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Evolution

Total questions: 63

Worksheet time: 3570secs

Name
Class
Date
1.
What is the term for a feature that allows an organism to survive in its environment?
a)
adaptation
b)
variation
c)
homologous structure
d)
vestigial structure
2.

Organs or skeletal elements that have a similar structure, but not function

a)

analogous structures

b)

homologous structures

c)

vestigial structures

d)

none of the above

3.
What is the process of which humans breed organisms for certain traits?
a)
artificial selection
b)
descent without modification
c)
inheritance of acquired characteristics
d)
natural selection
4.

Individuals that are well adapted to their environment will survive and produce _________

a)

better traits

b)

stronger genes

c)

more offspring

d)

fewer mutations

5.
All the individuals of a species that live in a particular area are called a 
a)
group
b)
population
c)
variation
d)
fossil
6.
The remnant of an organ that had a function in an early ancestor is known as a(n)
a)
vestigial structure
b)
analogous structure
c)
homologous structure
d)
fossil structure
7.
A biological ____________ is a group of interbreeding populations that is reproductively isolated from other groups.
a)
species
b)
family
c)
phylogeny
d)
hybrid
8.
______ _________ explains how two or more organisms could evolve similar traits even though they are not related to each other.
a)
convergent evolution
b)
reproductive isolation
c)
derived characters
d)
hybrid vigor
9.
__________ characters are similar characteristics that have evolved separately in two unrelated organisms.
a)
analogous
b)
homologous
c)
cladistic
d)
phylogenic
10.
______________ is the process by which populations change in response to their environment.
a)
natural selection
b)
adaptation
c)
reproductive isolation
d)
divergence
11.
__________ enable an organism to survive in its environment.
a)
adaptations
b)
natural selections
c)
divergence
d)
extinctions
12.
The fossil record provides evidence that 
a)
Fossils cannot be dated.
b)
All species were formed during Earth’s formation and have changed little since then.
c)
The fossilized species have no connection to today’s species.
d)
Older species gave rise to more-recent species.
13.

Darwin observed many finch species on the Galapagos Islands. To explain these observations, he

proposed that each species evolved from the same common ancestor, which was a finch species

that migrated to the islands from the mainland. What additional evidence did Darwin use to support

his explanation?

a)

The finch populations were very numerous, and different species often bred with one another.

b)

The finch species lived in different habitats on different islands, which isolated them from one another.

c)

The finch species were distributed evenly among all of the islands, but did not interbreed.

d)

The beaks of the finches were identical, allowing them to eat the same foods on any of the islands.

14.

A population of rabbits grows rapidly from one year to the next. Then one year, a disease strikes approximately one fourth of the adult rabbits. The disease remains with the population in the years that follow.

As explained by Darwin’s theory, which of these conditions allows the rabbit population to evolve by natural selection?

a)

The disease affects adult and juvenile rabbits equally.

b)

The disease reduces the ability of the rabbits to reproduce.

c)

Some rabbits are resistant to the disease, and they pass the resistance to their offspring.

d)

No rabbits are resistant to the disease, and all die when the disease strikes them.

15.

The graphs below show the changes in crab color at one beach.

Which of the following is most likely to have caused the change in the distribution?

a)

A new predator arrived that preferred dark-tan crabs.

b)

A new predator arrived that preferred light-tan crabs.

c)

A change in beach color made medium-tan crabs the least visible to predators.

d)

A change in beach color made medium-tan crabs the most visible to predators.

16.

Grass plants in a population range in height from 6 cm to 25 cm. The short plants receive little sunlight, and the tall plants are eaten by grazing animals. Which statement best describes the effect of natural selection on the grasses?

a)

Because average height grass plants are favored, stabilizing natural selection is occurring.

b)

Because average height grass plants are favored, disruptive natural selection is occurring.

c)

Because tall grass plants are favored by the animals that eat grass, directional selection is occurring.

d)

Because short and tall grass plants are favored, normal natural selection is occurring.

17.

Which of the following statements best describes what will most likely occur to the moth populations in the image above?

a)

The light moths will be captured by predators more easily than the dark moths, and the population of dark moths will rise.

b)

The light moths will be captured by predators more easily than the dark moths, and the population of light moths will rise.

c)

The dark moths will be captured by predators more easily than the light moths, and the dark moths will probably go extinct.

d)

The light moths will change their wing color to match that of the dark moths.

