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Evolution Quiz Review Guide
1. Until recently, the myrtle warbler and the Audubon’s warbler were thought to be separate species of birds
because the males have very different appearances. Which of the following observations most likely led to the
reclassification of these warblers as one species?
2. In the deserts of the southwestern United States, rock formations made from lava flows are found scattered
across the sand. The rock pocket mouse, which has dark fur, lives on the black lava rocks. The Apache pocket
mouse, which has light fur, lives on the tan sand. Which of the following statements best explains how these two
types of mice could have evolved from a common ancestor?
3. The bones that make up the forelimbs of monkeys, cats, whales, and birds are similar. Which of the following
statements best supports the evolutionary relationship of these animals?
4. A population is separated into two groups by a geographic barrier. Over time, enough differences develop
between the two groups that they do not interbreed when reunited. Which of the following terms best describes
the process that has occurred?
Antibiotic resistance can vary within a population of bacteria. The diagram represents the changes in a population
of bacteria as a result of exposure to an antibiotic over time.
5. The changes in the population are most likely the result of which of the
following?
6. Which of the following statements gives the most likely explanation for
the presence of two very similar species of squirrels living on opposite
sides of the Grand Canyon?
7. In humans, the appendix is small and is not needed for digestion. In
rabbits, the appendix is well developed and is used in the digestion of
plant fibers. Which of the following provides the best scientific explanation for the presence of the appendix in
both humans and rabbits?
8. Which of the following is NOT a component of Evolution by Natural Selection?
9. The two main sources of genetic variation are
10. Dutch elm disease is a fungal infection of elm trees that usually results in death. The disease has killed millions of
North American elm trees that were not resistant to the fungus. Scientists have bred resistant elms by crossing North
American species with Asian species that show resistance.
Which of the following best describes how natural selection would promote resistant elm populations once the
resistance genes from the Asian species were successfully introduced?
OPEN RESPONSE (ONLY ANSWER 1 of the 4 questions).
1. Male peafowl, called peacocks, have long, colorful tail feathers. Among peacocks there is variation in the size,
brightness, and pattern of the tail. Scientists observed the mating success of two groups of peacocks. The graph
below shows the scientists’ data.
a. Explain what the data show about the advantage of longer, more
colorful tails for peacocks.
b. Identify one disadvantage that longer, more colorful tails have for
peacocks.
c. Explain in detail how the longer, more colorful tails evolved in
peacocks despite causing disadvantages for the males.
2. The graph below relates the number of gray squirrels in a small population to their coat colors.
This squirrel population has been separated from other squirrel populations by a new
highway and several construction sites. The main predators of these squirrels are cats
and hawks.
a. Assume that dark gray squirrels are very visible in this new environment. What is
likely to happen to the distribution of coat color in this squirrel population over
several generations? Sketch a graph in your Student Answer Booklet to show
the predicted distribution, and explain your answer.
b. Assume that dark gray squirrels are very visible on the ground, and light gray
squirrels are very visible in the trees. Explain what is likely to happen to the
distribution of coat color in the squirrel population over several generations.
You may sketch a graph in your Student Answer Booklet as part of your
explanation.
3. A student is studying four beetles, pictured below. Three of the beetles belong to the same genus, one does not.
a. Identify whether Hippodamia convergens and Hippodamia variegata can mate and produce fertile offspring. Explain
your answer.
b. Which of the beetles must belong to the same family? Explain your answer.
c. Describe two types of evidence, other than mating and producing fertile offspring,
that scientists can use to determine taxonomic classification and relationships
among insects. Explain how each type of evidence is used.
4.