Question 1

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" Cuvier developed the idea of catastrophism. He believed that species were fixed, local catastrophes caused mass extinctions, and the region was repopulated by species from surrounding areas. 
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" Cuvier developed the idea of catastrophism. He believed that species were fixed, local catastrophes caused mass extinctions, and the region was repopulated by species from surrounding areas. C

Question 2

Monkeys in the New World the Americas) have prehensile tails, strong flexible tails that grip branches and operate much like another hand. 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 did 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. Monkeys evolved when the continents were connected. However, the prehensile tail evolved in New World monkeys after the Americas separated from Africa and Asia. What evolves on one continent does not automatically evolve on other continents. 
A)  monkeys in the Old World did 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. Monkeys evolved when the continents were connected. However, the prehensile tail evolved in New World monkeys after the Americas separated from Africa and Asia. What evolves on one continent does not automatically evolve on other continents. C

Question 3

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 that

Accepted Answer

A)  catastrophism occurred at a uniform rate. 
B)  the inheritance of acquired characteristics was true. 
C)  the Earth must be very old. 
D)  uniformitarianism was false. 
E)  diversity of life was constant through time. Darwin had to conclude that the Earth was very old in order for there to be enough time for species to evolve. 
A)  catastrophism occurred at a uniform rate. 
B)  the inheritance of acquired characteristics was true. 
C)  the Earth must be very old. 
D)  uniformitarianism was false. 
E)  diversity of life was constant through time. Darwin had to conclude that the Earth was very old in order for there to be enough time for species to evolve. C

Question 4

Lyell's Principles of Geology was the first text to give evidence that the Earth

Accepted Answer

A)  was created a few thousand years ago. 
B)  did not change over time. 
C)  was actually much younger than previously believed. 
D)  was undergoing slow and continuous cycles of erosion and uplift. 
E)  was undergoing a different process compared to what occurred in the past. 
A)  was created a few thousand years ago. 
B)  did not change over time. 
C)  was actually much younger than previously believed. 
D)  was undergoing slow and continuous cycles of erosion and uplift. 
E)  was undergoing a different process compared to what occurred in the past.

Question 5

When comparing chick and pig embryos, the similar eyes, pharyngeal pouches, and postanal tails are evidence of

Accepted Answer

A)  analogy. 
B)  convergent evolution. 
C)  common ancestry. 
D)  biogeography. 
E)  artificial selection. The presence of similar structures among embryos of various species is evidence that all species inherited such traits from a common ancestor that also possessed these traits. 
A)  analogy. 
B)  convergent evolution. 
C)  common ancestry. 
D)  biogeography. 
E)  artificial selection. The presence of similar structures among embryos of various species is evidence that all species inherited such traits from a common ancestor that also possessed these traits.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a step in the process of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  Members of a population possess heritable variations. 
B)  The population produces more offspring than the environment can support. 
C)  Individuals who have favorable traits survive and reproduce more than those individuals lacking such traits. 
D)  People select which individuals breed and which ones do not. 
E)  Over multiple generations of reproducing, a larger proportion of the population will have those favorable traits and thus adaptation has occurred. 
A)  Members of a population possess heritable variations. 
B)  The population produces more offspring than the environment can support. 
C)  Individuals who have favorable traits survive and reproduce more than those individuals lacking such traits. 
D)  People select which individuals breed and which ones do not. 
E)  Over multiple generations of reproducing, a larger proportion of the population will have those favorable traits and thus adaptation has occurred.

Question 7

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. DNA, the molecule containing the genetic code for all life on Earth, is one of many examples of biochemical evidence of evolution. 
A)  comparative anatomical evidence. 
B)  comparative embryological evidence. 
C)  biochemical evidence. 
D)  biogeographical evidence. 
E)  evidence of artificial selection. DNA, the molecule containing the genetic code for all life on Earth, is one of many examples of biochemical evidence of evolution.

Question 8

Which of the following cannot be determined from the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

A)  Geologic uplift has occurred. 
B)  Transitional fossils exist. 
C)  Diversity has changed through time. 
D)  Evidence of prior natural disasters/catastrophes exist. 
E)  Evidence of every species that ever existed. The fossil record can show geologic changes, transitional fossils, that diversity has changed through time, and evidence of prior natural disasters. However, the fossil record is not complete-not every species is represented. 
A)  Geologic uplift has occurred. 
B)  Transitional fossils exist. 
C)  Diversity has changed through time. 
D)  Evidence of prior natural disasters/catastrophes exist. 
E)  Evidence of every species that ever existed. The fossil record can show geologic changes, transitional fossils, that diversity has changed through time, and evidence of prior natural disasters. However, the fossil record is not complete-not every species is represented.

Question 9

Broccoli, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower were all derived from the single wild species. This diversity is a result of

Accepted Answer

A)  adaptation. 
B)  natural selection. 
C)  biogeography. 
D)  artificial selection. 
E)  speciation. Artificial selection is the process of humans selecting those individuals possessing traits that they wish to see more prominent in the next generation, and allowing only those to reproduce. The result is the selective breeding for various traits leading to an assortment of types produced from a single common ancestor. 
A)  adaptation. 
B)  natural selection. 
C)  biogeography. 
D)  artificial selection. 
E)  speciation. Artificial selection is the process of humans selecting those individuals possessing traits that they wish to see more prominent in the next generation, and allowing only those to reproduce. The result is the selective breeding for various traits leading to an assortment of types produced from a single common ancestor.