18.
Describes a patter of long, stable periods interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change
a)
convergent evolution
b)
coevolution
c)
punctuated equilibrium
d)
adaptive radiation
19.
What is convergent evolution?
a)
evolution toward similar traits in unrelated species
b)
evolution toward different traits in closely related species
c)
elimination of a species from Earth
d)
the rise of two or more species from one existing species
20.
Sharks and dolphins both have streamlined bodies that allow them to move through water efficiently, this is an example of which type of evolution?
a)
Divergent
b)
Coevolution
c)
Convergent
d)
Artificial
21.
What type of selection is depicted in the picture? 
a)
stabilizing 
b)
directional 
c)
disruptive 
d)
the answer is not here
22.

Robins typically lay fours eggs. If more then four eggs are produced then the baby chicks are malnourished while smaller egg numbers result in no viable (able to live) baby chicks. This is an example of

a)

stabilizing

b)

disruptive

c)

direction

d)

none of the above

23.
What type of selection?
a)
Directional 
b)
Stabilizing
c)
Disruptive
24.
Which of the three graphs shows stabilizing selection?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
25.
Which of the three graphs shows disruptive selection?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
26.
If finches with large beaks and finches with small beaks increase in a population while finches with average sized beaks decreases, which pattern of natural selection has occurred?
a)
Directional selection
b)
Disruptive selection 
c)
Stabilizing selection
27.

What type of natural selection is this?

a)

Disruptive Selection

b)

Directional Selection

c)

Stabilizing Selection

28.
What is the correct explanation for what is happening in this graph?
a)
There are a lot of average-sized beaks
b)
There are no beaks
c)
There are a lot of small beaks only
d)
There are a lot of small and large beaks, but not average-sized ones
29.
Scientists find that most feral cats in a neighborhood have whiskers about 12 cm long. After about 15 generations of stabilizing selection, what would you expect to see?
a)
even more cats with 12 cm long whiskers
b)
most cats with less than 12 cm long whiskers
c)
most cats with more than 12 cm long whiskers
d)
most cats with whiskers either less than or more than 12 cm long, very few with whiskers 12 cms 
30.

Natural selection occurs during the lifetime of a single organism.

a)

True

b)

False

31.

What is most likely to happen to moth populations in the picture shown?

a)

Light moths--hunted easily, dark moths--population increase

b)

Dark moths--hunted easily, dark moths--population increase

c)

Light moths--hunted easily, light moths--population increase

d)

Lights moths will change their color to match dark moths.

32.

How do you "win" at natural selection?

a)

survive

b)

go extinct

c)

survive & reproduce

33.

Due to pollution, a pond becomes darker over time. Which trait variation became more common?

a)

light fish

b)

dark fish

34.
Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed onto offspring?
a)
Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.
b)
Because they come from dominant alleles.
c)
Because they come from recessive alleles.
d)
Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.
35.

According to natural selection, light colored tree trunks would favor

a)

light colored moths

b)

dark colored moths

c)

red colored moths

d)

red and light colored moths

36.

Natural Selection is driven by a change in the environment and survival of the

a)

Earth

b)

Fastest

c)

Fittest

d)

Biggest

37.

Change in a population over time that descend from a common ancestor.

a)

Natural Selection

b)

Selective Breeding

c)

Homeostasis

d)

Evolution

38.
Most organisms have more offspring than will survive 
a)
True
b)
False
39.
Definition: fitness
a)
ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment
b)
organisms with traits well suited to their environment survive and reproduce at a greater rate
c)
a growing population causes a scarcity of resources
d)
differences in the DNA sequence
40.

Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed onto offspring?

a)

Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.

b)

Because they come from dominant alleles.

c)

Because they come from recessive alleles.

d)

Because the organism knew it needed that trait, survives, and passes it on.

41.

Mutations are a change in what?

a)

DNA

b)

tRNA

c)

protein

d)

rRNA

42.
The differences among a species, like different bird beaks, are called
a)
genes.
b)
variations.
c)
traits.
d)
theories.
43.

Where do adaptations come from?

a)

The individual organism decides to adapt

b)

Mutations that give an organism an advantage in its environment

c)

Genetic recombination during meiosis

d)

Both mutations and genetic recombination are sources of adaptation

44.

Which best describes the role of mutations in natural selection?

a)

Mutations help an organism to better survive in their environment

b)

An organism may acquire a helpful mutation by interacting with the environment

c)

A mutation may result in a beneficial trait that makes an organism more likely to survive and reproduce

d)

Organisms with certain traits are more likely to win competitions for mutations

45.

