Question 1

Which of the following methods is the most accurate way to measure the age of a relatively recent fossil?

Accepted Answer

A)  ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 
B)  sequences of fossils in rock strata 
C)  ratio of plutonium-244 to uranium 240 
D)  ratio of uranium-238 to thorium-234 
A)  ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 
B)  sequences of fossils in rock strata 
C)  ratio of plutonium-244 to uranium 240 
D)  ratio of uranium-238 to thorium-234 A

Question 2

If one organ is an exaptation of another organ, then which of the following statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The two organs are homologous. 
B)  The two organs are undergoing convergent evolution. 
C)  The two organs occur in the same species. 
D)  The two organs have the same function. 
A)  The two organs are homologous. 
B)  The two organs are undergoing convergent evolution. 
C)  The two organs occur in the same species. 
D)  The two organs have the same function. A

Question 3

Which listing of geological periods is in the correct order, from oldest to most recent?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cambrian, Devonian, Permian, Cretaceous 
B)  Devonian, Cambrian, Permian, Cretaceous 
C)  Cambrian, Permian, Devonian, Cretaceous 
D)  Permian, Cambrian, Cretaceous, Devonian 
A)  Cambrian, Devonian, Permian, Cretaceous 
B)  Devonian, Cambrian, Permian, Cretaceous 
C)  Cambrian, Permian, Devonian, Cretaceous 
D)  Permian, Cambrian, Cretaceous, Devonian A

Question 4

Which of the following statements is most accurate about dating a fossil encased in a stratum of sedimentary rock without any strata of volcanic rock (for example, lava or ash) nearby?

Accepted Answer

A)  The absolute age of the fossil will be easy to determine because the radioisotopes in the sediments will not have been "reset" by the heat of the igneous rocks. 
B)  The absolute age of the fossil will be easy to determine because the igneous rocks will not have physically obstructed the deposition of sediment of a single age next to the fossil. 
C)  The absolute age of the fossil will be difficult to determine because the "marker fossils" common to igneous rock will be absent. 
D)  The absolute age of the fossil will be difficult to determine because radiometric dating of sedimentary rock is less accurate than that of igneous rock. 
A)  The absolute age of the fossil will be easy to determine because the radioisotopes in the sediments will not have been "reset" by the heat of the igneous rocks. 
B)  The absolute age of the fossil will be easy to determine because the igneous rocks will not have physically obstructed the deposition of sediment of a single age next to the fossil. 
C)  The absolute age of the fossil will be difficult to determine because the "marker fossils" common to igneous rock will be absent. 
D)  The absolute age of the fossil will be difficult to determine because radiometric dating of sedimentary rock is less accurate than that of igneous rock.

Question 5

Bagworm moth caterpillars feed on evergreens and carry a silken case or bag around with them in which they eventually pupate. Adult female bagworm moths are larval in appearance; they lack the wings and other structures of the adult male and instead retain the appearance of a caterpillar even though they are sexually mature and can lay eggs within the bag. Which of the following processes is exemplified by bagworm moths?

Accepted Answer

A)  allometric growth 
B)  paedomorphosis 
C)  sympatric speciation 
D)  adaptive radiation 
A)  allometric growth 
B)  paedomorphosis 
C)  sympatric speciation 
D)  adaptive radiation

Question 6

Fossilized stromatolites ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  formed around deep-sea vents 
B)  resemble structures formed by bacterial communities that are found today in some shallow marine bays 
C)  provide evidence that plants moved onto land in the company of fungi around 500 million years ago 
D)  contain the first undisputed fossils of eukaryotes 
A)  formed around deep-sea vents 
B)  resemble structures formed by bacterial communities that are found today in some shallow marine bays 
C)  provide evidence that plants moved onto land in the company of fungi around 500 million years ago 
D)  contain the first undisputed fossils of eukaryotes

