Q: Which of the following equations correctly represents the decay of a radioactive isotope with a half-life of $$t_{1/2}$$ years, where $$N_0 is $$the initial amount and $$N is $$the amount remaining after time $$t$$?

$$N = N_0$ \times (1/2$$)^{t/t_{1/2}$$}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the geologic timescale?

Accepted Answer

A system that divides Earth's history into eons and eras based on biological and geographical events.

Question 2

Why is the fossil record considered incomplete?

Accepted Answer

Soft-bodied organisms are less likely to fossilize, and geological processes can destroy fossils.

Question 3

A paleontologist finds a fossil in a lower rock layer beneath two other layers. Which dating method is she using to estimate the fossil's age?

Accepted Answer

Relative dating

Question 4

Which of the following equations correctly represents the decay of a radioactive isotope with a half-life of $$t_{1/2}$$ years, where $$N_0 is $$the initial amount and $$N is $$the amount remaining after time $$t$$?

Accepted Answer

$$N = N_0$ 	imes (1/2$$)^{t/t_{1/2}$$}$$

Question 5

A fossil is found to have $$1/16$$ the amount of a radioactive isotope compared to a living organism. If the half-life of the isotope is 10,000 years, how old is the fossil?

Accepted Answer

$$40,000$$ years

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?

Accepted Answer

The pelvis bones in whales

Question 7

What is the main difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures are inherited from a common ancestor, while analogous structures evolved independently for similar functions.

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why marine fossils are found in Oklahoma?

Accepted Answer

Oklahoma was once under an ocean, as indicated by the presence of marine fossils.

Question 9

If a gene mutates at a rate of one nucleotide every 10 million years, and two related species differ by 6 nucleotides in this gene, how long ago did they share a common ancestor?

Accepted Answer

$$30$$ million years ago

Question 10

Which of the following statements about plate tectonics is correct?

Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics explains the movement of continents and is still shaping evolution today.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The wings of birds and insects

Question 12

Which method would be most appropriate for dating a fossil older than 50,000 years?

Accepted Answer

Radiometric dating using isotopes with longer half-lives

Question 13

What is the significance of transitional fossils like Tiktaalik?

Accepted Answer

They provide evidence for gradual evolutionary change between major groups.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the function of homeotic genes?

Accepted Answer

They regulate the development of body structures during embryonic growth.

Question 15

Why are molecular clocks useful in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

They estimate the time since two species diverged based on DNA mutations.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a way fossils can form?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 17

Which statement about biogeography is correct?

Accepted Answer

It provides evidence for evolution by showing how species distributions reflect historical events like continental drift.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why homologous structures may look different in adult organisms?

Accepted Answer

Different selective pressures cause changes from the ancestor's structure over time.

Question 19

A scientist compares the cytochrome c protein sequence in two species and finds only two amino acid differences. What does this suggest about their evolutionary relationship?

Accepted Answer

They share a recent common ancestor.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the use of carbon isotopes in dating fossils?

Accepted Answer

Living organisms accumulate $$^{14}C$$ and $$^{12}C$$, but after death, $$^{14}C$$ decays with a half-life of 5,730 years.

Evidence of Evolution: Chapter 13 Study Notes

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