Question 1

Do adaptations always benefit the individual, group, population, or species? Why or why not? Use real or hypothetical examples to illustrate your answer.

Accepted Answer

To answer this question, students need to understand the level at which natural selection operates. Because natural selection acts on the individual, it is the individual's reproductive success that is affected in a positive manner. What is beneficial to an individual is not necessarily beneficial to the group, population, or species. This is especially true because each individual is competing against other members of the group, population, or species for access to resources. As such, some individuals in a group may experience reduced reproductive success. The main example presented in the chapter is high-fecundity females. These females experience increased reproductive success but inflate the size of their population to the point that it exceeds the carrying capacity.

Question 2

What is convergent evolution? Using examples from your text, explain why convergent evolution provides evidence that complex adaptations do not occur by random chance alone.

Accepted Answer

Students should recognize that convergent evolution occurs when distantly related taxa exhibit similar adaptations, while the common ancestor of those taxa lacked that feature. Because these organisms do not share a recent common ancestor, convergent adaptations are not a result of shared history. Instead, convergent adaptations are the result of similar selective pressures (that is, environmental conditions), which make similar traits advantageous. Therefore, convergent traits are nonrandomly favored by natural selection in both circumstances. The chapter provides the following examples of convergent evolution: (1) placental and marsupial wolves and cats and (2) the development of eyes in fish, mollusks, and other aquatic organisms.

Question 3

Species are populations of

Accepted Answer

A)  unrelated individuals that are best adapted to their environment. 
B)  individuals that maintain a fixed set of characteristics. 
C)  individuals that may vary and that may or may not change through time. 
D)  individuals that cannot be modified or go extinct. 
A)  unrelated individuals that are best adapted to their environment. 
B)  individuals that maintain a fixed set of characteristics. 
C)  individuals that may vary and that may or may not change through time. 
D)  individuals that cannot be modified or go extinct. C

Question 4

How do complex adaptations usually evolve?

Accepted Answer

A)  by a single large step due to a highly adaptive mutation 
B)  by many small steps, but only when each is an improvement over the last step 
C)  by many small steps, but only when each has a minimal effect on fitness 
D)  by single large steps, but only when natural selection is strong 
A)  by a single large step due to a highly adaptive mutation 
B)  by many small steps, but only when each is an improvement over the last step 
C)  by many small steps, but only when each has a minimal effect on fitness 
D)  by single large steps, but only when natural selection is strong

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of selection producing complex evolutionary changes in a remarkably short period of time?

Accepted Answer

A)  Using artificial selection, people intentionally caused dairy cattle, which varied in their milk production, to produce the maximum amount genetically possible. 
B)  A study of fish from the genus Poeciliopsis shows that short generation times allowed three different types of placenta to evolve in less than 2.4 million years. 
C)  Richard Dawkins was able to produce most of one of Shakespeare's sonnets using only trained monkeys and small candies as rewards. 
D)  The fossil record indicates that the human brain took 2 million years to double in size. 
A)  Using artificial selection, people intentionally caused dairy cattle, which varied in their milk production, to produce the maximum amount genetically possible. 
B)  A study of fish from the genus Poeciliopsis shows that short generation times allowed three different types of placenta to evolve in less than 2.4 million years. 
C)  Richard Dawkins was able to produce most of one of Shakespeare's sonnets using only trained monkeys and small candies as rewards. 
D)  The fossil record indicates that the human brain took 2 million years to double in size.

Question 6

Discontinuous variation is unlikely to lead to new species because

Accepted Answer

A)  rapid changes are never found in the fossil record. 
B)  complex adaptations require multiple simultaneous mutations that work together. 
C)  selection cannot act on discontinuous variation. 
D)  it allows for only small incremental changes. 
A)  rapid changes are never found in the fossil record. 
B)  complex adaptations require multiple simultaneous mutations that work together. 
C)  selection cannot act on discontinuous variation. 
D)  it allows for only small incremental changes.

Question 7

What major difficulty did Darwin have with his theory of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Darwin had difficulty reconciling his th

Question 8

Convergent evolution provides evidence that complex adaptations are not a matter of mere coincidence because

Accepted Answer

A)  evolution always occurs in very different ways. 
B)  the same process of evolution can occur independently in very different species. 
C)  the process of evolution is biologically determined and not flexible. 
D)  no two species ever end up with similar traits. 
A)  evolution always occurs in very different ways. 
B)  the same process of evolution can occur independently in very different species. 
C)  the process of evolution is biologically determined and not flexible. 
D)  no two species ever end up with similar traits.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection on size?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both small and large individuals survive, but medium individuals die off. 
B)  Only large individuals survive, thus stabilizing the species in the next generation. 
C)  The proportion of small and large individuals remains the same. 
D)  Large and small individuals are selected against to a similar degree. 
A)  Both small and large individuals survive, but medium individuals die off. 
B)  Only large individuals survive, thus stabilizing the species in the next generation. 
C)  The proportion of small and large individuals remains the same. 
D)  Large and small individuals are selected against to a similar degree.

