Biology: Evolution Unit Review

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Quizzes Created: 23 | Total Attempts: 10,902

Questions: 12 | Attempts: 418 | Updated: Mar 20, 2023

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This quiz will help you prepare for the unit test on evolution.

Questions and Answers

1.

The flounder has developed a flat sandy-colored body that allows it to lie on the ocean floor where it cannot be seen by predators or prey. The flounder's phenotype is an example of _________________.
- A.
  
  Genetic engineering
- B.
  
  An adaptation
- C.
  
  Succession
- D.
  
  A clone
Correct Answer
B. An adaptation

Explanation
The flounder's phenotype, which is its physical appearance, is an example of an adaptation. This means that the flounder's flat sandy-colored body is a trait that has evolved over time to help it survive in its environment. By blending in with the ocean floor, the flounder is able to hide from both predators and prey, increasing its chances of survival. This adaptation is beneficial to the flounder and has been favored by natural selection.

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2.

Salamanders with longer tongues tend to live more years than those with short tongues. Long tongues probably enable the salamander to catch more food. This is an example of Darwin's concept of __________.
- A.
  
  Survival of the fittest
- B.
  
  Evolution of crossing over
- C.
  
  The tree of life
Correct Answer
A. Survival of the fittest

Explanation
This is an example of Darwin's concept of survival of the fittest because salamanders with longer tongues have an advantage in catching more food, which increases their chances of survival and reproductive success. Over time, individuals with longer tongues are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation, leading to the evolution of longer tongues in the population.

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3.

Which of the statements about evolution is NOT true?
- A.
  
  Evolution is the slow change in a species over a long period of time.
- B.
  
  Evolution occurs within individual organisms due to environmental pressures.
- C.
  
  Evidence of evolution can be seen in the fossil record.
Correct Answer
B. Evolution occurs within individual organisms due to environmental pressures.

Explanation
This statement is not true because evolution does not occur within individual organisms. Evolution is a process that happens over generations and involves changes in the genetic makeup of a population. It is driven by natural selection and other mechanisms, but it does not occur within a single organism during its lifetime.

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4.

Look at the picture of the cats below: The difference in the color of cats is known as ______.
- A.
  
  Evolution
- B.
  
  Adaptation
- C.
  
  Variation
Correct Answer
C. Variation

Explanation
The difference in the color of cats is known as variation. Variation refers to the differences that exist among individuals within a population, such as differences in physical traits like color. In this case, the cats in the picture have different colors, which is an example of variation within the cat population.

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5.

The polar bear's thick fur and layer of fat are examples of ______________ that enable it to survive in an extrememely cold environment.
- A.
  
  Relationships
- B.
  
  Adaptations
- C.
  
  Alterations
- D.
  
  Replications
Correct Answer
B. Adaptations

Explanation
The polar bear's thick fur and layer of fat are examples of adaptations that enable it to survive in an extremely cold environment. Adaptations are physical or behavioral traits that help an organism survive and thrive in its specific environment. In this case, the polar bear's thick fur provides insulation and helps retain body heat, while its layer of fat acts as an energy reserve and provides buoyancy in water. These adaptations allow the polar bear to withstand the freezing temperatures of its habitat and hunt for food effectively.

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6.

The change in the color of the peppered moth in England during the Industrial Revolution was the result of a process called _______________.
- A.
  
  Succesion
- B.
  
  DNA translation
- C.
  
  Selective breeding
- D.
  
  Natural selection
Correct Answer
D. Natural selection

Explanation
The change in the color of the peppered moth in England during the Industrial Revolution was the result of natural selection. This process refers to the mechanism by which certain traits become more or less common in a population over time, based on their ability to enhance survival and reproduction. In the case of the peppered moth, the darker coloration provided better camouflage against the pollution-darkened trees, making them less visible to predators and increasing their chances of survival. As a result, the darker moths had a higher likelihood of passing on their genes, leading to an increase in the frequency of the darker coloration in the population.

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7.

Ms. Puckett uses an ant spray to kill the ants in her house. Over several months, she notices that fewer and fewer ants are dying and more are living. This is happening because of what process?
- A.
  
  Crossing over
- B.
  
  Natural selection
- C.
  
  Mitosis
Correct Answer
B. Natural selection

Explanation
Ms. Puckett's observation that fewer ants are dying and more are living over several months suggests that the ant population is evolving through natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to future generations. In this case, it is possible that some ants in the population have developed resistance to the ant spray, allowing them to survive and pass on their resistant traits to their offspring. As a result, the overall ant population becomes more resistant to the spray over time.

