wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

RC3 Practice: Evolution and Classification

Total questions: 126

Worksheet time: 2hrs 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following are true regarding endosymbiotic theory?

a)

some ancient prokaryotes engulfed others that could perform photosynthesis

b)

some ancient prokaryotes engulfed others that could perform cellular respiration

c)

all eukaryotic organelles had prokaryotic ancestors

d)

chloroplasts and mitochondria had prokaryotic ancestors

e)

the nucleus, chloroplasts, and mitochondria all had prokaryotic ancestors

2.

Which of the following provide advantages to a species?

a)

asexual reproduction

b)

sexual reproduction

c)

genetic diversity

d)

being unicellular

e)

oxidative metabolism

3.

Slow and steady change of biological species.

a)

Stasis

b)

Co-evolution

c)

Punctuated equilibrium

d)

Convergent evolution

e)

Gradualism

4.

Biological species stay the same for long periods of time.

a)

Stasis

b)

Co-evolution

c)

Punctuated equilibrium

d)

Convergent evolution

e)

Gradualism

5.

Rapid change of biological species following a long period of staying the same.

a)

Stasis

b)

Co-evolution

c)

Punctuated equilibrium

d)

Convergent evolution

e)

Gradualism

6.

What were the earliest life forms?

a)

unicellular prokaryotes

b)

unicellular eukaryotes

c)

unicellular protists

d)

unicellular fungi

7.

What is the term for large-scale evolutionary patterns and processes that occur over long periods of time?

a)

macroevolution

b)

microevolution

c)

survival of the fittest

d)

genetic drift

8.

To be considered members of the same species, organisms must be able to

a)

look alike

b)

reproduce together and have fertile offspring

c)

live in the same habitat

d)

eat the same types of food

9.

Darwin saw populations of various species that seemed well-suited to their environment. What did this suggest?

a)

The species Darwin saw were all related to each other.

b)

Species had been introduced to particular areas by humans on purpose.

c)

Species might be able to adapt to their surroundings over time.

d)

Some environments rarely ever change.

10.

The difference in the physical traits of an individual from those of other individuals in the group to which it belongs

a)

adaptation

b)

variation

c)

descent with modification

d)

fitness

11.

A feature that allows an organism to better survive in its environment.

a)

adaptation

b)

variation

c)

descent with modification

d)

fitness

12.

A tortoise population lives in an area with high grass. These tortoises have longer necks than tortoises that live in other areas. The long necks of the tortoises are an example of

a)

adaptation

b)

variation

c)

descent with modification

d)

fitness

13.

One bird in a population has a slightly thicker beak than its relatives. The bird’s thicker beak is an example of __ in its population.

a)

adaptation

b)

variation

c)

descent with modification

d)

fitness

14.

Why must selected traits be heritable?

a)

If a selected trait is not heritable, it cannot be passed down to the next generation

b)

Heritable traits are those traits that farmers and breeders consider worth passing on

c)

Heritable traits are common in domesticated animals that are used in breeding

d)

A selected trait that is heritable is likely to make an animal easier to domesticate

15.

In natural selection, what must be true of traits that are passed down through generations?

a)

The trait must be one that members of the species like and enjoy.

b)

The trait must be one that members of the species have chosen to reproduce.

c)

The trait must be one that gives an advantage to certain individuals.

d)

The trait must be one that does not give an advantage to any

particular individuals.

16.

Large teeth and jaws become more common in jaguars because they are heritable characteristics.

a)

overproduction

b)

variation

c)

adaptation

d)

descent with modification

17.

Jaguars with large teeth and jaws survive longer because they can eat shelled reptiles.

a)

overproduction

b)

variation

c)

adaptation

d)

descent with modification

18.

By chance, some jaguars are born with slightly larger teeth and jaws.

a)

overproduction

b)

variation

c)

adaptation

d)

descent with modification

19.

A jaguar may produce many offspring, but because of competition, not all of them will survive long enough to reproduce.

a)

overproduction

b)

variation

c)

adaptation

d)

descent with modification

20.

The environment is the selective agent in

a)

artificial selection

b)

natural selection

21.

The measure of the ability to survive and produce more offspring relative to other members of the population is called

a)

fitness

b)

adaptation

c)

overproduction

d)

variation

22.

