wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Evolution

Total questions: 73

Worksheet time: 18hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
A team of scientists is studying  the fossils in the cross-section of the rock shown below. In which layer of the rock are the oldest leaf and fish fossils found?       
a)
layers 1 and 3
b)
layers 2 and 4
c)
layers 3 and 7
d)
layers 6 and 7
2.
Jaguars with slightly larger jaws and teeth are better able to eat shelled reptiles in addition to mammals.  These Jaguars are likely to survive longer and leave more offspring than jaguars that eat only mammals.  Which scientific concept explains how large jaws and teeth became typical  characteristics of jaguars?
a)
Natural selection
b)
Artificial selection
c)
asexual reproduction
d)
biogeography
3.
The femur and pelvis bones in the organism are examples of trace organs/structures that are no longer useful. This is an example of a?
a)
Homologous structure
b)
Natural Selection
c)
Vestigial Structure
d)
Fossil
4.
The images below are examples of?
a)
Vestigial organs
b)
Artificial selection
c)
Genetic Drift
d)
Homologous Structures
5.
The graph below shows the changes in the populations of beetles and wasps.  The wasp larvae feed on  the beetle larvae.  The beetle population is highest when the wasp population is—
a)
low
b)
high
c)
steady
d)
at zero
6.
Scientists sometimes compare the limbs of these organisms to look for evidence of common ancestry. The limbs provide evidence of common ancestry because they?   
a)
Have the same basic structure         
b)
Are the same species
c)
Perform the same function
d)
Are parts of mammals
7.
After examining the fossil record, scientists have determined that scorpions today are much smaller than their extinct ancestors. For example, Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a giant scorpion species that lived 225 million to 460 million years ago, was 2.5 meters long. Which of the following conclusions is supported by this information?
a)
Scorpions living today have increased their numbers since they first appeared
b)
Scorpions in the fossil record are smaller than their descendants were
c)
Scorpions have changed as a result of natural selection
d)
Scorpions do not appear in their original state in the fossil record
8.
inherited characteristic which increases chances of survival 
a)
Fossil
b)
Survival of the fittest
c)
Artificial Selection
d)
Adaptation
9.
Also known as natural selection
a)
Fossil
b)
Artificial Selection
c)
Survival of the fittest
d)
Adaptation 
10.
Selection by humans for breeding of useful traits
a)
Fossil
b)
Artificial Selection
c)
Survival of the Fittest
d)
Adaptation
11.
Remains of ancient organisms
a)
Adaptation
b)
Fossil
c)
Artificial Selection
d)
Survival of the Fittest
12.
organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits onto their offspring
a)
Homologous Structure
b)
Evolution
c)
Natural Selection
d)
Analogous Structure­­­­
13.
change over time
a)
Homologous Structure
b)
Evolution
c)
Natural Selection
d)
Analogous Structure­­­­
14.
Different structure same function (bird and butterfly wing)
a)
Homologous Structure
b)
Natural Selection
c)
Evolution
d)
Analogous Structure­­­­
15.
Same structure different function
a)
Homologous Structure
b)
Evolution
c)
Natural Selection
d)
Analogous Structure­­­­
16.
study of similarities between organisms during early stage of development
a)
Embryology
b)
Fitness
c)
Recombination
d)
Vestigial Organ
17.
A well supported-testable explanation
a)
Theory
b)
Recombination
c)
Fitness
d)
Embryology
18.
Trace organs no longer used
a)
Vestigial Organ
b)
Recombination
c)
Fitness
d)
Embryology
19.
An organisms’ reproductive success
a)
Fitness
b)
Recombination
c)
Theory
d)
Embryology
20.
Genes go through the process of crossing over to create unique offspring so they are more likely to survive
a)
Recombination
b)
Fitness
c)
Vestigial Organ
d)
Theory
21.
An isolated population of fritillary, a species of butterfly, lives in a damp meadow.  The fritillary larvae feed only on species of violet plants that live in the meadow.  The adult fritillary does not fly far from the violet plants.  One summer, a virus causes the violet plants to die. As a result of the absence of violets, the fritillary population will most likely—
a)
increase and flourish
b)
decrease to a level near extinction
c)
switch to a different type of food
d)
evolve immediately into a new species of butterfly
22.
Two species of finches from the Galapagos Islands are shown above.  These two finches share a common ancestor from South America.  What is the most likely way that one ancestral finch species will develop into two distinct species?
a)
The ancestral species mated with other species and the offspring resulted in two new species
b)
The ancestral species was genetically engineered to become two new species
c)
Groups of the ancestral species became isolated and adapted to different environments
d)
Two individual birds acquired many spontaneous mutations
23.
