Exam 16: Charles Darwin, Evolutionary Thought, and the Evidence for Evolution

In each of the following, the statement is true. Choose the appropriate answer. -As you look at older segments in the fossil record, increasing numbers of modern orders and classes of organisms are not represented.

In each of the following, choose the better of the two choices. -Tanned skin resulting from exposure to the sun:

If we found two different species of ground squirrels on opposite sides of the Grand Canyon that still shared several characteristics, we would conclude that they evolved from a common ancestor.

Both sea squirts and lampreys have a perforated pharynx, a notochord at some stage of development, and a ventral heart. These similarities are best explained by which of the following hypotheses?

The theory of natural selection states that:

In each of the following, the statement is true. Choose the appropriate answer. -Radioactive dating shows that the age of the oldest wood in living bristle cone pines exceeds 4,200 years.

If a population consisted only of individuals cloned from a single organism, then:

Read the statement below and then answer the questions that follow. Choose your answer based on the observation in the question. It is hypothesized that reptiles were the immediate evolutionary ancestors of birds. -The Jurassic fossil Archaeopteryx has birdlike feathers and wings, but it also has reptilian characteristics, such as teeth.

For natural selection to occur, there must be some competition for resources, survival, or reproduction. Why is this so?

Which example is favored in terms of natural selection?

In each of the following, choose the better of the two choices. -Brown eye color resulting from wearing contact lenses:

Scientists may compare similar genes in different species and determine what percentage of base pairs is identical. From this, it is estimated how long ago the two species shared a common ancestor. The validity of this conclusion depends on an important assumption. This assumption is that:

Even though Darwin was able to develop the theory of evolution through natural selection, he was hampered in his work by the fact that he had never see actual fossils of extinct animals.

Which of the following is consistent with a modern understanding of evolution?

Evolution assumes that all living things evolved from a common ancestor. What characteristics would that ancient common ancestor have with a human?

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 10,000 years. This isotope and its breakdown product do not normally occur together when molten rock cools and becomes solid. If you have a volcanic rock sample containing 0.25 grams of the radioactive isotope and 0.75 grams of its breakdown product, when did this rock likely solidify?

If the driving force behind natural selection is to pass on our genes, why do some people choose to adopt children?

Which of these types of Galapagos species most influenced Darwin to develop the theory of species change by natural selection?

In each of the following, choose the better of the two choices. -Copper-colored skin of a Native American:

Refer to the figure above and then answer the question that follows. -Homologous structures, such as a bat wing and whale flipper, are/have