Evolution Mini-Unit Test
Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______
1. Genetic IsolationA
2. Artificial SelectionE
3. Selection PressureD
4. Gene PoolB
5. Natural SelectionD
6. Genetic DriftB
7. MutationD
8. Molecular ClockE
9. Radiometric DatingC
10. StratigraphyA
A. When two groups of organisms differentiate enough that they can no longer interbreed
B. All of a population’s or species’ genes
C. An environmental factor which causes a certain trait to become more or less common
D. A mechanism for change in populations (driven by the environment and differential survival)
E. Breeding organisms with specific traits in order to produce offspring with desirable traits
A. A dating method using an object’s position in layers of rock to give it a relative age
B. When chance events (such as natural disasters) lead to a change in the allelic frequencies (genetic changes) in a population
C. A method used to date evolutionary events in which the rate of decay of isotopes in different substances is measured.
D. A random change in the genetic (DNA) sequence
E. A way of dating evolutionary events which relies on mutation rates of DNA
11. Both insects and bats have developed wings, but they are not closely related. This is most likely an example of
a. co-evolution
b. convergent evolution
c. microevolution
d. genetic drift
12. Which best describes Lamarck’s older (& incorrect theory of evolution)?
a. Organisms change in their lifetime based on which organs they use or do
not use. They can then pass on these changes to their offspring.
b. Organisms change through natural selection as populations over long
periods of time.
c. Organisms experience many random genetic mutations, and this is the cause of evolution.
d. Organisms always change as a result of direct competition with another species.
Choose the best term for the following examples.
a. Parallel Evolutionb. Convergent Evolutionc. Coevolution
13. A parasite and a host evolve together because they have a close ecological relationship. This is called an evolutionary arms race. Example: antibiotic resistant pathogens. C
14. Two related species live on different continents, but still look similar because they adapted in similar ways to similar environments. Example: Jaguars and leopards. A
15. Two UNRELATED species look similar because they evolved in similar ways to similar environments. Example: sharks and dolphins. B
16. Which of the following is the first piece of evidence that lead scientists to believe that organisms changed over time?
a. molecular clocks
b. stratigraphy
c. fossil record
d. embryology
17. Which scientist proposed the correct theory of how evolution takes place?
a. Mendel
b. Darwin
c. Linnaeus
d. Lamarck
18. Which scientist performed the fundamental genetic research necessary to understand evolution?
a. Mendel
b. Darwin
c. Linnaeus
d. Lamarck
19. In Artificial selection, what “chooses” the traits?
a. proteins
b. meiosis
c. humans
d. nature or the environment
20. In natural selection, what “chooses” the traits?
a. proteinsc. humans
b. meiosisd. nature or the environment
21. Darwin was the naturalist aboard the ______which sailed to the ______islands.
a. H.M.S Beagle; Galapagos b. H.M.S. Naturae; Galapagos
c. H.M.S Beagle; Cayman
d. H.M.S. Naturae; Cayman
22. If beetles have less to eat during a few months and their average size as a population changes during one generation, is this evolution?
a. yesb. no
23. In the peppered moth activity, which moth phenotype was the most fit (survived and reproduced more) when the leaves were dark?
a. light mothsb. dark mothsc. survival was the same for both types
24. What adaptation allowed one peppered moth to be better suited to the environment than the other?
a. mimicry
b. mutation
c. predation
d. camouflage
e. symbiosis
25. A
26. The above method of determining the evolutionary relationship of organisms based on their early stages of development is called
a. embryologyb. cladisticsc. phylogenetics
27.
C
28. Fitness is an organism’s ability to
a. speciate
b. adapt
c. survive & reproduce
d. blend into its environment
29. Evolution occurs in a (CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER)
a. phylum
b. population
c. ecosystem
d. individual organism
30. True or false: Darwin was the first person to propose that organism evolve—or change as a group over a period of time.
a. trueb. false
31. According to the above cladogram, do perch have jaws?
a. yesb. no
32. According to the above cladogram, is a pigeon more closely related to a chimp or a lizard?
a. chimpb. lizard
33. A cladogram is constructed based on
a. number of shared derived characteristics
b. overall physical appearance
c. percentage of the DNA code that is shared between two species
d. the fossil record
34-38. Construct the following cladogram:
Trait / Lamprey / Sunfish / Lizard / Chimp / Human / Amphioxus / Newt / Bear / TotalJaws / no / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / no / Yes / Yes
4 Limbs / no / no / Yes / Yes / Yes / no / Yes / Yes
Mammary Gland / no / no / no / Yes / Yes / no / no / Yes
Opposable Thumb / no / no / no / Yes / Yes / no / no / No
Backbone / yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / no / Yes / Yes
Upright posture / no / no / no / No / Yes / no / no / No
Amniotic Egg / no / no / Yes / Yes / Yes / no / no / Yes
totals
39-42. Explain what is meant by survival of the fittest and how it relates to
natural selection. Give a specific example about how it works. List at least two conditions necessary for natural selection to occur.
Bonus Questions:
1. Why do peacocks have bright showy tails?
2. What is altruism?
3. What is a protenoid sphere?
4. What is a finch and why are they important in this unit?
5. When did the Earth form (billions of years ago)?
6. When did life first appear (billions of years ago)?