Evolution Unit Pre-assessment (Grade 8)

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2. Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how interested are you in evolution.

This question asks the respondent to rate their level of interest in evolution on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer "1,2,3,4" indicates that the respondent is equally interested in all levels of interest, from the lowest to the highest. It suggests that the respondent has a balanced curiosity and open-mindedness towards the topic of evolution, willing to explore it at any level of depth.

Explanation

This question asks the respondent to rate their level of interest in evolution on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer "1,2,3,4" indicates that the respondent is equally interested in all levels of interest, from the lowest to the highest. It suggests that the respondent has a balanced curiosity and open-mindedness towards the topic of evolution, willing to explore it at any level of depth.

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3. Mutations are considered a basis for evolution because they (Standard 3.1c).

Result in variation among organisms

Occur in body cells instead of egg or sperms

Are important unless the environment changes

Survive only if beneficial

They are created by mutagens

Mutations are considered a basis for evolution because they result in variation among organisms. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence, and these changes can lead to new traits or characteristics in organisms. This variation is important for the process of natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, these beneficial mutations can become more common in a population, leading to evolutionary change. Therefore, mutations play a crucial role in driving the diversity and adaptation of species over generations.

Explanation

Mutations are considered a basis for evolution because they result in variation among organisms. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence, and these changes can lead to new traits or characteristics in organisms. This variation is important for the process of natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, these beneficial mutations can become more common in a population, leading to evolutionary change. Therefore, mutations play a crucial role in driving the diversity and adaptation of species over generations.

4. Variations within species are most likely the result of (Standard 3.1 b).

Mutations and sexual reproduction

Mitosis and asexual reproduction

Overpopulation and recombination

Synapsis and disjunction

Genetic engineering and gene therapy

Variations within species are most likely the result of mutations and sexual reproduction. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can introduce new genetic variations into a population. Sexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves the mixing of genetic material from two parents, resulting in offspring with unique combinations of genes. This combination of mutations and genetic recombination during sexual reproduction allows for the generation of diverse traits and variations within a species.

Explanation

Variations within species are most likely the result of mutations and sexual reproduction. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can introduce new genetic variations into a population. Sexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves the mixing of genetic material from two parents, resulting in offspring with unique combinations of genes. This combination of mutations and genetic recombination during sexual reproduction allows for the generation of diverse traits and variations within a species.

5. Charles Darwin proposed that organism produce many more offspring than can possibly survive on the limited amount of resources available to them. According to Darwin, the offspring that are most likely to survive are those that (Standard 3.1f):

Are born first and grow fastest

Mutate faster

Are largest and most aggressive

Have no natural predators

Are best adapted to the environment

According to Charles Darwin, the offspring that are most likely to survive are those that are best adapted to the environment. This means that they possess traits and characteristics that allow them to thrive and successfully compete for limited resources in their specific ecological niche. These offspring have inherited advantageous traits from their parents, which give them a higher chance of survival and reproductive success. Through natural selection, these well-adapted individuals are more likely to pass on their genes to future generations, ensuring the continuation of their advantageous traits in the population.

Explanation

According to Charles Darwin, the offspring that are most likely to survive are those that are best adapted to the environment. This means that they possess traits and characteristics that allow them to thrive and successfully compete for limited resources in their specific ecological niche. These offspring have inherited advantageous traits from their parents, which give them a higher chance of survival and reproductive success. Through natural selection, these well-adapted individuals are more likely to pass on their genes to future generations, ensuring the continuation of their advantageous traits in the population.

6. Which of the following factors increases the likelihood that at least some members of a species will survive under changed environmental conditions (Standard 3.1h)?

A population of at least 10,000 organisms

A slow mutation rate

Parents that care for their young

Interspecies competition

Variation of organisms within the species

Variation of organisms within a species increases the likelihood that at least some members of the species will survive under changed environmental conditions. This is because variation provides a range of traits and characteristics within a population, allowing some individuals to be better adapted to the new conditions. These individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to the next generation.

Explanation

Variation of organisms within a species increases the likelihood that at least some members of the species will survive under changed environmental conditions. This is because variation provides a range of traits and characteristics within a population, allowing some individuals to be better adapted to the new conditions. These individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to the next generation.