The ability of a trait to be passed down from one generation to the next is called

a)

adaptation

b)

heritability

c)

overproduction

d)

natural selection

23.

All the individuals of a species that live in an area are called the

a)

population

b)

ecosystem

c)

common ancestors

d)

family

24.

Occurs when individuals with beneficial adaptations produce more surviving offspring than other individuals of the same species.

a)

natural selection

b)

artificial selection

c)

excessive mutations

d)

population equilibrium

25.

Feature that is similar in structure in different organisms but has different functions.

a)

homologous structure

b)

analogous structure

c)

vestigial structure

26.

Feature that performs a similar function in different organisms but is not similar in origin or structure.

a)

homologous structure

b)

analogous structure

c)

vestigial structure

27.

Feature that is not evidence of a common ancestor

a)

homologous structure

b)

analogous structure

c)

vestigial structure

28.

Remnant of an organ or structure that had a function in an early ancestor

a)

homologous structure

b)

analogous structure

c)

vestigial structure

29.

Examples include the wing of a bat and the hand of a human

a)

homologous structure

b)

analogous structure

c)

vestigial structure

30.

Examples include the wing of a bird and the wing of an insect

a)

homologous structure

b)

analogous structure

c)

vestigial structure

31.

Examples include the pelvis and femur in whales and the appendix and wisdom teeth in humans

a)

homologous structure

b)

analogous structure

c)

vestigial structure

32.

the distribution of living and fossil organisms

a)

biogeography

b)

fossil record

c)

homologies

d)

variation

33.

The extent of molecular homologies between species is usually determined by analyzing

a)

DNA sequences

b)

amino acid sequences

c)

phospholipids

d)

large carbohydrates

34.

In order to have a wide range of phenotypes, a population must also have

a)

competition for scarce resources

b)

genetic variation

c)

environmental stability

d)

a very ancient population

35.

How can a wide range of phenotypes increase the chance that some individuals will survive in a changing environment?

a)

Populations with fewer phenotypes tend to be very strong and hardy.

b)

Phenotypes tend to adapt along with the environment.

c)

A changing environment often produces a wide range of phenotypes.

d)

If there are many variations, there are more chances for some individuals to improve the chance of survival.

36.

A population's __ contains the genetic variation for the entire population.

a)

gene pool

b)

allele frequency

c)

equilibrium

d)

genetic drift

37.

__ measures how common a certain allele is in a population.

a)

gene pool

b)

allele frequency

c)

equilibrium

d)

genetic drift

38.

How is genetic drift different from natural selection?

a)

Genetic drift prevents natural selection.

b)

Genetic drift occurs by chance alone.

c)

Genetic drift only occurs in marine species.

d)

Genetic drift is a method used for breeding.

39.

Genetic drift is more likely to occur in ___ populations.

a)

small

b)

new

c)

large

d)

established

40.

Event that drastically reduces the size of a population can lead to...

a)

bottleneck effect

b)

founder effect

c)

gene flow

d)

genetic drift

41.

Occurs after a small number of individuals colonize a new area.

a)

bottleneck effect

b)

founder effect

c)

gene flow

d)

genetic drift

42.

May cause genetic drift to occur.

a)

bottleneck effect

b)

founder effect

c)

gene flow

d)

extinction

43.

What is one problem that can result from genetic drift?

a)

loss of genetic variation

b)

increased genetic variation

c)

changes in genetic variation

d)

changes in genetic variation of neighboring species

44.

What happens to a population that is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

a)

It evolves much faster.

b)

It evolves much slower.

c)

It evolves at a uniform pace.

d)

It stops evolving at all.

45.

Isolated populations may become genetically different as they adapt to new environments, or through random processes such as

a)

mutation

b)

genetic drift

c)

natural selection

d)

artificial selection

46.

The final step in speciation is

a)

reproductive isolation

b)

behavioral isolation

c)

temporal isolation

d)

geographic isolation

47.

Natural selection acts directly on ___.

a)

phenotypes

b)

genotypes

48.

Which of the following increase genetic diversity?

a)

sexual reproduction

b)

gene shuffling

c)

mutation

d)

asexual reproduction

e)

genetic drift

49.