Question 10

While on the Galápagos, Darwin observed variation among finches. These observations

Accepted Answer

A)  helped lead Dárwin to move away from the concept of species as unchanging entities. 
B)  caused Darwin to assert that the ability of a population to expand is infinite. 
C)  confused Darwin, but he was later informed by the Grants, who were experts on birds, what he was seeing. 
D)  led to Darwin's formulation of the theory of natural selection, which he published while still in the Galápagos. 
A)  helped lead Dárwin to move away from the concept of species as unchanging entities. 
B)  caused Darwin to assert that the ability of a population to expand is infinite. 
C)  confused Darwin, but he was later informed by the Grants, who were experts on birds, what he was seeing. 
D)  led to Darwin's formulation of the theory of natural selection, which he published while still in the Galápagos.

Question 11

Based on blending inheritance, which Darwin and his contemporaries believed, if a finch with a large beak depth mates with a finch with a small beak depth, then the offspring will have beaks with ________ depth.

Accepted Answer

A)  small 
B)  medium 
C)  large 
D)  random 
A)  small 
B)  medium 
C)  large 
D)  random

Question 12

A key observation that Charles Darwin incorporated into his theory of adaptation by natural selection was that

Accepted Answer

A)  any given environment can support only a certain number of individuals. 
B)  adaptations appear to arise fully formed every now and then, as a key driver of evolution. 
C)  individuals within a species tend to cooperate for the survival of the species. 
D)  no matter how limiting the resources in a given environment are, individuals can always find a way to survive. 
A)  any given environment can support only a certain number of individuals. 
B)  adaptations appear to arise fully formed every now and then, as a key driver of evolution. 
C)  individuals within a species tend to cooperate for the survival of the species. 
D)  no matter how limiting the resources in a given environment are, individuals can always find a way to survive.

Question 13

Influential nineteenth-century scientists like Charles Darwin concluded that the complex adaptations we see in plants and animals are problematic and require a special explanation because

Accepted Answer

A)  a divine creator designed them. 
B)  it is very unlikely that they arose by random chance alone. 
C)  they occur in most plants and animals. 
D)  they have no real function. 
A)  a divine creator designed them. 
B)  it is very unlikely that they arose by random chance alone. 
C)  they occur in most plants and animals. 
D)  they have no real function.

Question 14

How does natural selection produce complex, functionally integrated adaptations like the human eye?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection produces complex, func

Question 15

Natural selection usually acts upon and produces adaptations at the level of the

Accepted Answer

A)  gene. 
B)  individual. 
C)  group. 
D)  species. 
A)  gene. 
B)  individual. 
C)  group. 
D)  species.

Question 16

What is the difference between a fish eye and a mammal's eye, and in what way might this be explained?

Accepted Answer

A)  The fish eye has only one light-bending element; the mammal eye has two. This is because the human eye is more advanced than the fish eye. 
B)  Fish eyes have multiple light-bending elements in order to see in water, while mammal eyes have only one. 
C)  The fish eye has only one light-bending element; the mammal eye has two. This allows fish to have more light-gathering ability and mammals to have greater distance vision. 
D)  Mammals have two light-bending elements, while the fish eye makes use of the surrounding water to act as a second "lens," so it can have only one light-bending element. 
A)  The fish eye has only one light-bending element; the mammal eye has two. This is because the human eye is more advanced than the fish eye. 
B)  Fish eyes have multiple light-bending elements in order to see in water, while mammal eyes have only one. 
C)  The fish eye has only one light-bending element; the mammal eye has two. This allows fish to have more light-gathering ability and mammals to have greater distance vision. 
D)  Mammals have two light-bending elements, while the fish eye makes use of the surrounding water to act as a second "lens," so it can have only one light-bending element.

Question 17

Which of the following was likely the first adaptation to occur during the evolution of the human eye?

Accepted Answer

A)  a protective cover and internal structures 
B)  a depression where information about light and light movement is collected 
C)  a simple, light-sensitive photo receptor 
D)  neural machinery for image processing 
A)  a protective cover and internal structures 
B)  a depression where information about light and light movement is collected 
C)  a simple, light-sensitive photo receptor 
D)  neural machinery for image processing

Question 18

Darwin could not convince many of his contemporaries of natural selection because

Accepted Answer

A)  Darwin thought that discontinuous variation was important for evolution. 
B)  they believed in genetic inheritance. 
C)  Darwin believed in blending inheritance, which reduces variation. 
D)  they believed that traits were inherited from only one parent. 
A)  Darwin thought that discontinuous variation was important for evolution. 
B)  they believed in genetic inheritance. 
C)  Darwin believed in blending inheritance, which reduces variation. 
D)  they believed that traits were inherited from only one parent.

Question 19

When the Daphne Major finches reach a point where the costs of having a beak larger than average size outweigh the benefits, beak size will begin to stay the same, and the population will achieve a(n) ________ state.

