Answer Key

Evolution Review Packet

1) Definition evolution. Change over a period of time

2) What is the basic sequence of how organisms appeared in the fossil record? Simple

(unicellular organisms)simple multicellular organismscomplex multicellular

organisms
3) When several layers of rock are found one above another, scientists usually

conclude that the oldest layer is the one that is simplest.

4) Which scientist most strongly supported the idea that evolutionary changes

occurred because there was a need for them? Lamarck

5) Define homologous structures and give an example. Similar internal arrangement

but different external function (found in different environments). Birds wing,

human hand-- they came from a common ancestor.
6) Summarize Darwins Theory of natural selection.

a. Overproduction: production of more offspring to ensure the species survival

b. Competition: survival of the organism most fit for a particular environment
c. reproduction: best fit organisms survive and pass favorable trait to offspring
d. variation: genetic differences create differences in organisms that can lead
them to have favorable adaptations (behavioral, physiological, structural)
e. Speciation: accumulation of variations may lead to the origin of a new
species.
7) Why is industrial melanism a good example of natural selection? The rise and fall

of the light colored moth due to the industrial revolution.

8) Name and explain two causes of variation in a population.

a. Crossing Over: exchange of gene segments of homologous chromosomes

resulting in sex cells carrying different gene combinations

b. Recombination: (aka fertilization) fusion of genetic information from 2 sex

cells resulting in offspring containing a combination of both parents genetic
information
c. Mutation: change in dna sequence due to mutagenic agents
9) What is a mutation? Change in DNA sequence
10)

Mutations present in sex cells always are passed on to next generations,

mutations present in the skin cells are never passed onto the next generation.
11)

Explain why, in a mammal a mutation in a gamete may contribute to

evolution while a mutation in a body cell will not. Mutations in sex cells can be
transmitted to offspring, where mutations in body cells can only be passed on to
other cells (mitosis)
12)

Explain geographical isolation. A barrier separating a population. A barrier

separates members of a population into 2 distinct environmental areas. Over

thousands of years, variations can accumulate in a species leading them to
become a different species.
13)

Explain reproductive isolation. Initially, members of the same species that

was ONCE able to INTERBREED and produce FERTILE OFFPSRING, but no longer can
because they are NOW DIFFERENT SPECIES.
14)

What would happen to a species that exhibits no variations in a changing

environment? They would become extinct.

15)

What is a basic assumption of the heterotroph hypothesis? The first cell was

produced in anaerobic conditions, and was heterotrophic.

16)

A gas that was probably absent from the primitives earths atmosphere is

oxygen.( which was eventually released by anaerobic autotroph)

17)

In the process of evolution, the effect of the environment is to Act as

selecting agent.

18)

Certain strains of bacteria that were susceptible to penicillin in the past have

now become resistant. The probable explanation is that these bacteria had a
variation that made them resistant to the penicillin; these bacteria survived and
passed the favorable gene to their offspring. At present time, there are a greater
number of these resistant bacteria.
Base your answers to questions 21-23 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of
biology.

19)

Which species was the first to become extinct? K

20)

Which two species are the most closely related? B and C, because their

ancestor is F, is a more recent ancestor than H.

21)

The diagram indicated that a common ancestor for species G and I is

species
22)

Using the

information provided

in the

chart, identify two

birds that

would most likely

compete

for food in times of

food

shortage AND explain

why they

would compete.

Large

Ground Finch and Medium Ground Finch would compete because they
both eat mainly plant food.

23)

How are living things classified? Kingdoms

24)

Identify the major taxonomic categories. Which is the most inclusive? Kingdon,

Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species; Species

25)

An insect pest known as the medfly significantly reduced the orange crop in California.

Pesticides were used to control the medfly. Using the concept of natural selection, explain how
the continued use of a certain pesticide may become ineffective in controlling this fly. Your
answer must include the concepts of:
variation [1]
adaptive value of a variation (adaptation) [1]
survival [1]
reproduction [1]
Some medflies have a variation that provides resistance to pesticide. When the pesticide is
present, those flies with the favorable variation will survive to reproduce and pass the variation
to offspring. A variety of medfly resistant to the pesticide will result.

25) A dichotomous key is shown below.

Dichotomous Key
1.
a. tail fins are horizontal...go to 2
b. tail fins are verticalgo to 3
2.

a. has teeth or tuskgo to 4

b. has no teeth...Balaena mysticetus

3.

a. has gill slits behind mouth.go to 5

b. has no gill slits....Lepidosiren paradoxa

4.

a. black with white undersideOrcinus orca

b. tusk, gray with dark spots.....Monodon monoceros

5.

a. head is hammer shaped....Sphyrna mokarran

b. tail fins are half the body lengthAlopias vulpinus

Use the dichotomous key to identify the scientific name of the organism represented

Sphyrna mokarran