Question 1

Interpreting this figure, Which of the following is a similarity between Lamark's proposal for evolution and that of Darwin?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both scenarios begin with a population of giraffes that contains variation. 
B)  Both scenarios expose the giraffes to an environmental pressure (or challenge). 
C)  Both scenarios involve only an individual, not a population. 
D)  Both scenarios involve differential reproductive success. 
E)  Both scenarios involve giraffes of equal fitness. 
A)  Both scenarios begin with a population of giraffes that contains variation. 
B)  Both scenarios expose the giraffes to an environmental pressure (or challenge). 
C)  Both scenarios involve only an individual, not a population. 
D)  Both scenarios involve differential reproductive success. 
E)  Both scenarios involve giraffes of equal fitness. B

Question 2

Critical to the theory of evolution, Darwin needed to include an idea that was not generally accepted by scientists or society at that time. That idea was

Accepted Answer

A)  that catastrophism occurred at a uniform rate. 
B)  that the inheritance of acquired characteristics was true. 
C)  that the Earth must be very old. 
D)  that uniformitarianism was false. 
E)  that diversity of life was constant through time. 
A)  that catastrophism occurred at a uniform rate. 
B)  that the inheritance of acquired characteristics was true. 
C)  that the Earth must be very old. 
D)  that uniformitarianism was false. 
E)  that diversity of life was constant through time. C

Question 3

Through observing the variation in snails, which individuals would you predict would most easily hide from predators if this population existed in variable (mixed patches of light and dark areas) environment?

Accepted Answer

A)  The dark colored snails would most easily hide from predators. 
B)  The light colored snails would most easily hide from predators. 
C)  The multicolored (variable) snails would most easily hide from predators. 
D)  All snails would equally hide well from predators anywhere in the environment. 
E)  All snails would equally be obvious to predators anywhere in the environment. 
A)  The dark colored snails would most easily hide from predators. 
B)  The light colored snails would most easily hide from predators. 
C)  The multicolored (variable) snails would most easily hide from predators. 
D)  All snails would equally hide well from predators anywhere in the environment. 
E)  All snails would equally be obvious to predators anywhere in the environment. C

Question 4

Monkeys in the New World (the Americas) have prehensile tails, strong flexible tails that grip branches and operate much like another hand while Old World (Africa and Asia) monkeys do not have such a tail. The explanation for this is

Accepted Answer

A)  monkeys in the Old World do not need a prehensile tail and therefore did not evolve one. 
B)  monkeys in the New World needed a prehensile tail and therefore evolved one. 
C)  the prehensile tail evolved in New World monkeys after the Americas separated from Africa and Asia. 
D)  the Americas are much older than Africa and Asia. There has not been enough time to evolve a prehensile tail in Africa and Asia. 
E)  a catastrophe occurred in the Old World that killed all prehensile tail monkeys leaving only non-prehensile tailed monkeys to survive. 
A)  monkeys in the Old World do not need a prehensile tail and therefore did not evolve one. 
B)  monkeys in the New World needed a prehensile tail and therefore evolved one. 
C)  the prehensile tail evolved in New World monkeys after the Americas separated from Africa and Asia. 
D)  the Americas are much older than Africa and Asia. There has not been enough time to evolve a prehensile tail in Africa and Asia. 
E)  a catastrophe occurred in the Old World that killed all prehensile tail monkeys leaving only non-prehensile tailed monkeys to survive.

Question 5

Which is not an important characteristic of the Galápagos Islands in the context of Darwin's theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  	the islands were too far from mainland South America for most terrestrial plants and animals to colonize. 
B)  	the organisms on the islands were different from those observed in South America. 
C)  	the organisms on the islands were similar to those observed in South America. 
D)  	the organisms on the islands varied from island to island. 
E)  	the multiple islands all had an identical environment. 
A)  	the islands were too far from mainland South America for most terrestrial plants and animals to colonize. 
B)  	the organisms on the islands were different from those observed in South America. 
C)  	the organisms on the islands were similar to those observed in South America. 
D)  	the organisms on the islands varied from island to island. 
E)  	the multiple islands all had an identical environment.

Question 6

Tortoises in the Galapagos possessed neck lengths unique to each island. Neck lengths appear to be an adaptation to which selective agent?

Accepted Answer

A)  ease in finding pools of drinking water 
B)  type of vegetation available to eat 
C)  reproductive barriers used to produce offspring 
D)  defense against predators 
E)  male competition for females 
A)  ease in finding pools of drinking water 
B)  type of vegetation available to eat 
C)  reproductive barriers used to produce offspring 
D)  defense against predators 
E)  male competition for females

Question 7

Which of the following is not an example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  different breeds of dogs: poodle, basset hound, chihuahua, great dane, etc. 
B)  different varieties of roses: yellow, pink, red, thorn-less, climbing, etc. 
C)  different types of tomatoes: roma, beefsteak, grape, cherry, etc. 
D)  different styles of potatoes: fried, mashed, baked, etc. 
E)  different breeds of cats: siamese, persian, rex, himalayan, american shorthair, etc. 
A)  different breeds of dogs: poodle, basset hound, chihuahua, great dane, etc. 
B)  different varieties of roses: yellow, pink, red, thorn-less, climbing, etc. 
C)  different types of tomatoes: roma, beefsteak, grape, cherry, etc. 
D)  different styles of potatoes: fried, mashed, baked, etc. 
E)  different breeds of cats: siamese, persian, rex, himalayan, american shorthair, etc.