Question 7

Which of the following statements provides the best support for the hypothesis that the mitochondria and plastids of modern eukaryotic cells were originally independent, free-living bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A)  The RNA sequence of ribosomes in mitochondria and plastids is similar in sequence to that of the cytoplasmic ribosomes in the eukaryotic cell and both mitochondria and plastids have histone proteins wrapped around the RNA. 
B)  The RNA of mitochondria and plastids are double stranded and allow these organelles to replicate themselves in a way that is similar to that of modern bacteria. 
C)  The DNA of mitochondria and plastids are similar to each other and both contain histone proteins wrapped around the DNA. 
D)  The DNA of mitochondria and plastids is circular and the ribosomes of mitochondria and plastids are more similar to that of bacterial ribosomes than to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell. 
A)  The RNA sequence of ribosomes in mitochondria and plastids is similar in sequence to that of the cytoplasmic ribosomes in the eukaryotic cell and both mitochondria and plastids have histone proteins wrapped around the RNA. 
B)  The RNA of mitochondria and plastids are double stranded and allow these organelles to replicate themselves in a way that is similar to that of modern bacteria. 
C)  The DNA of mitochondria and plastids are similar to each other and both contain histone proteins wrapped around the DNA. 
D)  The DNA of mitochondria and plastids is circular and the ribosomes of mitochondria and plastids are more similar to that of bacterial ribosomes than to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell.

Question 8

Natural selection, operating on which of the following genetic changes, most likely resulted in the loss of ventral spines in modern freshwater sticklebacks?

Accepted Answer

A)  duplication of the Pitx1 gene 
B)  deletion of the Pitx1 gene 
C)  point mutations in the Pitx1 gene 
D)  silencing of the Pitx1 gene 
A)  duplication of the Pitx1 gene 
B)  deletion of the Pitx1 gene 
C)  point mutations in the Pitx1 gene 
D)  silencing of the Pitx1 gene

Question 9

Which factor most likely caused animals and plants in India to differ greatly from species in nearby southeast Asia?

Accepted Answer

A)  The climates of the two regions are similar. 
B)  India is in the process of separating from the rest of Asia. 
C)  Life in India was wiped out by ancient volcanic eruptions. 
D)  India was a separate continent until 45 million years ago. 
A)  The climates of the two regions are similar. 
B)  India is in the process of separating from the rest of Asia. 
C)  Life in India was wiped out by ancient volcanic eruptions. 
D)  India was a separate continent until 45 million years ago.

Question 10

Many species of snakes lay eggs. However, in the forests of northern Minnesota, where the growing season is short, only live-bearing snake species are present. Which of the following processes most likely resulted in the differences in snake reproduction?

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection leading to exaptations 
B)  sexual selection 
C)  species selection 
D)  goal direction in evolution 
A)  natural selection leading to exaptations 
B)  sexual selection 
C)  species selection 
D)  goal direction in evolution

Question 11

Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between some fungi and the roots of many plants. Which of the following experiments best would test whether a plant benefits from the presence of the fungus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Grow many individuals of Plant X with two different species of fungi. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups. 
B)  Grow many individuals of Plant X and Plant Y without any fungus. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups. 
C)  Grow many individuals of Plant X in shaded and unshaded conditions. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups. 
D)  Grow many individuals of Plant X with and without its fungus. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups. 
A)  Grow many individuals of Plant X with two different species of fungi. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups. 
B)  Grow many individuals of Plant X and Plant Y without any fungus. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups. 
C)  Grow many individuals of Plant X in shaded and unshaded conditions. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups. 
D)  Grow many individuals of Plant X with and without its fungus. Then compare the average plant size and average number of seeds produced between the two groups.

Question 12

Which of the following statements accurately describes the effect of the Permian and Cretaceous extinctions on the percentage of prey organisms in marine environments?

