Biological Evidence and the Fossil Record — Unit test Answers

A student argues that two species of birds are the same species because they have similar body structures, similar DNA, and similar beaks. Another student argues that the birds are different species because they have different color patterns and have a different mating season. Which piece of evidence supports the second student's argument?

Darwin’s finches evolved on an island. What is the main reason that islands often provide good examples of evolution?

Which factors affect natural selection?

What is most likely to happen to a population of mice that becomes isolated on an island?

The fossil record shows that the average size of black bears was large during cold glacial periods and got smaller during warmer time periods. What is this an example of?

Consider the cladogram.According to the cladogram, which characteristic was used to separate bony fish from amphibians?

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.

Carlos is collecting data about the length of earthworms in his backyard. The shortest worm he found is 4 inches long; the longest worm is 8 inches long. If most of the worms are either short or long, which type of distribution is displayed in the population?

Why do a chicken embryo and a cow embryo look very similar even though the adults do not?

Consider the generalized cladogram of fish.Osteichthyes is a group of fish that have the derived characteristics of jaws and true bones. Which letter corresponds to where Osteichthyes belongs on the cladogram?

Consider the group of giraffes in the image below.Which statement about the giraffes explains their evolution based on Charles Darwin’s main points?

Fossils provide scientists with evidence that allows them to hypothesize how living organisms have evolved over time. Tiktaalik roseae was a unique organism that has been nicknamed the “fishapod” because it is believed to be a species had traits of both fish and tetrapods, the first four-legged animals.Which evidence would scientist use to make the connection between ancestry of fish and tetrapods using Tiktaalik roseae?

What hypothesis did Darwin investigate by studying the breeding of pigeons with distinctive traits?

Changes in the gene pool can occur due to various mechanisms. In 1989, a large oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska, when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground. Approximately 11 million gallons of oil were spilled and spread 1,300 miles along the Alaskan coastline. The damage from the oil spill affected thousands of animals in the area, including killer whales, harbor seals, sea otters, fish, and sea birds. Which mechanism most likely affected the gene pools of the organism populations in the areas around the oil spill?

Which of these are most likely homologous structures? bat wing dragonfly wing Tyrannosaurus arm