Question 8

Prior to Darwin, people considered variation among individuals as "imperfections" and that they served no particular purpose.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The sugar glider in Australia and the flying squirrel in North America are both small mammals with large expanses of loose skin between their fore- and hind-limbs allowing them to glide from tree to tree within their respective forest habitats. These two species are distantly related but are very similar in their overall appearance. Darwin's explanation for their similarity is that

Accepted Answer

A)  both are descendants from a recent common ancestor. 
B)  each have adapted in very similar ways to similar habitats. 
C)  the similarity of the two unrelated species is simply coincidence. 
D)  the two species were created to have similarities. 
E)  the two species must be related to possess such like qualities. 
A)  both are descendants from a recent common ancestor. 
B)  each have adapted in very similar ways to similar habitats. 
C)  the similarity of the two unrelated species is simply coincidence. 
D)  the two species were created to have similarities. 
E)  the two species must be related to possess such like qualities.

Question 10

The presence of vestigial organs supports evidence of evolution because

Accepted Answer

A)  the vestigial organ is unique to one species. 
B)  the vestigial organ is similar to a functional organ in a related species, having been passed down from a common ancestor. 
C)  both the vestigial organ and the functional organ perform the same function. 
D)  the vestigial organ could not have been passed down from an ancestor. 
E)  the vestigial organs represent variation in a species. 
A)  the vestigial organ is unique to one species. 
B)  the vestigial organ is similar to a functional organ in a related species, having been passed down from a common ancestor. 
C)  both the vestigial organ and the functional organ perform the same function. 
D)  the vestigial organ could not have been passed down from an ancestor. 
E)  the vestigial organs represent variation in a species.

Question 11

The wing of a penguin and the wing of an eagle are

Accepted Answer

A)  homologous structures. 
B)  analogous structure. 
C)  identical structures. 
D)  vestigial structures. 
E)  not comparable in any way. 
A)  homologous structures. 
B)  analogous structure. 
C)  identical structures. 
D)  vestigial structures. 
E)  not comparable in any way.

Question 12

If a population lacks variation (fixed), no individual has any advantageous trait, and the environment changes for the worse. What will most likely happen to the population in terms of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  The entire population will still survive and adapt to the new environment. 
B)  A portion of the population will still survive and adapt to the new environment. 
C)  The entire population will go extinct. 
D)  Artificial selection will occur since natural selection can not. 
E)  Some individuals in the population will automatically mutate in response to the environmental change so that variation will exist. 
A)  The entire population will still survive and adapt to the new environment. 
B)  A portion of the population will still survive and adapt to the new environment. 
C)  The entire population will go extinct. 
D)  Artificial selection will occur since natural selection can not. 
E)  Some individuals in the population will automatically mutate in response to the environmental change so that variation will exist.

Question 13

Many people refer to Alfred Russel Wallace as the "Father of Biogeography." Which of the following contributions led Wallace to achieve this title?

Accepted Answer

A)  Wallace described the idea of evolution at the same time as Darwin. 
B)  Wallace had traveled around the world and collected specimens. 
C)  Wallace coined the term "survival of the fittest." 
D)  Wallace described a sharp line dividing Australian species from Asian species. 
E)  Wallace prompted Darwin to publish the book On the Origin of Species. 
A)  Wallace described the idea of evolution at the same time as Darwin. 
B)  Wallace had traveled around the world and collected specimens. 
C)  Wallace coined the term "survival of the fittest." 
D)  Wallace described a sharp line dividing Australian species from Asian species. 
E)  Wallace prompted Darwin to publish the book On the Origin of Species.

Question 14

The artificial selection of different breeds of dogs is an example of speciation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Lyell's theory of uniformitarianism stated that

Accepted Answer

A)  new and different processes are continually shaping the Earth in new and different ways. 
B)  the processes that shape the Earth today are the same process that have always shaped the Earth. 
C)  the processes that shape the Earth occur at a constant rate. 
D)  the processes that shape the Earth slow down over time. 
E)  the processes that shape the Earth occur uniformly around the globe. 
A)  new and different processes are continually shaping the Earth in new and different ways. 
B)  the processes that shape the Earth today are the same process that have always shaped the Earth. 
C)  the processes that shape the Earth occur at a constant rate. 
D)  the processes that shape the Earth slow down over time. 
E)  the processes that shape the Earth occur uniformly around the globe.