Accepted Answer

A)  After the Permian and Cretaceous extinctions, the percentages of prey organisms increased. 
B)  After both the Permian and Cretaceous extinctions, the percentages of prey organisms decreased. 
C)  After the Permian extinction the percentage of prey organisms decreased, but after the Cretaceous extinction the percentage of prey organisms continuously increased. 
D)  After the Permian extinction the percentage of prey organisms remained stable, but after the Cretaceous extinction the percentage of prey organisms increased. 
A)  After the Permian and Cretaceous extinctions, the percentages of prey organisms increased. 
B)  After both the Permian and Cretaceous extinctions, the percentages of prey organisms decreased. 
C)  After the Permian extinction the percentage of prey organisms decreased, but after the Cretaceous extinction the percentage of prey organisms continuously increased. 
D)  After the Permian extinction the percentage of prey organisms remained stable, but after the Cretaceous extinction the percentage of prey organisms increased.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is most consistent with the information in the figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fossils of brachiopods and arthropods first appeared during the Cambrian, but these groups had ancestors that evolved before the Cambrian. 
B)  Fossils of sponges and cnidarians first appeared during the Cambrian, but these groups had ancestors that evolved before the Cambrian. 
C)  Chordates evolved from echinoderms. 
D)  Sponges and cnidarians first evolved during the Cambrian. 
A)  Fossils of brachiopods and arthropods first appeared during the Cambrian, but these groups had ancestors that evolved before the Cambrian. 
B)  Fossils of sponges and cnidarians first appeared during the Cambrian, but these groups had ancestors that evolved before the Cambrian. 
C)  Chordates evolved from echinoderms. 
D)  Sponges and cnidarians first evolved during the Cambrian.

Question 14

Which of the following organisms would be most likely to form a fossil?

Accepted Answer

A)  a rare worm 
B)  a common worm 
C)  a rare squirrel 
D)  a common squirrel 
A)  a rare worm 
B)  a common worm 
C)  a rare squirrel 
D)  a common squirrel

Question 15

Which of the following statements most accurately describes a difference between the current atmosphere and that of early Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Compared to today, early Earth had an atmosphere richer in gases released from volcanic eruptions. 
B)  Compared to today, early Earth had a less oxidizing atmosphere. 
C)  Compared to today, early Earth experienced less high-energy radiation from the sun. 
D)  Compared to today, early Earth had an atmosphere with greater quantities of ozone. 
A)  Compared to today, early Earth had an atmosphere richer in gases released from volcanic eruptions. 
B)  Compared to today, early Earth had a less oxidizing atmosphere. 
C)  Compared to today, early Earth experienced less high-energy radiation from the sun. 
D)  Compared to today, early Earth had an atmosphere with greater quantities of ozone.

Question 16

Which of the following did all protocells have in common?

Accepted Answer

A)  the ability to synthesize enzymes 
B)  a surrounding membrane or membrane-like structure 
C)  RNA genes 
D)  the ability to replicate RNA 
A)  the ability to synthesize enzymes 
B)  a surrounding membrane or membrane-like structure 
C)  RNA genes 
D)  the ability to replicate RNA

Question 17

A swim bladder is a gas-filled sac that helps fish maintain buoyancy. The evolution of the swim bladder from the air-breathing organ (a simple lung) of an ancestral fish is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  exaptation 
B)  changes in Hox gene expression 
C)  paedomorphosis 
D)  adaptive radiation 
A)  exaptation 
B)  changes in Hox gene expression 
C)  paedomorphosis 
D)  adaptive radiation

Question 18

Which of the following statements provides the best evidence that the fossil record is an incomplete record of evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  The fossil record shows changes in kinds of organisms that lived on earth. 
B)  The fossil record shows that many animals are extinct. 
C)  The fossil record is biased for organisms that had hard shells and skeletons. 
D)  Fossils document how new organisms come from preexisting organisms. 
A)  The fossil record shows changes in kinds of organisms that lived on earth. 
B)  The fossil record shows that many animals are extinct. 
C)  The fossil record is biased for organisms that had hard shells and skeletons. 
D)  Fossils document how new organisms come from preexisting organisms.