Scientist recovered the body of a woolly mammoth from the frozen soil of Siberia.  The DNA sequence of the woolly mammoth was very similar to the DNA sequence of the African elephant.  Which of the following conclusions is best supported by this information?
a)
African elephants evolved directly from woolly mammoths
b)
The woolly mammoth and the African elephant have a common ancestor
c)
Woolly mammoth had the same number of chromosomes as African elephants
d)
The woolly mammoth and the African elephant should be classified as the same species
24.
In Asia, human population growth and land development have fragmented forest habitats.  Because of this fragmentation, tigers have become geographically isolated in small populations, and the tigers repeatedly mate within the same small population of tigers.  Which of the following is the most likely impact this isolation will have on tiger populations? 
a)
Genetic diversity of each tiger population will decrease, threatening survival
b)
Adaptation of each tiger population to its present environment will occur rapidly
c)
The tigers in each population will breed more often, increasing population size
d)
The tigers in each population will mate with closely related species to maximize breeding success
25.
Some organisms have genes that improve their ability to survive and reproduce. If the genes also help their offspring survive and reproduce, then which of the following will most likely increase?
a)
The frequency of the genes in one individual
b)
The frequency of the genes in the population
c)
The number of genes in one chromosome
d)
The number of genes in the species
26.
A harmless scarlet king snake and a venomous eastern coral snake have similar band patters, as shown below. For the scarlet king snake, the adaptation of having a banding pattern like the eastern coral snake’s is known as mimicry. The outcome of this adaptation in the scarlet king snake is to…? 
a)
Make it easier for the scarlet king snake to attract prey
b)
Make it easier for the scarlet king snake to interbreed with the other snake
c)
Allow the scarlet king snake to blend in with its environment
d)
Protect the scarlet king snake from predators
27.
The concept of gene flow is demonstrated when a cow is driven off from its herd, joins another herd, and reproduces. When the cow contributes to the gene pool of the new herd, which of these most likely increases?
a)
Natural selection
b)
Genetic Variation
c)
Environmental Fitness
d)
Reproductive mutations
28.
Form of reproductive isolation in which two populations are separated physically by geographic barriers such as rivers, mountains, or stretches of water
a)
Geographical Isolation                         
b)
Reproductive Isolation                         
c)
Resistance
d)
Genetic drift                                       
29.
A random event that results in part of a population being removed, regardless of their adaptations
a)
Genetic drift                                       
b)
Bottleneck affect
c)
Genepool 
d)
 Resistance                                
30.
Combined genetic information of all the members of a particular population
a)
Genepool 
b)
Bottleneck affect
c)
Genetic drift                                       
d)
Resistance  
31.
An organism that evolves to look like another organism in order to survive
a)
Mimicry
b)
Resistance  
c)
Genepool 
d)
Reproductive Isolation                         
32.
Separation of species or populations so that they cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring
a)
Reproductive Isolation                         
b)
Geographical Isolation                         
c)
Resistance                                
d)
Genetic drift                                       
33.
Caused by genetic drift. Population’s size is reduced and can reduce genetic variation.
a)
Bottleneck affect
b)
Genepool   
c)
Genetic drift                                       
d)
Resistance                                
34.
Ability of a species or strain of microorganism to survive exposure to a drug formerly effective against it
a)
Resistance 
b)
Genepool                                           
c)
Bottleneck affect
d)
Mimicry
35.
Form of reproductive isolation is which two populations reproduce at different times.
a)
Behavioral Isolation
b)
Temporal Isolation
c)
Gene Flow
d)
Founders effect
36.
Occurs when a new colony is started by a few members of the original population; Reduces genetic variation.
a)
Founders effect
b)
Gene Flow
c)
Speciation
d)
Behavioral Isolation
37.
Transfer of genes from one population to another and causes genetic variation
a)
Gene Flow
b)
Founders effect
c)
Speciation
d)
Camouflage
38.
Form of reproductive isolation in which two populations have differences in courtship rituals or other types of behavior that prevent them from interbreeding.
a)
Behavioral Isolation
b)
Temporal Isolation
c)
Founders effect
d)
 Speciation
39.
Formation of a new species
a)
Speciation
b)
Camouflage
c)
Gene Flow
d)
Founders effect
40.
Organism that evolves to look like the environment in order to survive
a)
Camouflage
b)
 Speciation
c)
Gene Flow
d)
Founders effect
41.

