Pretest

Question 1

Which best describes derived characteristics?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

They are newly evolved traits.

Question 2

If two organisms are in the same clade, what can you predict about their relationship?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

They share a common ancestor.

Question 3

In a cladogram, what occurs at a node?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A derived trait appears.

Question 4

Which describes the modern classification system?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

based on evolutionary relationships

Question 5

Why was modern classification invented?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Scientists understood that species share a common ancestor.

Question 6

Julia is trying to place a duckbilled platypus, lizard, bear, and monkey on a phylogenetic tree. She learns that the duckbilled platypus, bear, and monkey are classified as mammals. She also learns that mammals share a common ancestor with reptiles. Which additional piece of information will be most helpful to Julia to properly build her phylogenetic tree?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The platypus lays eggs like a reptile.

Question 7

Dr. Digger, a paleontologist, finds a fossil that he describes in his journal. The creature was approximately 1 meter long, with its backbone fused into a large shell covering the body cavity. It had a beaklike mouth, without teeth, and all four limbs were in the form of flippers. Based on anatomical similarities, to which modern animal is Dr. Digger’s creature most closely related?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

sea turtle

Question 8

It can be seen on a cladogram that modern birds and reptiles share a common ancestor. Select the piece of evidence that best supports this idea.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Feathers are a derived characteristic that first evolved in reptiles.

Question 9

A scientist discovers a new organism that is related to clownfish. What can the scientist discover by using molecular clocks?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

the amount of time that the two species have been evolving apart

Question 10

Which best describes traditional classification?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It is based on shared characteristics.

Pretest Answers

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