Question 1

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 C

Question 2

The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)can be considered to be an example of artificial selection because

Accepted Answer

A) humans purposefully raise MRSA in large fermenters in an attempt to make the bacteria ever-more resistant. 
B) S) aureus is cultivated by humans to replenish the soil with nutrients. 
C) humans synthesize methicillin and create environments in which bacteria frequently come into contact with methicillin. 
D) humans are becoming resistant to bacteria by taking methicillin. 
A) humans purposefully raise MRSA in large fermenters in an attempt to make the bacteria ever-more resistant. 
B) S) aureus is cultivated by humans to replenish the soil with nutrients. 
C) humans synthesize methicillin and create environments in which bacteria frequently come into contact with methicillin. 
D) humans are becoming resistant to bacteria by taking methicillin. C

Question 3

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. A

Question 4

The upper forelimbs of humans and bats have fairly similar skeletal structures,whereas the corresponding bones in whales have very different shapes and proportions.However,genetic data suggest that all three kinds of organisms diverged from a common ancestor at about the same time.Which of the following is the most likely explanation for these data?

Accepted Answer

A) Humans and bats evolved by natural selection, and whales evolved by Lamarckian mechanisms. 
B) Forelimb evolution was adaptive in people and bats, but not in whales. 
C) Natural selection in an aquatic environment resulted in significant changes to whale forelimb anatomy. 
D) Genes mutate faster in whales than in humans or bats. 
E) Whales are not properly classified as mammals. 
A) Humans and bats evolved by natural selection, and whales evolved by Lamarckian mechanisms. 
B) Forelimb evolution was adaptive in people and bats, but not in whales. 
C) Natural selection in an aquatic environment resulted in significant changes to whale forelimb anatomy. 
D) Genes mutate faster in whales than in humans or bats. 
E) Whales are not properly classified as mammals.

Question 5

Currently,two extant elephant species (X and Y)are placed in the genus Loxodonta,and a third species (Z)is placed in the genus Elephas.Thus,which statement should be true?

Accepted Answer

A) Species X and Y are not related to species Z. 
B) Species X and Y share a greater number of homologies with each other than either does with species Z. 
C) Species X and Y share a common ancestor that is still extant (in other words, not yet extinct). 
D) Species X and Y are the result of artificial selection from an ancestral species Z. 
E) Species X, Y, and Z share a common ancestor, but nothing more can be claimed than this. 
A) Species X and Y are not related to species Z. 
B) Species X and Y share a greater number of homologies with each other than either does with species Z. 
C) Species X and Y share a common ancestor that is still extant (in other words, not yet extinct). 
D) Species X and Y are the result of artificial selection from an ancestral species Z. 
E) Species X, Y, and Z share a common ancestor, but nothing more can be claimed than this.

Question 6

Charles Darwin was the first person to propose

Accepted Answer

A) that evolution occurs. 
B) a mechanism for how evolution occurs. 
C) that Earth is older than a few thousand years. 
D) a mechanism for evolution that was supported by evidence. 
E) that population growth can outpace the growth of food resources. 
A) that evolution occurs. 
B) a mechanism for how evolution occurs. 
C) that Earth is older than a few thousand years. 
D) a mechanism for evolution that was supported by evidence. 
E) that population growth can outpace the growth of food resources.

Question 7

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree shown 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 labelled 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.
  
-Which of the five common ancestors,labelled V-Z,has been most successful in terms of the percentage 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

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. 
E) humans and chimpanzees are not closely related. 
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. 
E) humans and chimpanzees are not closely related.

Question 9

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

Question 10

If one wanted to find the largest number of endemic species,one should visit which of the following geological features (assuming each has existed for several millions of years)?

Accepted Answer

A) an isolated ocean island in the tropics 
B) an extensive mountain range 
C) a midcontinental grassland with extreme climatic conditions 
D) a shallow estuary on a warm-water coast 
A) an isolated ocean island in the tropics 
B) an extensive mountain range 
C) a midcontinental grassland with extreme climatic conditions 
D) a shallow estuary on a warm-water coast

Question 11

Which of the following statements best describes theories?

Accepted Answer

A) They are nearly the same things as hypotheses. 
B) They are supported by, and make sense of, many observations. 
C) They cannot be tested because the described events occurred only once. 
D) They are predictions of future events. 
A) They are nearly the same things as hypotheses. 
B) They are supported by, and make sense of, many observations. 
C) They cannot be tested because the described events occurred only once. 
D) They are predictions of future events.

Question 12

If the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus experiences a cost for maintaining one or more antibiotic-resistance genes,then what should happen in environments from which antibiotics are missing?

