Biological Evidence and the Fossil Record — Unit test Answers

Why are the Miller-Urey experiments essential to the theory of evolution?

Which best describes biogeographic isolation?

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?

Scientists notice structural similarities between fossils of a land animal and an aquatic organism. They know the similarities are not a result of the two organisms having to adapt to similar environments. What can they attribute the structural similarities to?

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 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?

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?

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?

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

A bird that preys on moths is introduced to the habitat with moths and trees like the ones shown below. What will most likely happen to the population of moths in this habitat?

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

A student has written a paper about a deer population that was separated when a canyon developed between members of the group. In her paper, she showed that the two groups adapted differently and can no longer interbreed. What would be the best title for her paper?

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?

Which of the following best defines a gene pool?

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?

Thylacosmilus is a marsupial, and Smilodon is a mammal. Thylacosmilus and Smilodon both have saber teeth, but they do not share an ancestor that had saber teeth. What are saber teeth for these organisms?

Babies with very low or very high birth weight are less likely to survive. The graph shows the percentage of babies born at different weights.Which statement is a valid claim that could be made using the data in the graph?

Which best describes the fossil record?

Which best illustrates a result of natural selection?

Which of the following is an example of reproductive isolation?