Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Rates of Change and Evidence of Evolution

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 1hrs 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The hypothesis that the evolution of a species occurs in periods of rapid change separated by periods of little or no change is called:

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
Divergence
Gradualism
Isolation
Punctuated Equilibrium
2.

Proposes that species are stable most of the time, but every now and then there is a disruptive event that prompt rapid change. (a)  

Choose from the below words
Transformational theory
Theory of natural selection
Punctuated equilibrium
Gradualism
3.

Pattern of periods of slow change interrupted by periods of rapid change with few, if any transitional fossils best describes the theory of ​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
punctuated equilibrium
gradualism
speciation
divergent evolution
4.

Scientists determined that a simple form of this species of trilobite appeared to be well suited for its environment. Then, a large, sudden change occurred in the environment, after which a trilobite with more segments and longer spines was better adapted to its new environment.

How would a sketch of the fossil record for this species of trilobite look?

a)

b)

c)

d)

5.
The idea that evolution seems to occur in spurts of time.
a)
stabilizing selection
b)

gradualism

c)
disruptive selection
d)
puntuated equilibrium
6.

The idea that evolution happens with the accumulation of gradual changes in the population over time.

a)
stabilizing selection
b)

gradualism

c)
disruptive selection
d)
puntuated equilibrium
7.

Analyze the following Phylogenetic Tree: What characteristic is shared by Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, and Amphibians?

(a)  

8.

The diagram shows data on the evolution of horses.


The date in the diagram is evidence that -

a)

a new species of horse suddenly appeared

b)

horses slowly developed over time

c)

Horses have similar stages of rapid embryological development

d)

horses have a common ancestry with other hovved animals

9.

Is this image and description Gradualism or Punctuated Equilibrium?

a)

Gradualism

b)

Punctuated Equilibrium

10.

The diagram shows data on the evolution of horses.


The date in the diagram is evidence that -

a)

a new species of horse suddenly appeared

b)

horses slowly developed over time

c)

Horses have similar stages of rapid embryological development

d)

horses have a common ancestry with other hovved animals

11.

Match the following

a)

Analogous Structure

1.

Same function different structure

b)

Homologous Structure

2.

Same structure different function

c)

Comparative Embryology

3.

Comparing embryological development of different species

d)

Biochemical Evidence

4.

Comparing DNA and amino acid sequences of different species

e)

Vestigial Structures

5.

Structures in the body of an organism that no longer work.

12.
Two organisms that are closely related would have
a)
very similar DNA sequence
b)
exactly the same DNA sequences
c)
no proteins in common
d)
completely different DNA sequence
13.
According to this data, the unknown bacterial species is most closely related to: 
a)
Species I
b)
Species II
c)
Species III
d)
Species IV
14.

What conclusions can be made based on this table shown?

a)

the American black bear and the giant panda are most closely related

b)

the giant panda and the red panda are most closely related

c)

the red panda and the racoon are the most closely related

d)

the giant panda and the racoon are most closely related

15.

The diagram illustrates an embryonic stage of two organisms. Which of the following can be determined by observing the embryos shown in the diagram?

a)

The organisms belong to the same genus.

b)

The organisms are native to the same geographic areas.

c)

The organisms share a common ancestry.

d)

The organisms will grow into anatomically similar adults.

16.

How can the pattern of change in the fossil record best be explained?

a)

The mollusks were well adapted to their stable environment. A large, sudden change occurred in their environment. After the change the mollusks with the bigger shells were better adapted for the new environment.

b)

The mollusks were well adapted to their stable environment. The mollusks hybridized with a smaller species of mollusk. A new species of mollusk with a bigger shell resulted.

c)

The mollusks were not well adapted to their environment. The length of the mollusks' shells changed gradually over time. The mollusks in the original population that had small shells died over a period of many years.

17.

Match the following Evidence of Evolution

a)
1.

Molecular Homology

b)
2.

Anatomical Homology

c)
3.

Biogeography

d)
4.

Fossil Evidence

e)
5.

Embryological

Evidence

18.

Based on this map, why are the organisms in area 3 and 4 more different than organisms in areas 2 and 3?

4 lines
19.
The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct?
a)
Fossil A and C are the same age
b)
Fossil B is older than fossil C
c)
Fossils A is older than fossil B
d)
Fossil D is older than fossil C
20.
Structures with the same parts have different functions; suggests that organisms share a common ancestry
a)
vestigial structures
b)
homologous structures
c)
adaptive radiation
d)
fossil
21.
The process by which populations slowly change over time is called__________
a)
selective breeding
b)
adaptation
c)
sepeciation
d)
evolution
22.
Study of embryos of various organisms to show a common ancestor because of similarities in development
a)
natural selection
b)
embryology
c)
speciation
d)
evolution
23.
Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?
a)
the wings of a red-tailed hawk
b)
the hind limbs of a house cat
c)
the fins of sharks
d)
the tailbone of a human
24.
Whales are aquatic mammals that contain a pelvis bone.  Even though it does not aid in its movement, the function must have been used by a common ancestor of the whale.  Thus, the pelvis is referred to as a(n)
a)
vestigial structure
b)
analogous structure
c)
homologous structure
25.
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
26.
According to this cladogram, birds are LEAST related to -
a)
Amphibians
b)
Sharks
c)
Ray Finned Fish
d)
Crocodiles
27.
On the cladogram, which organism is the closest relative of the human?
a)
Frog
b)
Hare
c)
Caiman
d)
Parrot
28.
The similarities of organisms in which two areas numbered in the picture provide the best evidence for common ancestry?
a)
1 and 2
b)
3 and 4
c)
5 and 6
d)
7 and 8
29.

