Question 1

Which of the following pieces of evidence most strongly supports the common origin of all life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  All organisms require energy. 
B)  All organisms use essentially the same genetic code. 
C)  All organisms reproduce. 
D)  All organisms show heritable variation. 
E)  All organisms have undergone evolution. 
A)  All organisms require energy. 
B)  All organisms use essentially the same genetic code. 
C)  All organisms reproduce. 
D)  All organisms show heritable variation. 
E)  All organisms have undergone evolution. B

Question 2

Logically, which of these should cast the most doubt on the relationships depicted by an evolutionary tree?

Accepted Answer

A)  None of the organisms depicted by the tree ate the same foods. 
B)  Some of the organisms depicted by the tree had lived in different habitats. 
C)  The skeletal remains of the organisms depicted by the tree were incomplete (in other words, some bones were missing). 
D)  Transitional fossils had not been found. 
E)  Relationships between DNA sequences among the species did not match relationships between skeletal patterns. 
A)  None of the organisms depicted by the tree ate the same foods. 
B)  Some of the organisms depicted by the tree had lived in different habitats. 
C)  The skeletal remains of the organisms depicted by the tree were incomplete (in other words, some bones were missing). 
D)  Transitional fossils had not been found. 
E)  Relationships between DNA sequences among the species did not match relationships between skeletal patterns. E

Question 3

What is true of pseudogenes?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are composed of RNA, rather than DNA. 
B)  They are the same things as introns. 
C)  They are unrelated genes that code for the same gene product. 
D)  They are vestigial genes. 
A)  They are composed of RNA, rather than DNA. 
B)  They are the same things as introns. 
C)  They are unrelated genes that code for the same gene product. 
D)  They are vestigial genes. D

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

It has been observed that organisms on islands are different from, but closely related to, similar forms found on the nearest continent. This is taken as evidence that

Accepted Answer

A)  island forms and mainland forms descended from common ancestors. 
B)  common environments are inhabited by the same organisms. 
C)  the islands were originally part of the continent. 
D)  the island forms and mainland forms are converging. 
E)  island forms and mainland forms have identical gene pools. 
A)  island forms and mainland forms descended from common ancestors. 
B)  common environments are inhabited by the same organisms. 
C)  the islands were originally part of the continent. 
D)  the island forms and mainland forms are converging. 
E)  island forms and mainland forms have identical gene pools.

Question 6

Evolutionary trees such as this are properly understood by scientists to be

Accepted Answer

A)  theories. 
B)  hypotheses. 
C)  guesses. 
D)  dogmas. 
E)  facts. 
A)  theories. 
B)  hypotheses. 
C)  guesses. 
D)  dogmas. 
E)  facts.

Question 7

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in Figure 22.2.
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.
   
Figure 22.2
-Which of the five common ancestors, labeled V-Z, has been most successful in terms of the percent of its derived species that are extant?

Accepted Answer

A)  V 
B)  W 
C)  X 
D)  Y 
E)  Z 
A)  V 
B)  W 
C)  X 
D)  Y 
E)  Z

Question 8

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in Figure 22.2.
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.
   
Figure 22.2
-Which of the five common ancestors, labeled V-Z, has given rise to the greatest number of species, both extant and extinct?

Accepted Answer

A)  V 
B)  W 
C)  Z 
D)  Both W and Z can be considered to have given rise to the greatest number of extant and extinct species. 
E)  Both X and Y can be considered to have given rise to the greatest number of extant and extinct species. 
A)  V 
B)  W 
C)  Z 
D)  Both W and Z can be considered to have given rise to the greatest number of extant and extinct species. 
E)  Both X and Y can be considered to have given rise to the greatest number of extant and extinct species.

Question 9

Members of two different species possess a similar-looking structure that they use in a similar fashion to perform the same function. Which information would best help distinguish between an explanation based on homology versus one based on convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  The two species live at great distance from each other. 
B)  The two species share many proteins in common, and the nucleotide sequences that code for these proteins are almost identical. 
C)  The sizes of the structures in adult members of both species are similar in size. 
D)  Both species are well adapted to their particular environments. 
A)  The two species live at great distance from each other. 
B)  The two species share many proteins in common, and the nucleotide sequences that code for these proteins are almost identical. 
C)  The sizes of the structures in adult members of both species are similar in size. 
D)  Both species are well adapted to their particular environments.

