Biological Evidence and the Fossil Record

Question 1

Dogs have a reduced nonfunctional digit on their paws known as a dewclaw. What is this an example of?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

vestigial structure

Question 2

A scientist makes the argument that she has found DNA evidence that shows that evolution does not exist. What would her evidence have to show for her to be correct?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Weak genetic similarities in closely related organisms and strong genetic similarities in distantly related organisms.

Question 3

What is the most likely reason that horses and mountain goats have hooves?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

They have homologous structures because they have a common ancestor.

Question 4

Siblings have similar traits because they inherit those traits from a common ancestor. How is this similar to some evidence for evolution?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Similarities can be seen among related organisms, which shows common ancestry.

Question 5

Which structures are similar in function, but do not indicate that the organisms are related?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

analogous structures

Question 6

Which kind of evidence studies mineralized bone, footprints, or organisms trapped in amber to determine common ancestry?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

fossils

Question 7

Which of these statements best sums up evolution?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

change in a population through genetic variation over time

Question 8

Studying the anatomy of different organisms allows scientists to determine how different species have evolved over time. Which type of anatomic structure are bird wings and butterfly wings when compared to each other?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

analogous

Question 9

What is the value of a transitional fossil?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Transitional forms show the evolutionary steps between species.

Question 10

Australopithecus is an ape that lived in trees, but could walk on two feet. How might fossils from Australopithecus provide evidence for evolution?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans.

Biological Evidence and the Fossil Record Answers

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