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8th Grade Unit #4 Classification of Living Things Review

Total questions: 39

Worksheet time: 57mins

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.

The Theory of Evolution by natural selection states that certain organisms are more likely to survive and reproduce than others. What do these organisms possess in order to survive?

a)

similar characteristics

b)

adaptive traits

c)

large body size

d)

ability to reproduce sexually

3.
Vertebrate embryos pass through similar stages of development is evidence for
a)

use and disuse

b)

homologous structures

c)

common ancestry

d)

acquired characteristics

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.
Which of the following ideas is supported by Darwin’s observation of local variation among tortoises in the Galápagos Islands? 
a)

artificial selection

b)

adaptation

c)

acquired characteristics

d)

tendency towards perfection

6.
Which statement is part of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection? 
a)

More offspring are produced than can possibly survive.

b)

The organisms that are the fittest are always largest and strongest. 

c)

The number of offspring is not related to fitness.

d)

Acquired characteristics that are inherited are the cause of evolution.

7.

A change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

a)

mutation

b)

fitness

c)

transformation

8.
Charles Darwin’s observation that finches of different species on the Galápagos Islands have many similar physical characteristics supports the hypothesis that these finches 
 
a)

have the ability to interbreed. have the ability to interbreed.

b)

acquired traits through use and disuse.

c)

all eat the same type of food.

d)

descended from a common ancestor.

9.

What is meant by the "species level?"  

a)

kinds or types of the same organisms

b)

kinds or types of different organisms

c)

any organism

d)

no answer is given

10.

Adaptations in a population may lead to the evolution of new species. Which word is associated with the process of evolution?  

a)

extinction

b)

change

c)

stability

d)

continuity

11.

The scientist who came up with the current classification system

a)

Darwin

b)

Newton

c)

Mendel

d)

Linnaeus

12.

The taxonomic level that would include the MOST number of species

a)

class

b)

kingdom

c)

phylum

d)

genus

13.

A ________ can be used to classify organisms based on characteristics.

a)

punnet square

b)

phylogenetic chart

c)

trophic pyramid

d)

dichotomous key

14.
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
15.
Which domain includes all multicellular plants and animals?
a)
Archaea
b)
Eukarya
c)
Eubacteria
d)
Protista
16.
An important difference between viruses and living cells is that viruses:
a)

contain more nuclei than cells

b)

need an energy source but cells do not

c)

cannot reproduce outside of cells

d)

cannot mutate but cells can

17.

Dichotomous keys are used to identify unknown organisms based upon behavioral and/or physical characteristics. "Dichotomous" means having _______ choices.

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

18.

What is taxonomy?

a)

The study of naming and classifying things.

b)

Preserving dead organisms.

c)

The science of paying your taxes.

d)

The process by which populations change over time.

19.

Why do we classify living things?

a)

To keep information private.

b)

To make finding information easier.

c)

To confuse people.

d)

To make animals healthier.

20.

What is the smallest and most specific group in the eight-level classification system?

a)

Genus

b)

Domain

c)

Kingdom

d)

Species

21.

Taxonomy is the study of just plants.

a)

True

b)

False

22.

What is the largest and most general group in the eight- level classification system?

a)

Family

b)

Kingdom

c)

Domain

d)

Species

23.

To what genus does a banana tree belong to?

a)

Musa

b)

Ficus

c)

Bamboosa

d)

Paradisicum

24.

In a scientific name, what does the SECOND name identify?

a)

Kingdom

b)

Genus

c)

Species

d)

Domain

25.

In a scientific name, what group does the FIRST name identify?

a)

Domain

b)

Species

c)

Kingdom

d)

Genus

26.

Who is Charles Darwin

a)

A pastor

b)

A naturalist

c)

A bird

d)

A doctor

27.
What idea made Charles Darwin famous ?
a)
Evolution
b)
Animals
c)
Natural Selection
d)
Medicine
28.

Which statement best describes Natural selection?

a)

The best adapted organisms survive and reproduce.

b)

There are a set amount of organisms.

c)

Organisms only change through genetic engineering.

d)

Organisms slowly adapt to their surroundings over a lifetime.

29.

Which set of Islands had a strong influence on Darwins ideas?

a)

Hawaii

b)

Galapagos

c)

Samoa

d)

Florida Keys

30.

What is Darwin famous for studying?

a)

Penguins

b)

Beagles

c)

Fishes

d)

Finches

31.

What is the mechanism by which species adapt to their environment in order to survive?

a)

artificial selection

b)

natural selection

c)

development

32.

What set Darwin's theory of natural selection apart from the theories that scientists proposed before him?

a)

No scientist had such formal training

b)

Darwin based his theory on a wealth of evidence

c)

Darwin based his theory purely on speculation

33.

How do the finches of the Galapagos illustrate natural selection?

a)

Birds on every island have beaks uniquely suited to their food source

b)

The birds that were afraid of humans survived and reproduced

c)

The finches have adapted to building their nests of discarded plastic

34.

an inherited behavior or physical characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

a)

adaptation

b)

natural selection

c)

niche

d)

competition

35.

What is a common ancestor?

a)

An animal that has a lot of offspring.

b)

An animal from which two or more different species evolved.

c)

An animal that is related to many other species.

d)

An animal that's good at escaping from predators.

36.

What is least likely to be an example of a variation within a species?

a)

height

b)

hair color

c)

eye color

d)

number of legs

37.

In the phrase "survival of the fittest," the term "fittest" refers to:

a)

The best-adapted organisms

b)

The biggest organisms

c)

The smartest organisms

d)

The fastest organisms

38.

When nature "selects" a variation, that means that the trait:

a)

Gets passed along from generation to generation

b)

Causes the population to shrink

c)

Has brought about a new species

d)

Helps prey escape predators

39.

Dogs are an example of:

a)

A common ancestor

b)

Selective breeding

c)

The natural pace of evolution

d)

Extinction rates rising