Classification & Evolution Test Bank

Chloroplast is the correct answer because it is a unique cellular structure found only in plant cells. It is responsible for the process of photosynthesis, which allows plants to convert sunlight into energy. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts, so the presence of this structure distinguishes plant cells from animal cells.

Early autotrophs had an advantage over early heterotrophs because they were able to produce their own food. Autotrophs have the ability to convert sunlight or inorganic compounds into organic molecules through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, respectively. This allowed them to sustain themselves without relying on other organisms for nutrition. In contrast, heterotrophs had to obtain their food by consuming other organisms. By being able to produce their own food, autotrophs had a more reliable and independent source of energy, giving them a competitive edge in survival and reproduction.

Viruses require a host cell to reproduce. Unlike other biological groups, viruses cannot reproduce on their own as they lack the necessary cellular machinery. Instead, they invade host cells and hijack their cellular machinery to replicate and produce more viruses. This dependence on a host cell for reproduction is a defining characteristic of viruses.

Early autotrophs had an advantage over early heterotrophs because they were capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This ability allowed them to synthesize organic molecules, such as glucose, using energy from sunlight or inorganic compounds. In contrast, early heterotrophs relied on consuming other organisms or organic matter for their energy and nutrient requirements. By being able to produce their own food, autotrophs were not dependent on finding and consuming other organisms, which provided them with a competitive advantage in environments where resources were limited.

Chimpanzees and gorillas share the most recent common ancestor based on their taxonomic classification. In the hierarchy of classification, family is a higher level than class, kingdom, and phylum. Therefore, the fact that chimpanzees and gorillas belong to the same family indicates that they are more closely related to each other than the other pairs of organisms mentioned.

The organisms of the Plantae kingdom possess these traits because they are eukaryotic, meaning their cells have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are also photosynthetic, meaning they can produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Additionally, they have cellulose cell walls, which provide support and protection to the cells.

Based on their scientific names, Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalus belong to the same genus, Homo. This indicates that they are closely related species within the same genus. The fact that they share a common genus suggests that they are genetically similar, as species within the same genus tend to have more genetic similarities than those in different genera or kingdoms. Therefore, the most accurate conclusion is that they are genetically similar.

Biological evolution refers to the change in the genetic makeup of a population over time. This change occurs through the alteration of the gene pool, which is the total set of genes and their variations present in a population. The gene pool can change due to various factors such as genetic mutations, natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. Therefore, the correct answer is the gene pool of a population.

The statement "They produce fertile offspring" most likely indicates that the two populations of animals are the same species. This is because the ability to produce fertile offspring is a key characteristic of a species. If two populations can successfully reproduce and produce offspring that can also reproduce, it suggests that they share enough genetic similarity to be considered the same species. The other statements, such as inhabiting the same area, having similar outward appearance, or consuming the same type of diet, may be indicative of similarities between populations but do not necessarily confirm that they are the same species.

The statement "They produce fertile offspring" most likely indicates that the two populations of animals are the same species. This is because the ability to produce fertile offspring is a key characteristic of members of the same species. If two populations can successfully mate and produce offspring that are capable of reproducing themselves, it suggests that they share enough genetic similarity to be considered the same species. The other statements, while potentially indicative of similarities between populations, do not necessarily confirm that they are the same species.

The example that best illustrates the process of natural selection is when giraffe necks varied in length, and the shorter-necked giraffes were at a disadvantage. This is because natural selection involves the survival and reproduction of individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment. In this case, the giraffes with shorter necks are less able to reach food and therefore have a lower chance of survival and reproduction compared to giraffes with longer necks. Over time, this leads to the prevalence of longer-necked giraffes in the population, as they have a higher chance of passing on their genes.

Lions, cheetahs, and tigers all belong to the same family, which is the most specific taxonomic level they share. The family level is a higher classification than genus and includes related species that share common characteristics. Therefore, the correct answer is Family.

Larger horses producing a slightly greater number of surviving offspring is the best explanation for the increase in size of horse skeletons over time. This suggests that the larger horses had a better chance of survival and reproductive success, leading to a gradual increase in their population. Smaller horses breeding with larger horses, a fatal virus, or larger horses consuming the food supply of smaller horses do not directly explain the increase in size of horse skeletons.

A millipede is the correct answer because it matches all the given characteristics. Millipedes have many more than 8 jointed legs on a segmented body, with 2 pairs of legs attached to each body segment. Additionally, millipedes lack biting jaws. Dragonflies have 6 legs and do not have a segmented body. Sea stars have arms instead of legs and do not have a segmented body. Slugs have a soft body and do not have jointed legs. Therefore, millipede is the only animal that fits all the given characteristics.

A few cockroaches exhibited pesticide resistance due to natural variability within the population. This means that there is a genetic variation among the cockroaches, and some individuals have traits that make them resistant to the pesticide. These resistant cockroaches are able to survive the pesticide application and continue to reproduce, passing on their resistant traits to future generations. As a result, even after reapplying the pesticide, some live cockroaches are still present in the home.