A population of mice is evenly divided into two groups, and each group is placed on an isolated island with no existing mouse population. Which statement best explains the difference in the mouse populations on the Island A and Island B at the end of 20 years?

a)

On Island A, the allele for gray fur was dominant, while on Island B, the allele for brown fur was dominant

b)

More brown mice were in the half of the original population that was sent to the Island B than in the group sent to Island A.

c)

Conditions on Island B favored the brown-furred individuals, while both fur colors were evenly advantaged on Island A

d)

The recapturing of mice on Island A and Island B was done differently

42.

Organisms can be classified based on homology, which is shared characteristics inherited from a common ancestor. In the past, homologies were based on studies of anatomical structures and patterns of embryonic development. In more recent years, the use of molecular biology techniques has allowed homologies to be compared at the level of nucleotide sequences. Nucleotide sequence comparisons are possible because all organisms share which of the following?

a)

DNA bases

b)

Cellular organelles

c)

Division of the nuclear chromosomes

d)

Types of proteins needed for cellular functions

43.

Genome maps provide the DNA sequences of chromosomes. Some scientists have compared the genome maps of a hedgehog and a sloth. What do these genome maps allow the scientists to determine?

a)

The color patterns of the offspring of each species

b)

How much the size ranges of the two species differ

c)

The methods of protein synthesis that each species uses

d)

How closely related the two species are to each other

44.

Which of the following best characterizes natural selection?

a)

Faced with an environment in which leaves grew only at the tops of short trees, giraffes responded by growing long necks.

b)

Only giraffes with long necks moved into an environment where leaves grew only at the tops of short trees

c)

The necks of giraffes that did not eat leaves from the tops of short trees grew shorter from lack of exercise

d)

Among a population of giraffes, those with long necks were able to survive better in an environment in which leaves grew only at the top of short trees.

45.

Two populations of mice living in the same forest are separated by a large water-filled ditch. After a rainstorm, flooding brings several mice from one population to the other population. When the mice from the first population reproduce with members of the second population, which of the following will likely occur?

a)

All the offspring will die as a result of reproductive mutations

b)

The offspring will be forced to leave the second population

c)

The offspring will be genetically identical to their parent from the first population

d)

The offspring in the second population will have greater genetic variety

46.

The evolutionary theory proposed by Lamarck is considered an important step in scientific thought, even though it was eventually rejected. Which of the following best describes why Lamarck’s theory was rejected?

a)

Characteristics acquired by a living organism cannot be passed to offspring.

b)

There is no evidence that giraffe necks have gotten longer over time

c)

It was not well documented and was never written down in a science paper

d)

It was not as good a theory as Darwin’s, so people rejected its accuracy

47.

Which of the following best describes the theory of punctuated equilibrium?

a)

Biological change occurs slowly and steadily over a long period of time

b)

Biological change occurs quickly over a short period of time and is followed by long periods of little or no change

c)

Tiny changes in a species add up to major changes over time

d)

Events throughout the history of life have caused the extinction of species

48.

What term describes parts of organisms that have a similar structure but a different function?

a)

Homologous Structures

b)

Vestigial Structures

c)

Embryological Structures

d)

Analogous Structures

49.

Homologous structures are defined as anatomical structures originating from the same structure in ancestral form.

For instance, a bird’s wing and the front flippers of a seal are examples of homologous structures. Which of the following does the presence of homologous structures in vertebrates suggest?

a)

All vertebrates probably developed at the same rate

b)

All vertebrates developed internally

c)

All vertebrates have a common ancestor

d)

All vertebrates evolved from different animals

50.

An analysis of DNA and RNA sequences can be used to classify organisms. A dendrogram, such as the one shown below, is based on molecular data. It can be used to represent evolutionary relationships within a group of organisms that are hypothesized to have descended from a common ancestor. Which statement is best supported by the information in this dendrogram?

a)

Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to raccoons

b)

Brown bears are more genetically similar to giant pandas than they are to sun bears

c)

Lesser pandas are more genetically similar to raccoons than they are to giant pandas

d)

The bear species are all more genetically similar to dogs than they are to giant pandas

51.

A species of jungle cats contains striped and spotted individuals. The spotted individuals are slightly better adapted to the shady forest. If there are no disruptive events, the evolutionary mechanism of natural selection will operate on the species. Over the course of two generations, the most likely result will be that -

a)

there will be no striped individuals in the species

b)

there will be more striped individuals in the species

c)

there will be more spotted individuals in the species

d)

there will be no spotted individuals in the species

52.

Differences between the members of a population will most likely be passed on to future generations if they are -

a)

not due to genetic changes and result in unfavorable variations

b)

not due to genetic changes and result in favorable variations

c)

due to genetic changes and result in favorable variations

d)

due to genetic changes and result in unfavorable variations

53.

According to the theory of natural selection, why are some individuals more likely than others to survive and reproduce?

a)

Some individuals pass on to their offspring new characteristic they have acquired during their lifetimes.

b)

Some individuals tend to produce fewer offspring than others in the same environment

c)

Some individuals are better adapted to their environment than others

d)

Some individuals do not pass on to their offspring new characteristics they have acquired during their lifetimes

54.

