Name

Evolution

Multiple Choice
Write the letter that best answers the question or completes the statement on the line
provided.
_____ 1. Darwin noticed that many organisms seemed well suited to
a. being preserved as fossils.
b. providing humans with food.
c. surviving in the environments in which they lived.
d. swimming from South America to the Galpagos Islands.
_____ 2. Based on the adaptations Charles Darwin observed in finches and tortoises in
the Galpagos, he wondered
a. if species living on different islands had once been members of the same
species
b. if finches and tortoises had originated from the same ancestral species.
c. if all birds on the different islands were finches.
d. why all tortoises on the different islands were identical.
_____ 3. Which of the following ideas is supported by Darwins observation of local
variation among tortoises in the Galpagos Islands?
a. artificial selection
c. acquired characteristics
b. adaptation
d. tendency towards perfection
_____ 4. Lamarcks ideas about evolution include the concept that differences among
the traits of organisms arise as a result of
a. continual increases in population size.
b. the actions of organisms as they use or fail to use body structures.
c. an unchanging local environment.
d. the natural variations already present within the population of organisms.
_____ 5. When a dairy farmer chooses to breed the cows that give the most milk in the
herd, the farmers are following the principle of
a. acquired characteristics.
c. artificial selection.
b. descent with modification.
d. natural selection.
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6. Each of the following is a condition necessary for natural selection to occur

EXCEPT
a. more offspring are born than can survive.
b. population size is very large.
c. fitness varies among individuals.
d. there is heritable variation among members of the population.
7. Which statement about the members of a population that live long enough to
reproduce is consistent with the theory of evolution by natural selection?
a. They transmit characteristics acquired by use and disuse to their offspring.
b. They tend to produce fewer offspring than others in the population.
c. They are the ones that are best adapted to survive in their environment.
d. They will perpetuate unfavorable changes in the species.

_____ 8. The principle of common descent helps explain why

a. well-adapted species have many offspring.
b. conditions in an organisms environment ensure its survival.
c. birds and reptiles share a number of inherited characteristics.
d. tigers are so different from cheetahs.
_____ 9. Darwins concept of natural selection was NOT influenced by
a. the work of Charles Lyell.
c. his collection of specimens.
b. the work of Gregor Mendel.
d. his trip on the H.M.S. Beagle.
_____ 10. Charles Darwin viewed the fossil record as
a. evidence that Earth was very young.
b. useful support for his theory.
c. interesting but unrelated to the evolution of modern species.
d. evidence that traits are acquired through use or disuse.
_____ 11. Modern sea star larvae resemble some primitive vertebrate larvae. This
similarity may suggest that primitive vertebrates
a. share a common ancestor with sea stars.
b. evolved from sea stars.
c. evolved before sea stars.
d. belong to the same species as sea stars.
_____ 12. Molecular evidence in support of natural selection includes
a. the nearly universal genetic code.
b. the presence of vestigial structures.
c. a tendency toward perfect, unchanging DNA in various species.
d. the transmission of acquired characteristics by DNA.
_____ 13. Which characteristic of Galpagos finches helped the Grants show the results
of natural selection?
a. the color of their feathers
b. the length and shape of their wings
c. the size and shape of their beaks
d. the curve of their claws
_____ 14. In an experiment, suppose that the wings of fruit flies were clipped short for
fifty generations. The fifty-first generation emerged with normal-length wings.
This observation would tend to disprove the idea that evolution is based on
a. inheritance of natural variations.
b. inheritance of acquired characteristics.
c. natural selection.
d. survival of the fittest.
_____ 15. According to Darwins theory of natural selection, individuals who survive are
the ones best adapted for their environment. Their survival is due to the
a. possession of adaptations developed through use.
b. possession of inherited adaptations that maximize fitness.
c. lack of competition within the species.

d. choices made by plant and animal breeders.

