Question 1

Use the diagram to answer the next question.   Which of the following conclusions is consistent with the information in the evolutionary tree?

Accepted Answer

A)  The amnion occurs in mammals, birds, and lizards. 
B)  The amnion occurs in all organisms that have digit-bearing limbs. 
C)  The amnion is a membrane that surrounds developing embryos. 
D)  Feathers contribute to temperature regulation in birds. 
A)  The amnion occurs in mammals, birds, and lizards. 
B)  The amnion occurs in all organisms that have digit-bearing limbs. 
C)  The amnion is a membrane that surrounds developing embryos. 
D)  Feathers contribute to temperature regulation in birds.

Question 2

There are a group of 13 related species of birds on a group of about 20 isolated oceanic islands. These species are grouped into four subgroups, with subgroup 1 evolving first (3 species), subgroup 2 evolving second (1 species), subgroup 3 evolving third (5 species), and subgroup 4 evolving last (6 species). If subgroup 4 evolved most recently, then which of the following statements is the most logical prediction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Subgroup 4 should be limited to the six islands that most recently emerged from the sea. 
B)  The genomes of subgroup 4 should be more similar to each other than to the genomes of subgroup 3. 
C)  The species of subgroup 4 should share fewer anatomical homologies with each other than they share with the species of subgroup 4. 
D)  The chances of hybridization between two subgroup 4 species should be less than the chances of hybridization between two subgroup 3 species. 
A)  Subgroup 4 should be limited to the six islands that most recently emerged from the sea. 
B)  The genomes of subgroup 4 should be more similar to each other than to the genomes of subgroup 3. 
C)  The species of subgroup 4 should share fewer anatomical homologies with each other than they share with the species of subgroup 4. 
D)  The chances of hybridization between two subgroup 4 species should be less than the chances of hybridization between two subgroup 3 species.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A)  bones in the hind limbs of a kangaroo 
B)  chitinous struts in the wings of a butterfly 
C)  bony rays in the tail fin of a flying fish 
D)  bones in the flippers of a whale 
A)  bones in the hind limbs of a kangaroo 
B)  chitinous struts in the wings of a butterfly 
C)  bony rays in the tail fin of a flying fish 
D)  bones in the flippers of a whale

Question 4

Use the diagram to answer the next question.   Which of the following conclusions is most consistent with the information in the evolutionary tree shown above?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mammals are more closely related to birds than to amphibians. 
B)  Lizards and crocodiles (both of which have legs) are more closely related to each other than either is to snakes (which lack legs). 
C)  Crocodiles are more closely related to hawks than to lizards. 
D)  Modern lungfishes are the common ancestor of modern tetrapods. 
A)  Mammals are more closely related to birds than to amphibians. 
B)  Lizards and crocodiles (both of which have legs) are more closely related to each other than either is to snakes (which lack legs). 
C)  Crocodiles are more closely related to hawks than to lizards. 
D)  Modern lungfishes are the common ancestor of modern tetrapods.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about vestigial structures is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  A vestigial structure in species A can be homologous to a functional structure in species B. 
B)  A vestigial structure in species A can be analogous to a functional structure in Species B. 
C)  A vestigial structure in species A is likely an example of convergent evolution with a structure in species B. 
D)  A vestigial structure in species A did not have a function in past ancestors. 
A)  A vestigial structure in species A can be homologous to a functional structure in species B. 
B)  A vestigial structure in species A can be analogous to a functional structure in Species B. 
C)  A vestigial structure in species A is likely an example of convergent evolution with a structure in species B. 
D)  A vestigial structure in species A did not have a function in past ancestors.

Question 6

Which of these conditions do NOT occur in populations evolving due to natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  The populations vary in traits that can be inherited. 
B)  Some inherited traits increase reproductive success. 
C)  Individuals pass on most traits that they acquire during their lifetime. 
D)  More offspring are produced than can survive. 
A)  The populations vary in traits that can be inherited. 
B)  Some inherited traits increase reproductive success. 
C)  Individuals pass on most traits that they acquire during their lifetime. 
D)  More offspring are produced than can survive.

Question 7

Which of the following observations would provide evidence supporting Lamarck's proposed evolutionary mechanism of "inheritance of acquired characteristics"?

Accepted Answer

A)  a decrease in tail length in dogs after 20 generations of dogs that had their tails docked (cut off) as puppies 
B)  an increase in the length of giraffes' necks after trees in the area decreased in height 
C)  a decrease in the size of the tails of salamanders in a population that immigrated into a cave 20 generations earlier 
D)  an increase in average speed of deer on an island when the amount of food increased 
A)  a decrease in tail length in dogs after 20 generations of dogs that had their tails docked (cut off) as puppies 
B)  an increase in the length of giraffes' necks after trees in the area decreased in height 
C)  a decrease in the size of the tails of salamanders in a population that immigrated into a cave 20 generations earlier 
D)  an increase in average speed of deer on an island when the amount of food increased

Question 8

Cotton-topped tamarins are small primates with tufts of long white hair on their heads. While studying these creatures, a scientist noticed that males with longer hair get more opportunities to mate and that they father more offspring than males with shorter hair. Which of the following possible studies would be the best design for testing if longer hair is an adaptive trait? Assume that hair length is a trait that is inherited.