GG and Gg= green frogs; gg= brown frogs. If brown frogs have a survival advantage, what will happen to allele frequencies?

a)

G will increase and g will decrease

b)

g will increase and G will decrease

c)

both G and g will increase

d)

both G and g will decrease

e)

G and g will continue to add up to 100%

50.

What is the term for observable changes in allele frequencies in ONE population over a relatively short time frame?

a)

macroevolution

b)

microevolution

c)

survival of the fittest

d)

genetic drift

51.

Which are true about gene flow?

a)

movement of alleles between populations

b)

reduces genetic diversity of new population

c)

increases genetic diversity of new population

d)

lack of gene flow between populations can lead to speciation

e)

changes allele frequencies of populations

52.

the rise of 2 or more species from 1 existing species is...

a)

speciation

b)

natural selection

c)

genetic drift

d)

gene flow

53.

The bones in the diagram are examples of...

a)

homologous structures

b)

analogous structures

c)

vestigial structures

d)

artificial structures

54.

The term "developmental homologies" refers to...

a)

similarities in embryos

b)

differences in embryos

c)

similarities in DNA

d)

similarities in bone structures

55.

What must a population have before natural selection can occur?

a)

genetic variation

b)

no mutations

c)

an unchanging environment

d)

sexual reproduction

56.

What must be true of inherited mutations?

a)

they must occur in a gamete

b)

they must occur in a somatic cell

c)

they may occur in either a gamete or a somatic cell

d)

mutations may not be inherited

57.

Small populations may experience situations similar to inbreeding, which may include...

a)

reduced genetic diversity in the population

b)

increased incidence of recessive genetic disorders

c)

difficulty adapting to changing environmental conditions

d)

increased rate of mutations leading to higher genetic diversity

58.

On a farm, Marcia observes that individuals of a certain goat species have slightly different sizes and colors. What characteristic of populations is Marcia observing?

a)

adaption

b)

evolution

c)

selection

d)

variation

59.

What is the ultimate cause for all variation within a population?

a)

Natural Selection

b)

Adaptation

c)

Mutation

d)

Environmental Changes

60.
A rabbit that can easily outcompete other rabbits for food and that can produce many offspring has a high
a)
sexuality
b)
mutation rate
c)
fitness
d)
adaptability
61.
Humans, birds, whales, and lizards all have similar arm bones. What is the reason for this?
a)
The function of these bones is the same in all animals
b)
They live in similar environments
c)
They have a common ancestor
d)
All organisms resemble humans
62.

Which of the following would most likely prevent two populations of field mice from breeding?

a)

Active time of day

b)

Color

c)

Average weight

d)

Favorite food

63.

The science of naming & classifying organisms

a)

Taxonomy

b)

Cladistics

c)

Binomial Nomenclature

d)

Phylogeny

64.

Number of words in a scientific name.

a)

one

b)

two

c)

three

d)

it could be any number

65.

The name of the scientific naming system we use today is called:

a)

molecular clocks

b)

cladistics

c)

taxonomy

d)

binomial nomenclature

66.

Which is the most inclusive taxon?

a)

Species

b)

phylum

c)

Class

d)

kingdom

67.

Which is the most exclusive taxon?

a)

Species

b)

Kingdom

c)

Domain

d)

Phylum

68.

List the taxa in order from broad to specific.

a)

kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, species, genus

b)

kingdom, class, phylum, order, family, genus, species

c)

kingdom, phylum, order, class, family, genus, species

d)

kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

69.

What is the newer taxon that's broader than a kingdom?

a)

Species

b)

Domain

c)

Sub-kingdom

d)

Classification

70.

These are a group of organisms similar enough to breed and produce fertile offspring.

a)

Eukaryotes

b)

Heterotrophs

c)

Species

d)

Mammals

71.

Two organisms in the same family also share these classification taxa.

a)

Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species

b)

Kingdom, phylum, class, order (and of course, family)

c)

Family, genus and species

d)

Kingdom, phylum and class

72.

Evolutionary relationships among organisms is called

a)

phylogeny

b)

classification

c)

taxonomy

d)

mutations

73.

What are cladograms or phylogenetic trees?

a)

Diagrams that shows organisms in the same kingdom.

b)

Tools to identify organisms.

c)

Systems scientists use to name organisms.

d)

Diagrams that show evolutionary relationships between organisms.

74.

What are cladograms based on?

a)

physical features

b)

derived characters

c)

opposite characters

d)

similar characters

75.

