Types Of Evolution: How Well Do You Know? Trivia Facts Quiz

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  • 1/15 Questions

    Who developed the theory of evolution?

    • Carl Linnaeus
    • Charles Darwin
    • Aristotle
    • Stanley Miller
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About This Quiz

Explore the fundamentals of evolution in this engaging trivia quiz. Test your knowledge on key concepts like natural selection, fitness, and reproductive isolation, and learn about the impact of artificial selection. Ideal for students and enthusiasts eager to understand evolutionary processes.

Types Of Evolution: How Well Do You Know? Trivia Facts Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    The finches of the Galapagos islands come in different size and have different beak shapes. What is the most likely reason for the specialization of these finches?

    • Had very large beaks

    • Beaks formed to eat different foods

    • Ancestors had different shapes of beaks

    • Had small beaks

    Correct Answer
    A. Beaks formed to eat different foods
    Explanation
    The most likely reason for the specialization of the finches' beaks is that they formed to eat different foods. This suggests that the finches adapted to their environment by developing beak shapes that allowed them to effectively consume the specific types of food available on the Galapagos islands. This specialization in beak shape likely occurred over generations as the finches with beaks better suited for certain foods had a higher chance of survival and passing on their traits to future generations.

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  • 3. 

    The study of the development of vertebrate animals before birth or hatching is called

    • Embryology

    • Homology

    • Anatomy

    • Physiology

    Correct Answer
    A. Embryology
    Explanation
    Embryology is the study of the development of vertebrate animals before birth or hatching. It focuses on the processes and changes that occur from the fertilization of an egg to the formation of organs and structures in the developing embryo. This field of study helps us understand the growth and differentiation of cells, tissues, and organs during embryonic development. It also provides insights into the evolutionary relationships between different species and helps in understanding the causes and prevention of birth defects. Homology refers to the similarity in structure or characteristics between different species, Anatomy is the study of the structure of organisms, and Physiology is the study of the functions and processes of living organisms.

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  • 4. 

    Farmers forcing woollier sheep to mate is an example of:

    • Natural selection

    • Genetic modification

    • Artificial Selection

    • Cruelty to animals

    Correct Answer
    A. Artificial Selection
    Explanation
    Artificial selection is when humans breed certain organisms in order to produce the best type of that organism they can, such as fancy birds, woolly sheep, or robust meat. Natural selection is when the environment facilitates the selection, because animals of lower fitness don't survive until reproduction, and genetic modification is only when the genes are actually changed to improve the organism. D would also be correct.

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  • 5. 

    If a rock layer is labeled A, B, and C with A being on the top and C being on the bottom; which fossil would be the youngest?

    • The one found in A

    • The one found in B

    • The one found in C

    • All would be the same age

    Correct Answer
    A. The one found in A
    Explanation
    Rock layers on the bottom are the oldest and ones on the top are youngest. Law of superposition

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  • 6. 

    Which of these is NOT one of the three requirements for evolution to occur?

    • More organisms are born than can survive

    • All organisms are exactly the same as other organisms of their species

    • There is variation of inherited traits amongst organisms

    • Some organisms have a higher level of fitness than others in their environment

    Correct Answer
    A. All organisms are exactly the same as other organisms of their species
    Explanation
    There needs to be variation for evolution to occur because otherwise a species would never evolve to its surroundings and could potentially die out. If all members of the species were the same, environmental factors that eliminate the fewer fit members would eliminate everyone equally.

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  • 7. 

    Structures that evolved independently in two different species are referred to as

    • Vestigal

    • Homologous

    • Analogous

    • Anaplastic

    Correct Answer
    A. Analogous
    Explanation
    Analogous structures are structures that have similar functions but evolved independently in different species. These structures are not derived from a common ancestor and do not share similar developmental patterns. This is in contrast to homologous structures, which have a common evolutionary origin but may have different functions. Vestigial structures are remnants of structures that were functional in ancestors but are no longer necessary in the present species. Anaplastic is not a term used in biology and does not relate to the concept of independently evolved structures.

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  • 8. 

    Which of the following phrases best describes the result of natural selection?

    • Long neck giraffes gettin food frm a tall tree

    • White tail deer living in a snowy area

    • Species living in different locations

    • Changes in the inherited characteristics of a population over time

    Correct Answer
    A. Changes in the inherited characteristics of a population over time
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "changes in the inherited characteristics of a population over time." This phrase best describes the result of natural selection because natural selection is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population over generations. This occurs because individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to future generations. Over time, this leads to changes in the inherited characteristics of the population as a whole.