Accepted Answer

A) These genes should continue to be maintained in case the antibiotics ever appear. 
B) These bacteria should be outcompeted and replaced by bacteria that have lost these genes. 
C) The bacteria should try to make the cost worthwhile by locating, and migrating to, microenvironments where traces of antibiotics are present. 
D) The bacteria should start making and secreting their own antibiotics. 
A) These genes should continue to be maintained in case the antibiotics ever appear. 
B) These bacteria should be outcompeted and replaced by bacteria that have lost these genes. 
C) The bacteria should try to make the cost worthwhile by locating, and migrating to, microenvironments where traces of antibiotics are present. 
D) The bacteria should start making and secreting their own antibiotics.

Question 13

What must be true of any organ that is described as vestigial?

Accepted Answer

A) It must be analogous to some feature in an ancestor. 
B) It must be homologous to some feature in an ancestor. 
C) It must be both homologous and analogous to some feature in an ancestor. 
D) It need be neither homologous nor analogous to some feature in an ancestor. 
A) It must be analogous to some feature in an ancestor. 
B) It must be homologous to some feature in an ancestor. 
C) It must be both homologous and analogous to some feature in an ancestor. 
D) It need be neither homologous nor analogous to some feature in an ancestor.

Question 14

In a hypothetical environment,fish called pike-cichlids are visual predators of algae-eating fish (in other words,they locate their prey by sight).If a population of algae-eaters experiences predation pressure from pike-cichlids,which of the following is least likely to be observed in the algae-eater population over the course of many generations?

Accepted Answer

A) selection for drab colouration of the algae-eaters 
B) selection for nocturnal algae-eaters (active only at night) 
C) selection for larger female algae-eaters, bearing broods composed of more, and larger, young 
D) selection for algae-eaters that become sexually mature at smaller overall body sizes 
E) selection for algae-eaters that are faster swimmers 
A) selection for drab colouration of the algae-eaters 
B) selection for nocturnal algae-eaters (active only at night) 
C) selection for larger female algae-eaters, bearing broods composed of more, and larger, young 
D) selection for algae-eaters that become sexually mature at smaller overall body sizes 
E) selection for algae-eaters that are faster swimmers

Question 15

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 16

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 17

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.

Question 18

In pools where guppies and pike-cichlids coexist,guppies show ________ coloration.Researchers transplanted guppies from the pools with pike-cichlids and released them into pools with killifish.After 15 generations,the researchers observed that the transplanted guppies had ________ colored spots compared with the source population.

Accepted Answer

A) drab; more 
B) bright; more 
C) drab; the same number of 
D) bright; the same number of 
E) drab; less 
A) drab; more 
B) bright; more 
C) drab; the same number of 
D) bright; the same number of 
E) drab; less

Question 19

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. 
E) measure the length of hair on female tamarins. 
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. 
E) measure the length of hair on female tamarins.

Question 20

Use the following information to answer the questions below.
About 13 different species of finches inhabit the Galápagos Islands today,all descendants of a common ancestor from the South American mainland that arrived a few million years ago.Genetically,there are four distinct lineages,but the 13 species are currently classified among three genera.The first lineage to diverge from the ancestral lineage was the warbler finch (genus Certhidea).Next to diverge was the vegetarian finch (genus Camarhynchus),followed by five tree finch species (also in genus Camarhynchus)and six ground finch species (genus Geospiza).
-According to a 1999 study,the vegetarian finch is genetically no more similar to the tree finches than it is to the ground finches,despite the fact that it is placed in the same genus as the tree finches.Based on this finding,it is reasonable to conclude that the vegetarian finch

Accepted Answer

A) is no more closely related to the tree finches than it is to the ground finches, despite its classification. 
B) should be re-classified as a warbler finch. 
C) is not truly a descendent of the original ancestral finch. 
D) is a hybrid species, resulting from a cross between a ground finch and a tree finch. 
A) is no more closely related to the tree finches than it is to the ground finches, despite its classification. 
B) should be re-classified as a warbler finch. 
C) is not truly a descendent of the original ancestral finch. 
D) is a hybrid species, resulting from a cross between a ground finch and a tree finch.

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

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

The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)can be considered to be an example of artificial selection because

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

Currently,two extant elephant species (X and Y)are placed in the genus Loxodonta,and a third species (Z)is placed in the genus Elephas.Thus,which statement should be true?

Charles Darwin was the first person to propose

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

If one wanted to find the largest number of endemic species,one should visit which of the following geological features (assuming each has existed for several millions of years)?

Which of the following statements best describes theories?

If the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus experiences a cost for maintaining one or more antibiotic-resistance genes,then what should happen in environments from which antibiotics are missing?

What must be true of any organ that is described as vestigial?

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?

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

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

Introduction: Evolution and Themes of Biology

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

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

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 Signalling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behaviour

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

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