What is cladistics analysis/ systematics?

a)

Method to identify unknown organisms.

b)

Method used to combine organisms in one species.

c)

Method biologists use to construct cladograms.

d)

Method used to build dichotomous keys.

76.

Nucleated heterotrophs with cell walls of chitin belong to this kingdom

a)

Animalia

b)

Plantae

c)

Eubacteria

d)

Fungi

77.

Unicellular prokaryotes that live in extreme environments belong to this kingdom.

a)

Eubacteria

b)

Archaebacteria

c)

Protista

d)

Fungi

78.

Unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls of peptidoglycan belong to this kingdom

a)

Archaebacteria

b)

Eubacteria

c)

Protista

d)

Fungi

79.

Multicellular autotrophs with cell walls of cellulose belong to this kingdom

a)

Eubacteria

b)

Archaebacteria

c)

Plantae

d)

Fungi

80.

Unicellular eukaryote with chloroplasts and a flagellum belong to this kingdom

a)

Eubacteria

b)

Protista

c)

Plantae

d)

Fungi

81.

Process that leads organisms without close

ancestry to develop similar features 

a)

convergent evolution

b)

adaptive radiation

c)

genetic drift

d)

Microevolution

82.

Name of features that appear similar but have different structures

a)

Vestigial structures

b)

Homologous structures

c)

Analogous structures

d)

Derived structures

83.
Use the phylogenetic tree.  Which hypothetical organism is the most recent ancestor for Organisms A and G?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
84.
Which domain includes all multicellular plants and animals?
a)
Archaea
b)
Eukarya
c)
Eubacteria
d)
Protista
85.
Canis lupus, the scientific name for a wolf, is in which genus?
a)
Canis
b)
lupus
c)
Animalia
d)
mammalia
86.
According to this cladogram, sharks are MOST closely related to which organism? 
a)
Amphibians
b)
Ray finned fish
c)
Crocodiles
d)
Birds
87.
On the cladogram, which organism is the closest relative of the human?
a)
Frog
b)
Hare
c)
Caiman
d)
Parrot
88.
What is a dichotomous key used for in science?
a)
To organize biomes
b)
Identify organisms
c)
Identify bacteria only
d)
None of these
89.

A dichotomous key for trees is provided. Hikers found a tree that has large brown cones and single sharp needles. What species of tree have the hikers found?

a)

Juniper

b)

Pine

c)

Spruce

d)

Fir

90.

The more similar the DNA of two species, the more recently they

a)

shared a common ancestor.

b)

did not share a common ancestor.

c)

more different they are in evolutionary terms.

d)

became the same species.

91.
What is the purpose of a dichotomous key?
a)
to find a common ancestor
b)
to show the evolution of organisms
c)
to show relationships between organisms
d)
to identify organisms
92.
A dichotomous key for insects is given. To what order does an insect with two pairs of scaly wings belong?
a)
Coleoptera
b)
Heteroptera
c)
Diptera
d)
Lepidoptera
93.
What step do we always start with when using dichotomous keys?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
94.
When using a dichotomous key to identify organisms, what do we look at?
a)
physical features
b)
weather patterns
c)
environment
d)
diet
95.
The first part of a scientific name is an organism's _______________ and the second part is its ________________.
a)
species, genus
b)
phylum, order
c)
class, spices
d)
genus, species
96.
Kangaroos and opossums both incubate their immature in pouches. This means they -
a)
share a common ancestor
b)
possess vestigial organs
c)
have similar skeleltal structures
d)
belong to the same species
97.
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
98.

Kingdom Animalia is

a)

Eukaryotic

b)

Prokaryotic

c)

Autotrophs

d)

Photosynthetic

99.
Mold, yeast, and mushrooms all belong to the Kingdom _______.
a)
Archaebacteria
b)
Fungi
c)
Eubacteria
d)
Protista
100.

What is the main difference between members of the plant and fungi kingdoms?

a)

fungi are multicellular

b)

fungi are heterotrophs

c)

fungi are eukaryotic

d)

fungi have a cell wall

101.

How many kingdoms of living things exist today?

a)

3

b)

5

c)

6

d)

4

102.