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  • 9. 

    Reproductive isolation is what?

    • Any reproductive barrier that keeps 2 populations from interbreeding

    • Seperation of a populations due to geographic change

    • A change in the gene pool due to chance

    Correct Answer
    A. Any reproductive barrier that keeps 2 populations from interbreeding
    Explanation
    Reproductive isolation refers to any reproductive barrier that prevents two populations from interbreeding. This barrier could be due to various factors such as differences in mating behaviors, physical incompatibility, or geographic separation. It is a crucial concept in evolutionary biology as it plays a significant role in the formation of new species by preventing gene flow between populations.

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  • 10. 

    What determines an organism's fitness?

    • How physically strong it is

    • How much it changes to fit its environment within its life

    • How well it can survive within its environment

    • Where it fits in on the food chain

    Correct Answer
    A. How well it can survive within its environment
    Explanation
    An organism's fitness is its ability to survive within its environment. Organisms with higher fitness survive, while those with lower fitness die out- hence, "survival of the fittest". An animal's fitness is based on inherited traits- organisms don't try to be more perfect; rather, the fitter ones survive and pass those traits on to their descendants.

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  • 11. 

    Homologous structures

    • Similar structures with identical functions shared by distantly related species that are a result from natural selection in similar environments, but that evolved independently.

    • Structures which evolved from the same structure within a common ancestor; may or may not serve the same function.

    • Structures which are reduced and perhaps even nonfunctional in one species but homologous to functional structures in a closely related species.

    • Any vital structure used by many different species.

    Correct Answer
    A. Structures which evolved from the same structure within a common ancestor; may or may not serve the same function.
    Explanation
    Homologous structures are similar structures that have evolved from the same structure in a common ancestor. These structures may or may not serve the same function in different species. This suggests that even though species may have diverged over time, they still retain certain structural similarities due to their shared ancestry. The presence of homologous structures provides evidence for evolution and common descent.

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  • 12. 

    What two structures appear in the early development of all vertebrate embryos?

    • Gill pouches and tails

    • Fingers and Toes

    • Scales and Feathers

    • Five Fingers and Radius

    Correct Answer
    A. Gill pouches and tails
    Explanation
    Gill pouches and tails are two structures that appear in the early development of all vertebrate embryos. Gill pouches are responsible for the development of gills in aquatic vertebrates, which later develop into various structures in terrestrial vertebrates. Tails are present in the early stages of development and may be retained or modified in different vertebrate species. These structures are essential for the early development and survival of vertebrate embryos, playing important roles in respiration and locomotion.

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  • 13. 

    Which of the following types of evidence for evolution did Darwin not know about?

    • DNA

    • Embryology

    • Fossil

    • Comparative Anatomy

    Correct Answer
    A. DNA
    Explanation
    Darwin did not know about DNA as evidence for evolution because the discovery of the structure and function of DNA occurred many years after Darwin's time. DNA provides strong evidence for evolution as it can be used to compare the genetic similarities and differences between different species, providing insights into their evolutionary relationships. Darwin, however, relied on other types of evidence such as fossils, comparative anatomy, and embryology to support his theory of evolution.

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  • 14. 

    Vestigal structures

    • Similar structures with identical functions shared by distantly related species that are a result from natural selection in similar environments, but that evolved independently.

    • Structures which evolved from the same structure within a common ancestor; may or may not serve the same function.

    • Structures which are reduced and perhaps even nonfunctional in one species but homologous to functional structures in a closely related species.

    • Any vital structure used by many different species.

    Correct Answer
    A. Structures which are reduced and perhaps even nonfunctional in one species but homologous to functional structures in a closely related species.
    Explanation
    Vestigial structures are structures that have become reduced or nonfunctional in one species, but are homologous to functional structures in a closely related species. This means that these structures were once functional and served a purpose in the common ancestor of the species, but have lost their original function over time. This is often due to changes in the environment or changes in the organism's lifestyle or behavior. Despite being reduced or nonfunctional, vestigial structures can still provide evidence of common ancestry between species.

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  • 15. 

    Which was not one main point of Darwin's theories on Evolution?

    • Populations tend to overpopulate

    • Not all individuals are the same

    • Resources in an environment are limited

    • Only the strong survive

    Correct Answer
    A. Only the strong survive
    Explanation
    Darwin never said that the strong are the only ones to survive. He said that the best adapted survive.

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  • Current Version
  • Jun 13, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 09, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Justin Lovrien
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