Download ACA Evolution Review Key

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ACA Evolution Review Key
1. The pelvis and femur in whales are an example of…
Vestigial structures, homologous structures or analogous structures
2. Using the diagram to the right, what are the
anatomical differences between modern horse, Equus, and
its ancestors?
The number of toes has decreased.
The forefoot has gotten longer.
The size of the horse has gotten larger.
3. As organisms survive and reproduce, what will most likely increase? The frequency of the genes that
led to this survival will increase in the population
4. Which condition is essential for natural selection to result in a new species? An inherited variation
5. Some bird-dispersed plants often have evolved fruits with giant seeds covered by a thin, highly
nutritious layer of flesh. This forces the bird to swallow the fruit whole, since it is difficult or impossible
just to nip off the flesh. In response, birds that are specialized frugivores (that is, that do not take other
kinds of food) have evolved both bills with wide gapes (so they can swallow the fruit whole) and
digestive tracts that can rapidly dissolve the flesh from the large impervious seed, which then can be
regurgitated. This is an example of which type of evolution?
A. Convergent evolution
B. Divergent evolution
C. Coevolution
D. Punctuated equilibrium
6. The Australian honey possums acquired a long tongue for taking nectar from flowers, a structure
similar to that of butterflies, some moths, and hummingbirds, and used to accomplish the very same
task. Opossums have evolved an opposable thumb, a feature which is also commonly found in the nonrelated primates. These are examples of which type of evolution?
A. Convergent evolution
B. Divergent evolution
C. Coevolution
D. Punctuated equilibrium
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7. One spring, a flood disrupts an environment in which a small rodent lives. This causes the population
of rodents to be divided. On one side of the water it's marshy, and on the other side it's mountainous.
The population remains divided for millions of years, and each new environment has unique selective
pressures. The marshy side suits light, small rodents that can blend in with the grasses and sneak up on
prey (and hide from predators). The mountainous side favors rodents that are large and dark. The
darker, larger rodents blend in with the landscape and are able to navigate the large mountainous
peaks. Because the rodents that are best suited for each environment survive and reproduce, over time
the marshy side has predominantly light, small rodents and the mountainous side has predominantly
dark, large rodents. Over hundreds of generations, the two populations of rodents become more and
more different and eventually become two separate species. What kind of evolution is this?
A. Convergent evolution
C. Coevolution
B. Divergent evolutionD. Punctuated equilibrium
Give the definition of your answer above: Divergent evolution: One species gives rise to many species.
They go from more alike to less alike. This is also known as adaptive radiation. Example: Darwin’s
finches
8. Define: Punctuated Equilibrium: The prediction that a lot of evolutionary change takes place in short
periods of time tied to speciation events.
9. When a cow contributes to the gene pool of the new herd, which of these most likely increases?
Genetic Variation
10. Which of the finches in the diagram below would be able to eat the toughest cactus plants?
Large cactus finch
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11. The similarities of organisms in
which two areas numbered to the
right provide the best evidence for
common ancestry between the
organisms in both locations?
1 and 2
12. The organisms to the right have structures that are different but have a similar
function. What is this called? Analogous Structures
13. The organisms below provide evidence of common ancestry because they
have the same basic structure but different function. What is this called?
Homologous Structures
14. After examining the fossil record, scientists have determined that hundreds of millions of years ago,
giant insects were common on Earth. Consider Meganeura, a genus of extinct insects from
approximately 300 million years ago, related to modern-day dragonflies. One member of this group – M.
permiana – was first described by researchers in Kansas in 1937 as having a wingspan of over 2 feet. It’s
still considered one of the largest known insects that ever lived. Which of the following conclusions is
supported by this information?
A. Insects living today have increased their numbers since they first appeared.
B. Insects in the fossil record are smaller than their descendants are.
C. Insects have changed as a result of natural selection.
D. Insects do not appear in their original state in the fossil record.
15. On the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin observed… Somewhat similar species, with traits that
suited their particular environments.
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16. Sources of changes in species over time can be related to all of the following EXCEPT …
A. Mutations
B. Asexual reproduction
C. Genetic variations
D. Natural Selection
Support your answer above (WHY can’t your answer contribute to changes in species over time?):
With asexual reproduction, the offspring are genetically identical to their parents, therefore, no
changes would be made to future generations over time.
17. Lord Howe Island is a small volcanic island in the Tasman Sea. The island has two species of orchid
flowers, Hochstetter's Butterfly-orchid and the more abundant Platanthera pollostantha. The two
species do not interbreed even when they grow very close to each other. Which evolutionary process
fails to occur?
A. Genetic drift of Hochstetter's Butterfly-orchid
B. Natural selection of adaptive traits in both species
C. Gene flow between the two species
18. In Madagascar, scientists discovered a moth that has a 30 cm.
proboscis, and feeds from and pollinates Darwin’s orchid. How is
the moth’s proboscis size a beneficial adaptation for its
environment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The moth can fly faster.
The moth has little competition for food.
The moth has more time to feed.
The moth can pollinate all flowers.
19. Why does a harmless scarlet king snake have banding patterns like a venomous coral snake?
To protect the scarlet king snake from its predators.
20. Which discovery would challenge the validity of this cladogram? A fern fossil embedded in rock
dated at 450 million years old.
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21. The diagram below shows a model of species divergence among some primates. If this model is
correct, the greatest genetic differences would be found in the DNA sequences of which two
species?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Tarsius bancanus and Cebus albifrons
Macaca sylvanus and Macaca mulatta
Hylobates lar and Pongo pygmaeus
Pan troglodytes and Lemur catta
22. Explain convergent evolution and give an example (draw arrows). Occurs when different organisms
that live in similar environments become more alike in appearance and behavior; less alike to more alike
EX: Bird wings/insect wings OR Shark fins/dolphin fins
23. Explain divergent evolution and give an example (draw arrows). One species gives rise to many
species; more alike to less alike EX: Darwin’s Finches OR Brown bears and polar bears
24. Explain coevolution and give an example two or more organisms evolve together EX: Peony plant
and ant OR butterfly and flower
25. What kind of selection is A __Directional___ and describe when individuals at one end of the curve
have a higher fitness than individuals in the middle or at the other end of the curve
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26. What kind of selection is B _Stabilizing___and describe when individuals near the center of the
curve have higher fitness than individuals at either end of the curve; narrowing of the graph
27. What kind of selection is C _Disruptive_____and describe when individuals at either end have a
higher fitness and individuals near the middle of the curve are selected against
28. The dasyuridae, which is native to New Guinea, and the wombat, which is native to Australia, are
marsupials.
The fact that both these mammals incubate their immature offspring in a pouch provides evidence that
they—
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Belong to the same species.
Are descended from a common ancestor.
Have very similar skeletal structures.
Are able to save food.
Must range great distances to eat.
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