Question 1

When we compare amino acid differences to estimate the evolutionary "distance" between organisms, what assumptions are being made about the rate at which mutations occur over time?

Accepted Answer

The assumption is that the protein has a...

Question 2

Linnaeus developed his classification system for organisms according to

Accepted Answer

A)   a theory of descent by modification.
B)   Darwin's theory of evolution.
C)   Lamarck's theory of evolution.
D)   a theory of special creation and fixity of species.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 3

A line of evidence NOT considered by Darwin in his development of the theory of natural selection is

Accepted Answer

A)   comparative anatomy.
B)   biogeography.
C)   the fossil record.
D)   comparative biochemistry.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C) D

Question 4

During a break at work you and a coworker begin discussing the topic of evolution. He indicates that he does not believe in evolution because it is just a theory about how life originated and this is in direct conflict with the beliefs he was taught during his childhood. How would you convince him that evolution is factual?

Accepted Answer

Answers may vary but should include some variation of the following points:
1. You should explain to him that a theory in science is something that has data to support it. Theory is not a guess in the scientific context.
2. You should explain that evolution does not try to explain how life originated. Evolution explains how the diversity of life emerged after the origin of life.
3. Scientists are still trying to determine how life originated but that is a totally separate question from evolution.

Question 5

What is the main reason that the alternative explanations to evolution are not considered scientific?

Accepted Answer

A)   The alternative explanations are not testable by the scientific method.
B)   The people suggesting the alternative explanations are not scientists.
C)   The scientific community is biased and will not look at any other explanation.
D)   All of these are reasons why the alternative explanations are not considered scientific.E) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Question 6

What evidence would be studied by a biogeographer?

Accepted Answer

A)   plate tectonics
B)   amount of genetic similarity among current populations
C)   ocean currents and wind patterns
D)   ranges and migration patterns of animals
E)   All of the choices are correct.F) B) and C)
G) C) and D)

Question 7

Once exposed to an antibiotic drug, bacteria will develop a resistance in order to survive and then pass the resistance onto subsequent generations. This is an example of Lamark's idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Marsupials are more numerous in Australia than South America because of less competition with placental mammals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Why are comparing Patagonian hares to European hares or manatees to penguins, excellent examples of adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Answers may vary. Patagonian hares are unrelated to European hares, although they are sometimes described as "long-legged rabbits." Although the Patagonian hare is a large rodent related to guinea pigs, it shares many of the features and behaviors of rabbits. These unrelated organisms have adapted to similar environments and therefore share similar traits. The same is true for manatees and penguins, which are unrelated. Both have adapted to an aqueous environment by developing flippers which help them to move through the water.

Question 10

Erasmus Darwin, in his discussion of evolutionary possibilities, included all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)   changes during the development of organisms.
B)   comparative anatomy of plants and algae.
C)   vestigial organs.
D)   artificial selection in animal breeding.E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

Question 11

During the course of Darwin's journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle he was collecting and recording ________ and __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   biological; genetic evidence
B)   religious; political evidence
C)   historical; biological evidence
D)   fossils; geological evidence
E)   geological; biological diversity evidenceF) A) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 12

Two fossilized remains are found and scientists assume the two organisms are different but related. Which of the following would determine the relatedness of these two organisms?

Accepted Answer

A)   homologous structures
B)   vestigial structures
C)   biogeography
D)   All of the choices could be examined to determine relatedness.E) C) and D)
F) All of the above

Question 13

Fossils are the remains and traces of past life that have been preserved in the Earth's crust. What type of fossils is most important in supporting the principle of evolution? Explain your answer and give examples.

Accepted Answer

Transitional fossils are important evide...

Question 14

Who was the author of the book Principles of Geology? The book presented arguments to support a theory of geological change, proposing that the earth was subject to slow but continuous erosion and uplift.

Accepted Answer

A)   Leclerc
B)   Lamarck
C)   Cuvier
D)   LyellE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 15

Darwin observed that

Accepted Answer

A)   members of a population vary in their functional, physical and behavioral characteristics.
B)   there is a constant struggle for survival of organisms.
C)   organisms in a normal population differ in reproductive success.
D)   All of the choices are correct.
E)   None of the choices are correct.F) B) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 16

When previous adaptations in a species are no longer useful in a changed environment,

Accepted Answer

A)   selection of a different form occurs.
B)   artificial selection is witnessed.
C)   fitness is observed.
D)   All of the choices are correct.E) B) and C)
F) C) and D)

Question 17

Which of the following observations is not part of natural selection as posed by Darwin?

