Question 1

What benefit does the size of the Earth serve?

Accepted Answer

A)  Its size keeps it in orbit at a constant distance from the sun. 
B)  Its size provides enough gravitational mass to keep the light gaseous molecules in its atmosphere from flying off into space. 
C)  Its size keeps the iron-nickel core solid. 
D)  Its size prevents transfer of geothermal energy to the surface of the planet. 
A)  Its size keeps it in orbit at a constant distance from the sun. 
B)  Its size provides enough gravitational mass to keep the light gaseous molecules in its atmosphere from flying off into space. 
C)  Its size keeps the iron-nickel core solid. 
D)  Its size prevents transfer of geothermal energy to the surface of the planet. B

Question 2

Biopharming is the use of genetically engineered animals to act as biofactories for producing drugs.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Scientists have identified periods of ______________________________ in which the extinction rates are higher than normal but not high enough to classify the period as having experienced a mass extinction.

Accepted Answer

mass depletion

Question 4

Most of the individuals in a bat population possess moderate length wings,although some have long wings and some have short wings.Over the course of time,the frequency of moderate wing lengths has increased.What is the most likely cause for most of the bat population having moderate wing lengths?

Accepted Answer

A)  stabilizing natural selection 
B)  directional natural selection 
C)  continuous natural selection 
D)  diversifying natural selection 
A)  stabilizing natural selection 
B)  directional natural selection 
C)  continuous natural selection 
D)  diversifying natural selection

Question 5

Although there appears to be considerable variability in lengths of necks in a population of giraffes,the fossil record shows a definite shift to longer necks over the course of time.What is the most likely conclusion about the shift to longer necks?

Accepted Answer

A)  The population is undergoing stabilizing natural selection. 
B)  The population is undergoing directional natural selection. 
C)  The population is undergoing discontinuous natural selection. 
D)  The population is undergoing diversifying natural selection. 
A)  The population is undergoing stabilizing natural selection. 
B)  The population is undergoing directional natural selection. 
C)  The population is undergoing discontinuous natural selection. 
D)  The population is undergoing diversifying natural selection.

Question 6

Which of the following does NOT refer to coevolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  Coevolution occurs between plants and herbivores. 
B)  Coevolution occurs when interacting species exert selective pressures on each other. 
C)  Coevolution leads to competitive relationships. 
D)  Coevolution may play a role in the evolution of camouflage. 
A)  Coevolution occurs between plants and herbivores. 
B)  Coevolution occurs when interacting species exert selective pressures on each other. 
C)  Coevolution leads to competitive relationships. 
D)  Coevolution may play a role in the evolution of camouflage.

Question 7

What can cause mutations in an organism's DNA?

Accepted Answer

A)  x-rays 
B)  ozone 
C)  carbon dioxide (CO₂) 
D)  methane (CH₄) 
A)  x-rays 
B)  ozone 
C)  carbon dioxide (CO₂) 
D)  methane (CH₄)

Question 8

What provides strong evidence for the evolution of life?

Accepted Answer

A)  analysis of the Bible 
B)  analysis of solar and lunar cycles 
C)  analysis of past atmospheric conditions 
D)  analysis of radioactive elements in ancient rocks and fossils 
A)  analysis of the Bible 
B)  analysis of solar and lunar cycles 
C)  analysis of past atmospheric conditions 
D)  analysis of radioactive elements in ancient rocks and fossils

Question 9

What is geographic isolation least likely to give rise to?

Accepted Answer

A)  convergent evolution 
B)  speciation 
C)  divergent evolution 
D)  reproductive isolation 
A)  convergent evolution 
B)  speciation 
C)  divergent evolution 
D)  reproductive isolation

Question 10

Which statement best defines mass depletion?

Accepted Answer

A)  The normal extinction rate of various species as a result of changes in local environmental conditions. 
B)  A widespread, often global period during which extinction rates are higher than normal. 
C)  A catastrophic, widespread, often global event in which major groups of species are wiped out over a very short period of time. 
D)  The current extinction rate when the background extinction rate is subtracted from the mass extinction rate. 
A)  The normal extinction rate of various species as a result of changes in local environmental conditions. 
B)  A widespread, often global period during which extinction rates are higher than normal. 
C)  A catastrophic, widespread, often global event in which major groups of species are wiped out over a very short period of time. 
D)  The current extinction rate when the background extinction rate is subtracted from the mass extinction rate.

Question 11

Which statement best describes how the Earth's distance from the sun influences our planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  It ensures that Earth's climate will be too cold for evolution to continue. 
B)  It ensures that Earth's climate will be too hot for evolution to continue. 
C)  It ensures that Earth will overheat of its own accord long before this could happen due to human-caused global warming. 
D)  It has created a climate just right for the evolution of life, which depends on water. 
A)  It ensures that Earth's climate will be too cold for evolution to continue. 
B)  It ensures that Earth's climate will be too hot for evolution to continue. 
C)  It ensures that Earth will overheat of its own accord long before this could happen due to human-caused global warming. 
D)  It has created a climate just right for the evolution of life, which depends on water.

