Question 1

What are adaptations?

Accepted Answer

A)  geologic changes over time 
B)  rocks containing fossils 
C)  inherited characteristics of organisms that enhance their survival 
D)  descent with modification from a common ancestor 
A)  geologic changes over time 
B)  rocks containing fossils 
C)  inherited characteristics of organisms that enhance their survival 
D)  descent with modification from a common ancestor

Question 2

Darwin and Wallace's theory of evolution by natural selection was revolutionary because it ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  was the first theory to refute the ideas of special creation 
B)  proved that individuals acclimated to their environment over time 
C)  dismissed the idea that species are constant and emphasized the importance of variation and change in populations 
D)  was the first time a biologist had proposed that species changed through time 
A)  was the first theory to refute the ideas of special creation 
B)  proved that individuals acclimated to their environment over time 
C)  dismissed the idea that species are constant and emphasized the importance of variation and change in populations 
D)  was the first time a biologist had proposed that species changed through time

Question 3

Of the following anatomical structures, which is homologous to the bones in the wing of a bird?

Accepted Answer

A)  bones in the hind limb of a kangaroo 
B)  chitinous struts in the wing of a butterfly 
C)  bony rays in the tail fin of a flying fish 
D)  bones in the flipper of a whale 
A)  bones in the hind limb of a kangaroo 
B)  chitinous struts in the wing of a butterfly 
C)  bony rays in the tail fin of a flying fish 
D)  bones in the flipper of a whale

Question 4

The following question is based on information from Frank M. Frey, "Opposing Natural Selection from Herbivores and Pathogens May Maintain Floral-Color Variation in Claytonia virginica (Portulacaceae)," Evolution 58(11), 2004: 2426-37.
Claytonia virginica is a woodland spring herb with flowers that vary from white, to pale pink, to bright pink. Slugs prefer to eat pink-flowering over white-flowering plants (due to chemical differences between the two), and plants experiencing severe herbivory are more likely to die. The bees that pollinate this plant also prefer pink to white flowers, so that Claytonia with pink flowers have greater relative fruit set than Claytonia with white flowers. A researcher observes that the percentage of different flower colors remains stable in the study population from year to year. Given no other information, if the researcher removes all slugs from the study population, what do you expect to happen to the distribution of flower colors in the population over time?

Accepted Answer

A)  The percentage of pink flowers should increase over time. 
B)  The percentage of white flowers should increase over time. 
C)  The distribution of flower colors should not change. 
D)  The distribution of flower colors should randomly fluctuate over time. 
A)  The percentage of pink flowers should increase over time. 
B)  The percentage of white flowers should increase over time. 
C)  The distribution of flower colors should not change. 
D)  The distribution of flower colors should randomly fluctuate over time.

Question 5

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in the figure below.
The horizontal axis of the cladogram depicted below is a timeline that extends from 100,000 years ago to the present; the vertical axis represents nothing in particular. The labeled branch points on the tree (V-Z) represent various common ancestors. Let's say that only since 50,000 years ago has there been enough variation between the lineages depicted here to separate them into distinct species, and only the tips of the lineages on this tree represent distinct species.
  
-Evolutionary trees such as this are properly understood by scientists to be ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  theories 
B)  hypotheses 
C)  dogmas 
D)  facts 
A)  theories 
B)  hypotheses 
C)  dogmas 
D)  facts

Question 6

For which one of the following observations were both Lamarck's hypothesis and Darwin's hypothesis in complete agreement?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use and disuse of organs determines their size in progeny. 
B)  Gradual evolutionary change explains why organisms are well-suited to their environments. 
C)  Acquired characteristics are inherited. 
D)  More complex species are descended from less complex species. 
A)  Use and disuse of organs determines their size in progeny. 
B)  Gradual evolutionary change explains why organisms are well-suited to their environments. 
C)  Acquired characteristics are inherited. 
D)  More complex species are descended from less complex species.

Question 7

Cotton-topped tamarins are small primates with tufts of long white hair on their heads. While studying these creatures, you notice that males with longer hair get more opportunities to mate and father more offspring. To test the hypothesis that having longer hair is adaptive in these males, you should ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  test whether other traits in these males are also adaptive 
B)  look for evidence of hair in ancestors of tamarins 
C)  determine if hair length is heritable 
D)  test whether males with shaved heads are still able to mate 
A)  test whether other traits in these males are also adaptive 
B)  look for evidence of hair in ancestors of tamarins 
C)  determine if hair length is heritable 
D)  test whether males with shaved heads are still able to mate

Question 8

Which of the following factors could cause a surge in population size?