All rabbits of the same species living in a particular area would be an example of a(n)

a)

population

b)

species

c)

community

d)

ecosystem

46.
Domesticated dogs are an example of:
a)
Natural Selection
b)
Selective Breeding
47.

Darwin observed several different types of finches.  Why are there so many different types?

a)

Finches live in different places, but eat the same food.

b)

Finches live in the same place, but eat different types of food.

c)

Finches live in different habitats and eat different types of food.

d)

Finches are found all over the world.

48.

​Based on the fossil layers shown, what can you infer about the past environment at this location?

a)

The environment at this location has never changed

b)

The organisms at this environment became simpler over time

c)

The environment began as a dry land environment, then evolved into an ocean or water environment.

d)

The environment began as an ocean or water environment, then evolved into a dry land environment.

49.
A  population of cockroaches was sprayed with an insecticide.  Some cockroaches survived and produced a population of cockroaches that was resistant to this spray.  What can BEST be inferred from this example?
a)
species will adapt no matter what the environment
b)
environment has no effect on the survival of an organism
c)
Individuals with favorable variations survive and reproduce
d)
Insecticides cause mutations that are passed on to the next generation
50.

People are making antibiotic resistance worse by:

a)

Taking antibiotics only when they need them

b)

Not finishing the full course of prescribed antibiotics

c)

Not sharing antibiotics with others

d)

Taking antibiotics for when they have a virus

51.
What is antibiotic resistance?
a)
The ability for humans to resist antibiotics.
b)
The ability for humans to repel bacteria. 
c)
The ability for bacteria to resist antibiotics.
d)
The ability for bacteria to become weak from antibiotics.
52.

To prevent antibioitc resitance from developing you must...

a)

Only use antibiotics when needed

b)

Only take half of the course of antibiotics

c)

Only take antibioitcs for viruses

d)

Complete the full course of antibiotics

53.

The allele frequencies of the mouse population in the picture are changing over time. Which is true?

a)

The population is evolving.

b)

The population is not evolving.

c)

The population will go extinct.

d)

The population's genetic variation is increasing.

54.

This is the combinations of all of the genes present in a given population.

a)

genome

b)

allele frequency

c)

microevolution

d)

gene pool

55.

Then a tiger and a lion mate, they create a liger. The tiger and lion are not the same species because:

a)

The liger is not able to adapt to its environment

b)

The liger does not live long after it is born

c)

The liger is not a real animal

d)

The liger is not able to reproduce

56.
What would happen if the Giraffes never evolve?
a)
they would survive
b)
They would thrive
c)
They would become extinct
d)
They will find another source of food
57.

Convergent evolution is when

a)

Species share traits due to a common ancestor

b)

Species have similar traits because of similar environment

c)

Species have same traits due to different environments

58.

The Tasmanian devil is a marsupial that resembles the North America wolf, which is a mammal. These do not have a common ancestor but have taken on similar forms. WHat type of evolution does this show?

a)

adaptive radiation

b)

divergent evolution

c)

founder effect

d)

convergent evolution

59.

What is an adaptation?

a)

A temporary change in an organism's behavior

b)

A genetic trait that improves an organism's ability to survive and reproduce

c)

The process by which a species splits into two or more species

d)

A random change in the DNA of an organism

60.

How does antibiotic resistance in bacteria demonstrate natural selection?

a)

Bacteria develop resistance by choosing to mutate their DNA.

b)

Antibiotics cause mutations in bacterial DNA, leading to resistance.

c)

Bacteria that are naturally resistant to antibiotics survive and reproduce, passing on the resistance genes.

d)

All bacteria eventually become resistant to antibiotics through use.

61.

Which of the following best explains why the fossil record is considered evidence for evolution?

a)

It shows that Earth is less than 10,000 years old.

b)

It demonstrates that species have remained unchanged over millions of years.

c)

It provides sequential snapshots of how species have changed over time.

d)

It proves that all living organisms originated from a single species.

62.

Explain how the concept of punctuated equilibrium in evolutionary theory differs from gradualism.

a)

Punctuated equilibrium suggests that species evolve rapidly in short bursts, followed by long periods of stasis, while gradualism proposes that evolution occurs at a constant, slow pace.

b)

Punctuated equilibrium states that evolution does not occur, while gradualism supports the idea of continuous evolution.

c)

Punctuated equilibrium is a theory that applies only to plants, while gradualism applies to all living organisms.

d)

Punctuated equilibrium and gradualism are essentially the same theory but use different terminology.

63.

How do homologous structures provide evidence for common ancestry among species?

a)

By showing that unrelated species can develop similar structures through convergent evolution.

b)

By demonstrating that species with similar environments develop identical structures.

c)

By revealing that different species have structures with different appearances and functions but similar underlying anatomy.

d)

By proving that all species have identical genetic material.