Accepted Answer

A)  Capture a group of males with long hair at random, and cut the hair very short in half of the males; then, compare the number of matings of males with their hair left unchanged vs. males with shortened hair. 
B)  From long-term observational records, determine the ages of males and then compare the number of matings by males of different ages. 
C)  Follow at least ten troops of tamarins and compare the number of matings by males that live in large groups vs. those that live in small groups. 
D)  Follow at least 20 troops of tamarins and compare the number of matings by males that live high in trees vs. those that live on the ground. 
A)  Capture a group of males with long hair at random, and cut the hair very short in half of the males; then, compare the number of matings of males with their hair left unchanged vs. males with shortened hair. 
B)  From long-term observational records, determine the ages of males and then compare the number of matings by males of different ages. 
C)  Follow at least ten troops of tamarins and compare the number of matings by males that live in large groups vs. those that live in small groups. 
D)  Follow at least 20 troops of tamarins and compare the number of matings by males that live high in trees vs. those that live on the ground.

Question 9

Which of the following ideas of Charles Darwin was most derived from his reading of Malthus's essay on human population growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  descent with modification 
B)  variation among individuals in a population 
C)  the ability of all species to over reproduce 
D)  humans selected for specific traits in domesticated organisms 
A)  descent with modification 
B)  variation among individuals in a population 
C)  the ability of all species to over reproduce 
D)  humans selected for specific traits in domesticated organisms

Question 10

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 11

The diagram shows two sets of islands. Group A is located 2,500 kilometers from the nearest mainland, whereas Group B is located about 25 kilometers from the mainland. Which of the following statements is most likely accurate in comparing the number of unique species (that is, that had evolved in that place) in Island Groups A and B?

Accepted Answer

A)  There will be more unique species in Island Group A. 
B)  There will be more unique species in Island Group B 
C)  There will be no difference in the number of unique species in the two island groups. 
D)  There is not enough information to make a prediction. 
A)  There will be more unique species in Island Group A. 
B)  There will be more unique species in Island Group B 
C)  There will be no difference in the number of unique species in the two island groups. 
D)  There is not enough information to make a prediction.

Question 12

Which of the following statements best describes Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  Darwin's theory was the first to describe the ideas of special creation. 
B)  Darwin's theory proved that individuals acclimated to their environment over time. 
C)  Darwin's theory emphasized that populations vary and change over time. 
D)  Darwin's theory was the first to propose that species changed over time. 
A)  Darwin's theory was the first to describe the ideas of special creation. 
B)  Darwin's theory proved that individuals acclimated to their environment over time. 
C)  Darwin's theory emphasized that populations vary and change over time. 
D)  Darwin's theory was the first to propose that species changed over time.

Question 13

The figure shows an outcrop of sedimentary rock whose strata are labeled A-D.   If x indicates the location of fossils of two closely related species, then fossils of their most-recent common ancestor are most likely to occur in which stratum?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which of the following statements best represents a conclusion that Cuvier made when he considered the fossils found in the vicinity of Paris?

Accepted Answer

A)  Older rock strata contain species that are quite similar to current species because they evolved in that area. 
B)  Young rock strata contain only species that evolved recently. 
C)  Multiple catastrophes caused extinctions and then new species evolved. 
D)  Multiple catastrophes caused extinctions and then species from other areas repopulated emptied areas. 
A)  Older rock strata contain species that are quite similar to current species because they evolved in that area. 
B)  Young rock strata contain only species that evolved recently. 
C)  Multiple catastrophes caused extinctions and then new species evolved. 
D)  Multiple catastrophes caused extinctions and then species from other areas repopulated emptied areas.

Question 15

A farmer uses triazine herbicide to control pigweed in his field. For the first few years, the triazine works well and almost all the pigweed dies; however, after several years, the farmer sees more and more pigweed growing once again in the fields. Which of the following statements best explains the return of pigweed to the farmer's fields?

