Question 1

Which of the following best describes the two major concepts that make up Darwinian evolution?

Accepted Answer

Descent with modification and natural selection

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the five major lines of evidence for descent from a common ancestor?

Accepted Answer

Random mutation rates

Question 3

Homology is a key concept in evolutionary biology. Which of the following best illustrates homology?

Accepted Answer

The similar bone structure in the wings of bats and the arms of humans

Question 4

Fossils are most commonly found in which type of rock, and what is the significance of 'strata' in this context?

Accepted Answer

Sedimentary rocks; strata represent layers of deposition over geologic time

Question 5

Which of the following best defines a 'fossil'?

Accepted Answer

Any preserved remains or traces of an organism from the past

Question 6

Origination and extinction are important concepts in evolutionary biology. Which statement correctly defines both?

Accepted Answer

Origination is the process by which new species arise; extinction is the disappearance of a species from Earth

Question 7

Why is the shared genetic code of all life on Earth considered a homology?

Accepted Answer

Because it is evidence that all life shares a common ancestor

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the hierarchical organization of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Life is organized into nested groups, such as species within genera, genera within families, and so on

Question 9

If life on Earth were NOT organized hierarchically, which of the following would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Organisms would not share nested sets of traits, and classification would be arbitrary

Question 10

Descent from a common ancestor predicts that organisms from a certain region will be closely related. Which real-world example best illustrates this prediction?

Accepted Answer

Marsupials in Australia share more similarities with each other than with placental mammals elsewhere

Question 11

Which of the following is the best definition of a vestigial structure?

Accepted Answer

A structure that has lost its original function through evolution

Question 12

A whale's pelvic bones are considered vestigial. What does this suggest about whale evolution?

Accepted Answer

Whales descended from ancestors that had functional hind limbs

Question 13

Which scenario best demonstrates the application of the concept of homology to molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

Comparing the DNA sequences of hemoglobin genes in humans and chimpanzees to infer evolutionary relationships

Question 14

A paleontologist discovers a fossil in a lower stratum of sedimentary rock. What can be inferred about the age of this fossil compared to one found in a higher stratum?

Accepted Answer

The fossil in the lower stratum is older

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why homology is considered a stronger line of evidence for common ancestry than analogy?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures are inherited from a common ancestor, while analogous structures arise independently

Question 16

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between origination ($O$), extinction ($E$), and diversity ($D$) in a given time period?

Accepted Answer

$D_{t+1} = D_t + O - E$

Question 17

A scientist finds that two species share a nearly identical sequence in a gene coding for a critical enzyme. What is the most likely explanation for this observation?

Accepted Answer

The two species inherited the gene from a common ancestor

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of how the fossil record provides evidence for descent with modification?

Accepted Answer

Transitional fossils show intermediate forms between ancestral and modern species

Question 19

Which of the following best describes why organisms from the same geographic region tend to be more closely related than those from different regions?

Accepted Answer

They share a more recent common ancestor due to limited dispersal and local adaptation

Question 20

Which of the following statements about vestigial structures is correct?

Accepted Answer

Vestigial structures are remnants of features that served important functions in the organism's ancestors

Descent with Modification: Evidence and Concepts in Darwinian Evolution

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards