Biology II - Chapter 21 The Evidence of Evolution - Key Terms/Questions
How are rock fossils created?
1) organism buried in sediment 2) calcium in bone or other hard tissue mineralizes 3) surrounding sediment hardens to form rock
What are the three conditions of natural selection?
1) phenotypic variation must exist in the population 2) this variation must lead to differences among individuals in lifetime reproductive success 3) phenotypic variation among individuals must be genetically transmissible to the next generation
Homologous structures ______ a) are structures in two or more species that originate as the same structure in a common ancestor b) are structures that look the same in different species c) cannot serve different functions in different species d) must serve different functions in different species
a
In Darwin's finches ____ a) occurrence of wet and dry years preserves genetic variation for beak size b) increasing beak size over time proves that beak size is inherited c) large beak size is always favored d) all of these choices are correct
a
The great variety of breeds of cats, dogs, and other domestic animals have arisen through _____
artificial selection
In __________ selection, humans choose the parents of the next generation, while in ________ selection, organisms that survive and reproduce are those that pass their genes on.
artificial, natural
Where does the strongest anatomical evidence supporting evolution come from?
comparisons of how organisms develop
Many fishes that inhabit the sub-freezing Arctic and Antarctic waters possess antifreeze proteins; we now know that there are at least five different kinds of antifreeze protein genes that have evolved independently in different species to perform the same function. This is an example of:
convergent evolution
The anteaters in South America and the Australian echidna have similar snouts and tongues that they use to capture ants. This is an example of _____
convergent evolution
When two species from different lineages independently evolve similar characteristics because they occupy similar environments, we observe _____
convergent evolution
Structures that have evolved separately but look very similar exhibit _____ evolution; in contrast, structures that evolved through modification from a common ancestral trait are ______ structures
convergent, homologous
Artificial selection experiments in the laboratory such as in figure 21.5 are an example of ______ a) stabilizing selection b) negative frequency-dependent selection c) directional selection d) disruptive selection
d
Artificial selection is different from natural selection because ______ a) artificial selection is not capable of producing large changes b) artificial selection does not require genetic variation c) natural selection cannot produce new species d) breeders (people) choose which individuals reproduce based on desirability of traits
d
Bernard Kettlewell tested Tutt's hypothesis on peppered moths by releasing _______ numbers of dark and light individuals into two sets of woods, and then recapturing and counting the dark and light individuals that _____ in each of the woods.
equal, survived
True or False: Even though humans have used artificial selection for centuries, only animals have been significantly modified by our efforts _____
false
Which of the following is the most direct evidence for evolution?
fossils
The fossil record reveals that during the last 25 million years most of the lineages in the horse family have exhibited a rapid and substantial _____ in size
growth
In the laboratory setting, selection for a trait in fruit flies _____
has consistently lead to a strong, predictable evolutionary response
How did Bernard Kettlewell test Tutt's hypothesis about peppered moths?
he released marked dark and light moths in polluted and unpolluted woods and determined their survival
Which of the following best distinguishes vestigial from homologous structures?
homologous structures are functional, while vestigial structures have no function
the forelimbs of vertebrates are an example of ______ structures, while the human appendix is an example of a _____ structure
homologous, vestigal
One of the best studied examples of evolutionary change is that of the _____ family. The family includes zebras, and donkeys, among other animals
horse
Match the different types of anatomical evidence for evolution: c) vestigal structures
human coccyx
Over the last 55 million years, the limbs of animals in most lineages of the horse family have _______ in length.
increased
Starting in 1850 when Europe become industrialized, the frequency of melanic forms of the peppered moth in populations ______ until they made up ______ of some population.
increased, almost 100%
In certain areas of the world, populations of moths have been shown to change over the years with dark forms becoming more abundant than light forms; this phenomenon is called _______
industrial melanism
The phenomenon, where dark forms of moths become more prevalent than light forms in industrialized areas, is known as ________ ________
industrial melanism
A common misconception among the general public is that the features of species can be scientifically explained by ______ design
intelligent
Darwin noted that _____ communities are often missing plants and animals typically found on continents
island
Some species, for example, frogs, are very sensitive to saltwater and therefore have almost no chance of island colonization. Why is saltwater so harmful to these animals?
