Ch 15
Review Game Differences among individuals of a species are referred to as A Natural variation B Fitness C Natural selection D Adaptation Ans: A
Which of the following is an important concept in Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection? A Struggle for existence B Survival of the fittest C Descent with modification D All of the above Ans: D The ability of an individual organism to survive and reproduce in its natural environment is called A Natural selection B Evolution C Adaptation D Fitness Ans: D Which of the following does NOT provide sufficient evidence that living things have been evolving for millions of years? A Fossil record B Natural variation within a species C Geographical distribution of living things D Homologous structures of living organisms Ans: B A bird’s wings are homologous to a(an) A Fish’s tailfin B Alligator’s claws C Dog’s front legs D Mosquito’s wings Ans: C An inherited characteristic that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment is called a(an)
A Vestigial organ B Adaptation C Speciation D Radiation Ans: B
A farmer’s use of the best livestock for breeding is an example of A Natural selection B Artificial selection C Fitness D Common descent Ans: B In addition to observing living organisms, Darwin studied the preserved remains of ancient organisms, called A Fossils B Adaptations C Homologous structures D Vestigial organs Ans: A
The concept that each living species has descended, with changes, from other species over time is referred to as
A Descent with modification B Artificial selection C Theory of acquired characteristics D Natural selection Ans: A
Structures that have different mature forms but develop from the same embryonic tissue are A Vestigial organs B Adaptations C Homologous structures D Fossils Ans: C Who observed variations in the characteristics of animals and plants on the different islands of the Galapagos? • A James Hutton • B Charles Lyell • C Charles Darwin • D Thomas Malthus • Ans: C
Which would an animal breeder use to produce cows that give more milk? A Overproduction B Genetic isolation C Acquired characteristics D Artificial selection Ans: D
What process produced the two different types of beaks shown? A Artificial selection B Natural selection C Geographical distribution D Inheritance of acquired traits Ans: B The large ground finch obtains food by cracking seeds. Its short, strong beak is an example of A The struggle for existence B The tendency toward perfection C The inheritance of acquired traits D An adaptation Ans: D In the 1800’s, 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 available today. • Ans: D One scientist who attempted to explain how rock layers form and change over time was • A Thomas Malthus • B Charles Darwin • C James Hutton • D Jean-Baptiste Lamarck • Ans: C According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, the individuals that tend to survive are those that have • A characteristics their parents acquired by use and disuse. • B characteristics that plant and animal breeders value. • C the greatest number of offspring. • D variations best suited to the environment. • Ans: D
Which of the following phrases best describes the results of natural selection? • A the natural variation found in all populations. • B unrelated species living in different locations. • C changes in the inherited characteristics of a population over time • D the struggle for existence undergone by all living things • Ans: C
The number and location of bones in many fossil vertebrates are similar to those in living vertebrates. Most biologists would probably explain this fact on the basis of • A the struggle for existence • B the inheritance of acquired traits • C the needs of the organisms • D a common ancestor • Ans: D