Fossils and genes are used to determine(1 point)
Responses
how species interact with each other.
how species interact with each other.
differences between organisms.
differences between organisms.
how many mutations occurred in a species over time.
how many mutations occurred in a species over time.
how species will change over time.
differences between organisms.
A common ancestor is an organism that is the(1 point)
Responses
indirect ancestor of two or more different organisms.
indirect ancestor of two or more different organisms.
indirect ancestor of one organism.
indirect ancestor of one organism.
direct ancestor of two or more different organisms.
direct ancestor of two or more different organisms.
direct ancestor of one organism.
direct ancestor of two or more different organisms.
A scientist discovers a fossil of a new organism and places it in the fossil record. The fossil shows the organism had similar structures to organism X, which appears later in the fossil record. Which conclusion about the organisms is most reasonable?(1 point)
Responses
The fossils came from the same organism.
The fossils came from the same organism.
The fossils are from an organism that is a descendant of organism X.
The fossils are from an organism that is a descendant of organism X.
The fossils are from an organism that is an ancestor of organism X.
The fossils are from an organism that is an ancestor of organism X.
The fossils are from organisms that lived in the same location.
The fossils are from an organism that is an ancestor of organism X.
Which group includes only bipedal animals?(1 point)
Responses
lesser apes
lesser apes
hominins
hominins
primates
primates
hominids
hominins
What does the fossil record tell us about the evolution of the hominin skull?(1 point)
Responses
The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew larger as hominins evolved.
The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew larger as hominins evolved.
The face stuck out farther from the rest of the skull as hominins evolved.
The face stuck out farther from the rest of the skull as hominins evolved.
The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew more pointed as hominins evolved.
The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew more pointed as hominins evolved.
The face grew wider as hominins evolved.
The face grew wider as hominins evolved.
The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew larger as hominins evolved.
Compared to rodents, rabbits have an extra pair of incisors and other skeletal structures that are different. They also have some features that are similar. What can scientists conclude from this observation?(1 point)
Responses
Rabbit teeth are better than rodent teeth.
Rabbit teeth are better than rodent teeth.
Rabbits evolved from a species of rodent.
Rabbits evolved from a species of rodent.
Rodents and rabbits share a common ancestor.
Rodents and rabbits share a common ancestor.
Rodents and rabbits evolved from different mammal ancestors and lack a common ancestor.
Rodents and rabbits share a common ancestor.
Humans, mice, and giraffes have seven vertebrae in their necks. What can scientists conclude from this observation?
(1 point)
Responses
Each animal independently evolved this trait.
Each animal independently evolved this trait.
Humans, mice, and giraffes have the same number of bones.
Humans, mice, and giraffes have the same number of bones.
All vertebrates have seven vertebrae in their necks.
All vertebrates have seven vertebrae in their necks.
These animals descended from a common ancestor.
These animals descended from a common ancestor.
Archaeopteryx is considered to be a transitional form between dinosaurs and birds. Which of the following is a trait that is unique to both Archaeopteryx and modern birds? (1 point)
Responses
feathers
feathers
wings
wings
teeth
teeth
claws
feathers
Evolution Unit Test
9 of 149 of 14 Items
Question
Which pattern emerged in horse evolution as scientists studied early horse fossils and modern horse bones?(1 point)
Responses
The earliest horses had a single large foot bone, intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
The earliest horses had a single large foot bone, intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
Early and intermediate horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), and modern horses have three foot bones (two small and one large).
Early and intermediate horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), and modern horses have three foot bones (two small and one large).
Early and intermediate horses had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
Early and intermediate horses had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone.
The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone.
The earliest horses had a single large foot bone, intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
Listed below are characteristics that serve as evidence of shared ancestry between fish and reptiles. Select the option that applies only to embryos rather than adults.(1 point)
Responses
spines and tails
spines and tails
scales as a form of skin
scales as a form of skin
gill slits that turn into gills
gill slits that turn into gills
hatch from and lay eggs
gill slits that turn into gills
Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals have similar embryos.
They all start with gill slits. Fish and some amphibians grow to have gills. Some amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals develop lungs to breathe air.
They all start with tails. Fish, some amphibians, reptiles, and birds grow tails. Humans do not keep their tails.
Fish and reptiles develop scales. Amphibians, birds, and humans have skin. Birds have feathers, and humans have hair.
