MASTERING BIOLOGY NATURAL SELECTION

father: pater

(or patr-)

Shorter wings are a(n) __________________ in this population. Alleles for shorter wings were _________________ in the general population.

-adaptation -already present

many:

poly-

first:

proto-

What happened in the soapberry bug population in central Florida when the bugs began to feed on seeds from the goldenrain tree fruits which are much closer to the fruit surface? A] Bugs with shorter beaks had more access to food, allowing them to produce more offspring. B]The length of each bug's beak gradually became shorter over time. C] Bugs developed short beaks, because they needed them to feed on the small fruits.

A] Bugs with shorter beaks had more access to food, allowing them to produce more offspring.

What observations and evidence have Jonathan Losos and his colleagues gathered to support the theory of natural selection? A] DNA evidence suggests that the different lizard body types (twig, grass, etc.) evolved independently on each of the four large Caribbean islands. B] An anole lizard with a light-colored dewlap will develop a darker dewlap that stands out better in a bright environment. C] On each of the four large Caribbean islands, Losos observed the same distribution of anole lizard body types. D] When Losos and colleagues transplanted tree-dwelling anoles to small, hurricane-scrubbed islands without trees, the lizards evolved to have shorter legs after only a few generations.

A] DNA evidence suggests that the different lizard body types (twig, grass, etc.) evolved independently on each of the four large Caribbean islands. C] On each of the four large Caribbean islands, Losos observed the same distribution of anole lizard body types. D] When Losos and colleagues transplanted tree-dwelling anoles to small, hurricane-scrubbed islands without trees, the lizards evolved to have shorter legs after only a few generations.

About thirteen different species of finches inhabit the Galápagos Islands today, all descendants of a common ancestor from the South American mainland that arrived a few million years ago. Genetically, there are four distinct lineages, but the thirteen species are currently classified among three genera. The first lineage to diverge from the ancestral lineage was the warbler finch (genus Certhidea). Next to diverge was the vegetarian finch (genus Camarhynchus), followed by five tree finch species (also in genus Camarhynchus) and six ground finch species (genus Geospiza). If the six ground finch species have evolved most recently, then which of these is the most logical prediction? A] Their genomes should be more similar to each other than are the genomes of the five tree finch species. B] They should share fewer anatomical homologies with each other than they share with the tree finches. C] The chances of hybridization between two ground finch species should be less than the chances of hybridization between two tree finch species. D] They should be limited to the six islands that most recently emerged from the sea.

A] Their genomes should be more similar to each other than are the genomes of the five tree finch species.

Over long periods of time, many cave-dwelling organisms have lost their eyes. Tapeworms have lost their digestive systems. Whales have lost their hind limbs. How can natural selection account for these losses? A] Natural selection accounts for these losses by the principle of use and disuse. B] Under particular circumstances that persisted for long periods, each of these structures presented greater costs than benefits. C] Natural selection cannot account for losses, but accounts only for new structures and functions. D] The ancestors of these organisms experienced harmful mutations that forced them to lose these structures.

B] Under particular circumstances that persisted for long periods, each of these structures presented greater costs than benefits.

Jonathan Losos and colleagues conducted experiments on small, hurricane-swept islands as "natural laboratories." Which of the following statements is true? Select all that apply. A] Experiments on the small islands show evidence for adaptation by natural selection but not for evolution. B] The legs of the anoles placed on the islands became shorter, and their offspring inherited shorter legs. C] Islands scrubbed by hurricanes allow researchers to introduce new lizard populations and observe their evolution. D] There are many small islands with similar environments, meaning that researchers can repeat their experiments and observations in several locations. E] Natural selection can lead to rapid changes. The average leg length of lizard populations decreased within a few generations.

C] Islands scrubbed by hurricanes allow researchers to introduce new lizard populations and observe their evolution. D] There are many small islands with similar environments, meaning that researchers can repeat their experiments and observations in several locations. E] Natural selection can lead to rapid changes. The average leg length of lizard populations decreased within a few generations.