This organism is found in pond water. It has a nucleus, is microscopic, unicellular and can perform photosynthesis. What kingdom does it belong in?

a)

protista

b)

eubacteria

c)

archaebacteria

d)

plantae

103.
Which domain includes all multicellular plants and animals?
a)
Archaea
b)
Eukarya
c)
Eubacteria
d)
Protista
104.
Which two organisms are least closely related?
a)
two organisms from the same kingdom
b)
two organisms from the same order
c)
two organisms from the same family
d)
two organisms from the same genus
105.
Which is used most to determine a true common ancestor for a group of organisms?
a)
karyotype
b)
dichotomous key
c)
phylogenetic tree
d)
mRNA codon chart
106.
Organisms classified as fungi have unique characteristics. Which of the following characteristics is found only in organisms classified in the kingdom fungi? 
a)
single cells without a nucleus
b)
multicellular with chloroplasts
c)
heterotrophs that use multicellular filaments to absorb nutrients
d)
colonies of single, photosynthetic cells that reproduce asexually
107.
What are the three domains?
a)
Green, Blue, Red
b)
Autotrophic, Heterotrophic, Both
c)
Archea, Eukarya, Bacteria
d)
Marine Organism, Land Organism, or Both
108.
Which kingdom contains members who are prokaryotic?
a)
Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
b)
Archaebacteria and Protista
c)
Eubacteria and Animalia
d)
Eubacteria  and Fungi
109.

Which domain contains organisms that are unicellular, prokaryotic, and can cause strep throat or E. coli infections?

a)

Eukarya

b)

Archaea

c)

Fungi

d)

Bacteria

110.

What would provide evidence that three distinctly different primates share a recent common ancestor?

a)

They are found on land.

b)

They eat a similar diet of tropical fruits.

c)

They are about the same color.

d)

They have nearly identical DNA.

111.
What is the best explanation for the continual changes in the classification system of organisms? 
a)
All organisms struggle for existence and become extinct. 
b)
All organisms compete to be at the top of the food chain. 
c)
Technological advances have allowed scientists to better compare organisms. 
d)
More species have been discovered, but scientists have not analyzed all the data. 
112.
What information about the organisms best helps the scientists to create the most accurate phylogenetic tree?
a)
DNA sequences
b)
Community size
c)
Analogous structures
d)
Physical features
113.

Which of the following is the least closely related animal:

Gray Wolf: Canis lupus

Aardwolf: Proteles cristatus

Coyote: Canis latrans

a)

Coyote

b)

Aardwolf

c)

Gray Wolf

d)

Need more information on body characteristics

114.
Several different classes make up a
a)
Kingdom
b)
Phylum
c)
Family
d)
Genus
115.
An illustration and a dichotomous key are given. What is the correct classification for this organism?
a)
Class Insecta
b)
Order Amblygygi
c)
Order Araneae
d)
Order Scorpiones
116.

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

117.

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

Which statement is best supported by the observable structures of the different humerus bones?

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.

118.

Where is the alligator and T. rex's common ancestor?

a)

Point A

b)

Point B

c)

Point C

d)

Point D

119.

The grizzly bear is most related to the

a)

squirrel

b)

snake

c)

fox

d)

sea star

120.
Which trait do only humans have, according to the cladogram?
a)
jaws
b)
mammary glands & hair
c)
terrestrial during all life stages
d)
bipedal & opposable thumbs
121.

What number is the common ancestor of C and D

a)

1

b)

2

c)

4

122.
According to the image, what derived characteristic might be represented with the letter B?
a)
Legs
b)
Wings
c)
Antennae
d)
Cells
123.

Which of the following evolve over time?

a)

populations

b)

individuals

124.

Overproduction of offspring is a strategy that...

a)

Doesn't work because lots of the offspring die

b)

Increases chances some offspring will survive to reproduce

c)

Ensures the offspring will have to compete for food

d)

Dooms a species to extinction

125.

What would be an advantage of a species giving birth in the spring, rather than in the winter?

a)

There are no predators in the warmer months

b)

It is safer to be pregnant in the wintertime

c)

More food will be available to offspring

d)

There is no advantage to springtime births

126.

What is the benefit of using scientific names and a standardized classification system?

a)

Scientific names are fun to say

b)

Many scientific names are in Latin

c)

There is less confusion than using common names

d)

It is easier to determine relatedness among organisms