The moth wing and the bat wing are example of structures.


(a)  
Choose from the below words
Analogous
Homologous
Vestigial
Fossil
30.

Vestigial structures

a)

structures that perform a similar function but are not similar in origin

b)

remnants of once-important structures that have slowly lost all or most of their function

c)

features found in different organisms that share structural similarities but may have very different functions

d)

preserved remains of an organism

31.

Match the following groups to the picture that describes they type of evidence that leads to common ancestry.

a)

A trace of an ancient organism that has been preserved in rock.

1.

Fossil

b)

Study of the distribution of organisms around the world.

2.

Biogeography

c)

Structures in different species that have the same bone structure / different function.

3.

Homologous Structures

d)

A structure that is present that no longer serves its original purpose.

4.

Vestigial Structures

e)

Study of embryos. The early development the organisms look similar.

5.

Embryology

32.

Periods of stasis, during which organisms do not change in the fossil record, can be accounted for in modern evolutionary theory by understanding that –

a)

the adaptation of plants and animals have not changed very much in the fossil record.

b)

the fossil record has gaps caused by slower than usual rates of sedimentation.

c)

a constant climate gives an advantage to species that stay in one place.

d)

some organisms live for long periods in a habitat with no selective pressure.

33.

The evolution pattern favored by Darwin. He believed evolution occurred in small changes over a long period of time. This is called ____

a)

punctuated equilibrium

b)

divergent evolution

c)

convergent evolution

d)

gradualism

34.

What is biogeography?

a)

The study of the interaction between living organisms and their environment.

b)

The study of the structure and function of cells and their components.

c)

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems on Earth

35.

Match the following

a)

1.

Fossil Evidence

b)

2.

Homologous Structures

c)

3.

Analogous Structure

d)

4.

Embryology

e)

5.

Biogeochemical Evidence

36.

How do fossils help provide evidence for the Theory of Evolution?

a)

fossils show how all organisms have the exact same DNA

b)

fossils show that organisms had similar physical structures and how they have changed over time

c)

Shows how the different structures of organisms come from different origins

d)

fossils show how organisms may be related through DNA not structures

37.
The picture shows the members of the Camelidae family. The physical features and the geographical origin of these animals provide evidence that - 
a)
they live in the same type of environment.
b)
have slowly evolved to become herbivores.
c)
have a common ancestor.
d)
exchanged DNA in the past.
38.

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

39.

Correctly categorize the characteristics.

Categorize the following

remanent organs

wisdom teeth

pendactyl limb

similar in form

similar in function

different in function

different in form

convergent evolution

divergent evolution

Homologous Structures
Analogous Structures
Vestigial Structures
40.

Correctly match the term with its examples or explanation.

a)

Homologous Structures

1.

similar form, different function

b)

Vestigial Structures

2.

remanent organs, no major function today

c)

Analogous Structures

3.

different form, similar function

d)

Embryology

4.

early developmental stages

e)

Molecular Homologies

5.

DNA & Protein comparison

41.

Select the oldest layer.

42.

Using the diagram - order the relatedness of the most to least following organisms to the mouse.

a)

Donkey

b)

Horse

c)

Chimpanzee

d)

Lamprey

1)
2)
3)
4)
43.

Select the layer that most likely shows the organism that became extinct first.

44.

Identify the species most closely related to dogs.

45.

Carnegie stages are a standardized system of 23 stages used to provide a unified developmental chronology of the vertebrate embryo. The stages are delineated through the development of structures, not by size or the number of days of development, and so the chronology can vary between species.

What type of evidence of evolution uses Carnegie stages?

(a)  
Choose from the below words
embryology
molecular homology
homologous structures
biogeography
46.

Select the Transitional Fossil.

47.

Which species’ DNA is most similar to the DNA of the toothed whale?

48.

Which species has an Analogous structure and does not show common ancestry?​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
Butterfly
Bat
Bird
49.
Which of the following statements gives the most likely explanation for the presence of two very similar species of squirrels living on opposite sides of the Grand Canyon?
a)
One squirrel traveled across the canyon and started a new population on the other side.
b)
One squirrel traveled across the canyon and interbred with a different population on the other side.
c)
Members of one single squirrel species were geographically separated by the formation of the canyon.
d)
Members of two different squirrel species migrated from two different places to opposite sides of the canyon. 
50.

Which trait is shared by salamanders, turtles and leopards but not tuna?