Darwin's Theory of Evolution Questions

Based on the adaptations Charles Darwin observed in finches and tortoises in the Galápagos, he wondered a. if species living on different islands had once been members of the same species b. if finches and tortoises had originated from the same ancestral species. c. if all birds on the different islands were finches. d. why all tortoises on the different islands were identical.

a

Modern sea star larvae resemble some primitive vertebrate larvae. This similarity may suggest that primitive vertebrates a. share a common ancestor with sea stars. b. evolved from sea stars. c. evolved before sea stars. d. belong to the same species as sea stars.

a

Molecular evidence in support of natural selection includes a. the nearly universal genetic code. b. the presence of vestigial structures. c. a tendency toward perfect, unchanging DNA in various species. d. the transmission of acquired characteristics by DNA.

a

T or F: Evidence that the surface of a mountain was once under the sea includes the presence of marine fossils on the mountain.

T

T or F: James Hutton and Charles Lyell held similar views about Earth's age. Both thought that Earth was more than a few thousand years old.

T

According to Lamarck, evolution resulted from the inheritance of _____________ traits.

acquired

Charles Darwin viewed the fossil record as a. evidence that Earth was very young. b. useful support for his theory. c. interesting but unrelated to the evolution of modern species. d. evidence that traits are acquired through use or disuse.

b

Darwin's concept of natural selection was NOT influenced by a. the work of Charles Lyell. c. his collection of specimens. b. the work of Gregor Mendel. d. his trip on the H.M.S. Beagle.

b

Each of the following is a condition necessary for natural selection to occur EXCEPT a. more offspring are born than can survive. b. population size is very large. c. fitness varies among individuals. d. there is heritable variation among members of the population.

b

Lamarck's ideas about evolution include the concept that differences among the traits of organisms arise as a result of a. continual increases in population size. b. the actions of organisms as they use or fail to use body structures. c. an unchanging local environment. d. the natural variations already present within the population of organisms.

b

The economist Thomas Malthus suggested that a. in the human population, people die faster than babies are born. b. without certain checks on population size, there would soon be insufficient food for the growing human population. c. in the 1700s, England needed more housing. d. the majority of a species' offspring die.

b

Which of the following ideas is supported by Darwin's observation of local variation among tortoises in the Galápagos Islands? a. artificial selection c. acquired characteristics b. adaptation d. tendency towards perfection

b

Darwin noticed that many organisms seemed well suited to a. being preserved as fossils. b. providing humans with food. c. surviving in the environments in which they lived. d. swimming from South America to the Galápagos Islands.

c

The principle of common descent helps explain why a. well-adapted species have many offspring. b. conditions in an organism's environment ensure its survival. c. birds and reptiles share a number of inherited characteristics. d. tigers are so different from cheetahs.

c

When a dairy farmer chooses to breed the cows that give the most milk in the herd, the farmers are following the principle of a. acquired characteristics. c. artificial selection. b. descent with modification. d. natural selection.

c

Which characteristic of Galápagos finches helped the Grants show the results of natural selection? a. the color of their feathers b. the length and shape of their wings c. the size and shape of their beaks d. the curve of their claws

c

Which statement about the members of a population that live long enough to reproduce is consistent with the theory of evolution by natural selection? a. They transmit characteristics acquired by use and disuse to their offspring. b. They tend to produce fewer offspring than others in the population. c. They are the ones that are best adapted to survive in their environment. d. They will perpetuate unfavorable changes in the species.

c

In the 1800s, Charles Lyell emphasized that a. the human population will outgrow the available food supply. b. all populations evolve through natural selection. c. Earth is a few thousand years old. d. past geological events must be explained in terms of processes observable today.

d

In studying Galápagos finches, the Grants found that ____________ can take place frequently and over relatively short periods of time.

natural selection; adaptation

Geologists use ____________________ to determine a rock layer's absolute age.

radio-activity; radioactive dating

T of F: Charles Darwin noted that members of a population are identical.

F; differ; are different; have natural variations

____________ proteins, such as cytochrome c, are found in all types of cells from one-celled yeasts to multicellular kangaroos.

Homologous