Question 1

Lizards on a dry, sandy island are most likely to be similar to

Accepted Answer

A)  lizards in the rainforest on the mainland 20 miles away. 
B)  lizards on a rainforest island 200 miles farther out to sea. 
C)  lizards on a dry, sandy island 500 miles farther out to sea. 
D)  tortoises on the same dry, sandy island. 
A)  lizards in the rainforest on the mainland 20 miles away. 
B)  lizards on a rainforest island 200 miles farther out to sea. 
C)  lizards on a dry, sandy island 500 miles farther out to sea. 
D)  tortoises on the same dry, sandy island. A

Question 2

The presence of goose bumps in humans is an example of what sort of evidence for the theory of common descent?

Accepted Answer

A)  vestigial structures 
B)  homologous structures 
C)  shared developmental pathways 
D)  DNA similarity 
A)  vestigial structures 
B)  homologous structures 
C)  shared developmental pathways 
D)  DNA similarity A

Question 3

The nonfunctional wings of an ostrich are an example of what sort of evidence for the theory of common descent?

Accepted Answer

A)  vestigial structures 
B)  homologous structures 
C)  shared developmental pathways 
D)  DNA similarity 
A)  vestigial structures 
B)  homologous structures 
C)  shared developmental pathways 
D)  DNA similarity A

Question 4

Which of the following is what scientists mean when they use the term theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  a hypothesis that has not yet been tested 
B)  a hypothesis that seems logical but cannot be tested because it's impractical to do so 
C)  a set of findings that are supported by repeated testing 
D)  ideas which are so obviously true that they don't need to be tested 
A)  a hypothesis that has not yet been tested 
B)  a hypothesis that seems logical but cannot be tested because it's impractical to do so 
C)  a set of findings that are supported by repeated testing 
D)  ideas which are so obviously true that they don't need to be tested

Question 5

Evidence for the theory of common descent demonstrates consilience, which means that

Accepted Answer

A)  supporting evidence for the theory is derived from different sources. 
B)  the evidence is able to convince even nonscientists who have doubts about the theory. 
C)  not enough evidence has been gathered to support the theory. 
D)  the theory can never be challenged by new evidence. 
A)  supporting evidence for the theory is derived from different sources. 
B)  the evidence is able to convince even nonscientists who have doubts about the theory. 
C)  not enough evidence has been gathered to support the theory. 
D)  the theory can never be challenged by new evidence.

Question 6

Which of these events would most likely result in the creation of large numbers of fossils?

Accepted Answer

A)  a drought 
B)  an earthquake 
C)  a fire 
D)  a volcano 
A)  a drought 
B)  an earthquake 
C)  a fire 
D)  a volcano

Question 7

The most important reason that one can see evolution in a population of mosquitoes more easily than one can see evolution in a population of squirrels is because mosquitoes

Accepted Answer

A)  have a shorter generation time. 
B)  have a higher mutation rate. 
C)  feed on blood. 
D)  lay eggs rather than bear live young. 
A)  have a shorter generation time. 
B)  have a higher mutation rate. 
C)  feed on blood. 
D)  lay eggs rather than bear live young.

Question 8

The common ancestor of all life must have had genes for all traits now present in animals today?

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of biological evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  You are vaccinated against polio and are protected against the disease. 
B)  A tree branch is broken off and another grows in its place. 
C)  Over time, a species of caterpillar becomes the same shade of green as the leaves on which it feeds. 
D)  The average woman's dress size has increased over the last 50 years. 
A)  You are vaccinated against polio and are protected against the disease. 
B)  A tree branch is broken off and another grows in its place. 
C)  Over time, a species of caterpillar becomes the same shade of green as the leaves on which it feeds. 
D)  The average woman's dress size has increased over the last 50 years.

Question 10

Humans and apes show such a strong degree of similarity that they are placed in the same

Accepted Answer

A)  species. 
B)  genus. 
C)  subfamily. 
D)  subspecies. 
A)  species. 
B)  genus. 
C)  subfamily. 
D)  subspecies.

Question 11

Which piece of evidence would allow you to reject the hypothesis of separate types?

Accepted Answer

A)  fossil evidence showing that organisms have been on Earth for billions of years 
B)  similarity of physical structures among species 
C)  universality of DNA to all life 
D)  fossil evidence that species have changed over time 
A)  fossil evidence showing that organisms have been on Earth for billions of years 
B)  similarity of physical structures among species 
C)  universality of DNA to all life 
D)  fossil evidence that species have changed over time

Question 12

When a biologist is looking for a suitable organism in which she can study the process of evolution in a laboratory setting, what would be an important consideration?

Accepted Answer

A)  The organism should be large. 
B)  The organism should have a short generation time. 
C)  The organism should produce relatively few offspring. 
D)  The organism should have a complete fossil record of its ancestry. 
A)  The organism should be large. 
B)  The organism should have a short generation time. 
C)  The organism should produce relatively few offspring. 
D)  The organism should have a complete fossil record of its ancestry.

Question 13

The person who also proposed a mechanism for evolution similar to natural selection was

Accepted Answer

A)  Charles Lyell. 
B)  Jean Baptiste Lamarck. 
C)  Alfred Russel Wallace. 
D)  Robert Fitzroy. 
A)  Charles Lyell. 
B)  Jean Baptiste Lamarck. 
C)  Alfred Russel Wallace. 
D)  Robert Fitzroy.

Question 14

-From the perspective of an evolutionary biologist, the most significant thing about this figure is that

Accepted Answer

A)  all vertebrates have bones. 
B)  all vertebrates have limbs. 
C)  the relative arrangement of bones is similar. 
D)  finger bones are usually thin. 
A)  all vertebrates have bones. 
B)  all vertebrates have limbs. 
C)  the relative arrangement of bones is similar. 
D)  finger bones are usually thin.