it causes animals to dehydrate
Match the different types of anatomical evidence for evolution: b) embryonic development
lanugo
The teeth of modern members of the horse family are ___
large with a complex pattern of ridges
Why are giraffe necks not perfectly suited for their function?
like all mammals, giraffes only have 7 vertebrates in their necks which limits their flexibility
Peter and Rosemary Grant studied natural selection in Galápagos finches for more than 40 years; which species was the focus of their research?
medium ground finch
A common criticism of evolution is that selection only produces ______ changes and cannot produce the variety of ______ documented in the fossil record.
minor, species
Early horses had four toes on the front feet and three toes on the hind feet, all encased in fleshy pads. What statement correctly describes how the toes have changed during the evolution of modern horses?
modern horses have a bony hoof
Which of the following is not an example of convergent evolution?
muscles that wiggle the ears of humans and other mammals
The observation that the relative frequencies of melanic to light peppered moths changes with the color of the tree bark provides support for _____
natural selection
The primary process responsible for evolution is ________
natural selection
Darwin's theory of evolution is ____
not accepted by everyone in the general public
convergent evolution
process by which unrelated organisms independently evolve similarities when adapting to similar environments
industrial melanism
refers to the phenomenon in which darker individuals come to predominate over lighter ones
How has rock and fossil dating since Darwin's times?
relative dating was used in the past, today we use absolute dating
absolute dating
rocks are dated based on changes in their isotopic composition
relative dating
rocks are dated based on their position
Molecular analysis of lactase DNA _______in humans shows that genes for that enzyme have _______ evolved in Africa and Europe to produce the same result
sequences, independently
The teeth of the early members of the horse family (for example, Hyracotherium) were:
small and relatively simple
The fossil record shows that early species of horses were generally ______ in size, but many lineages since about 30 million years ago exhibit substantial change toward ______ in size.
small, increaseee
What is the preferred food of the Galapagos medium ground finch?
small, tender seeds
Fast swimming marine predators such as dolphins, sharks, and tuna have a _____ body shape that minimizes ______ in the water
steam-lined, friction
homologous structures
structures with different appearances and functions that all derived from the same body part in a common ancestor
According to some critics of evolution, natural selection can produce changes in a population, but it cannot cause substantial changes leading to ______
the formation of an entirely new species
True or False: Natural selection does not always produce perfectly working adaptations, because it can only work on the genetic variation present in a population.
true
Match the different types of anatomical evidence for evolution: a) homology
vertebrate forelimbs
Prior to 1850, the melanic form of the peppered moth in Europe was ______
very rare
The evolution of members of the horse family is _____
well documented by the fossil record
The short legs and broad feet of early horses made them well adapted to their habitat which was ____
wooded areas
What did Peter and Rosemary Grant conclude from their study on finches?
year to year changes in average beak depth represent evolutionary change resulting from natural selection
vestigal structures
- structures that have no apparent function - remnants of features that served important functions in the organism's ancestors
pseudogenes
- traces of previously functioning genes - "fossil genes"
artificial selection
- change initiated by humans - operates by favoring individuals with certain phenotypic traits, allowing them to reproduce and pass genes on to the next generation
Path to modern horses involved ____
- changes in size - toe reduction - changes in tooth size and shape
Which of the following are common misconceptions about evolution?
