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Evolution of Life — Test Answers

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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 a penguin that is laying eggs
B
a video that shows penguin species that have different mating dances
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
3

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 after a single generation
B
increased variation in the shades of red because the cardinals try different ways to impress the females
C
increased variation in the shades of red because there is no advantage in one specific color
D
decreased variation in the shades of red over time because no form of the trait is advantageous
4

Why do species evolve during adaptive radiation?

A
to fill different niches
B
to provide evidence of evolution
C
to create variation
D
to become reproductively isolated
5

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
Gregor Mendel, who determined genetic inheritance of traits
B
John Gould, who compared mainland and island finches
C
Thomas Malthus, who studied population growth
D
Sir Isaac Newton, who formulated the laws of motion
6

Which best illustrates a result of natural selection?

A
giraffes having increasingly longer necks over time
B
dark-colored hares living in a snowy area
C
a bat that is born with a wing that is missing the web
D
mosquitoes that transmit disease to humans
7

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
Their offspring cannot breed.
B
They cannot breed.
C
They look different from each other.
D
They are found in different habitats.
8

Evolution is change in a population over time and includes the gene pools of that population. How does biogeographic isolation allow for the change of gene pools over time?

A
Biogeographic isolation affects the random changes that take place within gene pools.
B
Biogeographic isolation determines the time that populations will breed.
C
Biogeographic isolation determines who will win competition for mates.
D
Biogeographic isolation causes changes in gene pools that result from populations being separated.
9

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 genetics in human populations
B
pesticide resistance in garden insects
C
changes in the color of the peppered moth population in England
D
antibiotic resistance in bacteria populations
10

In 2002, the fossil of a four-winged dinosaur was discovered in China and named a microraptor. What was the significance of the discovery?

A
It allowed scientists to reach a conclusion about the origin of flight.
B
It enabled scientists to develop theories about the origin of flight.
C
It provided clues for scientists to develop a hypothesis about the origin of flight.
D
It supported the idea that flight evolved from the ground up.
11

Which best defines a gene pool?

A
the sum of all genetic traits in a population’s individuals at a given time
B
any movement of organisms from one environment to another
C
any movement of genes from one population to another
D
the random change in the frequency of an allele in a population
12

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

A
stabilizing selection
B
disruptive selection
C
species selection
D
directional selection
13

Which of these is an example of reproductive isolation?

A
two populations of salamanders that live in different lakes
B
two populations of finches that cannot produce viable offspring
C
two populations of finches that have different feather colors
D
two populations of salamanders that have different tail lengths
14

A scientist is studying the population decline of cheetahs in Africa and the Middle East over the past several decades. Which best describes this situation?

A
an evolutionary geneticist observing a migration process
B
a conservation biologist observing an evolutionary process
C
an evolutionary geneticist observing an environmental problem
D
a conservation biologist observing artificial selection
15

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
Gene flow greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.
B
Genetic drift greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.
C
Genetic drift greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.
D
Gene flow greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.
16

Which best describes biogeographic isolation?

A
It cannot lead to evolution.
B
It is a mechanism for evolution.
C
It occurs only through geographic forces.
D
It always leads to the formation of new species.
17

Which best describes horse breeding?

A
Different horse and pony breeds are an example of overcompetition.
B
Selective pressure in nature has resulted in different horse and pony breeds.
C
People have manipulated the genome of horses and ponies in the lab to produce the breeds we know today.
D
People have selected the most desirable natural traits to produce different horse and pony breeds.
18

Archaeopteryx fossils show that the animal had feathers like a bird. It also had a bony tail, teeth, and claws on its wings like a reptile. Scientists claim this is evidence of a common ancestor. What makes this a sound claim?

A
Birds and reptiles are warm-blooded organisms.
B
Archaeopteryx fossils share traits with both birds and reptiles.
C
Fossils of birds, archaeopteryx, and reptiles were found together.
D
Reptile species show evolutionary advantages over birds.
20

Which of Charles Darwin’s main points is depicted in the image?

A
Organisms within a population compete with each other to survive.
B
More offspring are produced than can be supported by an environment.
C
Over time, beneficial variations will be passed on to future generations.
D
All organisms within a population have an equal chance for survival.
21

Which statement best explains the relationship between HbS allele frequency and malaria endemicity in Africa?

A
When an area is holoendemic, the HbS allele frequency is between 0 point 5 2 and 4 point 0 4 .
B
When an area is holoendemic, the HbS allele frequency is between 0 and 0 point 5 1 .
C
When an area is malaria free, the HbS allele frequency is between 0 and 4 point 0 4 .
D
When an area is malaria free, the HbS allele frequency is between 12 point 6 4 and 18 point 1 8 .

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Evolution of Life — Test Answers — TPS EdX…