Free Printable Biology STAAR RC 3: Biological Evolution and Classification

1.

Scientists can determine relatedness among organisms by comparing partial amino acid sequences. The table shows four partial amino acid sequences from four organisms.

a)

Organism 1

b)

Organism 2

c)

Organism 3

d)

Organism 4

2.

A student used a microscope to study four members of the phylum Ciliophora. Members of this phylum move when propelled by hundreds of tiny cilia.

a)

families

b)

species

c)

kingdoms

d)

orders

3.

The white cattail is a hybrid species of plant that is a result of the cross between the broad-leaved cattail and the narrow-leaved cattail. Over time, the white cattail has established itself in the wetlands of Midwestern states.

Which of these explains the success of the white cattail?

a)

Favorable genes from parental generations provide advantageous characteristics to the hybrid species.

b)

Hybridization produces offspring traits that allow different species to survive in extreme environments.

c)

Inherited traits passed on from parental generations make hybrid species more susceptible to disease.

d)

Hybrid species display more adaptations due to their reduced genetic diversity.

4.

Adaptations that result from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness?

a)

Being able to escape from predators

b)

Being among the strongest organisms in a population

c)

Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring

d)

Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage

5.

The relationships among different orders of millipedes are shown in the cladogram.

a)

Stemmiulida is more closely related to Merocheta than Penicillata is to Merocheta.

b)

Spirostreptida is more closely related to Glomerida than Sphaerotheriida is to Glomerida

c)

Polyzoniida is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Sphaerotheriida is to Glomeridesmida.

d)

Merocheta is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Glomerida is to Glomeridesmida.

6.

The image shows part of the humerus bone in different genera of primates.

a)

The primates lived in similar environments.

b)

The primates shared a common ancestor.

c)

The primates interbreed with similar organisms in a population.

d)

The primates had diets that consisted of similar types of foods.

7.

A new predator of rabbits has been introduced within an ecosystem. This new predator runs faster than the native predators of rabbits.

Which statement describes what will most likely occur in the rabbit population due to the introduction of the predator?

a)

The rabbits will mutate their genes and express genes that increase their speed.

b)

Slower rabbits will develop stronger legs and pass this trait to their offspring.

c)

Rabbits will mate and produce offspring with a different species that has faster runners.

d)

Faster rabbits will survive and reproduce increasing the average speed of the rabbit population.

8.

A dichotomous key for identifying fish is shown.

a)

Glassy sweeper and squirrelfish

b)

Glasseye snapper and spotted eagle ray

c)

Spotted goatfish and bandtail puffer

d)

Peacock flounder and glassy sweeper

9.

The aye-aye lemur is a mammal that feeds mostly on insect larvae that live inside trees. The aye-aye lemur has a specialized middle finger that is long and thin. The aye-aye lemur moves along a tree branch and taps the branch with its specialized finger. When the aye-aye lemur hears a difference in the echo, it will tear open the bark with its teeth until the insect tunnel is exposed. The aye-aye lemur then uses its specialized finger to reach the insect larvae and remove it.

a)

Limited availability of water

b)

Competing for mates

c)

Large numbers of natural predators

d)

Food sources that are hard to find

10.

Many tree frog populations are threatened due to habitat loss. In an effort to promote conservation, tree frogs may be bred in captivity. A zoo acquired male and female tree frogs from two different populations. In the zoo, the tree frogs were able to successfully mate within their own population, but breeding attempts between the two populations were unsuccessful. Based on this information, which statement correctly describes the relationship between the two populations of tree frogs?

a)

They are in the same species but different kingdoms.

b)

They are in the same class but different phyla.

c)

They are in the same family but different orders.

d)

They are in the same genus but different species.

11.

This cladogram shows the evolutionary relationships among some mammals based on homologous structures.

a)

Hippopotamuses are more closely related to cows than to javelinas.

b)

Toothed whales are more closely related to mouse deer than to hippopotamuses.

c)

Javelinas and pigs are more closely related than baleen whales and toothed whales.

d)

Cows and mouse deer are more closely related than javelinas and pigs.