Question 15

You discover a butterfly that has some similarity to members of the species Faunis canens, but it also has a few important differences. You may have discovered a new

Accepted Answer

A)  order. 
B)  family. 
C)  species. 
D)  genus. 
A)  order. 
B)  family. 
C)  species. 
D)  genus.

Question 16

Common descent is referred to as a theory because

Accepted Answer

A)  there is overwhelming evidence to support it from many areas of biology. 
B)  scientists are reasonably sure it's true, but there's little evidence to support it. 
C)  it's an idea from more than 100 years ago and thus is not a modern idea. 
D)  it's the only idea about life on Earth that can be tested by observation of the material universe. 
A)  there is overwhelming evidence to support it from many areas of biology. 
B)  scientists are reasonably sure it's true, but there's little evidence to support it. 
C)  it's an idea from more than 100 years ago and thus is not a modern idea. 
D)  it's the only idea about life on Earth that can be tested by observation of the material universe.

Question 17

What makes one louse able to survive treatment with permethrin and another louse unable to survive?

Accepted Answer

A)  If there is genetic variation in the louse population independent of permethrin exposure, then some lice are likely to be resistant. 
B)  If a louse is exposed to low levels of permethrin, then it becomes resistant. 
C)  If the parents of a louse are exposed to permethrin, then the offspring become resistant. 
D)  If a louse is exposed to other anti-lice treatments, then it becomes resistant to all anti-lice treatments. 
A)  If there is genetic variation in the louse population independent of permethrin exposure, then some lice are likely to be resistant. 
B)  If a louse is exposed to low levels of permethrin, then it becomes resistant. 
C)  If the parents of a louse are exposed to permethrin, then the offspring become resistant. 
D)  If a louse is exposed to other anti-lice treatments, then it becomes resistant to all anti-lice treatments.

Question 18

How do fossils support the theory of common descent?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are a record of at least some intermediate types of organisms and thus document the process of evolution. 
B)  They can be easily and precisely dated. 
C)  They are found equally all over the world, so they explain all our questions about biogeography. 
D)  They contain complete DNA genomes, so they can be compared to modern organisms. 
A)  They are a record of at least some intermediate types of organisms and thus document the process of evolution. 
B)  They can be easily and precisely dated. 
C)  They are found equally all over the world, so they explain all our questions about biogeography. 
D)  They contain complete DNA genomes, so they can be compared to modern organisms.

Question 19

Intelligent design is NOT a testable ________ and thus cannot be considered a scientific explanation for the origin of living things.

Accepted Answer

A)  strategy 
B)  hypothesis 
C)  experiment 
D)  theory 
A)  strategy 
B)  hypothesis 
C)  experiment 
D)  theory

Question 20

Evolution is a very controversial idea among scientists?

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 10: Where Did We Come From? The Evidence for Evolution

Lizards on a dry, sandy island are most likely to be similar to

The presence of goose bumps in humans is an example of what sort of evidence for the theory of common descent?

The nonfunctional wings of an ostrich are an example of what sort of evidence for the theory of common descent?

Which of the following is what scientists mean when they use the term theory?

Evidence for the theory of common descent demonstrates consilience, which means that

Which of these events would most likely result in the creation of large numbers of fossils?

The most important reason that one can see evolution in a population of mosquitoes more easily than one can see evolution in a population of squirrels is because mosquitoes

The common ancestor of all life must have had genes for all traits now present in animals today?

Which of the following is an example of biological evolution?

Humans and apes show such a strong degree of similarity that they are placed in the same

Which piece of evidence would allow you to reject the hypothesis of separate types?

When a biologist is looking for a suitable organism in which she can study the process of evolution in a laboratory setting, what would be an important consideration?

The person who also proposed a mechanism for evolution similar to natural selection was

-From the perspective of an evolutionary biologist, the most significant thing about this figure is that

You discover a butterfly that has some similarity to members of the species Faunis canens, but it also has a few important differences. You may have discovered a new

Common descent is referred to as a theory because

What makes one louse able to survive treatment with permethrin and another louse unable to survive?

How do fossils support the theory of common descent?

Intelligent design is NOT a testable ________ and thus cannot be considered a scientific explanation for the origin of living things.

Evolution is a very controversial idea among scientists?

Can Science Cure the Common Cold? Introduction to the Scientific Method

Are We Alone in the Universe? Water, Biochemistry, and Cells

Is It Possible to Supplement Your Way to Better Health?

Fat: How Much is Right for You? Enzymes, Metabolism, and Cellular Respiration

Life in the Greenhouse: Photosynthesis and Global Warming

Cancer: DNA Synthesis, Mitosis, and Meiosis

Are You Only as Smart as Your Genes? Mendelian and Quantitative Genetics

DNA Detective: Complex Patterns of Inheritance and DNA Fingerprinting

Genetically Modified Organisms: Gene Expression, Mutation, and Cloning

An Evolving Enemy: Natural Selection

Who Am I? Species and Races

Prospecting for Biological Gold: Biodiversity and Classification

Is the Human Population Too Large? Population Ecology

Conserving Biodiversity: Community and Ecosystem Ecology

Where Do You Live? Climate and Biomes

Organ Donation: Tissues Organs and Organ Systems

Clearing the Air: Respiratory Cardiovascular and Excretory Systems

Vaccinations: Protection and Prevention or Peril? Immune System

Sex Differences and Athleticism: Endocrine Skeletal and Muscular Systems

Is There Something in the Water? Reproductive and Developmental Biology

Attention Deficit Disorder: Brain Structure and Function

Feeding the World: Plant Structure and Growth

Growing a Green Thumb: Plant Physiology

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