Evolution Practice Quiz

1. Blood proteins in horses are chemically similar to blood proteins in monkeys. This similarity suggests that horses and monkeys 
can interbreed 
evolved at the same time 
live in the same habitat 
have a common ancestor

2. The diagram to the right shows the gradual change over time in the anatomy of the horse. Which concept is best illustrated by the physical variations in the horse as its body size and structure change over time? 
acquired characteristics 
artificial selection 
intermediate inheritance 
evolution

3. Fossils of an extinct species of giant armadillo were found to be similar to a smaller species of armadillo presently inhabiting the same region. This similarity could best be explained on the basis of 
evolution from older forms
use and disuse
 inheritance of acquired characteristics
the heterotroph hypothesis

4. A study of the position and shape of the bones in the forelimbs of a flying squirrel, a bat, and a beaver showed that the beaver and the flying squirrel appear to be most closely related. This determination was most likely based on a study in the field of comparative 
anatomy
biochemistry
embryology
cytology

5. Fossils would most likely be found in 
amber that is over 8 billion years old  
icebergs that are 500 billion years old 
sedimentary rocks that are 500 million years old 
volcanic rocks that are 50 million years old

6. The diagram to the right shows undisturbed sedimentary strata (layers) at the bottom of an ocean. The fossils found in layer B resemble the fossils found in layer A. This similarity suggests that 
the fossils in layer B were formed before the fossils in layer A 
modern forms of life may have evolved from earlier forms of life
vertebrate fossils are only found in sediments 
the fossils in layer A must be more complex than those in layer B

7. According to Darwin's theory of evolution, differences between species may be the result of 
the disuse of body structures 
the transmission of acquired characteristics 
natural selection
mutagenic agents

8. Two nucleotide sequences found in two different species are almost exactly the same. This suggests that these species 
are evolving into the same species 
contain identical DNA 
may have similar evolutionary histories 
have the same number of mutations

9. According to Charles Darwin, one factor that affects the evolution of a species is 
variation due to genetic mutations 
rapid fossil formation 
survival of the fittest
exposure to environmental pollutants

10. In the diagram of a whale below, the bones labeled "pelvis" and "femur" appear to be useless. Structures that do not appear to serve a function in modern organisms are called
evolution 
homologous
fossils 
vestigial structures

11. Which statement best describes evolution? 
Evolution is a predictable change from simple to complex organisms. 
Evolution is a process of change through time.
Evolution often proceeds from complex to simpler organisms.  
Evolution causes organisms to develop characteristics they need.

12. Studies of finches on the Galapagos Islands suggest that the finches' differences in beak structure were most directly due to 
acquired characteristics in the parent finches 
the size of the island where the finches live 
  mating behaviors of the different finch species 
adaptations of the finches to different environments

13. Biologically similar organisms have similar DNA and proteins. This statement supports the concept of 
diversity in species 
acquired characteristics 
use and disuse 
evolution

14. The embryos of fish, chickens, and pigs have gill slits and a tail. The presence of these features suggests that 
all these animals can swim 
these animals may have had a common ancestor 
gill slits and tails are required for embryonic development 
pigs developed from chickens

15. Characteristics of a species that make its members better able to live and reproduce in their environment are known as 
abiotic factors 
biotic factors 
favorable adaptations 
homologous structures

16. In his theory of evolution, Charles Darwin was not able to explain
competition 
overproduction 
reproduction 
variation

17. Charles Darwin proposed that organisms produce many more offspring than can possible survive on the limited amount of resources available to them. According to Darwin, the offspring that are most likely to survive are those that 
are born first and grow fastest 
are largest and most aggressive 
have no natural predators 
are best adapted to the environment

18. One concept that supports the theory of evolution states that organisms best adapted for survival are the ones that will reproduce and pass traits on to future generations. Adaptations that can be passed on do not include 
the basic structure of the organism 
the reflex actions of the organism 
the manner in which the organism carries out respiration 
techniques for hunting food taught by the parents of the organism

19. Many biologists believe that the great number of different species of organisms which exist on the planet and the present time has resulted from billions of years of 
gel electrophoresis 
recombinant DNA 
cloning 
evolution

20. What is the most probable reason that fossils found in lower layers of undisturbed rock are not found in upper layers of undisturbed rock in the same rock sequence? 
The development of many different organisms is part of an evolutionary process which has occurred for billions of years. 
Fossils of early organisms are much more complex than those of later organisms. 
Organisms living today show no relationship to organisms living billions of years ago.  
Changing environments on the earth have resulted in the extinction of many organisms.

 

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