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8.

In order for evolution to take place, which of the following must be true:
- A.
  
  Each organism must produce offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.
- B.
  
  The environment must be unchanging for at least a million years.
- C.
  
  Mutations must create variations in traits.
Correct Answer
C. Mutations must create variations in traits.

Explanation
For evolution to occur, mutations must create variations in traits. This is because mutations are random changes in an organism's DNA, which can lead to new traits or variations in existing traits. These variations can then be passed on to offspring, leading to genetic diversity within a population. Over time, natural selection acts on this diversity, favoring individuals with advantageous traits and allowing them to survive and reproduce. This process of differential reproductive success leads to the gradual change and adaptation of species over generations, which is the essence of evolution.

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9.

One of the birds found on the Galapagos Islands is the medium ground finch. These birds prefer to eat small seeds, which are easier to eat than large seeds. However, when food is scarce, such as during a drought, some of the birds can eat larger seeds. The ability to crush and eat larger seeds is related to beak thickness, an inherited characteristic. Birds with thicker beaks are able to crush large seeds more easily. Which of the following would we be likely to see during times of drought?
- A.
  
  An increase in the number of finches with thicker beaks.
- B.
  
  A decrease in the number of finches with thicker beaks.
- C.
  
  An increase in the finch population.
- D.
  
  An increase in the number of plants with seeds.
Correct Answer
A. An increase in the number of finches with thicker beaks.

Explanation
During times of drought, when food is scarce, the birds that are able to eat larger seeds have a better chance of survival. Since the ability to crush and eat larger seeds is related to beak thickness, we would expect to see an increase in the number of finches with thicker beaks. This is because the finches with thicker beaks have a selective advantage and are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their thicker beak trait to future generations.

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10.

Why do all mammals have hair on their bodies?
- A.
  
  Cold temperatures made them all grow hair.
- B.
  
  Each of them decided that hair would look good.
- C.
  
  As each kind of mammal evolved, it independently developed hair.
- D.
  
  They all have a common ancestor which also had hair.
Correct Answer
D. They all have a common ancestor which also had hair.

Explanation
Organisms don't decide which traits they want to have. However, when two different species have similar traits this is an indication that they probably descended from the same common ancestor.

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11.

Scientists can compare DNA sequences of different species of animals. The species that are most closely related will
- A.
  
  Have the greatest number of similar sequences
- B.
  
  Have the fewest similar sequences
- C.
  
  Start and end with the same base pairs
- D.
  
  Have the greatest number of different base pair sequences.
Correct Answer
A. Have the greatest number of similar sequences

Explanation
If you get a table of DNA sequences, compare and count the number of similar sequences. Those with the greatest number of similar sequences are most closely related.

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12.

An area where a population of wolves lives is getting colder. Even though the wolves do not have predators, they often die as a result of the cold temperatures. In this climate, natural selection should favor individuals that possess which of the following?
- A.
  
  White fur
- B.
  
  Thicker fur
- C.
  
  Sharp claws
- D.
  
  Blue eyes
Correct Answer
B. Thicker fur

Explanation
Having thick fur would help protect the wolves from the very cold weather.

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Biology: Evolution Unit Review

The flounder has developed a flat sandy-colored body that allows it to lie on the ocean floor where it cannot be seen by predators or prey. The flounder's phenotype is an example of _________________.

Salamanders with longer tongues tend to live more years than those with short tongues. Long tongues probably enable the salamander to catch more food. This is an example of Darwin's concept of __________.

Which of the statements about evolution is NOT true?

Look at the picture of the cats below: The difference in the color of cats is known as ______.

The polar bear's thick fur and layer of fat are examples of ______________ that enable it to survive in an extrememely cold environment.

The change in the color of the peppered moth in England during the Industrial Revolution was the result of a process called _______________.

Ms. Puckett uses an ant spray to kill the ants in her house. Over several months, she notices that fewer and fewer ants are dying and more are living. This is happening because of what process?

In order for evolution to take place, which of the following must be true:

Why do all mammals have hair on their bodies?

Scientists can compare DNA sequences of different species of animals. The species that are most closely related will

An area where a population of wolves lives is getting colder. Even though the wolves do not have predators, they often die as a result of the cold temperatures. In this climate, natural selection should favor individuals that possess which of the following?