Module 7 Evolutionary Processes

Question 1

Which scientific concept did Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace independently discover?

Answer 1

natural selection

Question 2

what are homologous structures?

Answer 2

parallel structures in diverse organisms

Question 3

which is the best definition of adaptation?

Answer 3

A heritable trait or behavior that aids an organism’s survival and reproduction.

Question 4

____________occurs when a species is reproductively independent from other species; behavior, location, or reproductive barriers may cause this to happen.

Answer 4

reproductive isolation

Question 5

A _________ is the offspring of two closely related individuals.

Answer 5

hybrid

Question 6

What is the main difference between autopolyploid and allopolyploid?

Answer 6

the source of the extra chromosomes

Question 7

Both genetic and environmental factors can cause phenotypic variation in a population.

Answer 7

true

Question 8

Natural selection and other evolutionary forces can only act on heritable traits.

Answer 8

true

Question 9

____________ is an individual’s preference to mate with partners who are phenotypically similar to themselves.

Answer 9

assortative mating

Question 10

Fossils show a progression of evolution.

Answer 10

true

Question 11

Organisms that share a single ancestor are a monophyletic group.

Answer 11

true

Question 12

_________ are preserved remains of ancient organisms.

Answer 12

fossils

Question 13

Scientists use the phrase __________ because even though related organisms have many of the same characteristics and genetic codes, changes occur.

Answer 13

descent with modification

Question 14

Phylogenetic trees and individual clades are continually being refined by evolutionary biologists.

Answer 14

true

Question 15

Phylogenetic relationships always provide information on both shared ancestry and how organisms are similar.

Answer 15

false

Question 16

In science, a “theory” is understood to be a concept that has been extensively tested and supported over time.

Answer 16

true

Question 17

Species purposefully respond to their environment.

Answer 17

false

Question 18

Religious beliefs are not taught in U.S. public schools because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Answer 18

true

Question 19

What is a phylogeny a description of?

Answer 19

evolutionary history

Question 20

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram used to reflect evolutionary relationships among organisms or groups of organisms.

Answer 20

true

Question 21

Humans belong to what kingdom?

Answer 21

animalia

Question 22

A(n) __________ can evolve or adapt through natural selection.

Answer 22

population

Question 23

The word “theory” in theory of evolution is best replaced by ________.

Answer 23

hypothesis

Question 24

When a characteristic that is similar occurs by adaptive convergence (convergent evolution), and not because of a close evolutionary relationship, it is called a(n) __________.

Answer 24

analogous structure

Question 25

__________ is the increase in abnormalities and disease in inbreeding populations.

Answer 25

inbreeding depression

Question 26

The fact that DNA sequences are more similar in more closely related organisms is evidence of what?

Answer 26

descent with modification

Question 27

What do scientists use to apply cladistics?

Answer 27

homologous traits

Question 28

Wings on flightless birds is an example of a(n)...

Answer 28

vestigial structure

Question 29

Why are alternative scientific theories to evolution not taught in public school?

Answer 29

it is against the law

Question 30

The theory of evolution was almost universally accepted by biologists after…

Answer 30

the publication of On the Origin of Species

Question 31

What do scientists in the field of systematics specifically accomplish?

Answer 31

organize and classify organisms

Question 32

Which best describes the relationship between chimpanzees and humans?

Answer 32

chimpanzees and humans evolved from a common ancestor

Question 33

Which best describes a branch point in a phylogenetic tree?

Answer 33

new lineage

Question 34

Which of the following is not a domain?

Answer 34

protista

Question 35

Which of the processes described is divergent evolution?

Answer 35

Groups of organisms evolve in different directions from a common point.

Question 36

Which description is an example of a phenotype?

Answer 36

A certain duck has a blue beak Most cheetahs live solitary lives

Question 37

Which of these statements about a natural principle that points to the inevitability of natural selection is false?

Answer 37

Some generations of offspring do not need to compete for resources.

Question 38

Which variable increases the likelihood of allopatric speciation taking place more quickly?

Answer 38

longer distance between divided groups

Question 39

Which situation is not an example of a prezygotic barrier?

Answer 39

two species of insects produce infertile offspring

Question 40

Which situation would most likely lead to allopatric speciation?

Answer 40

a flood causes the formation of a new lake

Question 41

what is assortative mating?

Answer 41

when individuals mate with those who are similar to themselves

Question 42

When closely related individuals mate with each other, or inbreed, the offspring are often not as fit as the offspring of two unrelated individuals. Why?

Answer 42

Inbreeding can bring together rare, deleterious mutations that lead to harmful phenotypes.

Question 43

Which situation is most likely an example of convergent evolution?

Answer 43

Squid and humans have eyes similar in structure Worms and snakes both move without legs Some bats and birds have wings that allow them to fly

Question 44

Which reproductive combination produces hybrids?

Answer 44

when members of closely related species reproduce

Question 45

population genetics is the study of...

Answer 45

how selective forces change the allele frequencies in a population over time.

Question 46

What is true about organisms that are a part of the same clade?

Answer 46

they evolved from a shared ancestor

Question 47

Which is an example of an adaptation?

Answer 47

the webbed feet of a duck helps it swim

Question 48

Which condition is the basis for a species to be reproductively isolated from other members?

Answer 48

it does not exchange genetic information with other species

Question 49

Which of the following evolutionary forces can introduce new genetic variation into a population?

Answer 49

mutation and gene flow

Question 50

The theory of evolution describes...

Answer 50

facts about the living world

Question 51

Which statement about the taxonomic classification system is correct?

Answer 51

species are the most specific category of classification