Accepted Answer

A)   Individuals within a species exhibit variation.
B)   Organisms compete for available resources.
C)   Individuals within a population differ in terms of reproductive success.
D)   Organisms become adapted to conditions as the environment changes.
E)   All of these observations are part of natural selection as posed by Darwin.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 18

The oldest mammals were large, dinosaur-like creatures that flourished over 600 million years ago.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Fossils like Archaeopteryx offer evidence linking

Accepted Answer

A)   reptiles and mammals.
B)   fish and amphibians.
C)   birds and mammals.
D)   birds and dinosaurs.
E)   amphibians and reptiles.F) A) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 20

Over many generations man has chosen certain desirable characteristics in dogs by allowing dogs possessing those characteristics to reproduce. In this way, 150 breeds of dogs, all in the same species, have descended from wolves. This process is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)   natural selection.
B)   inheritance of acquired traits.
C)   artificial selection.
D)   convergent evolution.E) B) and C)
F) C) and D)

Exam 15: Darwin and Evolution

When we compare amino acid differences to estimate the evolutionary "distance" between organisms, what assumptions are being made about the rate at which mutations occur over time?

Correct Answer
verified
The assumption is that the protein has a...
View Answer

Linnaeus developed his classification system for organisms according to

Correct Answer
verified

A line of evidence NOT considered by Darwin in his development of the theory of natural selection is

Correct Answer
verified
D

What is the main reason that the alternative explanations to evolution are not considered scientific?

Correct Answer
verified

What evidence would be studied by a biogeographer?

Correct Answer
verified

Once exposed to an antibiotic drug, bacteria will develop a resistance in order to survive and then pass the resistance onto subsequent generations. This is an example of Lamark's idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Correct Answer
verified

Marsupials are more numerous in Australia than South America because of less competition with placental mammals.

Correct Answer
verified

Why are comparing Patagonian hares to European hares or manatees to penguins, excellent examples of adaptation?

Erasmus Darwin, in his discussion of evolutionary possibilities, included all of the following EXCEPT

Correct Answer
verified

During the course of Darwin's journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle he was collecting and recording and __.

Correct Answer
verified

Two fossilized remains are found and scientists assume the two organisms are different but related. Which of the following would determine the relatedness of these two organisms?

Correct Answer
verified

Fossils are the remains and traces of past life that have been preserved in the Earth's crust. What type of fossils is most important in supporting the principle of evolution? Explain your answer and give examples.

Correct Answer
verified
Transitional fossils are important evide...
View Answer

Who was the author of the book Principles of Geology? The book presented arguments to support a theory of geological change, proposing that the earth was subject to slow but continuous erosion and uplift.

Correct Answer
verified

Darwin observed that

Correct Answer
verified

When previous adaptations in a species are no longer useful in a changed environment,

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following observations is not part of natural selection as posed by Darwin?

Correct Answer
verified

The oldest mammals were large, dinosaur-like creatures that flourished over 600 million years ago.

Correct Answer
verified

Fossils like Archaeopteryx offer evidence linking

Correct Answer
verified

Over many generations man has chosen certain desirable characteristics in dogs by allowing dogs possessing those characteristics to reproduce. In this way, 150 breeds of dogs, all in the same species, have descended from wolves. This process is referred to as

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 15: Darwin and Evolution

When we compare amino acid differences to estimate the evolutionary "distance" between organisms, what assumptions are being made about the rate at which mutations occur over time?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe assumption is that the protein has a...View AnswerShow Answer

Linnaeus developed his classification system for organisms according to

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A line of evidence NOT considered by Darwin in his development of the theory of natural selection is

Correct AnswerverifiedD

What is the main reason that the alternative explanations to evolution are not considered scientific?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What evidence would be studied by a biogeographer?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Once exposed to an antibiotic drug, bacteria will develop a resistance in order to survive and then pass the resistance onto subsequent generations. This is an example of Lamark's idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Marsupials are more numerous in Australia than South America because of less competition with placental mammals.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why are comparing Patagonian hares to European hares or manatees to penguins, excellent examples of adaptation?

Erasmus Darwin, in his discussion of evolutionary possibilities, included all of the following EXCEPT

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During the course of Darwin's journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle he was collecting and recording ________ and __________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Two fossilized remains are found and scientists assume the two organisms are different but related. Which of the following would determine the relatedness of these two organisms?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Fossils are the remains and traces of past life that have been preserved in the Earth's crust. What type of fossils is most important in supporting the principle of evolution? Explain your answer and give examples.

Correct AnswerverifiedTransitional fossils are important evide...View AnswerShow Answer

Who was the author of the book Principles of Geology? The book presented arguments to support a theory of geological change, proposing that the earth was subject to slow but continuous erosion and uplift.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Darwin observed that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When previous adaptations in a species are no longer useful in a changed environment,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following observations is not part of natural selection as posed by Darwin?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The oldest mammals were large, dinosaur-like creatures that flourished over 600 million years ago.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Fossils like Archaeopteryx offer evidence linking

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Over many generations man has chosen certain desirable characteristics in dogs by allowing dogs possessing those characteristics to reproduce. In this way, 150 breeds of dogs, all in the same species, have descended from wolves. This process is referred to as

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
verified
The assumption is that the protein has a...
View Answer

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D

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During the course of Darwin's journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle he was collecting and recording and __.

Correct Answer
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verified
Transitional fossils are important evide...
View Answer

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