Name:     ID: 
 
Email: 

Evolution

Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1 

A type of natural selection that favors both of the extremes in a population is
A
directional selection
C
disruptive selection
B
stabilizing selection
D
artificial selection
 

 2 

Which of the following is the best “definition” of natural selection?
A
Survival of the biggest
C
Survival of the smartest
B
Survival of the strongest
D
Surivival of the genetically fittest
 

 3 

If the gene pool of one population is different enough from the gene pool of another, then they will most likely not be able to
A
evolve over time
C
interbreed and produce fertile offspring
B
undergo natural selection
D
communicate within their population
 

 4 

The total number of genes in a population is a
A
genetic drift
C
favorable trait
B
gene pool
D
survival of the fittest
 

 5 

The Geologic Time Scale begins at the formation of Earth approximately _____ years ago.
A
4.6 thousand
C
46 million
B
4.6 million
D
4.6 billion
 

 6 

Which fact is the basis for using the fossil record as evidence that evolution has taken place?
A
In undisturbed layers of rock strata, the older fossils are found in the deeper layers.
B
There are fossils of all life-forms to be found in rock layers.
C
All fossils were formed at the same time.
D
Fossils have been shown to provide a complete record of human evolution.
 

 7 

Which of the following fossils are not found in sedimentary rock?
A
imprints
C
amber
B
frozen mammoths
D
petrified wood
 
 
nar001-1.jpg
Figure 14-4
 

 8 

According to Figure 14-4, in how many eras have mammals existed?
A
2
C
5
B
4
D
7
 

 9 

Hawaiian honeycreepers are a group of birds with similar body shape and size. However, they vary greatly in color and beak shape. Each species occupies its own niche and is adapted to the foods available in its niche. The evolution from a common ancestor to a variety of species is an example of _____.
A
divergent evolution
C
vegetative propagation
B
cross-pollination
D
convergent evolution
 

 10 

The flying squirrel of North America closely resembles the flying phalanger of Australia. They are similar in size and have long, bushy tails and skin folds that allow them to glide through the air. The squirrel is a placental mammal, while the phalanger is a marsupial. These close resemblances, even though genetically and geographically separated by great distances, can best be explained by _____.
A
convergent evolution
C
spontaneous generation
B
divergent evolution
D
vestigial structures
 

 11 

Within a decade of the introduction of a new insecticide, nearly all of the descendants of the target pests were immune to the usual-sized dose. The most likely explanation for this immunity to the insecticide is that _____.
A
eating the insecticide caused the bugs to become resistant to it
B
eating the insecticide caused the bugs to become less resistant to it
C
it destroyed organisms that cause disease in the insects, thus allowing them to live longer
D
the pests developed physiological adaptations to the insecticide
 

 12 

Natural processes such as speciation and gradualism provide the genetic basis for _____.
A
evolution
C
biogenesis
B
spontaneous generation
D
sexual reproduction
 

 13 

A pattern of evolution that results when two unrelated species begin to appear similar because of environmental conditions is _____.
A
disruptive selection
C
directional selection
B
convergent evolution
D
divergent evolution
 

 14 

The average individuals of a population are favored in _____ selection.
A
directional
C
disruptive
B
stabilizing
D
natural
 

 15 

In _____ selection, individuals with both extreme forms of a trait are at a selective advantage.
A
directional
C
disruptive
B
stabilizing
D
natural
 

 16 

_____ selection favors one extreme form of a trait in a population.
A
Directional
C
Disruptive
B
Stabilizing
D
Natural
 

 17 

A mechanism of Darwin's proposed theory is _____.
A
artificial selection
C
variation
B
evolution
D
all of these
 

 18 

Why might the beak of the Akialoa, pictured in Figure 15-7, developed this way?
mc018-1.jpg
Figure 15-7
A
to reach nectar in flowers
C
to scoop up fish
B
to dig through tree bark for insects
D
to crack open seeds
 

 19 

The placing of information or objects into groups based on certain similarities is _____.
A
biochemical analysis
C
phylogeny
B
classification
D
speciation
 

 20 

Biologists use ______________ to create a cladogram.
A
derived traits
C
discretionary
B
behavioral
D
pedigrees
 

 21 

Structures that have a similar evolutionary origin and structure but are adapted for different purposes, such as a bat wing and a human arm, are called _____.
A
embryological structures
C
homologous structures
B
analogous structures
D
homozygous structures
 

 22 

Natural selection can best be defined as the _____.
A
survival of the biggest and strongest organisms in a population
B
elimination of the smallest organisms by the biggest organisms
C
survival and reproduction of the organisms that occupy the largest area
D
survival and reproduction of the organisms that are genetically best adapted to the environment
 



 
         Start Over