12.

The illustration provides a comparison of three different organisms during their embryological development.
At this stage, it can be concluded that the pig and human are more closely related to each other than they are to the fish by the presence of which of the following features?

a)

spine and tail

b)

gill slits and spine

c)

ears and limbs

d)

eyes and ears

13.

Below is the illustration of the bones of the forelimbs (wing or arm) of three animals. While only birds and bats have wings, the underlying skeletal structure is more similar in bats and humans.
What is the most reasonable conclusion one can draw 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.

14.

The diagram below represents a population of organisms and the variation in that population. Individuals vary in how well they can resist a certain disease and survive to reproduce. For several generations, this disease has killed off many individuals in the population.
Which of the following best shows what a sample of the population would look like after many years?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

15.

A population of a certain kind of fish is introduced into a new habitat. These fish have variations in color from light to dark. Because of the lighting conditions and predators in this new habitat, light-colored fish survive better near the surface, and dark-colored fish survive better near the bottom.
Natural selection would most likely produce which change after many generations of these fish living in this environment?

a)

All the fish would become more similar in color—something exactly between light-colored and dark-colored.

b)

None of the fish would be able to survive because the new habitat is not suited to any of them.

c)

There would be two populations of fish: light-colored fish near the surface and dark-colored fish near the bottom.

d)

The fish would become smaller over time so that they can more easily defend themselves from predators.

16.

Below is a table showing examples of organisms from different groups.
According to this information, the house cat is most closely related to which animal?

a)

Wolf

b)

Mockingbird

c)

Butterfly

d)

Lynx

17.

An illustration of two insects is below.
Which of the paired statements could be used to distinguish the insects, using a dichotomous key?

a)

six legs, eight legs

b)

large hind legs, small hind legs

c)

two pairs of spots on wing cover, three pairs of spots on wing cover

d)

antennae absent, antennae present

18.

A dichotomous key for insects is shown below. To what order does an insect with two pairs of scaly wings belong?

a)

Coleoptera

b)

Diptera

c)

Heteroptera

d)

Lepidoptera

19.

The diagram provided shows a breakdown of the genomes of humans, mice, chickens, and zebra fish. The numbers in overlapping regions indicate homologous sequences, similar genes that indicate shared ancestry. The data in the diagram best supports which of the following conclusions?

a)

There are no gene sequences that are common to all these animals.

b)

The common ancestor of the mouse and the chicken lived very recently.

c)

The mouse and the zebrafish share the closest relationship of all animals shown.

d)

Humans are more closely related to zebrafish than to chickens.

20.

An analysis of DNA and RNA sequences can be used to classify organisms. A dendrogram/evolutionary tree, 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/evolutionary tree?

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.

21.

Three species of lizards of the genus Gallotia are found on the Canary Islands, a chain of seven volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa. The easternmost island, Lanzarote, is the oldest, while the westernmost island, El Hierro, is the youngest. The distribution of lizard species is shown on the map below.
Which statement about the ancestry of the lizards from the genus Gallotia is best supported by this information?

a)

The common ancestor of the lizards first colonized the island of El Hierro.

b)

The ancestors of each species came from different continents at different times.

c)

The common ancestor of the lizards probably came from Africa.

d)

The ancestors of each species evolved in Spain and were brought to the islands at the same time.

22.

The illustration provides a comparison of three different organisms during their embryological development.
At this stage, it can be concluded that the pig and human are more closely related to each other than they are to the fish by the presence of which of the following features?

a)

spine and tail

b)

gill slits and spine

c)

ears and limbs

d)

eyes and ears

23.

Below is the illustration of the bones of the forelimbs (wing or arm) of three animals. While only birds and bats have wings, the underlying skeletal structure is more similar in bats and humans.
What is the most reasonable conclusion one can draw 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.

24.