Scientists would classify a multicellular, nonmotile, autotrophic organism in the Plantae kingdom. This is because the characteristics mentioned - multicellular, nonmotile, and autotrophic - are all traits commonly found in plants. Plants are multicellular organisms that cannot move on their own and are capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis. Therefore, the correct answer is Plantae.

The relative size of hooknose males and jack males being an advantage during mating explains disruptive selection in male coho salmon. Disruptive selection occurs when extreme traits are favored over intermediate traits, leading to the reduction of individuals with average traits. In this case, the larger size of hooknose males and the smaller size of jack males are both advantageous during mating, making individuals with average size less successful in reproducing.

Genetic biodiversity in modern multicellular organisms is accounted for by mutations in gametes that are passed on to the offspring. Gametes, such as sperm and eggs, carry genetic information that can undergo mutations, resulting in genetic variations in the offspring. These mutations can lead to the creation of new traits, genetic diversity, and the formation of new species over time.

The most likely conclusion about the evolutionary relationship between these organisms is that the wood frog and bullfrog share a more recent common ancestor than the western toad and the spadefoot toad. This can be inferred from the fact that all of these animals are placed in the same vertebrate class (Amphibia) and order (Anura), indicating a closer evolutionary relationship between the wood frog and bullfrog compared to the other two species.

The criterion that is NOT necessarily true of a trait that has evolved through natural selection is that it increases individuals' life spans. While natural selection can lead to traits that increase an individual's chances of survival and reproductive success, it does not always result in longer life spans. Some traits that enhance reproductive success may actually reduce life spans, such as those that involve high-risk behaviors or increased susceptibility to certain diseases. Therefore, the increase in individuals' life spans is not a necessary criterion for a trait that has evolved through natural selection.

An ecosystem is a level of organization that best describes a group of living organisms and their abiotic environment. It encompasses all the living organisms (such as plants, animals, and microorganisms) in a particular area, as well as the non-living components (such as air, water, and soil). The interactions between these living and non-living elements within an ecosystem create a complex web of relationships and energy flow. Therefore, the concept of an ecosystem provides a comprehensive understanding of how organisms and their environment are interconnected and interdependent.

In this simulation, the teacher drops an equal number of red and green jelly beans on green grass, representing individuals of the same species. The students act as predators and try to pick up as many jelly beans as possible in 30 seconds. The most accurate prediction is that green individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce. This suggests that the green individuals are better adapted to their environment, making them less likely to be captured by predators. As a result, they have a higher chance of surviving and passing on their genes to the next generation.

Disruptive selection is the process of natural selection that favors extreme phenotypes of a trait and eliminates intermediate phenotypes. In this type of selection, individuals with extreme traits have a higher fitness and are better adapted to their environment, leading to their increased survival and reproduction. As a result, the population becomes divided into two distinct groups with different phenotypes, as the intermediate phenotypes are selected against. This can lead to the formation of new species or the maintenance of existing ones with distinct characteristics.

Directional selection is occurring in this cricket population. Directional selection happens when individuals with a particular trait have a higher fitness and are favored by natural selection, leading to a shift in the population towards that trait. In this case, the presence of parasitic flies has caused a shift in the population towards flat-winged crickets that do not sing. These crickets have a higher fitness because they are not detected by the flies and are able to mate with females. As a result, the number of males with flat wings has increased to 90% over the course of 18 generations.

Dr. Romero is raising 2 different species of damselfishes. Fish A and C are considered to be a single species based on the most commonly accepted definition of a species, while Fish B is considered to be a separate species. This conclusion is drawn from the information provided in the table, which suggests that there are distinct differences or characteristics between Fish B and the other two fish (Fish A and C).

The correct answer is Phylum. Phylum is a taxonomic rank in the biological classification system that groups organisms based on certain shared characteristics. Chordata, Molluska, Echinodermata, Arthropoda, and Cnidaria are all examples of phyla. They represent major branches of the animal kingdom and share certain anatomical and physiological characteristics.

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The entomologist should give the beetle a new species name not used in the genus Tenebrio because although it closely resembles other darkling beetles of the genus Tenebrio, it is still a new species. By giving it a new species name, the entomologist can differentiate it from other species within the genus and accurately classify it in the taxonomy system.

Based on the information provided, Alec is most likely studying a bacterium. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that have DNA and a cell wall, but no nucleus. This distinguishes them from fungi, which have a nucleus, and viruses, which do not have a cell wall. While protists also have DNA, they typically have a nucleus as well, making them less likely to be the correct answer.

Monerans and protists can be classified as primary producers because they are capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Monerans are single-celled organisms, such as bacteria, that can perform photosynthesis or obtain energy from inorganic substances. Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms, such as algae, that can also perform photosynthesis. Both groups play a crucial role in the food chain by converting energy from the sun or inorganic substances into organic matter, which serves as a food source for other organisms.