Evolution

Tortoises on the Galapagos Islands express a variety of traits. Their offspring show variation as a result of

meiosis and mutation

Sheep and pigs have more enzymes in common than sheep and frogs do. What does this finding indicate?

sheep are more closely related to pigs than to frogs

A large island in the Pacific Ocean supports isolated populations of two groups of frogs. The following observations of these frogs were recorded by scientists. (A) Are different in color (B) Excrete different products (C) Live in different, isolated habitats (D) Can interbreed and produce fertile offspring Which observation best supports the inference that these frogs belong to the same species?

D

Which statement describes an effect of natural selection on a species?

It favors the survival of certain members of the species and results in a change in the proportion of individuals with highly adaptive traits.

The Florida panther, a member of the cat family, has a population of fewer than 100 individuals and has limited genetic variation. Which inference based on this information is valid?

Over time, these animals will become less likely to survive in a changing environment.

Male turkeys are birds that naturally strut and display their large tail feathers, which attracts female turkeys. This display is an example of

a behavioral adaptation

Over time, data that support the successful evolution of a species would include observations that describe

an increase in the proportion of offspring that have favorable characteristics

In a population of birds, the percentage of individuals having a certain gene changes from 20% to 60% over the span of several hundred years. This situation will most likely affect the rate of

biological evolution

Gene mutations can be caused by many things. These mutations are biologically important because they

can result in a new variety of gene combinations in the species

According to the theory of biological evolution, most present-day species of organisms

descended from earlier, different species of organisms

There are two different species of finch that live on the same small island, species A and species B. Both species successfully feed and reproduce on the island. Species A nests in pine trees and eats large seeds. Species B nests in hollowed-out dead logs and eats small insects.The factor most often acting as a selecting agent for the survival of a species in a particular location is the

environment they inhabit

In a certain species of insect, some individuals have flattened white disk on their bodies that protrude and interlock, resembling an orchid flower. This adaptation provides the insect with a better opportunity to capture its prey. If environmental conditions remain unchanged, it is most likely that, in future generations, the proportion of the population with this adaptation will

increase, only

he diagram below represents the relationship between natural selection and variation. The arrow between them is labeled X. A(Natural Selection)--------> B(Variations) Which phrase best indicates the meaning of the arrow labeled X?

is dependent on

In a sexually reproducing species, evolution could occur as a result of

modification of genes in sex cells

In 2007, scientists broke open a fossil of a dinosaur bone and found some preserved tissues. Analysis showed that some proteins in these tissues are very similar to proteins found in modern chickens. The conclusion that these dinosaurs are related to modern chickens is based on

molecular similarities

Certain antibacterial soaps kill 99% of the bacteria present on hands. Constant use of these soaps could be harmful over time because

more pathogens may be resistant to the soap

Which organic compounds would be the best to analyze in order to determine if two species are closely related?

proteins

Two organisms are closely related and are thought to share a similar evolutionary history. If this assumption is correct, these organisms most likely have

similar embryological development

Evidence that best supports the theory of biological evolution was obtained from the

study of fossils records

If an ecosystem is changed through a natural disaster, organisms will have the best chance of survival if

their species exhibits genetic variation

One possible explanation for the fact that some simple, one-celled organisms did not evolve into complex, multicellular organisms is that

these organisms possessed traits that enabled them to survive in a changing environment

There are two different species of finch that live on the same small island, species A and species B. Both species successfully feed and reproduce on the island. Species A nests in pine trees and eats large seeds. Species B nests in hollowed-out dead logs and eats small insects.Both bird species A and species B can most likely survive on the same small island because they

use different resources and, therefore, they do not compete