Question 19

Four sediment cores were removed from the floor of an inland sea. The sea was in existence, off and on, throughout the entire time that terrestrial life has existed. Researchers wish to locate and study the terrestrial organisms fossilized in these cores. In the diagram, the cores are illustrated as vertical columns, with the top of the column representing the most recent strata and the bottom representing the time when land was first colonized by life.   If the arrows indicate locations in the column where fossils of a particular type (see key) first appear, then which sediment core provides the best support for the current model of the evolution of terrestrial organisms?

Accepted Answer

A)  core A 
B)  core B 
C)  core C 
D)  core D 
A)  core A 
B)  core B 
C)  core C 
D)  core D

Question 20

The atmosphere present in which of the following times would fail to support the life of a modern mammal?

Accepted Answer

A)  Archaean eon 
B)  Cambrian period 
C)  Cenozoic era 
D)  Mesozoic era 
A)  Archaean eon 
B)  Cambrian period 
C)  Cenozoic era 
D)  Mesozoic era

Exam 25: Macroevolution

Which of the following methods is the most accurate way to measure the age of a relatively recent fossil?

If one organ is an exaptation of another organ, then which of the following statements is most accurate?

Which listing of geological periods is in the correct order, from oldest to most recent?

Which of the following statements is most accurate about dating a fossil encased in a stratum of sedimentary rock without any strata of volcanic rock (for example, lava or ash) nearby?

Fossilized stromatolites ________.

Which of the following statements provides the best support for the hypothesis that the mitochondria and plastids of modern eukaryotic cells were originally independent, free-living bacteria?

Natural selection, operating on which of the following genetic changes, most likely resulted in the loss of ventral spines in modern freshwater sticklebacks?

Which factor most likely caused animals and plants in India to differ greatly from species in nearby southeast Asia?

Many species of snakes lay eggs. However, in the forests of northern Minnesota, where the growing season is short, only live-bearing snake species are present. Which of the following processes most likely resulted in the differences in snake reproduction?

Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between some fungi and the roots of many plants. Which of the following experiments best would test whether a plant benefits from the presence of the fungus?

Which of the following statements accurately describes the effect of the Permian and Cretaceous extinctions on the percentage of prey organisms in marine environments?

Which of the following statements is most consistent with the information in the figure?

Which of the following organisms would be most likely to form a fossil?

Which of the following statements most accurately describes a difference between the current atmosphere and that of early Earth?

Which of the following did all protocells have in common?

A swim bladder is a gas-filled sac that helps fish maintain buoyancy. The evolution of the swim bladder from the air-breathing organ (a simple lung) of an ancestral fish is an example of ________.

Which of the following statements provides the best evidence that the fossil record is an incomplete record of evolution?

The atmosphere present in which of the following times would fail to support the life of a modern mammal?

Biology and Its Themes

Atoms and Molecules

The Chemistry of Water

Carbon: the Basis of Molecular Diversity

Biological Macromolecules and Lipids

Energy and Life

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Membranes

Cellular Signaling

Cell Respiration

Photosynthetic Processes

Mitosis

Sexual Life Cycles and Meiosis

Mendelian Genetics

Linkage and Chromosomes

Nucleic Acids and Inheritance

Expression of Genes

Control of Gene Expression

Dna Technology

The Evolution of Genomes

How Evolution Works

Phylogenetic Reconstruction

Microevolution

Species and Speciation

Introduction to Viruses

Prokaryotes

The Origin and Evolution of Eukaryotes

Nonvascular and Seedless Vascular Plants

Seed Plants

Introduction to Fungi

An Introduction to Animal Diversity

Invertebrates

Vertebrates

Plant Structure and Growth

Transport in Vascular Plants

Plant Nutrition

Reproduction of Flowering Plants

Plant Signals and Behavior

The Animal Body

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Digestive Systems

Animal Transport Systems

Animal Excretory Systems

Animal Reproductive Systems

Development in Animals

Animal Defenses Against Infection

Electrical Signals in Animals

Neural Regulation in Animals

Sensation and Movement in Animals

An Overview of Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Populations and Life History Traits

Biodiversity and Communities

Energy Flow and Chemical Cycling in Ecosystems

Conservation and Global Ecology

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