Biology 11.1 and 11.2 and Evolution Study Questions

According to the theory of endosymbiosis, how did plant cells evolve?

An aerobic, eukaryotic cell engulfed a photosynthetic bacterium

Before the formation oft he Grand Canyon, many years ago, a single species of squirrel lived in the area. As the canyon developed, the single species was separated into two habitats, one species on either side of the 10-mile-wide and 1-mile-deep canyon. Evidence also indicates that humans have inhabited the area in recent years. Which set of statements most likely describes how the formation of the Grand Canyon affected the single squirrel species that once populated the area?

Process: genetic variation Explanation: Humans brought new organisms to the canyon, including a squirrel species that successfully competed with the native species in the area.

According to the theory of endosymbiosis, how did cells acquire mitochondria?

a large anaerobic cell engulfed a small aerobic bacterium

Which of the following is MOST likely to have the fastest rate of evolution?

a small, isolated population of minnows that live in a changing environment

Both gray and black squirrels of the Southeastern United States eat nuts, leaves, roots, and seeds. They can also interbreed and produce fertile offspring. They are considered---

a species

Which of the following is the most popularly believed pathway of evolution for bacteria cells?

anaerobic, heterotrophic bacteria --> aerobic bacteria --> photosynthetic bacteria

according to many scientists, which of the following is the MOST likely description of the first cell to form on early earth?

anaerobic, heterotrophic prokaryote

Which example results in offspring with genetic information that is MOST SIMILAR to the parent organism(s) and LEAST LIKELY to survive environmental changes?

bacteria divide to reproduce by binary fission

Which of the following refers to the evolution of life from nonliving materials?

chemical evolution

Which of the following terms BEST supports Darwin's conclusion that although the Galapagos Island Finches were all slightly different from one another and those found on the mainland of South America, they were most likely descended from the mainland species?

descent with modification

Only the beetles with the darkest bodies thrive in the new environment

directional selection

The beetles with the smallest wings thrive in rotten tree trunks. The beetles with the largest wings thrive along the coastline

disruptive selection

Which of the following is the best example of natural selection as a mechanism for change in a population?

during an unusually cold winter, many arctic foxes die, but the foxes with the thickest fur survive and reproduce

Which of the following is an example of natural selection?

finches with stronger beaks better survive on an island that has harder seeds

Different breeds of dogs can have different types of fur. For example, a poodle often has soft, curly fur that grows continually in length and does not shed, but a bulldog has short, course, straight fur that sheds throughout the year. What concept is described by these different types of fur?

genetic variation

Which of the following is the result of geographic isolation of a species?

it prevents gene flow between the two separated populations

Fennel, a medicinal plant, has been shown to have high genetic diversity. If fennel seeds are introduced into a new environment, which of the following is MOST likely to occur?

it will adapt

Male elephant seals arrive at their breeding grounds at least two weeks prior to the females arriving. Battles for the best breeding sites and access to females are usually won by the largest, strongest, and most aggressive males. In this scenario, who has the greatest reproductive success?

large, aggressive males

Which of the following increases variation in a gene pool?

mutations

Arctic hares have many predators: owls, wolves, polar bears, foxes, and weasels. Only the fastest and most alert hares survive. The survival and reproduction of the fastest and most alert hares is an example of which of the following?

natural selection

An earthquake separated a piece of land from the mainland to form a new island. As a result, a population of lizards was isolated from other members of its species on the mainland. Which of the following is MOST likely to happen to the isolated populations of lizards?

natural selection may cause them to look different as they adapt to a new environment

A species of sea turtle digs a nest and lays over one hundred eggs on a sandy beach. Only around 10% of the eggs produce offspring that reach adulthood. Which of the following terms best describes how sea turtle populations are shaped by natural selection?

overproduction

Eleven different species of tortoises are found on the Galapagos Islands, and all are different from any species on other continents. Scientists believe that the tortoises on the islands share a common ancestor with mainland tortoises, so at some point, a mainland tortoise population must have become isolated on the islands. Which of the following BEST explains how the island tortoises became different from the mainland tortoise species?

physical separation prevented gene flow and was followed by genetic change

Which of the following is believed to create new alleles or genetic traits in an organism?

random mutations

A population of rabbits moves to a dry desert environment. How could natural selection be a main contributing factor to speciation in this rabbit population?

some of the rabbits are better adapted to the drier environment

The smallest beetles cannot compete for food. The largest beetles are easy prey for birds

stabilizing selection

Young alligators are eaten by many types of predators: birds, bass, snakes, raccoons, and even other alligators. Once alligators are fully grown, they have very few natural enemies. A mutation can occur in alligators that causes them to be born albino (white skin and pink eyes). Why are adult albino alligators not found in the wild?

the young are easily seen and eaten by predators

How are mitochondria and chloroplasts similar to prokaryotes?

they are similar in size and contain their own DNA

How are chloroplasts and bacteria similar?

they are similar in size and they contain their own DNA

How are bacteria and mitochondria similar?

they both contain DNA but have no other membrane-bound organelles

According to natural selection, organisms that survive are the ones best adapted for their environment. Why do they survive?

they have inherited adaptations that maximise fitness

What does the theory of natural selection say about members of a population that live long enough to reproduce?

they will be best adapted to survive in their environment

Which three of the following are considered driving forces for evolution by natural selection?

unequal reproductive success and genetic variation and overproduction and/or competition