Accepted Answer

A)  direction 
B)  trend 
C)  equilibrium 
D)  drift 
A)  direction 
B)  trend 
C)  equilibrium 
D)  drift

Question 20

Convergent evolution occurs

Accepted Answer

A)  when all members of a species become more similar. 
B)  as a result of stabilizing selection. 
C)  when natural selection produces similar adaptations independently in different species. 
D)  when individuals have equal fitness. 
A)  when all members of a species become more similar. 
B)  as a result of stabilizing selection. 
C)  when natural selection produces similar adaptations independently in different species. 
D)  when individuals have equal fitness.

Do adaptations always benefit the individual, group, population, or species? Why or why not? Use real or hypothetical examples to illustrate your answer.

What is convergent evolution? Using examples from your text, explain why convergent evolution provides evidence that complex adaptations do not occur by random chance alone.

Species are populations of

How do complex adaptations usually evolve?

Which of the following is an example of selection producing complex evolutionary changes in a remarkably short period of time?

Discontinuous variation is unlikely to lead to new species because

What major difficulty did Darwin have with his theory of natural selection?

Convergent evolution provides evidence that complex adaptations are not a matter of mere coincidence because

Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection on size?

While on the Galápagos, Darwin observed variation among finches. These observations

Based on blending inheritance, which Darwin and his contemporaries believed, if a finch with a large beak depth mates with a finch with a small beak depth, then the offspring will have beaks with ________ depth.

A key observation that Charles Darwin incorporated into his theory of adaptation by natural selection was that

Influential nineteenth-century scientists like Charles Darwin concluded that the complex adaptations we see in plants and animals are problematic and require a special explanation because

How does natural selection produce complex, functionally integrated adaptations like the human eye?

Natural selection usually acts upon and produces adaptations at the level of the

What is the difference between a fish eye and a mammal's eye, and in what way might this be explained?

Which of the following was likely the first adaptation to occur during the evolution of the human eye?

Darwin could not convince many of his contemporaries of natural selection because

When the Daphne Major finches reach a point where the costs of having a beak larger than average size outweigh the benefits, beak size will begin to stay the same, and the population will achieve a(n) ________ state.

Convergent evolution occurs

Genetics

The Modern Synthesis

Speciation and Phylogeny

Primate Diversity and Ecology

Primate Mating Systems

The Evolution of Cooperation

Primate Life Histories and the Evolution of Intelligence

From Tree Shrew to Ape

The Earliest Hominins

Early Homo and H Erectus 26-1 Ma

The Neanderthals and Their Contemporaries

Homo Sapiens and the Evolution of Modern Human Behavior

Human Genetics and Variation

Evolution and Human Behavior

Culture, Cooperation, and Human Uniqueness

Filters

Exam 1: Adaptation by Natural Selection

Do adaptations always benefit the individual, group, population, or species? Why or why not? Use real or hypothetical examples to illustrate your answer.

What is convergent evolution? Using examples from your text, explain why convergent evolution provides evidence that complex adaptations do not occur by random chance alone.

Species are populations of

How do complex adaptations usually evolve?

Which of the following is an example of selection producing complex evolutionary changes in a remarkably short period of time?

Discontinuous variation is unlikely to lead to new species because

What major difficulty did Darwin have with his theory of natural selection?

Convergent evolution provides evidence that complex adaptations are not a matter of mere coincidence because

Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection on size?

While on the Galápagos, Darwin observed variation among finches. These observations

Based on blending inheritance, which Darwin and his contemporaries believed, if a finch with a large beak depth mates with a finch with a small beak depth, then the offspring will have beaks with ________ depth.

A key observation that Charles Darwin incorporated into his theory of adaptation by natural selection was that

Influential nineteenth-century scientists like Charles Darwin concluded that the complex adaptations we see in plants and animals are problematic and require a special explanation because

How does natural selection produce complex, functionally integrated adaptations like the human eye?

Natural selection usually acts upon and produces adaptations at the level of the

What is the difference between a fish eye and a mammal's eye, and in what way might this be explained?

Which of the following was likely the first adaptation to occur during the evolution of the human eye?

Darwin could not convince many of his contemporaries of natural selection because

When the Daphne Major finches reach a point where the costs of having a beak larger than average size outweigh the benefits, beak size will begin to stay the same, and the population will achieve a(n) ________ state.

Convergent evolution occurs

Genetics

The Modern Synthesis

Speciation and Phylogeny

Primate Diversity and Ecology

Primate Mating Systems

The Evolution of Cooperation

Primate Life Histories and the Evolution of Intelligence

From Tree Shrew to Ape

The Earliest Hominins

Early Homo and H Erectus 26-1 Ma

The Neanderthals and Their Contemporaries

Homo Sapiens and the Evolution of Modern Human Behavior

Human Genetics and Variation

Evolution and Human Behavior

Culture, Cooperation, and Human Uniqueness

Filters