Accepted Answer

A)  a decrease in available food 
B)  an increase in the number of predators 
C)  better eyesight evolves in the population 
D)  decreased camouflage evolves in the population 
A)  a decrease in available food 
B)  an increase in the number of predators 
C)  better eyesight evolves in the population 
D)  decreased camouflage evolves in the population

Question 9

DNA sequences in many human genes are very similar to the sequences of corresponding genes in chimpanzees. The most likely explanation for this result is that

Accepted Answer

A)  humans and chimpanzees share a relatively recent common ancestor. 
B)  humans evolved from chimpanzees. 
C)  chimpanzees evolved from humans. 
D)  convergent evolution led to the DNA similarities. 
A)  humans and chimpanzees share a relatively recent common ancestor. 
B)  humans evolved from chimpanzees. 
C)  chimpanzees evolved from humans. 
D)  convergent evolution led to the DNA similarities.

Question 10

Prior to the work of Lyell and Darwin, the prevailing belief was that Earth is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a few thousand years old, and populations are unchanging 
B)  a few thousand years old, and populations gradually change 
C)  millions of years old, and populations rapidly change 
D)  millions of years old, and populations are unchanging 
A)  a few thousand years old, and populations are unchanging 
B)  a few thousand years old, and populations gradually change 
C)  millions of years old, and populations rapidly change 
D)  millions of years old, and populations are unchanging

Question 11

Fossils found in strata reveal that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  older strata carry fossils that differ greatly from living organisms 
B)  geologic changes occur quickly on Earth 
C)  unused body parts decrease in size 
D)  innate drive to complexity of life 
A)  older strata carry fossils that differ greatly from living organisms 
B)  geologic changes occur quickly on Earth 
C)  unused body parts decrease in size 
D)  innate drive to complexity of life

Question 12

The greatest number of endemic species is expected in environments that are ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  easily reached and ecologically diverse 
B)  isolated and show little ecological diversity 
C)  isolated and ecologically diverse 
D)  easily reached and show little ecological diversity 
A)  easily reached and ecologically diverse 
B)  isolated and show little ecological diversity 
C)  isolated and ecologically diverse 
D)  easily reached and show little ecological diversity

Question 13

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in the figure below.
The horizontal axis of the cladogram depicted below is a timeline that extends from 100,000 years ago to the present; the vertical axis represents nothing in particular. The labeled branch points on the tree (V-Z) represent various common ancestors. Let's say that only since 50,000 years ago has there been enough variation between the lineages depicted here to separate them into distinct species, and only the tips of the lineages on this tree represent distinct species.
 
In Darwin's tree of life, each fork in the tree represents ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  groups of living organisms 
B)  groups of extinct organisms 
C)  the most recent common ancestor of the subsequent branches 
D)  morphologic gaps in the fossil record 
A)  groups of living organisms 
B)  groups of extinct organisms 
C)  the most recent common ancestor of the subsequent branches 
D)  morphologic gaps in the fossil record

Question 14

Given a population that contains genetic variation, what is the correct sequence of the following events under the influence of natural selection?
1)Well-adapted individuals leave more offspring than do poorly adapted individuals.
2) A change occurs in the environment.
3) Genetic frequencies within the population change.
4) Poorly adapted individuals have decreased survivorship.

Accepted Answer

A)  2 → 4 → 1 → 3 
B)  4 → 2 → 1 → 3 
C)  4 → 2 → 3 → 1 
D)  2 → 4 → 3 → 1 
A)  2 → 4 → 1 → 3 
B)  4 → 2 → 1 → 3 
C)  4 → 2 → 3 → 1 
D)  2 → 4 → 3 → 1

Question 15

Which of the following statements describe the effect of evolution on a population?

Accepted Answer

A)  increasingly better match between a population and its environment 
B)  increased genetic variation among individuals in a population 
C)  increased variation among individuals in a population 
D)  increased sexual reproduction in a population 
A)  increasingly better match between a population and its environment 
B)  increased genetic variation among individuals in a population 
C)  increased variation among individuals in a population 
D)  increased sexual reproduction in a population

Question 16

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in the figure below.
The horizontal axis of the cladogram depicted below is a timeline that extends from 100,000 years ago to the present; the vertical axis represents nothing in particular. The labeled branch points on the tree (V-Z) represent various common ancestors. Let's say that only since 50,000 years ago has there been enough variation between the lineages depicted here to separate them into distinct species, and only the tips of the lineages on this tree represent distinct species.
  