Which two animals exhibit the most linear relationship?(1 point)
Responses
amphibians and fish
amphibians and fish
amphibians and reptiles
amphibians and reptiles
birds and reptiles
birds and reptiles
birds and humans
amphibians and reptiles
Which evidence supports the theory that fish and mammals evolved from the same ancestor? (1 point)
Responses
They both produce egg and sperm cells that must join in fertilization.
They both produce egg and sperm cells that must join in fertilization.
Their embryos share features in the late stages of development.
Their embryos share features in the late stages of development.
Their embryos share features in the early stages of development.
Their embryos share features in the early stages of development.
They both emerge from fertilized eggs.
Their embryos share features in the early stages of development.
Which pattern is evidence that reptiles and amphibians share the same ancestor? (1 point)
Responses
They have backbones.
They have backbones.
They have eyes.
They have eyes.
They have similar skin.
They have similar skin.
They have legs.
They have legs.
In three to five sentences, explain how the fossil record provides evidence for the idea of natural selection.(4 points)
The fossil record provides evidence for the idea of natural selection because it helps us understand how organisms have changed over time, and the various species that have existed throughout Earth's history. By analyzing the patterns in the fossil record, scientists are able to identify the traits and features that have become more or less common over time, and the conditions that led to these changes. These observations provide vital insights into how natural selection works and the impact it has had in shaping the diversity of life we see today.
You are a scientist observing rodents on the Galapagos Islands. You notice that the introduction of new bird of prey has limited the number of rodents.
What term best describes the factor that is limiting the number of rodents the environment can support?
(1 point)
Responses
variation
variation
food supply
food supply
fitness
fitness
selective pressure
selective pressure
In an aquatic bird population, some birds have long legs. Other birds have short legs. The food supply is minimal. The birds with long legs are able to wade farther into the water where they can find fish. Over time, the birds with long legs become more common.
What scientific term best describes this scenario?
(1 point)
Responses
selective pressures
selective pressures
mutation
mutation
natural selection
natural selection
fitness
natural selection
What relationship exists between changes in the environment and variations?(1 point)
Responses
Changes in the environment can only cause new variations to appear.
Changes in the environment can only cause new variations to appear.
Changes in the environment cannot influence the fitness of an organism.
Changes in the environment cannot influence the fitness of an organism.
Changes in the environment can act only on existing variations in a population.
Changes in the environment can act only on existing variations in a population.
Changes in the environment cannot change which traits are advantageous.
Changes in the environment cannot change which traits are advantageous.
Changes in the environment can act only on existing variations in a population.
Over time, the variation that gives an advantage(1 point)
Responses
becomes less common in the population.
becomes less common in the population.
becomes more common in the population.
becomes more common in the population.
can limit the number of individual organisms.
can limit the number of individual organisms.
can limit the number of selective pressures.
becomes more common in the population.
Natural selection causes changes in(1 point)
Responses
phenotypes.
phenotypes.
populations.
populations.
genotypes.
genotypes.
individuals.
phenotypes.
Which statement is accurate about natural selection?(1 point)
Responses
Natural selection does not change the alleles an organism has.
Natural selection does not change the alleles an organism has.
Natural selection cannot occur through mutations.
Natural selection cannot occur through mutations.
Natural selection does not impact reproduction rates.
Natural selection does not impact reproduction rates.
Natural selection cannot inactivate genes.
Natural selection cannot inactivate genes.
Natural selection does not inactivate genes.
Which mutation scenario will always lead to natural selection?(1 point)
Responses
a mutation causes a gene to become inactivated
a mutation causes a gene to become inactivated
a mutation causes a specific variation within the population
a mutation causes a specific variation within the population
a mutation causes a specific advantage within the population
a mutation causes a specific advantage within the population
a mutation causes an inactivated gene to be reactivated
a mutation causes a specific advantage within the population
Explain Natural Selection Quick Check
4 of 54 of 5 Items
Question
Consider the following scenario:
There are variations in the fur color of mice. Some mice have white fur. Some have dark fur. Foxes more easily catch mice with white fur.
What will likely be a consequence of this scenario?
(1 point)
Responses
Brown fur will become predominant.
Brown fur will become predominant.
Mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
Mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
White fur will become predominant.
White fur will become predominant.
Mice with brown fur will be less likely to pass on their genetic information.
Mice with brown fur will be less likely to pass on their genetic information.
Mice with dark fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
What evolves during natural selection?(1 point)
Responses
the phenotypes of individual organisms
the phenotypes of individual organisms
entire species
entire species
the proportion of different traits in a population
the proportion of different traits in a population
inactivated genes
inactivated genes