_____ 16. Charles Darwin called the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its
specific environment
a. diversity.
c. adaptation.
b. fitness.
d. evolution.
_____ 17. Charles Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection explains each of the
following EXCEPT how
a. species can become extinct.
b. traits are passed from parent to off spring.
c. species descend from common ancestors.
d. evolution takes place in the natural world.
_____ 18. Biogeography is the study of
a. where species and their ancestors live.
b. how extinct species can be related to living species.
c. how different species can interbreed.
d. how animals that live in the same area are closely related.
_____ 19. The number and location of bones of many fossil vertebrates are similar to
those in living vertebrates. This is evidence in support of which of the following
concepts?
a. tendency towards perfection
c. analogous structures
b. common descent
d. acquired traits
_____ 20. In humans, the pelvis and femur, or thigh bone, are
involved in walking. In whales, the pelvis and femur
shown in Figure 161 are
a. examples of fossils.
b. vestigial structures.
c. acquired traits.
d. examples of natural variation.
_____ 21. Molecular evidence in support of natural selection
includes
Figure 161
a. the nearly universal genetic code.
b. the presence of vestigial structures.
c. a tendency toward perfect, unchanging DNA in various species.
d. the transmission of acquired characteristics by DNA.
_____ 22. Similar patterns of embryological development in different but related
organisms are responsible for the formation of
a. homologous structures.
c. Hox genes.
b. analogous structures. d. intermediate fossil forms
_____ 23. The species of finches that Charles Darwin found on different Galpagos
Islands varied in certain adaptations. One of the most significant was
a. size of eggs.
c. color of feathers.
b. shape of beaks.
d. location of nests.
_____ 24. The separation of populations by barriers such as rivers, mountains, or bodies
of water is called
a. temporal isolation.
c. behavioral isolation.

b. geographic isolation. d. genetic equilibrium.

_____ 25. Although they often live in the same habitat, the American toad breeds earlier
in the spring than the Fowlers toad does. What can be inferred from this
information?
a. The two species do not interbreed because of geographic isolation.
b. The two species do not interbreed because of temporal isolation.
c. The two species interbreed throughout the spring season.
d. The American toad will cause the extinction of the Fowlers toad.
_____ 26. The separation of populations by barriers such as rivers, mountains, or bodies
of water is called
a. temporal isolation.
c. behavioral isolation.
b. geographic isolation. d. genetic equilibrium.
_____ 27. Although they often live in the same habitat, the American toad breeds earlier
in the spring than the Fowlers toad does. What can be inferred from this
information?
a. The two species do not interbreed because of geographic isolation.
b. The two species do not interbreed because of temporal isolation.
c. The two species interbreed throughout the spring season.
d. The American toad will cause the extinction of the Fowlers toad.
_____ 27a. The separation of populations by barriers such as rivers, mountains, or bodies
of water is called
a. temporal isolation.
c. behavioral isolation.
b. geographic isolation. d. genetic equilibrium.
_____ 27b. Although they often live in the same habitat, the American toad breeds earlier
in the spring than the Fowlers toad does. What can be inferred from this
information?
a. The two species do not interbreed because of geographic isolation.
b. The two species do not interbreed because of temporal isolation.
c. The two species interbreed throughout the spring season.
d. The American toad will cause the extinction of the Fowlers toad.
True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false. If false, change the underlined word or
phrase to make the statement true
_____ 28. After his voyage on the Beagle, Charles Darwin wondered whether similar
species from the Galpagos Islands could once have been members of the same
species.
_____ 29. The discovery of a dinosaur fossil with wings and feathers connects birds to
their ancient ancestors.
_____ 30. The wings of birds and the flippers of dolphins are vestigial structures.
_____ 31. In their studies of Galpagos finches, the Grants studied the molecular
characteristics of finches from different islands.
Completion

Complete each statement on the line provided.

31. The geologist
proposed that past changes in Earth must be explained
in terms of events and processes observable today.
32. Although his idea was incorrect, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was one of the first people to
propose a scientific explanation for
.
33. Geologists use
to determine a rock layers absolute age.
32. According to Lamarck, evolution resulted from the inheritance of _____________ traits.
33. Geologists use ____________________ to determine a rock layers absolute age.
34. ____________ proteins, such as cytochrome c, are found in all types of cells from onecelled yeasts to multicellular kangaroos.
35. In studying Galpagos finches, the Grants found that ____________ can take place
frequently and over relatively short periods of time.
Short Answer
In complete sentences, write the answers to the questions on the lines provided.
36. What was the scientific value of the specimens that Charles Darwin brought back to
England?

