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Evolutionary History and Relationships

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 28mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The bones of the forelimbs (wing or arm) of three animals are shown in the illustration. What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from a comparison of these structures?

a)

Birds and bats are closely related to each other while humans are unrelated to both

b)

The common ancestor of birds and bats must have had wings and flown.

c)

Humans live in habitats very different from the habitats of both birds and bats.

d)

Humans and bats share a closer evolutionary history with each other than with birds.

2.

The diagram provided here is a phylogenetic tree. It shows how groups of organisms are related through a shared evolutionary history. Which of the following provides the best evidence that can be used to create this diagram?

a)

The habitats in which the animals live

b)

Competition between organisms for resources

c)

Similarities and differences in body structures

d)

Observations of interactions in the wild

3.

Whales, which live in the water, have hips. These structures are important for carrying the weight of animals that walk on land. Finding this body part in animals that don’t walk on land is best explained how?

a)

Whales have evolved this structure because it might be useful in the future.

b)

Whales are able to interbreed with other animals that have hips.

c)

Whales have a diet that includes other animals that have this structure.

d)

Whales share a common ancestor with animals that walk on land.

4.

The diagram provided here is a phylogenetic tree. It shows how groups of organisms are related through a shared evolutionary history. The nodes on the diagram show the shared characteristics that link the related groups of animals. Two of the nodes are labeled with the correct characteristics. Which of the nodes should be labeled “body hair”?

a)

Node A

b)

Node B

c)

Node C

d)

Node D

5.

The table shows characteristics of the structures of several related groups of plants. All of these plant types are related in their evolutionary history to a common ancestor that had what characteristic?

a)

A transport system made of xylem and phloem

b)

Seeds that were covered

c)

Leaves with branching veins

d)

Leaves with parallel veins

6.

The diagram provided here is a phylogenetic tree. It shows how groups of organisms are related through a shared evolutionary history. Which of the following provides the best evidence that can be used to create this diagram?

a)

The habitats in which the animals live

b)

Competition between organisms for resources

c)

Similarities and differences in body structures

d)

Observations of interactions in the wild

7.

In a cladogram, when does a group of organisms branch off?

a)

when a new trait evolves

b)

when an ancestor becomes extinct

c)

when it is discovered

d)

then it becomes large enough

8.

What structure separates Perches from Salamanders?

a)

Jaws

b)

Lungs

c)

Claws/Nails

d)

Fur

9.

A homology is something that is similar in all of the following EXCEPT –

a)

Structure

b)

Size

c)

Position

d)

Evolutionary origin

10.

The sequence of heritable changes that occurred among species since the origin of life on Earth

a)

Diversity

b)

Fossil record

c)

Evolutionary history

d)

Anatomy

11.

Similar body parts

a)

ancestor

b)

fossil record

c)

paleontologist

d)

anatomical homologies

12.

When organisms are descended from a single ancestor

a)

cladogram

b)

common ancestry

c)

evolutionary origin

d)

anatomical homologies

13.

Scientist who studies prehistoric life

a)

geologist

b)

biologist

c)

paleontologist

d)

cardiologist

14.

Consider the evolutionary tree. Which is the best description of the two organisms highlighted in pink?

a)

They are separated by two nodes.

b)

They share a recent common ancestor.

c)

They belong to the same species.

d)

They are ancestors of each other.

15.
Structures with the same parts have different functions; suggests that organisms share a common ancestry
a)
vestigial structures
b)
homologous structures
c)
adaptive radiation
d)
fossil