Question 10

Which of the following is the most accurate summary of Cuvier's consideration of fossils found in the vicinity of Paris?

Accepted Answer

A)  extinction of species yes; evolution of new species yes 
B)  extinction of species no; evolution of new species yes 
C)  extinction of species yes; evolution of new species no 
D)  extinction of species no; evolution of new species yes. 
A)  extinction of species yes; evolution of new species yes 
B)  extinction of species no; evolution of new species yes 
C)  extinction of species yes; evolution of new species no 
D)  extinction of species no; evolution of new species yes.

Question 11

The role that humans play in artificial selection is to

Accepted Answer

A)  determine who lives and who dies. 
B)  create the genetic variants, which nature then selects. 
C)  choose which organisms breed, and which do not. 
D)  train organisms to breed more successfully. 
E)  perform artificial insemination. 
A)  determine who lives and who dies. 
B)  create the genetic variants, which nature then selects. 
C)  choose which organisms breed, and which do not. 
D)  train organisms to breed more successfully. 
E)  perform artificial insemination.

Question 12

Which of the following statements most detracts from the claim that the human appendix is a completely vestigial organ?

Accepted Answer

A)  The appendix can be surgically removed with no immediate ill effects. 
B)  The appendix might have been larger in fossil hominids. 
C)  The appendix has a substantial amount of defensive lymphatic tissue. 
D)  Individuals with a larger-than-average appendix leave fewer offspring than those with a below-average-sized appendix. 
E)  In a million years, the human species might completely lack an appendix. 
A)  The appendix can be surgically removed with no immediate ill effects. 
B)  The appendix might have been larger in fossil hominids. 
C)  The appendix has a substantial amount of defensive lymphatic tissue. 
D)  Individuals with a larger-than-average appendix leave fewer offspring than those with a below-average-sized appendix. 
E)  In a million years, the human species might completely lack an appendix.

Question 13

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in Figure 22.2.
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.
   
Figure 22.2
-Which pair would probably have agreed with the process that is depicted by this tree?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cuvier and Lamarck 
B)  Lamarck and Wallace 
C)  Aristotle and Lyell 
D)  Wallace and Linnaeus 
E)  Linnaeus and Lamarck 
A)  Cuvier and Lamarck 
B)  Lamarck and Wallace 
C)  Aristotle and Lyell 
D)  Wallace and Linnaeus 
E)  Linnaeus and Lamarck

Question 14

During a study session about evolution, one of your fellow students remarks, "The giraffe stretched its neck while reaching for higher leaves; its offspring inherited longer necks as a result." Which statement is most likely to be helpful in correcting this student's misconception?

Accepted Answer

A)  Characteristics acquired during an organism's life are generally not passed on through genes. 
B)  Spontaneous mutations can result in the appearance of new traits. 
C)  Only favorable adaptations have survival value. 
D)  Disuse of an organ may lead to its eventual disappearance. 
E)  If the giraffes did not have to compete with each other, longer necks would not have been passed on to the next generation. 
A)  Characteristics acquired during an organism's life are generally not passed on through genes. 
B)  Spontaneous mutations can result in the appearance of new traits. 
C)  Only favorable adaptations have survival value. 
D)  Disuse of an organ may lead to its eventual disappearance. 
E)  If the giraffes did not have to compete with each other, longer necks would not have been passed on to the next generation.

Question 15

Which of Darwin's ideas had the strongest connection to Darwin having read Malthus's essay on human population growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  descent with modification 
B)  variation among individuals in a population 
C)  struggle for existence 
D)  the ability of related species to be conceptualized in "tree thinking" 
E)  that the ancestors of the Galápagos finches had come from the South American mainland 
A)  descent with modification 
B)  variation among individuals in a population 
C)  struggle for existence 
D)  the ability of related species to be conceptualized in "tree thinking" 
E)  that the ancestors of the Galápagos finches had come from the South American mainland

Question 16

Both ancestral birds and ancestral mammals shared a common ancestor that was terrestrial. Today, penguins (which are birds)and seals (which are mammals)have forelimbs adapted for swimming. What term best describes the relationship of the bones in the forelimbs of penguins and seals, and what term best describes the flippers of penguins and seals?

