Question 1

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. Vestigial organs are organs that are not useful to the organism but are still part of its anatomy. An ancestor possessed the organ at a time when it served an important function. As the environment changed, the organ was no longer needed for survival, but organisms still inherit the structure. 
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. Vestigial organs are organs that are not useful to the organism but are still part of its anatomy. An ancestor possessed the organ at a time when it served an important function. As the environment changed, the organ was no longer needed for survival, but organisms still inherit the structure.

Question 2

What influence did the writings of Thomas Malthus have on Darwin's ideas of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  Malthus described the reproduction of elephants to Darwin. 
B)  Malthus explained how variation was maintained within populations. 
C)  Malthus illustrated that some individuals possessed favorable traits while others did not. 
D)  Malthus wrote a detailed history of artificial selection examples. 
E)  Malthus proposed that the human population grows faster than the food supply, meaning that death and famine are inevitable. The socioeconomist Thomas Malthus described that the human population grew faster than the food supply and death and famine were inevitable. Darwin applied this concept to organisms that overproduce and struggle to survive in an environment with limited resources. 
A)  Malthus described the reproduction of elephants to Darwin. 
B)  Malthus explained how variation was maintained within populations. 
C)  Malthus illustrated that some individuals possessed favorable traits while others did not. 
D)  Malthus wrote a detailed history of artificial selection examples. 
E)  Malthus proposed that the human population grows faster than the food supply, meaning that death and famine are inevitable. The socioeconomist Thomas Malthus described that the human population grew faster than the food supply and death and famine were inevitable. Darwin applied this concept to organisms that overproduce and struggle to survive in an environment with limited resources.

Question 3

What characteristics of Archaeopteryx tell us that it is a link to reptiles and birds?

Accepted Answer

A)  feathers 
B)  tail with vertebrae 
C)  teeth 
D)  teeth and a tail with vertebrae 
E)  feathers and teeth Archaeopteryx possessed feathers considered bird characteristics) and teeth which are not present in today's birds but are typical of reptiles). A tail with vertebrae is also a reptilian characteristic. 
A)  feathers 
B)  tail with vertebrae 
C)  teeth 
D)  teeth and a tail with vertebrae 
E)  feathers and teeth Archaeopteryx possessed feathers considered bird characteristics) and teeth which are not present in today's birds but are typical of reptiles). A tail with vertebrae is also a reptilian characteristic.

Question 4

What do transitional fossils illustrate?

Accepted Answer

A)  All life is related. 
B)  Shared ancestral traits. 
C)  Convergent evolution occurred in the ancient past. 
D)  Natural selection happened long ago just as it does today. 
E)  All transitional links are now extinct. Transitional fossils possess traits of two distinct groups illustrating that the two groups evolved from this common ancestor. 
A)  All life is related. 
B)  Shared ancestral traits. 
C)  Convergent evolution occurred in the ancient past. 
D)  Natural selection happened long ago just as it does today. 
E)  All transitional links are now extinct. Transitional fossils possess traits of two distinct groups illustrating that the two groups evolved from this common ancestor.

The presence of vestigial organs supports evidence of evolution because

What influence did the writings of Thomas Malthus have on Darwin's ideas of natural selection?

What characteristics of Archaeopteryx tell us that it is a link to reptiles and birds?

What do transitional fossils illustrate?

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

Exam 14: Darwin and Evolution

The presence of vestigial organs supports evidence of evolution because

What influence did the writings of Thomas Malthus have on Darwin's ideas of natural selection?

What characteristics of Archaeopteryx tell us that it is a link to reptiles and birds?

What do transitional fossils illustrate?

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