IB Biology Test On Evolution! Trivia Quiz

1. Who wrote the book "Origin of Species"

Albert Einstein

David Baltimore

Charles Darwin

Raymond Dart

Charles Darwin wrote the book "Origin of Species"; a book considered to be the base for evolutionary biology.

Explanation

Charles Darwin wrote the book "Origin of Species"; a book considered to be the base for evolutionary biology.

2. Before the industrial revolution in Britain the peppered moth has both lighter and darker shades, however, after the industrial revolution on the darker moths managed to survive. This is an example of evolution due to:

Environmental Change

Migration

Selective Breeding

As soot began to land on the trees the lighter of the moths were much easier to identify. So, predators ate more of the lighter moths eventually leaving just the darker moths.

Explanation

As soot began to land on the trees the lighter of the moths were much easier to identify. So, predators ate more of the lighter moths eventually leaving just the darker moths.

3. The human species is most closely related to which animal?

Chimpanzee

Gibbon

Gorilla

Monkey

It is widely accepted that the chimpanzee is the closest relative to humans, however, a new study of thought believes that orangutans may be closer related.

Explanation

It is widely accepted that the chimpanzee is the closest relative to humans, however, a new study of thought believes that orangutans may be closer related.

4. In an environment a population tends to produce:

Less offspring than the environment can support.

More offspring than the environment can support.

Approximately the right amount of offspring that the environment can support.

In an environment, a population tends to produce more offspring than the environment can support. This is because populations have the potential for exponential growth, where individuals can reproduce at a faster rate than the available resources can sustain. As a result, competition for limited resources such as food, water, and shelter increases, leading to a struggle for survival among the offspring. Only a fraction of the offspring will be able to survive and reproduce, ensuring that the population remains in balance with its environment.

Explanation

In an environment, a population tends to produce more offspring than the environment can support. This is because populations have the potential for exponential growth, where individuals can reproduce at a faster rate than the available resources can sustain. As a result, competition for limited resources such as food, water, and shelter increases, leading to a struggle for survival among the offspring. Only a fraction of the offspring will be able to survive and reproduce, ensuring that the population remains in balance with its environment.

5. True or False? A homologous structure are features of two different species that are similar in function but are not necessarily similar in structure.

True

False

A homologous structure are features of two different species that are similar in structure but are not necessarily similar in function. (ex: A human hand and a bat's wing)

Explanation

A homologous structure are features of two different species that are similar in structure but are not necessarily similar in function. (ex: A human hand and a bat's wing)

6. The wing of an insect (ex: Butterfly) and the wing of bird (ex: Heron) are considered to be:

Analogous Structures

Homologous Structures

Neither

The wing of an insect (ex: Butterfly) and the wing of a bird (ex: Heron) are considered to be analogous structures because they have similar functions (flight) but have evolved independently and have different developmental origins. Homologous structures, on the other hand, would have a common ancestor and similar developmental origins. Since the wings of insects and birds do not share a common ancestor and have different developmental origins, they are not considered homologous structures.

Explanation

The wing of an insect (ex: Butterfly) and the wing of a bird (ex: Heron) are considered to be analogous structures because they have similar functions (flight) but have evolved independently and have different developmental origins. Homologous structures, on the other hand, would have a common ancestor and similar developmental origins. Since the wings of insects and birds do not share a common ancestor and have different developmental origins, they are not considered homologous structures.

7. Which of the following is not a cause of variation in a population?

Genetic Mutation

Migration

Chance

Environmental Alterations

Chance refers to random events or processes that occur without any predictable pattern or cause. It is not a cause of variation in a population because it does not result in any specific changes or adaptations in the genetic makeup of individuals. Genetic mutation, migration, and environmental alterations are all factors that can introduce new genetic variations or change the distribution of existing variations within a population.

Explanation

Chance refers to random events or processes that occur without any predictable pattern or cause. It is not a cause of variation in a population because it does not result in any specific changes or adaptations in the genetic makeup of individuals. Genetic mutation, migration, and environmental alterations are all factors that can introduce new genetic variations or change the distribution of existing variations within a population.

8. Evolution occurs in which organization of life?

Species

Population

Individual

Evolution occurs at the level of a population. Individuals do not evolve POPULATIONS do.

Explanation

Evolution occurs at the level of a population. Individuals do not evolve POPULATIONS do.

9. It is estimated that humans an apes diverged away from each other :

500 thousand years ago

5 million years ago

50 million years ago

The correct answer is 5 million years ago. This is based on scientific estimates and evidence from fossil records, genetic studies, and comparative anatomy. These sources suggest that the common ancestor of humans and apes lived around 5-7 million years ago, and since then, humans and apes have evolved separately, leading to the divergence between the two species.

Explanation

The correct answer is 5 million years ago. This is based on scientific estimates and evidence from fossil records, genetic studies, and comparative anatomy. These sources suggest that the common ancestor of humans and apes lived around 5-7 million years ago, and since then, humans and apes have evolved separately, leading to the divergence between the two species.

10. Which process do scientists use to determine the age of the earth?

Carbon Dating

Potassium-Argon Dating

Radiometric Dating

Radiometric dating is the process that scientists use to determine the age of the earth. This method relies on the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks and minerals, such as uranium and potassium, to estimate the amount of time that has passed since the rocks were formed. By measuring the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes, scientists can calculate the age of the rocks and, by extension, the age of the earth. Carbon dating and potassium-argon dating are also used to determine the age of objects, but they are not specifically used to determine the age of the earth.

Explanation

Radiometric dating is the process that scientists use to determine the age of the earth. This method relies on the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks and minerals, such as uranium and potassium, to estimate the amount of time that has passed since the rocks were formed. By measuring the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes, scientists can calculate the age of the rocks and, by extension, the age of the earth. Carbon dating and potassium-argon dating are also used to determine the age of objects, but they are not specifically used to determine the age of the earth.