Evolution Practice Quiz (Medium Version)

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Quizzes Created: 2 | Total Attempts: 2,708

Questions: 10 | Attempts: 1,273 | Updated: Mar 22, 2023

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Evolution Practice Quiz (Medium Version) - Quiz

A (little bit) tougher version of the evolution quiz, with more challenging multiple choice questions and a few open-ended short answer questions. Enjoy, and good luck.

Questions and Answers

1.

The distinction between homologous and analogous structures can be summarized as follows:
- A.
  
  Homologous structures share common ancestral origins while analogous structures do not.
- B.
  
  Analogous structures share common ancestral origins while homologous structures do not.
- C.
  
  Homologous structures are like bird wings and bat wings, while analogous structures are like dolphin and shark body plans.
- D.
  
  Analogous structures are like bird wings and dolphin body plans, while homologous structures are like shark body plans and bat wings.
- E.
  
  None of the above are correct.
Correct Answer
A. Homologous structures share common ancestral origins while analogous structures do not.

Explanation
Homologous structures are similar in form and function because they share a common ancestry. This means that these structures have evolved from a common ancestor and have been modified over time to serve different purposes in different species. On the other hand, analogous structures may have similar functions but do not share a common ancestry. They have evolved independently in different species to serve similar purposes due to similar environmental pressures. Therefore, the correct answer is that homologous structures share common ancestral origins while analogous structures do not.

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2.

If Lamarckian evolution were correct, which of the following situations would be likely to happen?
- A.
  
  Experimental fruit flies had their wings clipped for 50 generations, and all of their offspring continued to develop wings.
- B.
  
  Giraffes stretched their necks to eat leaves and over the course of a single generation, the offspring inherited necks that were several feet longer than their parents.
- C.
  
  The great grandchildren of a family who all eat high fat diets will be the least obese kids relative to their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.
- D.
  
  A turtle that can hold its breath under water for 1 minute eventually produces offspring. These turtles will be able to hold their breath slightly longer than their parent. The future generations of these turtles will continue to be able to hold their breath for even longer durations then their parents if all turtles across the generations acquire the ability to take longer breaths.
- E.
  
  None of the above
Correct Answer
D. A turtle that can hold its breath under water for 1 minute eventually produces offspring. These turtles will be able to hold their breath slightly longer than their parent. The future generations of these turtles will continue to be able to hold their breath for even longer durations then their parents if all turtles across the generations acquire the ability to take longer breaths.

Explanation
If Lamarcking evolution were true (although we know that its implied mechanism is largely not correct), parents would have to acquire a trait and pass on that trait to their offspring. Over long amounts of time and through many generations, the population of individuals who inherited those acquired characteristics would eventually look different than their ancestors (note that the time length is critical - the answer with giraffes had only a single generation resulting in a massive change between parent and offspring)

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3.

A starfish is an animal that has radial symmetry. Which of the following phyla also share a similar body plan type?
- A.
  
  Platyhelminthes (ex. planarian worm)
- B.
  
  Porifera (ex. sponge)
- C.
  
  Chordata (ex. tunicate)
- D.
  
  Cnidaria (ex. anemone)
- E.
  
  Arthropoda (ex. beetle)
Correct Answer
D. Cnidaria (ex. anemone)

Explanation
Recall that the cnidarians and ctenophores are the only phyla who also possess the radial body plan - the type in which a central point can be found in which the same body shape radiates out in all directions (360 degrees). The other body type, bilateral symmetry, is found in the remaining animal phyla.

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4.

A scientist discovers a previously unidentified primate species and sequences its entire genome and compares it with two currently identified species genomes: Homo sapiens (human) and Pan troglodytes (chimpanzee). Which of the following statements could likely also be correct if the scientist found that the unidentified primate shared more genetic content with the Pan genus than the Homo genus.
- A.
  
  The unidentified primate shares greater morphological (physical shape) similarities with humans than with chimps.
- B.
  
  The unidentified primate shares a common ancestor with both chimps than with humans, but shares a more recent common ancestor with chimps.
- C.
  
  The chimp and human posses more morphological similarity to each other than either species does with the unidentified primate.
- D.
  
  The unidentified chimp shares a common ancestor with both chimps and humans, but shares a more recent common ancestor with humans.
- E.
  
  The unidentified chimp is a hybird offspring of a human and a chimp.
Correct Answer
B. The unidentified primate shares a common ancestor with both chimps than with humans, but shares a more recent common ancestor with chimps.

Explanation
The less genetic difference among a species, the less amount of time has been passed for that ancestral species to have acquired mutations. Therefore, the chimp and the unidentified primate likely share a more recent common ancestor.

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5.

Darwin’s theory of descent with modification states that:
- A.
  
  Newer forms appearing in the fossil record are the modified descendants older species
- B.
  
  Organisms that descend from high elevations are modified as they acquire new traits
- C.
  
  All living things descended from a recent common ancestor on the Galapagos Islands
- D.
  
  Individuals modify their behavior to survive and then pass those modifications to their descendants
Correct Answer
A. Newer forms appearing in the fossil record are the modified descendants older species

Explanation
Darwin's theory of descent with modification states that newer forms appearing in the fossil record are the modified descendants of older species. This means that over time, species change and evolve, giving rise to new forms that can be observed in the fossil record. These new forms are not completely different from their ancestors, but rather have undergone modifications and adaptations to better suit their environment and survive. This theory is supported by the evidence of transitional fossils, which show intermediate forms between different species.

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6.

What are two major causes of genetic variation in a population?
7.

Explain how geographic isolation and reproductive isolation can lead to speciation.
8.

If Lamarck and Darwin had debated why giraffes have such long necks, what would each of the naturalists have said was the cause?
9.

Differentiate between convergent and divergent evolution. Give an example of each.
10.

What are a few pieces of evidence for evolution?

Evolution Practice Quiz (Medium Version)

The distinction between homologous and analogous structures can be summarized as follows:

If Lamarckian evolution were correct, which of the following situations would be likely to happen?

A starfish is an animal that has radial symmetry. Which of the following phyla also share a similar body plan type?

Darwin’s theory of descent with modification states that:

What are two major causes of genetic variation in a population?

Explain how geographic isolation and reproductive isolation can lead to speciation.

If Lamarck and Darwin had debated why giraffes have such long necks, what would each of the naturalists have said was the cause?

Differentiate between convergent and divergent evolution. Give an example of each.

What are a few pieces of evidence for evolution?