Question 1

DNA is the genetic (hereditary)material found in all living things on planet Earth.The genetic code is the same for everything from bacteria to plants and humans; this is evidence that the great diversity of life evolved from a ________.

Accepted Answer

common ancestor

Question 2

Dana finds a plant on the southeastern coast of North America and a very similar plant on the northwestern coast of Africa.Upon evaluating their DNA sequence similarity,she determines they had a common ancestor.How long ago should Dana predict that the common ancestor existed,and where should she expect to find fossil evidence of it or transitional forms? Support this prediction.

Accepted Answer

The common ancestor of these plants would probably have existed before the supercontinent of Pangaea began to drift apart about 200 million years ago.The best places to look for fossil evidence of the common ancestor and any transitional forms would probably be in the same areas where the modern species is found (southeastern coast of North America and northwestern coast of Africa),in layers of earth that date back more than 200 million years ago.

Question 3

Consider the experimental design presented in the infographic below.What is the significance of growing the populations at 42.2ᵒC? The increased growth temperature serves as a method of

Accepted Answer

A)   natural selection.
B)   common ancestry.
C)   direct mutation of DNA.
D)   artificial selection. D

Question 4

Whales and Indohyus share a more recent common ancestor than whales and fish.Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   Whales, fish, and Indohyus will all have the same amount of genetic similarities.
B)   Whales and Indohyus will have more similarities in their DNA than whales and fish.
C)   Whales and fish will have more similarities in their DNA than whales and Indohyus.
D)   Fish and Indohyus will have more similarities in their DNA than fish and whales.

Question 5

Dogs have vestigial digits called dewclaws.Describe the most likely origin of these structures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dogs have vestigial digits called dewclaws.Describe the...

Question 6

A species of cave beetle that lives in total darkness is blind but has remnants of what looks like eyes.These "eyes" are

Accepted Answer

A)   vestigial.
B)   homologous.
C)   analogous.
D)   convergent.

Question 7

Match each example to the type of evidence supporting evolution.
-The human and chimpanzee insulin genes are 98 percent similar.

Accepted Answer

A)  comparative embryology
B)  fossil evidence
C)  comparative anatomy
D)  comparative DNA
E)  biogeographic evidence

Question 8

The human appendix is an example of a(n)________ structure.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The human appendix is an example of...

Question 9

The proteins and DNA of organisms that share a recent common ancestor are ________ the proteins and DNA of organisms that do not share a recent common ancestor.

Accepted Answer

A)   more similar than
B)   less similar than
C)   identical to
D)   homologous to

Question 10

One of the reasons scientists have had so much difficulty finding a cure for HIV/AIDS is that the HIV virus is quick to evolve resistance to the drugs used to treat it.What is the most likely mechanism for this type of evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)   Certain versions of the virus persist longer in the presence of a drug than others. Those viruses may survive drug treatment and pass their genes to their offspring.
B)   Every time an HIV drug is taken, it randomly kills off most but not all virus particles. Those that survive repopulate the body of their host.
C)   Although all copies of a particular strain of the HIV virus are identical, some are better at "hiding" in regions of the body that drugs cannot reach, and those viruses "teach" their offspring where to hide.
D)   Some versions of the HIV virus produce chemicals that break down the drugs before they can harm the virus.

Question 11

How closely related two DNA molecules,and the organisms from which they came,are is measured through

Accepted Answer

A)   vestigial traits.
B)   DNA sequence similarity.
C)   homologous traits.
D)   amino acids.

Question 12

Explain how an intermediate fossil can provide evidence for the lineage of current species.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how an intermediate fossil can provide...

Question 13

Pangaea is

Accepted Answer

A)   the process of continental drift.
B)   the combined fossil record of ancient species.
C)   an ancient, giant continent.
D)   the result of natural selection.

Question 14

A fossil is found in Africa and South America but nowhere else in the world.What does this tell us about this organism?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A fossil is found in Africa and...

Question 15

Which of the following embryos will look similar to human embryos for the longest?

Accepted Answer

A)   bird
B)   cat
C)   fish
D)   reptile

Question 16

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve in a person's hand is compressed or squeezed,causing pain in the fingers.When the condition is severe enough,a surgeon can correct it by cutting through the transverse carpal ligament that is putting pressure on the nerve; this cutting of the ligament does not adversely affect the person's ability to use his or her hand or fingers.What does this suggest about the trait of having a transverse carpal ligament? Briefly explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median...

Question 17

Match each example to the type of evidence supporting evolution.
-Indohyus (an extinct ancestor to the whale)has whalelike ears and slender legs tipped with hooves.

Accepted Answer

A)  comparative embryology
B)  fossil evidence
C)  comparative anatomy
D)  comparative DNA
E)  biogeographic evidence

Question 18

Continental drift is the ________ of Earth's landmasses through geologic time.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Continental drift is the ________ of Earth's...

Question 19

What is biological evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)   the process of direct observation of the fossil record
B)   adaptations to common descent over time
C)   the unchanging nature of life on Earth
D)   change in the inherited characteristics of a group of organisms over generations

Question 20

Indohyus's thick bones made it easier for this animal to wade and dive in water to evade predators and find plants to eat on the river bottom.This is an example of a(n)________,a feature that gives an individual improved function in a competitive environment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Indohyus's thick bones made it easier for...

Exam 11: Evidence for Evolution