Question 1

Bacteria that cause ear infections have increased their resistance to antibiotics over time. Which of the following is the selective agent?

Accepted Answer

A)  bacteria 
B)  increased resistance 
C)  antibiotics 
D)  the human ear 
E)  the ear infection 
A)  bacteria 
B)  increased resistance 
C)  antibiotics 
D)  the human ear 
E)  the ear infection

Question 2

If a finch population with heritable, variable beak size and shape arrived on an island on which only large seeds were available as a source of food, describe the natural selection process that would follow.

Accepted Answer

A)  Finches with smaller beaks would grow larger beaks so that they could eat the large seeds. All birds will reproduce and the frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
B)  Finches with larger beaks will more easily eat the large seeds and thus more likely survive and produce offspring with similarly large beaks. The frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
C)  All of the finches with small and medium beaks will soon die; all of the finches with large beaks will survive. The frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
D)  Finches with smaller beaks would grow larger beaks so that they could eat the large seeds. Only these birds that grew larger beaks will reproduce and the frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
E)  Finches with larger beaks will more easily eat the large seeds and not need to reproduce. 
A)  Finches with smaller beaks would grow larger beaks so that they could eat the large seeds. All birds will reproduce and the frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
B)  Finches with larger beaks will more easily eat the large seeds and thus more likely survive and produce offspring with similarly large beaks. The frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
C)  All of the finches with small and medium beaks will soon die; all of the finches with large beaks will survive. The frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
D)  Finches with smaller beaks would grow larger beaks so that they could eat the large seeds. Only these birds that grew larger beaks will reproduce and the frequency of large beaks within the population will increase. 
E)  Finches with larger beaks will more easily eat the large seeds and not need to reproduce.

Question 3

The fossil similarity of the extinct glyptodont to the living, modern armadillo is an example of comparative anatomy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

What does it mean when it is said that humans and apes share common descent?

Accepted Answer

A)  Humans descended from apes. 
B)  Apes descended from humans. 
C)  Apes and humans descended from the same common ancestor. 
D)  Apes and humans are the same. 
E)  Apes and humans did not descend from a common ancestor. 
A)  Humans descended from apes. 
B)  Apes descended from humans. 
C)  Apes and humans descended from the same common ancestor. 
D)  Apes and humans are the same. 
E)  Apes and humans did not descend from a common ancestor.

Question 5

When comparing chick and pig embryos, the similar eyes, pharyngeal pouches, and post-anal tails are evidence of ___________.

Accepted Answer

A)  analogy 
B)  convergent evolution 
C)  common ancestry 
D)  biogeography 
E)  artificial selection 
A)  analogy 
B)  convergent evolution 
C)  common ancestry 
D)  biogeography 
E)  artificial selection

Question 6

Given the comparative study of embryology, it is concluded that genes controlling embryonic development are essentially the same.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Wings of insects and birds are result of convergent evolution. This means that

Accepted Answer

A)  these organisms are unrelated but have similar adaptations. 
B)  these organisms share a recent common ancestor and so have similar adaptations. 
C)  these organisms have different adaptations to different environments. 
D)  insects and birds have each independently evolved structures that serve the same function (flight) but have done so in very different ways. 
E)  the insects and birds must be related to possess such similar qualities. 
A)  these organisms are unrelated but have similar adaptations. 
B)  these organisms share a recent common ancestor and so have similar adaptations. 
C)  these organisms have different adaptations to different environments. 
D)  insects and birds have each independently evolved structures that serve the same function (flight) but have done so in very different ways. 
E)  the insects and birds must be related to possess such similar qualities.

Question 8

Natural selection results in

Accepted Answer

A)  increased genetic variation. 
B)  a decreased population size. 
C)  an increase in population size. 
D)  offspring being better adapted to their current environment. 
E)  offspring being better adapted to a future environment. 
A)  increased genetic variation. 
B)  a decreased population size. 
C)  an increase in population size. 
D)  offspring being better adapted to their current environment. 
E)  offspring being better adapted to a future environment.

Question 9

As you hike up a mountain, you realize that the plants and animals present at the base are not the same as those at the top. This observation is the basis of _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection 
B)  biogeography 
C)  comparative anatomy 
D)  geology 
E)  paleontology 
A)  natural selection 
B)  biogeography 
C)  comparative anatomy 
D)  geology 
E)  paleontology

Question 10

Which of the following concepts would not have been supported by Georges Cuvier?

Accepted Answer

A)  that the Earth was only a few thousand years old. 
B)  that the Earth and its organisms were divinely created. 
C)  that the Earth and its organisms slowly changed through time. 
D)  local catastrophes caused the extinction of many species 
E)  that species were "fixed." 
A)  that the Earth was only a few thousand years old. 
B)  that the Earth and its organisms were divinely created. 
C)  that the Earth and its organisms slowly changed through time. 
D)  local catastrophes caused the extinction of many species 
E)  that species were "fixed."

Exam 14: Darwin and Evolution

Bacteria that cause ear infections have increased their resistance to antibiotics over time. Which of the following is the selective agent?

If a finch population with heritable, variable beak size and shape arrived on an island on which only large seeds were available as a source of food, describe the natural selection process that would follow.

The fossil similarity of the extinct glyptodont to the living, modern armadillo is an example of comparative anatomy.

What does it mean when it is said that humans and apes share common descent?

When comparing chick and pig embryos, the similar eyes, pharyngeal pouches, and post-anal tails are evidence of ___________.

Given the comparative study of embryology, it is concluded that genes controlling embryonic development are essentially the same.

Wings of insects and birds are result of convergent evolution. This means that

Natural selection results in

As you hike up a mountain, you realize that the plants and animals present at the base are not the same as those at the top. This observation is the basis of _________.

Which of the following concepts would not have been supported by Georges Cuvier?

A View of Life

The Chemical Basis of Life

The Organic Molecules of Life

Inside the Cell

The Dynamic Cell

Energy for Life

Energy for Cells

Cellular Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

Patterns of Inheritance

DNA Biology and Technology

Gene Regulation and Cancer

Genetic Counseling

Evolution on a Small Scale

Evolution on a Large Scale

The Microorganisms: Viruses, Bacteria, and Protists

Land Environment: Plants and Fungi

Both Water and Land: Animals

Plant Anatomy and Growth

Plant Structure and Function

Being Organized and Steady

The Transport Systems

The Maintenance Systems

Human Nutrition

Defenses Against Diseases

Control Systems

Sensory Input and Motor Output

Reproduction and Development

Ecology and Populations

Communities and Ecosystems

Human Impact on the Biosphere

Filters