- evolution has not been demonstrated - complex organs cannot be explained by evolution, but can be explained by intelligent design
domestication
- human-imposed selection has produced a variety of cats, dogs, pigeons, and others - some breeds developed for specific purposes
Match the beak shapes of Galapagos finches to their feeding habits: a) Warbler Finches b) Ground Finches c) Vampire Finches
a) small narrow beaks b) crushing beaks c) sharp beaks
Which of the following are anatomical features that provide evidence for evolution? Select all that apply. a) vestigial structures b) early embryonic similarities c) homologous structures d) similar looking, yet distinctly related animals on different continents
a, b, c
Economically important organisms that have been modified significantly through artificial selection include: a) corn b) fruit flies c) pigs and cattle
a, c
Which of the following is true about transitional fossils? Select all that apply. a) they illustrate how major transitions in life occurred b) they are the most common type of fossil found in the fossil record c) they contain all characteristics of two separate groups d) they help to fill in the gap in the fossil record between two separate gaps
a, d
Today, fossils have been found that link ____
all major groups of vertebrates
Convergent evolution ______ a) is an example of stabilizing selection b) depends on natural selection to independently produce similar phenotypic responses in different species or populations c) occurs only on islands d) is expected when different lineages are exposed to vastly different selective environments
b
Darwin's finches are a noteworthy case study of evolution by natural selection because evidence suggests a) they are descendants of many different species that colonized in the Galapagos b) they radiated from a single species that colonized the Galapagos c) they are more closely related to mainland species than to one another d) none of these choices are correct
b
Gaps in the fossil record _____ a) demonstrate our inability to date geological sediments b) are expected since the probability that any organism will fossilize is extremely low c) have not been filled in as new fossils have been discovered d) weaken thee theory of evolution
b
The evolution of modern horses (Equus) is best described as _____ a) the constant change and replacement of one species by another over time b) a complex history of lineages that changed over time, with many going extinct c) a simple history of lineages that have always resembled extant horses d) none of these choices are correct
b
The possession of fine fur in 5-month human embryos indicates a) that the womb is cold at a point in pregnancy b) humans evolved from a hairy ancestor c) hair is a defining feature of mammals d) some parts of the embryo grow faster than others
b
Even though there are gaps in the fossil record, some of the most direct evidence for evolution comes from fossils called ______ fossils that illustrate how certain major transformations in life forms occurred. Select all that apply. a) punctuated b) intermediate c) transitional d) keystone e) isotopic
b, c
Which types of species are most likely to be able to disperse to an island? Select all that apply. a) species that have four limbs b) species that fly c) almost every species of fish d) species that drift e) species that have well developed impermeable skin f) species that float
b, d, f
Photoreceptors face _____ in vertebrates
backwards
One of the most important features of Galapagos finches is that the shape of their _______ is related to their _____ habits
beak, feeding
Early horses inhabited woody areas where they probably browsed leaves and escaped predators by dodging through openings; this explains why those animals had ______ feet and _____ legs.
broad, short
Which of the following provide evidence that natural selection occurs in peppered moths? a) light moths become more abundant than melanic forms in polluted areas b) melanic moths become more abundant than light forms when clear air legislation is implemented c) light moths become more abundant than melanic forms when clean air legislation is implemented d) melanic moths become more abundant than light forms in polluted areas
c, d
Convergent evolution is often seen among species on different islands because ______ a) island populations are usually smaller and more affected by genetic drift b) disruptive selection occurs commonly on islands c) island species are usually most closely related to species in similar habitats elsewhere d) when islands are first colonized, many ecological resources are unused, allowing descendants of a colonizing species to diversify and adapt to many different parts of the environment
d
agricultural selection
differences have resulted from generations of human selection for desirable traits, such as greater milk production and larger corn ear size
What type of evidence for evolution is provided by fossils?
direct
Varieties of which of the following organisms are the result of artificial selection?
pigeons, dogs, corns, cats
As a result of convergent evolution, many marsupial mammals of Australia look similar to _____ mammals found elsewhere and occupy a similar ecological niche
placental
biogeography
the study of the geographic distribution of species
What trend has been observed in the fossil record of horses regarding the length of their limbs?
they generally increased in length
How has the fossil record changed since Darwin?
today the fossil record is much more complete
How are traits produced by convergent evolution different from homologies?
traits produced by convergent evolution have not evolved from a common ancestral trait, while homologies have
