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WorksheetsEvolution Exam Review
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 24mins
A pattern in which species experience long, stable periods interrupted by brief periods of rapid evolutionary change is called
punctuated equilibrium
adaptive radiation
coevolution
convergent evolution
In different parts of the world, Darwin found distantly related species that looked alike because
the species lived in different environments.
the species were closely related.
the species once lived in the same place.
the species lived in similar environments.
Suppose a population of flightless beetles becomes divided into two separate populations by the development of a city. The two populations will most likely become separate species if the two populations are
able to produce many offspring
unable to interbreed
made of different colored beetles
relatively small
The flying squirrel of North America closely resembles the flying phalanger of Australia. They are similar in size and have long, bushy tails and skin folds that allow them to glide through the air. The squirrel is a placental mammal, while the phalanger is a marsupial. These close resemblances, even though genetically and geographically separated by great distances, can best be explained by _____.
spontaneous generation
divergent evolution
convergent evolution
vestigial structures
Gradualism is a pattern of evolution in which
a single species evolves into several closely related species.
a species evolves at a slow, steady pace.
a species has periods of slow evolution followed by periods of rapid evolution.
several distantly related species develop similarities.
According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, individuals who survive are the ones best adapted for their environment. Their survival is due to the
possession of inherited adaptations that maximize fitness.
possession of adaptations developed through use in their lifetime.
lack of competition within the species.
choices made by plant and animal breeders.
The large ground finch obtains food by cracking seeds. Its short, strong beak is an example of
an embryo
a fossil
an adaptation
a vestigial organ
Natural selection tends to increase a population's
strength
size
level of perfection
fitness
Natural selection can best be defined as the _____.
elimination of the smallest organisms by the biggest organisms
survival and reproduction of the organisms that occupy the largest area
survival and reproduction of the organisms that are genetically best adapted to the environment
survival of the biggest and strongest organisms in a population
On the Galapagos Islands, the bird beaks of finches changed on each island to fit the type of food present. This is direct evidence of evolution. If evolution did not happen in these birds then
every bird beak would be the same on every island
there would be no islands
there would be fewer types of bird beaks
there would be two types of bird beaks
Some snake embryos have small buds resembling legs. These buds disappear at later stages of embryo development. These findings suggest that these snakes
have functional legs as adults
had a parent with legs
will have offspring with legs
evolved from an ancestor that had legs
Use the table and your knowledge of science to answer the following question.
The table indicates the number of amino acids that differ in the amino-acid sequence of the hemoglobin from selected organisms when compared to human hemoglobin. On the basis of this information, which organism would be classified as most closely related to humans?
lamprey
dog
frog
macaque
Which of the following is TRUE of natural selection?
It produces change in populations.
It produces change in individuals.
It is the only mechanism for evolution.
It acts directly on genes.
Which best illustrates the relationship between variations within a population and natural selection
natural selection acts upon a population since all members of the population are identical
giraffes have long necks and legs from stretching to reach food in trees. This trait was then passed to their offspring
organisms are able to change their genetic makeup to best adapt to a changing external environment
antelopes with muscular legs are able to outrun their predators better than antelopes with poor muscle tone. Thus they lived to reproduce
The bones in the limbs of an amphibian and lobe-finned fish show a strong resemblance. Which of these terms would best describe the limb bones of the amphibian and lobe-finned fish
mimicry
analogous structures
homologous structures
vestigial structures
In a fox population, the the gene for red fur changes from 20 percent to 30 percent. What can you say about that population of foxes?
The population is not evolving
The population is expanding
The population is evolving
The population is decreasing
A population of piggy perch occupies a coastal flat. Following a particularly hot summer that saw a large increase in the population, a severe cold front struck causing the water temperatures to plummet. A large number of the smaller, younger perch died. Another survey of the population showed that the numbers of the young had declined, while the numbers of the older perch stayed steady. What type of shift occurred as a result of this freeze?
directional selection
stabilizing selection
isolation
homology
A population of birds occupies a coastal plain. Biologist studying this population noticed that birds with long beaks to feed on the native flowers and short beaks to feed on the native seeds had the highest numbers in a population survey. Biologist found that the population of birds with medium sized beaks was significantly smaller. This can be explained by:
directional selection
stabilizing selection
disruptive selection
gradualism
When great distance or a physical barrier prevents to populations from interbreeding, they are experiencing what kind of reproductive isolation?
gametic
geographical
behavioral
temporal
Two species of Ground Finch live in close proximity to each other however have very different mating rituals. The fact that these species do not mix is an example of what?
behavioral isolation
geographic isolation
directional selection
gametic isolation