Accepted Answer

A)  homologous; homologous 
B)  analogous; homologous 
C)  homologous; analogous 
D)  analogous; analogous 
A)  homologous; homologous 
B)  analogous; homologous 
C)  homologous; analogous 
D)  analogous; analogous

Question 17

Which of the following represents an idea that Darwin learned from the writings of Thomas Malthus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Technological innovation in agricultural practices will permit exponential growth of the human population into the foreseeable future. 
B)  Populations tend to increase at a faster rate than their food supply normally allows. 
C)  Earth changed over the years through a series of catastrophic upheavals. 
D)  The environment is responsible for natural selection. 
E)  Earth is more than 10,000 years old. 
A)  Technological innovation in agricultural practices will permit exponential growth of the human population into the foreseeable future. 
B)  Populations tend to increase at a faster rate than their food supply normally allows. 
C)  Earth changed over the years through a series of catastrophic upheavals. 
D)  The environment is responsible for natural selection. 
E)  Earth is more than 10,000 years old.

Question 18

Structures as different as human arms, bat wings, and dolphin flippers contain many of the same bones, these bones having developed from very similar embryonic tissues. How do biologists interpret these similarities?

Accepted Answer

A)  by identifying the bones as being homologous structures 
B)  by the principle of convergent evolution 
C)  by proposing that humans, bats, and dolphins share a common ancestor 
D)  Three of the statements above are correct. 
E)  Two of the statements above are correct. 
A)  by identifying the bones as being homologous structures 
B)  by the principle of convergent evolution 
C)  by proposing that humans, bats, and dolphins share a common ancestor 
D)  Three of the statements above are correct. 
E)  Two of the statements above are correct.

Question 19

If two modern organisms are distantly related in an evolutionary sense, then one should expect that

Accepted Answer

A)  they live in very different habitats. 
B)  they should share fewer homologous structures than two more closely related organisms. 
C)  their chromosomes should be very similar. 
D)  they shared a common ancestor relatively recently. 
E)  they should be members of the same genus. 
A)  they live in very different habitats. 
B)  they should share fewer homologous structures than two more closely related organisms. 
C)  their chromosomes should be very similar. 
D)  they shared a common ancestor relatively recently. 
E)  they should be members of the same genus.

Question 20

In the mid-1900s, the Soviet geneticist Lysenko believed that his winter wheat plants, exposed to ever-colder temperatures, would eventually give rise to ever more cold-tolerant winter wheat. Lysenko's attempts in this regard were most in agreement with the ideas of

Accepted Answer

A)  Cuvier. 
B)  Hutton. 
C)  Lamarck. 
D)  Darwin. 
E)  Lyell. 
A)  Cuvier. 
B)  Hutton. 
C)  Lamarck. 
D)  Darwin. 
E)  Lyell.

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

Which of the following pieces of evidence most strongly supports the common origin of all life on Earth?

Logically, which of these should cast the most doubt on the relationships depicted by an evolutionary tree?

What is true of pseudogenes?

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

It has been observed that organisms on islands are different from, but closely related to, similar forms found on the nearest continent. This is taken as evidence that

Evolutionary trees such as this are properly understood by scientists to be

Members of two different species possess a similar-looking structure that they use in a similar fashion to perform the same function. Which information would best help distinguish between an explanation based on homology versus one based on convergent evolution?

Which of the following is the most accurate summary of Cuvier's consideration of fossils found in the vicinity of Paris?

The role that humans play in artificial selection is to

Which of the following statements most detracts from the claim that the human appendix is a completely vestigial organ?

During a study session about evolution, one of your fellow students remarks, "The giraffe stretched its neck while reaching for higher leaves; its offspring inherited longer necks as a result." Which statement is most likely to be helpful in correcting this student's misconception?

Which of Darwin's ideas had the strongest connection to Darwin having read Malthus's essay on human population growth?

Which of the following represents an idea that Darwin learned from the writings of Thomas Malthus?

Structures as different as human arms, bat wings, and dolphin flippers contain many of the same bones, these bones having developed from very similar embryonic tissues. How do biologists interpret these similarities?

If two modern organisms are distantly related in an evolutionary sense, then one should expect that

In the mid-1900s, the Soviet geneticist Lysenko believed that his winter wheat plants, exposed to ever-colder temperatures, would eventually give rise to ever more cold-tolerant winter wheat. Lysenko's attempts in this regard were most in agreement with the ideas of

Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

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

From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Viruses

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

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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