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STAAR Biology Reporting Category 3

Total questions: 21

Worksheet time: 2hrs 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Homologous structures are defined as anatomical structures originating from the same structure in ancestral form. For instance, a bird's wing and the front flippers of a seal are examples of homologous structures. Which of the following does the presence of homologous structures in vertebrates suggest?

a)

All vertebrates developed at the same rate.

b)

All vertebrates developed internally.

c)

All vertebrates evolved from different animals.

d)

All vertebrates have a common ancestor.

2.

Each labeled area of this diagram represents organisms in a taxonomic level. In this diagram, level A represents marine mammals. The area of the diagram labeled B most likely represents which of the following taxonomic levels?

a)

fish

b)

mammals

c)

invertebrates

d)

primates

3.

Scientists compared the fossil remains of a species that lived 5,000 years ago to members of the same species living today. Scientists concluded that the species changed very little over this period of time. Which statement best accounts for this lack of change?

a)

The environment did not change significantly, and those offspring expressing new characteristics survived their natural enemies.

b)

The environment changed significantly, but the species had no natural enemies for a long period of time.

c)

The environment did not change significantly, and those offspring expressing new characteristics did not survive.

d)

The environment changed significantly, and those offspring without favorable characteristics did not survive.

4.

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

5.

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

6.

Which list correctly identifies characteristics that protists share with animals?

a)

F

b)

G

c)

H

d)

J

7.

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.

8.

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.

9.
A cladogram is shown below.
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
10.
The scientific name for an organism is made from the:
a)
class and family name
b)
genus and species name
c)
domain and kingdom name
d)
kingdom and phylum name
11.
The 8 levels of classification, broadest to most specific.
a)
Domain, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Species
b)
Domain, Species, Kingdom, Genus, Phylum, Family, Class, Order
c)
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
d)
Order, Kingdom, Species, Domain, Phylum, Family, Class, Genus
12.
Which organisms pictured on the cladogram have hair?
a)
prosimians only
b)
prosimians and humans
c)
humans only
d)
prosimians and birds
13.
Which organism in the table is least closely related to the chimpanzee?
a)
human
b)
grey wolf
c)
tiger snake
d)
monarch butterfly
14.
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
15.
Organisms in this smallest taxonomic group share many characteristics.
a)
domain
b)
kingdom
c)
species
d)
class
16.
This organism is multicellular, heterotroph, that has a cell wall made of chitin.  What kingdom does it belong in?
a)
fungi
b)
plantae
c)
animalia
d)
eubacteria
17.
Mutations are important because they bring about
a)
death of the organism in which they develop
b)
genetic variation needed for a population to evolve
c)
benefits for the individual, not for the population
d)
Hardey-Weinberg equilibrium within a population
18.
Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have different functions, but similar structures.  These are known as
a)
vestigial structures
b)
analogous structures
c)
homologous structures
d)
fossil structures
19.
Ostrich wings are examples of
a)
homologous structures
b)
vestigial structures
c)
adaptations
d)
traits
20.
What do scientists generally find when comparing the relationship of living things in different geographic areas?
a)
Species living further apart geographically typically share a more recent common ancestral species than those living closer together
b)
Species living closer geographically typically share a more recent common ancestral species than those living further apart
c)
The location of where an organism lives gives no insight into their evolutionary relationships to other species
d)
Their protein sequences depend on the protein intake from the local watering hole.
21.
Which of the following does NOT describe a beneficial use of fungi to humans?
a)
Fungi provide humans with oxygen during photosynthesis.
b)
Fungi are nature's "recyclers" and return nutrients to the environment.
c)
Fungi are used to create many medicines.
d)
Fungi are used for food for making certain foods.