Question 12

What is the most likely sequence for the biological evolution of life?

Accepted Answer

A)  anaerobic prokaryotes-photosynthetic prokaryotes-aerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-multicellular organisms 
B)  aerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-anaerobic prokaryotes -photosynthetic prokaryotes-multicellular organisms 
C)  aerobic prokaryotes-photosynthetic prokaryotes-anaerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-multicellular organisms 
D)  photosynthetic prokaryotes-anaerobic prokaryotes-aerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-multicellular organisms 
A)  anaerobic prokaryotes-photosynthetic prokaryotes-aerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-multicellular organisms 
B)  aerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-anaerobic prokaryotes -photosynthetic prokaryotes-multicellular organisms 
C)  aerobic prokaryotes-photosynthetic prokaryotes-anaerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-multicellular organisms 
D)  photosynthetic prokaryotes-anaerobic prokaryotes-aerobic prokaryotes-eukaryotes-multicellular organisms

Question 13

What percentage do geneticists estimate is the average success rate of current genetic engineering experiments?

Accepted Answer

A)  10.0% 
B)  1.0% 
C)  0.1% 
D)  0.01% 
A)  10.0% 
B)  1.0% 
C)  0.1% 
D)  0.01%

Question 14

What has occurred when natural selection results in a shift toward one end of a normal range of traits?

Accepted Answer

A)  directional natural selection 
B)  diversifying natural selection 
C)  stabilizing natural selection 
D)  discontinuous natural selection 
A)  directional natural selection 
B)  diversifying natural selection 
C)  stabilizing natural selection 
D)  discontinuous natural selection

Question 15

That the bodies of both sharks and whales have evolved into a fusiform shape is an example of ___________________________________.

Accepted Answer

convergent

Question 16

Geographic isolation and reproductive isolation are the two processes that affect the numbers and types of species on Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Mutations must occur for biological evolution to happen.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Houseflies would probably adapt to an environmental change much quicker than a human would.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Extinction is the permanent loss of genetic diversity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

What best defines an organism's habitat?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the interactions and relationships that it has with other species. 
B)  It is the location where a species lives. 
C)  It is the range of tolerance to different physical and chemical conditions. 
D)  It is the type of resources requirement. 
A)  It is the interactions and relationships that it has with other species. 
B)  It is the location where a species lives. 
C)  It is the range of tolerance to different physical and chemical conditions. 
D)  It is the type of resources requirement.

Exam 5: Evolution and Biodiversity

What benefit does the size of the Earth serve?

Biopharming is the use of genetically engineered animals to act as biofactories for producing drugs.

Scientists have identified periods of ______________________________ in which the extinction rates are higher than normal but not high enough to classify the period as having experienced a mass extinction.

Most of the individuals in a bat population possess moderate length wings,although some have long wings and some have short wings.Over the course of time,the frequency of moderate wing lengths has increased.What is the most likely cause for most of the bat population having moderate wing lengths?

Although there appears to be considerable variability in lengths of necks in a population of giraffes,the fossil record shows a definite shift to longer necks over the course of time.What is the most likely conclusion about the shift to longer necks?

Which of the following does NOT refer to coevolution?

What can cause mutations in an organism's DNA?

What provides strong evidence for the evolution of life?

What is geographic isolation least likely to give rise to?

Which statement best defines mass depletion?

Which statement best describes how the Earth's distance from the sun influences our planet?

What is the most likely sequence for the biological evolution of life?

What percentage do geneticists estimate is the average success rate of current genetic engineering experiments?

What has occurred when natural selection results in a shift toward one end of a normal range of traits?

That the bodies of both sharks and whales have evolved into a fusiform shape is an example of ___________________________________.

Geographic isolation and reproductive isolation are the two processes that affect the numbers and types of species on Earth.

Mutations must occur for biological evolution to happen.

Houseflies would probably adapt to an environmental change much quicker than a human would.

Extinction is the permanent loss of genetic diversity.

What best defines an organism's habitat?

Environmental Problems: an Introduction and Overview

Environmental History: Learning From the Past

Science, systems, matter, and Energy

Ecosystems: What Are They, and How Do They Work

Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity

Aquatic Biodiversity

Community Ecology

Population Ecology

Applying Population Ecology: the Human Population

Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: Managing and Protecting Ecosystems

Sustaining Biodiversity: the Species Approach

Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity

Food and Soil Resources

Water Resources

Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Risk,toxicology,and Human Health

Air Pollution

Climate Change and Ozone Loss

Water Pollution

Pest Management

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Sustainable Cities

Economics, environment, and Sustainability

Politics, environment, and Sustainability

Environmental World-views, ethics, and Sustainability

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