7. Which statement best describes evolution (Standard 3.1a)?

Evolution is a predictable change from simple to complex organisms.

Evolution is a process of change through time.

Evolution often proceeds from complex to simpler organisms.

Evolution causes organisms to develop characteristics they need.

Evolution explains how monkeys transformed into humans.

The correct answer is "Evolution is a process of change through time." This statement best describes evolution because it acknowledges that evolution is a continuous process that occurs over a period of time. It does not imply a specific direction or outcome of evolution, such as a change from simple to complex organisms or from complex to simpler organisms. It also does not suggest that evolution is driven by organisms developing characteristics they need or that it explains how monkeys transformed into humans. Instead, it simply states that evolution is a process of change over time, which is the most accurate and comprehensive description of evolution.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Evolution is a process of change through time." This statement best describes evolution because it acknowledges that evolution is a continuous process that occurs over a period of time. It does not imply a specific direction or outcome of evolution, such as a change from simple to complex organisms or from complex to simpler organisms. It also does not suggest that evolution is driven by organisms developing characteristics they need or that it explains how monkeys transformed into humans. Instead, it simply states that evolution is a process of change over time, which is the most accurate and comprehensive description of evolution.

8. Mutations are (Standard 3.1d):

Random chance events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in gametes

Nonrandom events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in gametes

Random chance events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in somatic cells

Nonrandom events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in somatic cells

Nonrandom events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in both gametes and somatic cells

Mutations are random chance events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in gametes. This means that mutations are spontaneous and occur randomly in the DNA sequence. If a mutation occurs in a gamete (sperm or egg cell), it can be passed on to the next generation during reproduction. Mutations that occur in somatic cells, which are non-reproductive cells, are not passed on to offspring. Therefore, the correct answer is that mutations are random chance events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in gametes.

Explanation

Mutations are random chance events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in gametes. This means that mutations are spontaneous and occur randomly in the DNA sequence. If a mutation occurs in a gamete (sperm or egg cell), it can be passed on to the next generation during reproduction. Mutations that occur in somatic cells, which are non-reproductive cells, are not passed on to offspring. Therefore, the correct answer is that mutations are random chance events that can be passed on to offspring if they occur in gametes.

9. Which statement best explains the decreased effectiveness of an insecticide (Standard 3.1e)?

The insecticide caused mutations that resulted in immunity in the mosquito.

Mosquitoes resistant to the insecticide lived and produced offspring.

The insecticide reacted chemically with the DNA of the mosquitoes and was destroyed.

All of the mosquitoes produced antibodies that activated the insecticide

As the mosquitoes grew older, they quickly evolved resistance to the insecticide.

The statement "Mosquitoes resistant to the insecticide lived and produced offspring" best explains the decreased effectiveness of the insecticide. This suggests that the insecticide was not effective in killing the mosquitoes that were resistant to it, allowing them to survive and pass on their resistance to future generations. As a result, the population of mosquitoes that are not affected by the insecticide increases, reducing its effectiveness over time.

Explanation

The statement "Mosquitoes resistant to the insecticide lived and produced offspring" best explains the decreased effectiveness of the insecticide. This suggests that the insecticide was not effective in killing the mosquitoes that were resistant to it, allowing them to survive and pass on their resistance to future generations. As a result, the population of mosquitoes that are not affected by the insecticide increases, reducing its effectiveness over time.

10. Some behaviors such as mating and caring for young are genetically determined in certain species of birds. The presence of these behaviors is most likely due to the fact that (Standard 3.1i)

Birds do not have the ability to learn

Individual birds need to learn to survive and reproduce

These behaviors helped birds to survive in the past

Within their lifetimes, birds developed these behaviors

These behaviors were taught to them by their parents

The presence of genetically determined behaviors such as mating and caring for young in certain species of birds is most likely due to the fact that these behaviors helped birds to survive in the past. This suggests that these behaviors have been naturally selected over time because they increase the chances of survival and reproduction for the birds.

Explanation

The presence of genetically determined behaviors such as mating and caring for young in certain species of birds is most likely due to the fact that these behaviors helped birds to survive in the past. This suggests that these behaviors have been naturally selected over time because they increase the chances of survival and reproduction for the birds.