Question 10

Natural selection results in

Accepted Answer

A)  increased genetic variation. 
B)  a decreased population size. 
C)  an increase in population size. 
D)  offspring that is better adapted to their current environment. 
E)  offspring that is better adapted to a future environment. The result of natural selection is that offspring are better adapted to their current environment than were their parents. 
A)  increased genetic variation. 
B)  a decreased population size. 
C)  an increase in population size. 
D)  offspring that is better adapted to their current environment. 
E)  offspring that is better adapted to a future environment. The result of natural selection is that offspring are better adapted to their current environment than were their parents.

Question 11

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. Alfred Russel Wallace achieved the title "father of biogeography" due to his work in the Malay Archipelago, where he discovered the "line" that separated Australian species from Asian species inhabiting the islands. 
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. Alfred Russel Wallace achieved the title "father of biogeography" due to his work in the Malay Archipelago, where he discovered the "line" that separated Australian species from Asian species inhabiting the islands.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Fitness refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the variation in traits within the population. 
B)  reproductive success. 
C)  mutations that benefit an organism's survival. 
D)  the physical health of an individual. 
E)  the physical health of a population. The number of offspring produced by an individual is a measure of that individual's fitness. Those that are most fit produce the most offspring. 
A)  the variation in traits within the population. 
B)  reproductive success. 
C)  mutations that benefit an organism's survival. 
D)  the physical health of an individual. 
E)  the physical health of a population. The number of offspring produced by an individual is a measure of that individual's fitness. Those that are most fit produce the most offspring.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

A)  insects must have evolved from birds. 
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. Unrelated species, each with very different structures allowing a common behavior flight), have independently evolved such adaptations. This is called convergent evolution since two species have converged on a similar solution to a common environmental issue. Here, flight is a highly advantageous mode of travel and both birds and insects have evolved ways to accomplish it. 
A)  insects must have evolved from birds. 
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. Unrelated species, each with very different structures allowing a common behavior flight), have independently evolved such adaptations. This is called convergent evolution since two species have converged on a similar solution to a common environmental issue. Here, flight is a highly advantageous mode of travel and both birds and insects have evolved ways to accomplish it.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which type of snail would be best suited to hide from predators if this population existed in a 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.

Question 17

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 18

Refer to the figure shown here. Which of the following would not have been a selective agent or pressure that could lead to the reduction in hindlimbs through time?

Accepted Answer

A)  The animal's body size was too heavy to support the weight on land and hindlimbs were no longer useful. 
B)  More emphasis was placed on flexing the backbone than on paddling with hindlimbs for swimming. 
C)  Appendages cause resistance, or drag, when moving through water. 
D)  Before moving into the ocean, smaller legs were advantageous to escaping predators on land. 
E)  With the increased size of the tail and its use in swimming, the hindlimbs were not as necessary. 
A)  The animal's body size was too heavy to support the weight on land and hindlimbs were no longer useful. 
B)  More emphasis was placed on flexing the backbone than on paddling with hindlimbs for swimming. 
C)  Appendages cause resistance, or drag, when moving through water. 
D)  Before moving into the ocean, smaller legs were advantageous to escaping predators on land. 
E)  With the increased size of the tail and its use in swimming, the hindlimbs were not as necessary.

Question 19

Tortoises in the Galápagos 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 The neck length of tortoises on the various islands evolved in response to the vegetation available to eat. Some islands had only tall growing cacti while others had cacti growing low to the ground. 
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 The neck length of tortoises on the various islands evolved in response to the vegetation available to eat. Some islands had only tall growing cacti while others had cacti growing low to the ground.

Question 20

A finch population with heritable variation in beak size arrives on an island where only large seeds are available as a food source. Describe the process of natural selection 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 are thus more likely to 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. On an island where only large seeds are available for food, those birds with large beaks will more easily manipulate the food, outcompete those birds with smaller beaks, and have more time to reproduce. Birds with smaller beaks must work harder obtaining food and thus have less time to reproduce. The next generation of birds will be comprised mostly of birds with larger beaks. 
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 are thus more likely to 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. On an island where only large seeds are available for food, those birds with large beaks will more easily manipulate the food, outcompete those birds with smaller beaks, and have more time to reproduce. Birds with smaller beaks must work harder obtaining food and thus have less time to reproduce. The next generation of birds will be comprised mostly of birds with larger beaks.

Exam 14: Darwin and Evolution

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

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

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 that

Lyell's Principles of Geology was the first text to give evidence that the Earth

When comparing chick and pig embryos, the similar eyes, pharyngeal pouches, and postanal tails are evidence of

Which of the following is not a step in the process of natural selection?

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

Which of the following cannot be determined from the fossil record?

Broccoli, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower were all derived from the single wild species. This diversity is a result of

Natural selection results in

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

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

Fitness refers to

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

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

Which type of snail would be best suited to hide from predators if this population existed in a variable mixed patches of light and dark areas) environment?

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

Refer to the figure shown here. Which of the following would not have been a selective agent or pressure that could lead to the reduction in hindlimbs through time?

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

A finch population with heritable variation in beak size arrives on an island where only large seeds are available as a food source. Describe the process of natural selection that would follow.

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

Meiosis and the Genetic Basis of Sexual Reproduction

Patterns of Inheritance

DNA Biology and Technology

Biotechnology and Genomics

Genetic Counseling

Evolution on a Small Scale

Evolution on a Large Scale

The Microorganisms: Viruses, Bacteria, and Protists

The Plants and Fungi

The Animals

Plant Anatomy and Growth

Plant Responses and Reproduction

Being Organized and Steady

The Transport Systems

The Maintenance Systems

Digestion and Human Nutrition

Defenses Against Disease

The Control Systems

Sensory Input and Motor Output

Reproduction and Embryonic Development

Ecology of Populations

Communities and Ecosystems

Human Impact on the Biosphere

Filters