37. How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?

38. What does the continued presence of vestigial structures like

the whale pelvis and femur shown in Figure 161 suggest
about the effect vestigial structures have on fitness?

Using Science Skills

Figure 161

Figure 162

39. Compare and Contrast In Figure 162, sharks and dolphins belong to different
vertebrate groups and are not closely related. How can Darwins ideas about
evolution help explain their similar appearance?
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40. Apply Concepts Charles Darwin would say that sharks like the one in Figure 162
exhibit fitness. Explain what that means, and discuss two specific adaptations as part
of your explanation.
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41. Apply Concepts Fossil evidence indicates that dolphins evolved from ancestors that
walked on land. How can the concept of natural selection be used to explain the
evolution of the present-day dolphin body, as seen in Figure 162?
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42. Predict Suppose a dolphin population, like those in Figure 162, becomes trapped in
a harbor that is growing smaller and more shallow because of climate changes. Is it
likely that the dolphins would evolve into a land-dwelling species in a few thousand
years? Explain your
answer.__________________________________________________________________
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43. Infer Based on Figure 162, if you wanted to find out whether sharks and dolphins
share homologous structures, what structures would you examine? Explain.
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Essay
Write the answer to each question on the lines provided.
44. Explain what Darwin thought about different animals with similar characteristics
living in similar habitats around the world.
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45. Suppose a plant breeder selectively breeds a plant for its bright red flower and
creates a new population with little variation. Would the new population survive if it
were released into the wild? Explain.
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Using Science Skills
Use the diagram below to answer the following questions on the lines provided.

47. Interpret Graphs According to Graph A in Figure 171, what has occurred?
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48. Interpret Graphs According to Graph B in Figure 171, what has occurred?
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49. Interpret Graphs According to Graph C in Figure 171, what has occurred?
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50. Infer Which of the three graphs shown in Figure 171 might show a population of
birds with members that specialize in different types of food? Explain.
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51. Infer What factors or conditions might have led to the change shown in Graph A of
Figure 171?
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1. Which concept is best illustrated in the flowchart below?

(1) natural selection

(2) dynamic equilibrium
(3) genetic manipulation
(4) material cycles
2. The diagram below represents four different species of bacteria.

Which statement is correct concerning the chances of survival for these species if there is a change in the
environment?
(1) Species A has the best chance of survival because it has the most genetic diversity.
(2) Species C has the best chance of survival because it has no gene mutations.
(3) Neither species B nor species D will survive because they compete for the same resources.
(4) None of the species will survive because bacteria reproduce asexually.

3. The diagram below illustrates possible evolutionary pathways of some species.

Which statement is a valid inference based on the information in the diagram?

(1) Species A is the common ancestor of all life on Earth.
(2) Species D is more closely related to species E than to species F.
(3) Species B is the ancestor of species F.
(4) Species C is the ancestor of species that exist at the present time.
Base your answers to questions 4 and 5 on the diagram below, which represents possible relationships
between animals in the family tree of the modern horse, and on your knowledge of biology

4. One possible conclusion that can be drawn regarding ancestral horses A and B is that
(1) A was better adapted to changes that occurred during the Pliocene Epoch than was B
(2) the areas that B migrated to contained fewer varieties of producers than did the areas that A migrated
to
(3) competition between A and B led to the extinction of Pliohippus
(4) the adaptive characteristics present in both A and B were insufficient for survival
5. Miohippus has been classified as a browser (an animal that feeds on shrubs and trees) while
Merychippus has been classified as a grazer (an animal that feeds on grasses). One valid inference that
can be made regarding the evolution of modern horses based on this information is that
(1) Eohippus inhabited grassland areas throughout the world
(2) Pliohippus had teeth adapted for grazing
(3) Equus evolved as a result of the migration of Pliohippus into forested areas due to increased
competition
(4) ecological succession led to changes in tooth structure during the Eocene Epoch