The diagram below represents a population of organisms and the variation in that population. Individuals vary in how well they can resist a certain disease and survive to reproduce. For several generations, this disease has killed off many individuals in the population.
Which of the following best shows what a sample of the population would look like after many years?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

25.

A population of a certain kind of fish is introduced into a new habitat. These fish have variations in color from light to dark. Because of the lighting conditions and predators in this new habitat, light-colored fish survive better near the surface, and dark-colored fish survive better near the bottom.
Natural selection would most likely produce which change after many generations of these fish living in this environment?

a)

All the fish would become more similar in color—something exactly between light-colored and dark-colored.

b)

None of the fish would be able to survive because the new habitat is not suited to any of them.

c)

There would be two populations of fish: light-colored fish near the surface and dark-colored fish near the bottom.

d)

The fish would become smaller over time so that they can more easily defend themselves from predators.

26.

Below is a table showing examples of organisms from different groups.
According to this information, the house cat is most closely related to which animal?

a)

Wolf

b)

Mockingbird

c)

Butterfly

d)

Lynx

27.

An illustration of two insects is below.
Which of the paired statements could be used to distinguish the insects, using a dichotomous key?

a)

six legs, eight legs

b)

large hind legs, small hind legs

c)

two pairs of spots on wing cover, three pairs of spots on wing cover

d)

antennae absent, antennae present

28.

A dichotomous key for insects is shown below. To what order does an insect with two pairs of scaly wings belong?

a)

Coleoptera

b)

Diptera

c)

Heteroptera

d)

Lepidoptera

29.

The diagram provided shows a breakdown of the genomes of humans, mice, chickens, and zebra fish. The numbers in overlapping regions indicate homologous sequences, similar genes that indicate shared ancestry. The data in the diagram best supports which of the following conclusions?

a)

There are no gene sequences that are common to all these animals.

b)

The common ancestor of the mouse and the chicken lived very recently.

c)

The mouse and the zebrafish share the closest relationship of all animals shown.

d)

Humans are more closely related to zebrafish than to chickens.

30.

An analysis of DNA and RNA sequences can be used to classify organisms. A dendrogram/evolutionary tree, 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/evolutionary tree?

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.

31.

Three species of lizards of the genus Gallotia are found on the Canary Islands, a chain of seven volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa. The easternmost island, Lanzarote, is the oldest, while the westernmost island, El Hierro, is the youngest. The distribution of lizard species is shown on the map below.
Which statement about the ancestry of the lizards from the genus Gallotia is best supported by this information?

a)

The common ancestor of the lizards first colonized the island of El Hierro.

b)

The ancestors of each species came from different continents at different times.

c)

The common ancestor of the lizards probably came from Africa.

d)

The ancestors of each species evolved in Spain and were brought to the islands at the same time.

32.

The diagram above shows a model of species divergence among some primates. If this model is correct, the greatest genetic differences would be found in the DNA sequences of which two species?

a)

Tarsius bancanus and Cebus albifrons

b)

Macaca sylvanus and Macaca mulatta

c)

Hylobates lar and Pongo pygmaeus

d)

Pan troglodytes and Lemur catta

33.

Zoogeographic regions are characterized by the presence of specific groups of animals. These regions are determined by the taxonomic or phylogenetic relationships of animals. The map shows the zoogeographic regions proposed by the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1876.
The similarities of organisms in which two areas numbered above provide the best evidence for common ancestry between the organisms in both locations?

a)

1 and 2

b)

3 and 4

c)

5 and 6

d)

7 and 8

34.

The limbs of several organisms are shown in the illustrations below. Scientists sometimes compare the limbs of these organisms to look for evidence of common ancestry.

These limbs provide evidence of common ancestry because they —

a)

have the same basic structure

b)

perform the same function

c)

are the same size

d)

are parts of mammals

35.

The opossum, which is native to North America, and the kangaroo, which is native to Australia, are marsupials.

The fact that both these mammals incubate their immature offspring in a pouch provides evidence that they —

a)

belong to the same species

b)

must range great distances to eat

c)

have very similar skeletal structures

d)

are descended from a common ancestor

36.