In 1959, doctors began using the powerful antibiotic methicillin to treat infections of Staphylococcus aureus, but within two years, methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus (MRSA) appeared. How did the resistant strains of S. aureus emerge? A] In response to treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections with methicillin, some bacteria began to synthesize cell walls using a protein that was not affected by methicillin. These bacteria survived the methicillin treatments and reproduced at higher rates than did other individuals. Over time, these resistant individuals became increasingly common. B] In response to treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections with methicillin, bacterial populations gradually began to synthesize cell walls using a protein that was not affected by methicillin. C] Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that were able to synthesize cell walls using a protein that was not affected by methicillin survived the methicillin treatments and reproduced at higher rates than did other individuals. Over time, these resistant individuals became increasingly common.

C] Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that were able to synthesize cell walls using a protein that was not affected by methicillin survived the methicillin treatments and reproduced at higher rates than did other individuals. Over time, these resistant individuals became increasingly common.

Of the following anatomical structures, which is homologous to the bones in the wing of a bird? A] bony rays in the tail fin of a flying fish B] chitinous struts in the wing of a butterfly C] bones in the flipper of a whale D] bones in the hind limb of a kangaroo

C] bones in the flipper of a whale

It has been observed that organisms on islands are different from, but closely related to, similar forms found on the nearest continent. This is taken as evidence that ____. A] common environments are inhabited by the same organisms B] island forms and mainland forms have identical gene pools C] island forms are descended from mainland forms D] the island forms and mainland forms are converging

C] island forms are descended from mainland forms

What is the most important characteristic of anole lizard species that keeps members of one species from mating with members of another species? A] Different species live in different ecological niches. B] Different species have differences in appearance, such as color or leg length. C] Different species living in the same habitat have different dewlaps. D] Different species eat different types of food.

Different species living in the same habitat have different dewlaps.

Varieties of Staphylococcus aureus that are resistant to the drug methicillin _____. View Available Hint(s) A] developed in response to the use of methicillin B] already existed in the population before methicillin was developed C] always have an advantage in every environment were strongly selected for as methicillin became widely used D] to treat bacterial infections E] The second and fourth answers are correct.

The second and fourth answers are correct.

If the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus experiences a cost for maintaining one or more antibiotic-resistance genes, what would happen in environments that lack antibiotics? A] These genes would be maintained in case the antibiotics appear. B] These bacteria would try to make the cost worthwhile by locating and migrating to microenvironments where traces of antibiotics are present. C] These bacteria would be outcompeted and replaced by bacteria that have lost these genes. D] The number of genes conveying antibiotic resistance would increase in these bacteria.

These bacteria would be outcompeted and replaced by bacteria that have lost these genes.

other:

allo-

with or together with:

co-

From 1984 to 2012, the wing length of cliff swallows in the general population generally

decreased

The data suggest that, over time, _____________ ________________ resulted in the evolution of shorter wings in the cliff swallow population.

natural selection

equal:

equi-

true, good:

eu-

. During the same time period, the wing length of cliff swallows killed on the roads generally

increased.

Part complete Which of the following is an example of an adaptation in anole lizards? A] long leg length in the anole lizards that live mainly on twigs B] small toe pads in the anole lizards that live in the tree canopy C] short tails in the anole lizards that live in grass and bushes D] long legs in the anole lizards that live primarily on the ground and tree trunks

long legs in the anole lizards that live primarily on the ground and tree trunks

In most years where data was collected, the wings of cliff swallows killed on the roads were ____________ than the wings of swallows found in the population at large.

longer

Evolution of shorter legs in anole lizards placed on small, hurricane-scrubbed islands is an example of which type of evolution? A] microevolution B] neither macroevolution nor microevolution C] macroevolution

microevolution

Shorter wings allow cliff swallows to take off from the ground more vertically, enabling them to better avoid oncoming cars. As a result, cliff swallows in populations near highways with _____________ wings have a survival advantage.

shorter

same:

sym-

Which of the following evidence most strongly supports the common origin of all life on Earth? All organisms _____. A] require energy B] reproduce C] use essentially the same genetic code D] show heritable variation

use essentially the same genetic code