
Charles Darwin
In relation to natural selection, evolution is the
process
outcome
purpose
mechanism
Which are components of Darwin's theory of natural selection?
overproduction within a population
genetic variation in a population
struggle to survive (selective pressure)
differential reproduction
This measures the genetic contribution to future generations by the production of fertile offspring.
survivability
fitness
age potential
selective pressure
The ultimate source of genetic variation in a population.
mutation
gene flow
gene pool
allele
Which are examples of possible selective pressures?
disease
severe weather/climate
competition for resources
predators
Organisms that are least likely to experience extinction over the long term are most likely to be found in
very stable habitats
desserts
polar regions
areas inhabited by humans
Suppose a population of rabbits occurred in an environment that had areas of black rocks as well as areas of white rocks. The rabbits with black fur would be able to hide from predators amongst the black rocks, and the rabbits with white fur likewise amongst the white rocks. The rabbits with grey fur, however, would stand out in all areas of the habitat, and would thereby suffer greater predation.
This is an example of
sexual selection
disruptive selection
directional selection
stabilizing selection
Throughout the wet years, small seeds were more common food sources for a population of finches. There was such a large supply of the small seeds that the finches rarely ate large seeds. Over time, finches with smaller beaks became more common in the population while those with the largest beaks disappeared.
This is an example of
sexual selection
disruptive selection
directional selection
stabilizing selection
A plant that is too short may not be able to compete with other plants for sunlight. However, extremely tall plants may be more susceptible to wind damage. Combined, these two selection pressures select to maintain plants of medium height.
This is an example of
sexual selection
disruptive selection
directional selection
stabilizing selection
A pair of red deer stags (Cervus elaphus) competing for possession of a female in the rutting season.
This is an example of
sexual selection
disruptive selection
artificial selection
stabilizing selection
How does the fossil record provide evidence that evolution has happened on Earth?
Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past.
Fossils show that some species have gone extinct.
Fossils show that Earth is old enough for evolution of life to occur.
Fossils show how the sizes of certain animals has changed drastically over millions of years.
A transitional fossil of an extinct dinosaur is found to have similarities to that of a modern bird, including bone anatomy and rudimentary feathers. What could this mean?
This is purely by chance and isn't significant.
All dinosaurs evolved into birds and that's why there aren't any dinosaurs alive today.
The extinct dinosaur and modern bird share a common ancestor.
Dinosaurs choose to fly, and evolved into birds to escape predation and capture food.
The wings of a bat and a butterfly evolved through convergence and do not show descent from common ancestry. This is an example of ______________.
analogous structures
homologous structures
aerial structures
flight structures
Which best describes how comparing the homologous features of different species provides evidence of evolution?
Genes present in a common ancestral species are passed on to future descendants.
Homologous structures show that different species evolve at different rates.
Similar anatomical structures show how animals adapt to changing environments.
Homologous structures don’t actually provide evidence for evolution.
The diagram above shows similarities of different vertebrates at different stages of development. This represents what type of evidence for evolution of vertebrates from a common ancestor?
Biogeographical
Biochemical
Embryological
Fossil
Which represents biochemical evidence for evolution?
Two closely related organisms have similar DNA sequences.
Two closely related organisms have identical DNA sequences.
Two closely related organisms have no proteins in common.
Two closely related organisms have completely different DNA sequences.
Refer to the illustration. An analysis of DNA from these organisms would indicate that
they have identical DNA.
they all have the same number of bones.
their nucleotide sequences show many similarities.
they all have the same number of chromosomes.
Genetic sequences in one organism that closely resemble those of another suggest a
coincidence
convergent evolution
shared ancestry
lack of evolutionary relationship
The remnants of limb bones in a modern snakes are provide evidence from decent from a tetrapod ancestor. These limb buds are __________.
vestigial structures
analogous structures
cartilaginous structures
fossilized structures
Darwin would not have observations of ________ to support his theory of common descent.
fossil
anatomical
selective breeding
genetics
Species are defined by their ability to produce offspring that are viable.
biological species concept
phylogenic species concept
morphological species concept
Darwinian species concept
The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
speciation
formulation
divergence
convergence
Speciation can result when there is no gene flow between populations. This is known as ___________.
reproductive isolation
gene sequestration
sexual selection
mating convergence
Isolation of populations that prevents fertilization.
prezygotic
postzygotic
preterm
post-term
Postzygotic isolation involves the inability of _______ between two species to reproduce.
hybrids
subspecies
males
genes
If populations remain reproductively isolated, what process can cause speciation to occur?
natural selection
gene editing
selective breeding
genetic imprinting
The northern spotted owl and the Mexican spotted owl inhabit geographically separate locations with different climates and ecosystems. These species are an example of __________speciation.
allopatric
sympatric
polygenic
convergent
The evolution of a new species from a surviving ancestral species while both continue to inhabit the same geographic region.
sympatric speciation
allopatric speciation
congruent speciation
continuous speciation
Punctuated equilibrium surmises that species formation occurs during bursts, followed by periods of relative quiet, while the notion of gradualism suggests speciation occurs continuously. Which theory is correct?
punctuated equilibrium
gradualism
both
neither
In what instances might punctuated equilibrium occur?
when the environment is changing rapidly
when the environment undergoes gradual change for a very long period
during hot periods
during cold periods
Evolution is still occurring today in organisms around the world.
True
False