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

37.

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.

38.

Three species of lizards of the genus Gallotia are found on the Canary Islands, a chain of seven volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa. The easternmost island, Lanzarote, is the oldest, while the westernmost island, El Hierro, is the youngest. The distribution of lizard species is shown on the map below.

Which statement about the ancestry of the lizards from the genus Gallotia is best supported by this information?

a)

The common ancestor of the lizards first colonized the island of El Hierro

b)

The ancestors of each species came from different continents at different times

c)

The common ancestor of the lizards probably came from Africa

d)

The ancestors of each species evolved in Spain and were brought to the islands at the same time

39.

The gray squirrel, Eastern fox squirrel and red squirrel are all different species of squirrels. Why is having a scientific name for each species of an organism important?

a)

To prevent existing named organisms from having their names changed as they become extinct

b)

To keep the classification system from being altered as new organisms are discovered

c)

To allow organisms to be placed in many classification levels at the same time

d)

To standardize the naming and organization of organisms to avoid confusion

40.

a)

The standardized name differentiates mountain lions from pumas

b)

The standardized name is less descriptive of the animal that has been observed

c)

Communication with other scientists about mountain lions will be reduced

d)

All scientists will be using the same name for mountain lions

41.

a)

Stemmiulida is more closely related to Merocheta than Penicillata is to Merocheta

b)

Spirostreptida is more closely related to Glomerida than Sphaerotheriida is to Glomerida

c)

Polizoniida is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Sphaerotheriida is to Glomeridesmida.

d)

Merocheta is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Glomerida is to Glomeridesmida

42.

a)

Needle-like straight leaves that are mostly over 25cm long and found in clusters of three; no thorns on cones

b)

Flattened and scale-like leaves that are mostly over 25cm long; soft and leathery cones

c)

Needle-like straight leaves with a length of 25cm that are mostly found in clusters of 5; thorny cone

d)

Leaves with a length of 25cm that are found in clusters of more than 5; no thorns on cones

43.

a)

b)

c)

d)

44.

a)

Fur

b)

Claws or nails

c)

Lungs

d)

Jaws

45.

a)

Organisms 1 and 2

b)

Organisms 3 and 4

c)

Organisms 1 and 4

d)

Organisms 2 and 3

46.

a)

Anthropoda

b)

Annelida

c)

Mollusca

d)

Platyhelminthes

47.

a)

b)

c)

d)

48.

a)

Heterotrophic

b)

Mobile

c)

Prokaryotic

d)

Multicellular

49.

a)

b)

c)

d)

50.

Having a standard taxonomic system benefits the scientific community by allowing scientists

from all over the world to do which of the following?

a)

Have a common system for the classification of locations containing fossils

b)

Use a similar system to classify the impact of removing species from ecosystems

c)

Have a common understanding in the classification of organisms

d)

Understand how other scientists classify predator–prey relationships

51.

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

52.

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

53.

Zoogeographic regions are characterized by the presence of specific groups of animals. These

regions are determined by the taxonomic or phylogenetic relationships of animals. The map

shows the zoogeographic regions proposed by the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1876.The similarities of organisms in which two areas numbered above provide the best evidence

for common ancestry between the organisms in both locations?

a)

1 and 2

b)

3 and 4

c)

5 and 6

d)

7 and 8

54.

Arthropods are joint-legged animals. Spiders, crabs, pill bugs, centipedes, and millipedes

are examples of the many types of arthropods. Which of these arthropods are most closely

related?

a)

Arthropods of the same family

b)

Arthropods of the same class

c)

Arthropods of the same genus

d)

Arthropods of the same species

55.

Bactrian camels, dromedaries, llamas, and alpacas are all members of the same taxonomic family, Camelidae. Members of this family all have two toes, no hooves, true canine teeth, and a split upper lip. The family Camelidae originated in North America. The physical features of animals in this family and the family’s geographical origin provide evidence that all these animals —

a)

live in the same type of ecosystem

b)

have slowly evolved to become herbivores

c)

have a common ancestor

d)

exchanged DNA at some point in the past

56.

