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Evidence of Evolution: Darwin's Theory — Test Answers

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What will most likely happen to the population of moths in this habitat?

A
The alleles that determine light and dark color in moths will equalize.
B
The population of moths will eventually become extinct.
C
The dark colored moths will experience disruptive selection.
D
The moths will evolve from dark to light due to a selective pressure.
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Why are the Miller-Urey experiments essential to the theory of evolution?

A
They showed how organic molecules could be made from Earth's early atmosphere.
B
They showed that life can only come from life.
C
They showed that electricity can create life.
D
They showed the role that natural selection played in the evolution of modern day organisms.
5

Which best illustrates a result of natural selection?

A
a bat that is born with a wing that is missing the web
B
giraffes having increasingly longer necks over time
C
mosquitoes that transmit disease to humans
D
dark-colored hares living in a snowy area
6

Which type of selection leads to increased phenotypic and genetic variation?

A
disruptive selection
B
species selection
C
stabilizing selection
D
directional selection
8

Which best describes biogeographic isolation?

A
It is a mechanism for evolution.
B
It always leads to the formation of new species.
C
It cannot lead to evolution.
D
It occurs only through geographic forces.
10

Susan makes a claim that humans do not evolve because we adapt to situations by changing our technology, not ourselves. Which piece of evidence contradicts this idea?

A
The size of our brains has increased since humans started using tools.
B
Other primates also use tools.
C
Humans have been using tools for a long time.
D
Our technology is always increasing.
11

Jezelyn needs to create a project that shows geographic isolation in action and decides to make a video. Which of these would make the best project?

A
a video that shows penguin species that have different mating dances
B
a video that shows a penguin that is laying eggs
C
a video that shows penguins with different reproductive cycles living together
D
a video that shows a large river that has penguin populations on both sides
12

A male cardinal’s red color is an example of a trait affected by natural selection. The females of the species choose mates based on the vibrant colors of the males’ feathers. If females begin using different criteria than feather color when they choose mates, what would most likely happen to the color of the male cardinals over time?

A
decreased variation in the shades of red over time because no form of the trait is advantageous
B
increased variation in the shades of red because there is no advantage in one specific color
C
increased variation in the shades of red because the cardinals try different ways to impress the females
D
decreased variation in the shades of red after a single generation
13

Henry was studying two populations of the same species of lizards. One population lived on an island and the other lived on the mainland. Both populations were affected by a hurricane that hit the island and the mainland with equal force. A year later, Henry was testing the gene frequency and saw a decrease in genetic variation in the island species, but not in the mainland species. Which best describes a conclusion he might have reached?

A
Genetic drift greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.
B
Genetic drift greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.
C
Gene flow greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.
D
Gene flow greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.
14

In a cladogram, when does a group of organisms branch off?

A
when it becomes large enough
B
when a new trait evolves
C
when it is discovered
D
when an ancestor becomes extinct
15

Which best defines a gene pool?

A
any movement of organisms from one environment to another
B
the sum of all genetic traits in a population’s individuals at a given time
C
any movement of genes from one population to another
D
the random change in the frequency of an allele in a population
16

Horses and zebras can be bred to produce a zorse, which is infertile. Which is most likely the reason zebras and horses are considered separate species?

A
They look different from each other.
B
They cannot breed.
C
They are found in different habitats.
D
Their offspring cannot breed.
17

Charles Darwin hypothesized that some individuals would be better equipped for survival than others, and that those that were less equipped would not survive. Darwin formulated this hypothesis based on the work of which scholar?

A
Thomas Malthus, who studied population growth
B
Sir Isaac Newton, who formulated the laws of motion
C
John Gould, who compared mainland and island finches
D
Gregor Mendel, who determined genetic inheritance of traits
18

A scientist is trying to determine the relationship between clams, snails, and squid. When she generates a molecular clock, she is surprised to see that clams and squid are more closely related than clams and snails. Which did the molecular clock data show?

A
Clams and squid have been evolving separately for a longer time than clams and snails.
B
Clams and snails are more similar in related structures than clams and squids.
C
Clams and snails have more in common genetically than clams and squid.
D
Clams and squid have been evolving separately for a shorter time than clams and snails.
19

A biology teacher asks students to give examples of genetic variations that support the idea that changes in a population’s environment affect genetic variation. Which is the least supportive example?

A
changes in the color of the peppered moth population in England
B
pesticide resistance in garden insects
C
changes in genetics in human populations
D
antibiotic resistance in bacteria populations
20

Which feature separates humans from other primates?

A
bipedalism
B
smaller brain size
C
use of tools
D
complex social skills

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