A small town on the edge of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge was heavily infested with mosquitoes. The town was sprayed with an insecticide for a period of several months. The graph below shows the results of the daily counts of the mosquito population. Which of the following statements best explains why some mosquitoes survived after the first spraying?

a)

Only the mosquitoes from the previous generation had a genetic mutation that made them resistant to the insecticide.

b)

Some mosquitoes had a genetic mutation that made them resistant to the insecticide

c)

All mosquitoes had a genetic mutation that made them resistant to the insecticide.

d)

None of the mosquitoes had a genetic mutation that made them resistant to the insecticide.

55.

The graph below represents the populations of two different species in an ecosystem over a period of several years. Which statement is a possible explanation for the changes shown?

a)

Species B is better adapted to this environment

b)

Species A is the predator of species B

c)

Species B is a parasite that has benefited species A

d)

Species A is better adapted to this environment

56.

Which two organisms in the table to the right are most closely related?

a)

A and B

b)

B and C

c)

C and A

d)

not enough information is given to answer the question

57.

Based on the phyologenic tree, which of these shows a correct ancestral lineage?

a)

E is an ancestor to F and G

b)

C is an ancestor to D and E

c)

B is an ancestor to A

d)

E is an ancestor to H and I

58.

A cladogram is shown to the right. All the animals to the

right of the hagfish would have the common

characteristic of?

a)

Fur

b)

Claws or Nails

c)

Lungs

d)

Jaws

59.
Who was the naturalist that traveled the world to study plants and animals?
a)
Albert Einstein
b)
Charles Darwin
c)
Charles Barkley
d)
Isaac Newton
60.
Darwin wrote that organisms with traits that are best suited to the environment will ________________
a)
increase in number
b)
become extinct
61.
When an organism completely dies out, it is called.....
a)
Adaption
b)
Extinction
c)
Fossilization
d)
Mutation
62.
The white feathers of a snowy owl allow it to blend in with its environment during the winter months (snow). This is an example of ________________
a)
Species
b)
Environmental Change
c)
Adaptation
d)
Variation
63.
Darwin referred to this as survival of the fittest. Over time, it results in changes in the inherited characteristics of a population because organisms with adaptations that make them fit for their environment will survive and reproduce better than those without favorable traits.
a)
Natural Selection
b)
Genetic Variation
c)
Survival of the Fittest
64.
The struggle for existence against other members of an organisms species is
a)
Competition
b)
Natural Selection
c)
gene flow
d)
genetic drift
65.
Remains of ancient organisms are called
a)
Extinctions
b)
Fossils
c)
Mutations
d)
Variations
66.
Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the process of natural selection?
a)
Overpopulation
b)
Fossils
c)
Competition
d)
Variations
67.
Which of the following is a fossil?
a)
a plant that has recently died
b)
a group of organisms that can reproduce
c)
a structure or organ that no longer functions
d)
a trace of an organisms that existed in the past
68.
The difference in the physical traits of an individual from those of other individuals in a group is called a(n)
a)
change
b)
adaption
c)
species
d)
variation
69.
a bird that can easily outcompete other birds for food and that can produce many eggs has a high
a)
life expectancy
b)
mutation rate
c)
fitness
d)
adaptability
70.
which of the folllowing is an exammple of a vestigial structure?
a)
the wings of a red-tailed hawk
b)
the hind limbs of a house cat
c)
the fins of sharks
d)
the wings of an ostrich
71.
Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have different functions, but similar structures.  These are known as
a)
vestigial structures
b)
analogous structures
c)
homologous structures
d)
fossil structures
72.
If an organism has a vestigial structure, that structure likely once had a function in a(n)
a)
close relative
b)
early ancestor
c)
unrelated organism
d)
embryological stage
73.
Two organisms that are closely related would have
a)
very similar DNA sequence
b)
exactly the same DNA sequences
c)
no proteins in common
d)
completely different DNA sequence

Similar Resources on Wayground

Bio 2 Review SEEd Utah

77 questions

Bio 2 Review SEEd Utah

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 10th Grade

AIR TEST REVIEW (PART 1) BIOLOGY

70 questions

AIR TEST REVIEW (PART 1) BIOLOGY

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th Grade

Unit 1: Introduction to Biology

70 questions

Unit 1: Introduction to Biology

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 12th Grade

2022 Review Biotechnology, Evolution,Antibiotic/Pesticide Resis

75 questions

2022 Review Biotechnology, Evolution,Antibiotic/Pesticide Resis

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th Grade

Immunity and reproduction

68 questions

Immunity and reproduction

quiz

Worksheet

•

10th - 12th Grade

Biology Final Review

75 questions

Biology Final Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 10th Grade

Evolution Review

75 questions

Evolution Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 10th Grade

AIR TEST REVIEW PART 3

69 questions

AIR TEST REVIEW PART 3

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th Grade