A prey population consists of individuals with a variety of running speeds. The adaptation that allows some of these animals to run fast would be an example of natural selection if it helps them —

a)

survive and undergo mutations in their DNA

b)

lower the mortality rates of the population

c)

produce offspring that run at average speeds

d)

reproduce and increase the frequency of their genes in the population

57.

Scientists can determine relatedness among organisms by comparing partial amino acid

sequences. The table shows four partial amino acid sequences from four organisms.Which organism is the LEAST related to the other three organisms?

a)

Organism 1

b)

Organism 2

c)

Organism 3

d)

Organism 4

58.

A student used a microscope to study four members of the phylum Ciliophora. Members of

this phylum move when propelled by hundreds of tiny cilia.Although these organisms belong to the same phylum, they are classified as different —

a)

families

b)

species

c)

kingdoms

d)

orders

59.

The gray squirrel, Eastern fox squirrel, and red squirrel are all different species of squirrels.

Why is having a scientific name for each species of an organism important?

a)

To prevent existing named organisms from having their names changed as they become

extinct

b)

To keep the classification system from being altered as new organisms are discovered

c)

To allow organisms to be placed in many classification levels at the same time

d)

To standardize the naming and organization of organisms to avoid confusion

60.

The diagram shows light- and dark-colored beetles that live on a tree.Which result is most likely to occur to the beetle population due to predation over time?

a)

The number of light-colored beetles in the population will increase.

b)

There will be more dark-colored beetles than light-colored beetles.

c)

The number of light-colored beetles will decrease.

d)

The dark-colored beetles will move to a different type of tree.

61.

Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould researched the lenses of the eyes of fossil trilobites of

different species. In 1972 they published a paper in which they described the tendency of a

species to remain the same until a sudden change in the environment causes a new related

species to appear.

Which hypothesis was most challenged by the work of Eldredge and Gould?

a)

Redi’s hypothesis that spontaneous generation does not occur

b)

Haeckel’s hypothesis that embryological development mimics the evolution of species

c)

Wallace’s hypothesis that geography affects the distribution of species

d)

Darwin’s hypothesis that the development of species is a slow, gradual process

62.

The relationships among different orders of millipedes are shown in the cladogram.Based on this cladogram, which statement best describes relationships among millipede

orders?

a)

Stemmiulida is more closely related to Merocheta than Penicillata is to Merocheta.

b)

Spirostreptida is more closely related to Glomerida than Sphaerotheriida is to Glomerida.

c)

Polyzoniida is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Sphaerotheriida is to

Glomeridesmida.

d)

Merocheta is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Glomerida is to

Glomeridesmida.

63.

What would the scientific name of this organism be?

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family:Canidae

Genus: Canis

species: mesomelas

a)

Mammalia carnivora

b)

Canidae mesomelas

c)

Canis mesomelas

d)

Animalia chordata

64.

What would the scientific name of this organism be?

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Crocodila

Family: Alligatoridae

Genus: Alligator

species: mississippiensis

a)

alligator Mississippiensis

b)

Crocodila chordata

c)

Alligator mississippiensis

d)

Reptilia crocodila

65.

What kingdom would a human belong to?

a)

Plant

b)

Animalia

c)

Protist

d)

Fungi

66.

Which taxon comes next? Domain... Kingdom... Phylum

a)

Order

b)

Genus

c)

Class

d)

Family

67.

Why is the most specific taxonomy category?

a)

Kingdom

b)

Domain

c)

Species

d)

Order

68.

The smallest classification group consists of:

a)

Organisms that are very different

b)

Organisms that do not look the same

c)

Organisms that are very similar

69.

Binomial Nomenclature takes which two taxons to name a species?

a)

Genus and Kingdom

b)

Phylum and Class

c)

Family and class

d)

Genus and species

Biology STAAR RC 3: Biological Evolution and Classification

Total questions: 69

Worksheet time: 38mins

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