Question 16

What do fossils of transitional links illustrate?

Accepted Answer

A)  All life is related. 
B)  Shared characters of two distinct groups show that those groups are related. 
C)  Convergent evolution occurred in ancient past. 
D)  Natural selection happened long ago just as it does today. 
E)  All transitional links are now extinct. 
A)  All life is related. 
B)  Shared characters of two distinct groups show that those groups are related. 
C)  Convergent evolution occurred in ancient past. 
D)  Natural selection happened long ago just as it does today. 
E)  All transitional links are now extinct.

Question 17

The fact that DNA is the molecule containing the genetic code for all life on Earth is a part of

Accepted Answer

A)  comparative anatomical evidence. 
B)  comparative embryological evidence. 
C)  biochemical evidence. 
D)  biogeographical evidence. 
E)  evidence of artificial selection. 
A)  comparative anatomical evidence. 
B)  comparative embryological evidence. 
C)  biochemical evidence. 
D)  biogeographical evidence. 
E)  evidence of artificial selection.

Question 18

Although Lamarck hypothesized that adaptations to the environment did occur, he also believed that

Accepted Answer

A)  	mass extinctions did not occur. 
B)  	offspring inherited characteristics acquired by their parents during their lifetime. 
C)  	similar organisms do not share common ancestors. 
D)  	humans descended from apes. 
E)  	natural selection was the source of all diversity. 
A)  	mass extinctions did not occur. 
B)  	offspring inherited characteristics acquired by their parents during their lifetime. 
C)  	similar organisms do not share common ancestors. 
D)  	humans descended from apes. 
E)  	natural selection was the source of all diversity.

Question 19

The molecule cytochrome c supports the theory of evolution as biochemical evidence. Which of the following is not part of that evidence?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cytochrome c has evolved multiple times among many species. 
B)  Cytochrome c has the same function in all organisms. 
C)  The genetic code for cytochrome c differs among species. 
D)  Cytochrome c is found in a variety of organisms from yeast to humans. 
E)  Cytochrome c plays a role critical to survival. 
A)  Cytochrome c has evolved multiple times among many species. 
B)  Cytochrome c has the same function in all organisms. 
C)  The genetic code for cytochrome c differs among species. 
D)  Cytochrome c is found in a variety of organisms from yeast to humans. 
E)  Cytochrome c plays a role critical to survival.

Question 20

When hiking high in the mountains, you find fossil marine shells lying about. This provides evidence that

Accepted Answer

A)  someone brought the shells to the top of the mountain. 
B)  shelled marine animals live on the top of mountains. 
C)  very high ocean waves brought the shells to the top of the mountain. 
D)  the mountain top was once under the ocean and has been uplifted. 
E)  marine animals are not restricted to living in the ocean. 
A)  someone brought the shells to the top of the mountain. 
B)  shelled marine animals live on the top of mountains. 
C)  very high ocean waves brought the shells to the top of the mountain. 
D)  the mountain top was once under the ocean and has been uplifted. 
E)  marine animals are not restricted to living in the ocean.

Exam 14: Darwin and Evolution

Interpreting this figure, Which of the following is a similarity between Lamark's proposal for evolution and that of Darwin?

Critical to the theory of evolution, Darwin needed to include an idea that was not generally accepted by scientists or society at that time. That idea was

Through observing the variation in snails, which individuals would you predict would most easily hide from predators if this population existed in variable (mixed patches of light and dark areas) environment?

Monkeys in the New World (the Americas) have prehensile tails, strong flexible tails that grip branches and operate much like another hand while Old World (Africa and Asia) monkeys do not have such a tail. The explanation for this is

Which is not an important characteristic of the Galápagos Islands in the context of Darwin's theory of evolution?

Tortoises in the Galapagos possessed neck lengths unique to each island. Neck lengths appear to be an adaptation to which selective agent?

Which of the following is not an example of artificial selection?

Prior to Darwin, people considered variation among individuals as "imperfections" and that they served no particular purpose.

The presence of vestigial organs supports evidence of evolution because

The wing of a penguin and the wing of an eagle are

If a population lacks variation (fixed), no individual has any advantageous trait, and the environment changes for the worse. What will most likely happen to the population in terms of natural selection?

Many people refer to Alfred Russel Wallace as the "Father of Biogeography." Which of the following contributions led Wallace to achieve this title?

The artificial selection of different breeds of dogs is an example of speciation.

Lyell's theory of uniformitarianism stated that

What do fossils of transitional links illustrate?

The fact that DNA is the molecule containing the genetic code for all life on Earth is a part of

Although Lamarck hypothesized that adaptations to the environment did occur, he also believed that

The molecule cytochrome c supports the theory of evolution as biochemical evidence. Which of the following is not part of that evidence?

When hiking high in the mountains, you find fossil marine shells lying about. This provides evidence that

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