-How many distinct species, both living and extinct, are depicted in this tree?

Accepted Answer

A)  five 
B)  six 
C)  nine 
D)  eleven 
A)  five 
B)  six 
C)  nine 
D)  eleven

Question 17

Within six months of effectively using methicillin to treat S. aureus infections in a community, all new S.aureus infections were caused by MRSA. How can this best be explained?

Accepted Answer

A)  A patient must have become infected with MRSA from another community. 
B)  In response to the drug, S. aureus began making drug-resistant versions of the protein targeted by the drug. 
C)  Some drug-resistant bacteria were present at the start of treatment, and natural selection increased their frequency. 
D)  S. aureus evolved to resist vaccines. 
A)  A patient must have become infected with MRSA from another community. 
B)  In response to the drug, S. aureus began making drug-resistant versions of the protein targeted by the drug. 
C)  Some drug-resistant bacteria were present at the start of treatment, and natural selection increased their frequency. 
D)  S. aureus evolved to resist vaccines.

Question 18

If Darwin had been aware of genes and their typical mode of transmission to subsequent generations, with which statement would he most likely have been in agreement?

Accepted Answer

A)  If natural selection can change gene frequency in a population over generations, given enough time and genetic diversity, then natural selection can cause sufficient genetic change to produce new species from old ones. 
B)  If an organism's somatic cell genes change during its lifetime, making it more fit, then it will be able to pass these genes on to its offspring. 
C)  If an organism acquires new genes by engulfing, or being infected by, another organism, then a new genetic species will result. 
D)  A single mutation in a single gene in a single gamete, if inherited by future generations, will produce a new species. 
A)  If natural selection can change gene frequency in a population over generations, given enough time and genetic diversity, then natural selection can cause sufficient genetic change to produce new species from old ones. 
B)  If an organism's somatic cell genes change during its lifetime, making it more fit, then it will be able to pass these genes on to its offspring. 
C)  If an organism acquires new genes by engulfing, or being infected by, another organism, then a new genetic species will result. 
D)  A single mutation in a single gene in a single gamete, if inherited by future generations, will produce a new species.

Question 19

The questions below refer to the following evolutionary tree, in which the horizontal axis represents time (present time is on the far right) and the vertical axis represents morphological change.
  
-Which species is most closely related to species W?

Accepted Answer

A)  V is most closely related to species W. 
B)  X is most closely related to species W. 
C)  Y and Z are equally closely related to W. 
D)  It is not possible to say from this tree. 
A)  V is most closely related to species W. 
B)  X is most closely related to species W. 
C)  Y and Z are equally closely related to W. 
D)  It is not possible to say from this tree.

Question 20

Which of the following evidence most strongly supports the common origin of all life on Earth? All organisms ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  require energy 
B)  use essentially the same genetic code 
C)  reproduce 
D)  show heritable variation 
A)  require energy 
B)  use essentially the same genetic code 
C)  reproduce 
D)  show heritable variation

Exam 22: Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

What are adaptations?

Darwin and Wallace's theory of evolution by natural selection was revolutionary because it ________.

Of the following anatomical structures, which is homologous to the bones in the wing of a bird?

For which one of the following observations were both Lamarck's hypothesis and Darwin's hypothesis in complete agreement?

Which of the following factors could cause a surge in population size?

DNA sequences in many human genes are very similar to the sequences of corresponding genes in chimpanzees. The most likely explanation for this result is that

Prior to the work of Lyell and Darwin, the prevailing belief was that Earth is ________.

Fossils found in strata reveal that ________.

The greatest number of endemic species is expected in environments that are ________.

Which of the following statements describe the effect of evolution on a population?

Within six months of effectively using methicillin to treat S. aureus infections in a community, all new S.aureus infections were caused by MRSA. How can this best be explained?

If Darwin had been aware of genes and their typical mode of transmission to subsequent generations, with which statement would he most likely have been in agreement?

The questions below refer to the following evolutionary tree, in which the horizontal axis represents time (present time is on the far right) and the vertical axis represents morphological change. -Which species is most closely related to species W?

Which of the following evidence most strongly supports the common origin of all life on Earth? All organisms ________.

Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific Inquiry

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Viruses

DNA Tools and Biotechnology

Genomes and Their Evolution

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

The History of Life on Earth

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

Fungi

An Overview of Animal Diversity

An Introduction to Invertebrates

The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants

Soil and Plant Nutrition

Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behavior

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

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