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Unit 7 Study Guide (Evolution)

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

How did natural selection result in the different variations in the types and sizes of finch beaks studied by Darwin on the Galapagos Islands?

a)
Finches with beaks better adapted to the available food sources survived and reproduced, passing on their advantageous traits to the next generation.
b)
Finches with beaks adapted to flying long distances survived and reproduced
c)
Finches with beaks adapted to swimming in water survived and reproduced
2.
  1. Discuss the main idea behind Darwin’s Evolutionary Theory Through Natural Selection.

a)
Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation, leading to the adaptation of species over time.
b)
Evolutionary theory is based on random mutations that occur in individuals, leading to the survival of the fittest.
c)
Individuals with disadvantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the extinction of species over time.
3.

Why are populations with increased genetic variation more likely to survive? (Include reproduction!)

a)
Increased genetic variation increases the risk of inbreeding in populations.
b)

Increased genetic variation allows populations to adapt to changing environments and reduces the risk of inbreeding, leading to higher chances of survival.

4.

Describe evolutionary fitness.

a)
Evolutionary fitness is the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in a specific environment, passing on its genes to the next generation.
b)
Evolutionary fitness is the ability of an organism to perform physical exercises.
c)
Evolutionary fitness refers to the popularity of a species among humans.
d)
Evolutionary fitness is the measure of an organism's intelligence.
5.

What is an adaptation, and how do they drive changes in populations?

a)
Adaptations are traits that hinder organisms from surviving and reproducing, leading to population decline.
b)
Adaptations are random mutations that have no impact on population dynamics.
c)
Adaptations are traits that help organisms survive and reproduce, driving changes in populations through natural selection.
6.

What are homologous structures?

a)
Homologous structures are structures that are only found in plants.
b)

Homologous structures are similar structures found in different species that share a common ancestor.

c)
Homologous structures are structures that evolved independently in different species.
7.

Name example of homologous structures.

a)
Wings of insects
b)
Roots of plants
c)
Forelimbs of vertebrates
8.

Provide an argument as to how the existence of homologous structures support the theory of evolution by natural selection. (Include the term “divergent evolution”).

a)
Homologous structures provide evidence for divergent evolution, showcasing how species have evolved from a common ancestor to adapt to different environments.
b)
Homologous structures are a result of convergent evolution
c)
Homologous structures indicate species have remained unchanged over time
d)
Homologous structures suggest species have evolved independently without a common ancestor
9.

What are vestigial structures?

a)
Structures that have gained new functions over time.
b)
Anatomical features that are essential for survival.
c)
Anatomical features that have lost their original function in the course of evolution.
10.

Explain how the existence of vestigial structures provide evidence for evolution.

a)
Vestigial structures are unique to each species.
b)
Vestigial structures are always detrimental to the organism.
c)
Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or structures that had a function in an ancestor but are reduced in size or have no function in the current organism. The presence of these structures indicates a common ancestry and supports the idea of evolution.
11.

Name 2-3 examples of vestigial structures.

a)

1- Wings of flightless birds

2- Fossils

b)

1- Snake skin

2- Fossils

c)

1- Wings of flightless birds

2- The human appendix

12.

Provide an example as to how similarities in vertebrate embryos supports evolutionary theory.

a)
Differences in vertebrate embryos disprove evolutionary theory.
b)
Vertebrate embryos have no similarities, which contradicts evolutionary theory.
c)
Similarities in vertebrate embryos are purely coincidental and not related to evolution.
d)
Similarities in vertebrate embryos, like the presence of gill slits and tails, support evolutionary theory.
13.

What are analogous structures?

a)
Analogous structures are structures in the same species that have different functions but evolved from a common ancestor.
b)
Analogous structures are structures in different species that have the same function and evolved from a common ancestor.
c)
Analogous structures are structures in different species that have the same function but evolved independently, not from a common ancestor.
14.

Name an example of an analogous structure.

a)
Ears of a rabbit and ears of a fish
b)
Wings of a bat and wings of a bird
c)
Legs of a dog and legs of a cat
d)
Wings of a bat and wings of a car
15.

Explain how analogous structures provide evidence for evolution. (Include the term “convergent evolution”).

a)
Analogous structures are only found in extinct species, not in current ones.
b)
Analogous structures provide evidence for evolution by demonstrating convergent evolution, where similar structures evolve independently in different species due to similar environmental pressures.
c)
Analogous structures are the result of artificial selection, not evolution.
16.

How does the fossil record support evolutionary theory?

a)

The fossil record shows transitional forms and gradual changes in species, supporting the theory of evolution.

b)
Fossils are randomly distributed and do not provide any meaningful information
c)
The fossil record shows no evidence of change over time
17.

Provide an example of how the fossil record explains the evolution of either the modern day horse or whale.

a)
Fossil records of the modern horse suggest that it evolved from a completely unrelated species.
b)
The fossil record of the modern horse shows no evidence of evolution, indicating a sudden appearance of the species.
c)
The fossil record of the modern horse demonstrates a clear evolutionary progression from smaller, multi-toed ancestors to the larger, single-toed species we see today.
18.

How do similarities in molecules (molecular homology) such as DNA, amino acids and proteins provide evidence of common ancestry? (Be able to interpret relatedness given a chart or graph).

a)
Homologous molecules have no impact on evolutionary relationships
b)
Homologous molecules like DNA, amino acids, and proteins show common ancestry through shared structures and sequences, allowing for the inference of evolutionary relationships.
c)
Similarities in molecules are purely coincidental
19.

How does sexual reproduction and mutations produce variation within a population?

a)
Sexual reproduction leads to a decrease in genetic diversity, while mutations increase it
b)
Mutations only occur in asexual reproduction, while sexual reproduction does not involve genetic changes
c)
Sexual reproduction combines genetic material from two parents, while mutations create new alleles through random changes in DNA.
20.

Explain how natural selection can cause evolution of resistance to pesticides and antibiotics.

a)

Natural selection favors individuals with genetic variations that make them resistant to pesticides or antibiotics, allowing them to survive and reproduce, passing on their resistant genes to the next generation. This process leads to the evolution of resistance in the population.

b)
Pesticides and antibiotics directly alter the genetic makeup of organisms, leading to resistance.
c)
Resistance to pesticides and antibiotics is a result of random mutations in the population.
21.

Give an example of pests that have evolved in response to evolution of resistance.

a)
Mosquitoes
b)
Diamondback moth
c)
Cockroaches
22.

How does sexual selection drive change in populations of species over time?

a)
Sexual selection favors traits that increase reproductive success, leading to changes in the population over time.
b)
Sexual selection only affects non-reproductive traits in a population.
c)
Sexual selection has no impact on the traits of a population over time.
23.

Provide an example of sexual selection.

a)
Elephant's trunk length
b)
Peacock's extravagant tail feathers
c)
Zebra's stripes
d)
Giraffe's long neck
24.

Discuss the different patterns of natural selection and how they affect phenotypic traits.(directional, disruptive and stabilizing selection).

a)
All phenotypic traits are equally favored by natural selection
b)
Phenotypic traits are only influenced by genetic drift
c)
Different patterns of natural selection (directional, disruptive, and stabilizing) affect phenotypic traits by favoring certain phenotypes over others, leading to changes in the population's average phenotype or distribution.
25.

Draw a graph depicting each of the types of natural selection discussed in the previous question. Be sure to include labels.

a)
Graph depicting directional selection and stabilizing selection
b)
Graph depicting stabilizing selection, directional selection, and disruptive selection.
c)
Graph depicting directional selection and disruptive selection