Accepted Answer

A)  The herbicide company started selling poor-quality triazine. 
B)  Natural selection caused the pigweed to mutate, creating a new triazine-resistant species. 
C)  Triazine-resistant pigweed has less-efficient photosynthetic pathways than the original form. 
D)  Triazine-resistant weeds were more likely to survive and reproduce than were non-resistant individuals. 
A)  The herbicide company started selling poor-quality triazine. 
B)  Natural selection caused the pigweed to mutate, creating a new triazine-resistant species. 
C)  Triazine-resistant pigweed has less-efficient photosynthetic pathways than the original form. 
D)  Triazine-resistant weeds were more likely to survive and reproduce than were non-resistant individuals.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is most accurate in comparing scientific theories and scientific hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

A)  Scientific theories are nearly the same things as scientific hypotheses. 
B)  Scientific theories are supported by, and make sense of, many observations, whereas scientific hypotheses are narrow, testable ideas. 
C)  Scientific theories cannot be tested because they relate to events that occurred only once, but scientific hypotheses can be tested because they relate to events that occur now. 
D)  Scientific theories predict future events but scientific hypotheses describe past events. 
A)  Scientific theories are nearly the same things as scientific hypotheses. 
B)  Scientific theories are supported by, and make sense of, many observations, whereas scientific hypotheses are narrow, testable ideas. 
C)  Scientific theories cannot be tested because they relate to events that occurred only once, but scientific hypotheses can be tested because they relate to events that occur now. 
D)  Scientific theories predict future events but scientific hypotheses describe past events.

Question 17

Currently, two of the living elephant species (X and Y) are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third surviving species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Assuming this classification reflects evolutionary relatedness, which of the following is the most accurate evolutionary tree?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Darwin used the phrase "descent with modification" to explain which of the following ideas?

Accepted Answer

A)  descent of all organisms from a single, ancient ancestor 
B)  the unity of life 
C)  the diversity of life 
D)  both the unity and diversity of life 
A)  descent of all organisms from a single, ancient ancestor 
B)  the unity of life 
C)  the diversity of life 
D)  both the unity and diversity of life

Question 19

Which of the following statements is accurate if we view evolution both as a pattern and a process?

Accepted Answer

A)  To study evolution as a pattern we draw on information from many other scientific fields, while to study evolution as a process we study factors that cause changes in populations. 
B)  To study evolution as a pattern we study factors that cause changes in populations, while to study evolution as a process we draw on information from many other scientific fields. 
C)  To study evolution as a pattern we rely on data from the past, while to study evolution as a process we study data from current day populations. 
D)  To study evolution as a pattern we study data from current day populations, while to study evolution as a process we rely on data from the past. 
A)  To study evolution as a pattern we draw on information from many other scientific fields, while to study evolution as a process we study factors that cause changes in populations. 
B)  To study evolution as a pattern we study factors that cause changes in populations, while to study evolution as a process we draw on information from many other scientific fields. 
C)  To study evolution as a pattern we rely on data from the past, while to study evolution as a process we study data from current day populations. 
D)  To study evolution as a pattern we study data from current day populations, while to study evolution as a process we rely on data from the past.

Question 20

The figure shows an outcrop of sedimentary rock whose strata are labeled A-D.   If x indicates the earliest appearance of fossils of two closely related species, neither of which is extinct, then their remains may be found in which of these strata?

Accepted Answer

A)  stratum A only 
B)  strata A and B only 
C)  strata A, B, and C only 
D)  all four strata 
A)  stratum A only 
B)  strata A and B only 
C)  strata A, B, and C only 
D)  all four strata

Exam 21: How Evolution Works

Use the diagram to answer the next question. Which of the following conclusions is consistent with the information in the evolutionary tree?

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

Use the diagram to answer the next question. Which of the following conclusions is most consistent with the information in the evolutionary tree shown above?

Which of the following statements about vestigial structures is accurate?

Which of these conditions do NOT occur in populations evolving due to natural selection?

Which of the following observations would provide evidence supporting Lamarck's proposed evolutionary mechanism of "inheritance of acquired characteristics"?

Which of the following ideas of Charles Darwin was most derived from his reading of Malthus's essay on human population growth?

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 ________.

Which of the following statements best describes Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?

The figure shows an outcrop of sedimentary rock whose strata are labeled A-D. If x indicates the location of fossils of two closely related species, then fossils of their most-recent common ancestor are most likely to occur in which stratum?

Which of the following statements best represents a conclusion that Cuvier made when he considered the fossils found in the vicinity of Paris?

Which of the following statements is most accurate in comparing scientific theories and scientific hypotheses?

Currently, two of the living elephant species (X and Y) are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third surviving species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Assuming this classification reflects evolutionary relatedness, which of the following is the most accurate evolutionary tree?

Darwin used the phrase "descent with modification" to explain which of the following ideas?

Which of the following statements is accurate if we view evolution both as a pattern and a process?

The figure shows an outcrop of sedimentary rock whose strata are labeled A-D. If x indicates the earliest appearance of fossils of two closely related species, neither of which is extinct, then their remains may be found in which of these strata?

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

Phylogenetic Reconstruction

Microevolution

Species and Speciation

Macroevolution

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

Filters