Have an account?
Skip to Content
Build your own quiz
Suggestions for you
45 questions
Show Answers
See Preview
- 1. Multiple Choice
Which statement explains that chemical evolution and organic evolution are not mutually exclusive events, but rather they operate simultaneously in the evolution of life?
The formation of new structures influences the molecular changes in organisms.
The production of new proteins is directly proportional to increases in the complexities of the organisms.
The changes that occur at the molecular level result in changes of the species’ phenotypes.
The chemical reactions that occur in organisms cause their bodies to evolve and change the species.
tagsbio.4.1 - 2. Multiple Choice
What type of organism must have evolved before aerobic organisms could have come into existence?
chemoautotrophs
eukaryotes
methanogens
photoautotrophs
tagsbio.4.1 - 3. Multiple Choice
A student creates a flow chart showing how life started and evolved on Earth, as shown.
A classmate notices an error in the flow chart. Which statement identifies the conceptual error in the flow chart?
Aerobic organisms evolved after anaerobic organisms.
Autotrophic organisms evolved before heterotrophic organisms.
Organic compounds evolved after both autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms.
Photosynthetic organisms evolved before the formation of organic compounds.
tagsbio.4.1 - 4. Multiple Choice
Gases most likely found in the primitive atmosphere included methane, ammonia, and hydrogen and excluded oxygen and carbon dioxide. Which organisms are most likely considered to be the first to evolve?
multicellular plants that used the gases during photosynthesis for autotrophic nutrition
multicellular animals that used the gases during photosynthesis for autotrophic nutrition
aerobic prokaryotes that used the gases for heterotrophic nutrition
anaerobic prokaryotes that used the gases for heterotrophic nutrition
tagsbio.4.1 - 5. Multiple Choice
What is the difference between chemical and organic evolution?
Chemical evolution describes how complex organic molecules were first formed from simpler inorganic molecules on early Earth, while organic evolution describes the gradual process by which living organisms have undergone changes from simple unicellular creatures to complex multicellular organisms.
Chemical evolution describes the development of inorganic compounds and polyatomic ions on early Earth, while organic evolution describes the development of complex macromolecules (like starches and nucleic acids) from simpler monomers (such as monosaccharides and nucleotides).
Organic evolution describes how complex organic molecules were first formed from simpler inorganic molecules on early Earth, while chemical evolution describes the gradual process by which living organisms have undergone changes from simple unicellular creatures to complex multicellular organisms.
Organic evolution describes the development of inorganic compounds and polyatomic ions on early Earth, while chemical evolution describes the development of complex macromolecules (like starches and nucleic acids) from simpler monomers (such as monosaccharides and nucleotides).
tagsbio.4.1 - 6. Multiple Choice
The first organisms to appear on Earth were formed from simple organic aggregates. These organisms were called heterotrophs.
Which type of energy-releasing process was most likely performed by those first heterotrophs?
aerobic respiration
anaerobic respiration
photosynthesis
protein synthesis
tagsbio.4.1 - 7. Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the evolution of cells on Earth?
Both chemical and organic evolution occurred simultaneously.
Chemical evolution occurred first, eventually making organic evolution possible.
Organic evolution occurred first, eventually making chemical evolution possible.
Neither chemical nor organic evolution was able to occur until cells came into existence.
tagsbio.4.1 - 8. Multiple Choice
The model shows a process that scientists believe led to the formation of life on Earth.
How should steps 1 and 2 be labeled in the model?
1: photosynthesis; 2: cellular respiration
1: cellular respiration; 2: photosynthesis
1: chemical evolution; 2: organic evolution
1: organic evolution; 2: chemical evolution
tagsbio.4.1 - 9. Multiple Choice
Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution which stated that all species developed by inheriting useful variations of their ancestors, and gradually, new species were formed. After Darwin proposed this theory, the process of classifying species was modified to show the relationships among different species.
According to Darwin, what was the guiding factor behind the evolution of species?
continent formation
extinction event
high reproduction rate
natural selection
tagsbio.4.5 - 10. Multiple Choice
The European garden snails that live in fields and hedges have yellow shells with stripes, whereas those that live in wooded habitats have brown shells without stripes. Why does natural selection favor genetic variation among European garden snails occupying different habitats?
It helps the snails avoid being seen by predators.
It helps the snails adapt to different feeding behaviors.
It helps the snails maintain a constant body temperature.
It helps the snails limit themselves to a particular habitat.
tagsbio.4.4 - 11. Multiple Choice
In 1971, a researcher introduced five pairs of Italian wall lizards, adapted to live on the barren island of Pod Kopiste, into the vegetation-rich island of Pod Mrcaru. Over the years, the researcher found that the lizards evolved to have longer and wider heads.
Why did the heads of the lizards evolve?
as an adaptation to different food types
as an adaptation to show their dominance
as an adaptation to defend their territories
as an adaptation to mate with other lizard species
tagsbio.4.5 - 12. Multiple Choice
A group of researchers found three different varieties of Timema cristinae, a plant-eating stick insect species in California. The table shows the features of the three different varieties.
What is the most likely reason for the presence of three different varieties?
to migrate and adapt to new regions
to avoid being eaten by predators
to ensure each variety recognizes the other varieties easily
to ensure each generation looks different from the previous
tagsbio.4.5 - 13. Multiple Choice
The caterpillars of a certain species of butterfly had a slight variation in that some were hairy while others were not. Their natural prey preferred feeding on the non-hairy caterpillars.
What is the most likely result of this?
The butterfly species will be dominated by hairy caterpillars.
The butterfly species will be dominated by non-hairy caterpillars.
The butterfly species will contain equal numbers of both hairy and non-hairy caterpillars.
The butterfly species will contain a random population of non-hairy and long hair caterpillars.
tagsbio.4.5 - 14. Multiple Choice
The picture and graph show the average beak size of the medium ground finch of the Galapagos Islands over a time span of 10 years. This bird survives on a diet of seeds and prefers small seeds since they are easier to crush than larger ones. During wet years, there is an abundance of all types of seeds, while during dry years, small seeds are less abundant, and the medium ground finch eats any seed available on the island.
Which statement accurately explains how the finch population expresses variation in beak size over the 10-year time span?
The beaks of the finches grow more during dry years to utilize the available food source.
All the finches with larger beaks die during the wet years since they are unable to eat small seeds.
Finches born with genes for small beaks are more likely to survive and reproduce during wet years.
The finches interbreed with finches from other islands during the dry years, resulting in an increase in beak size.
tagsbio.4.5 - 15. Multiple Choice
Archeologists comparing the fossil remains of a species of reptile that lived thousands of years ago with the anatomical structure of a modern reptile concluded the species had experienced only minor changes over the entire time period.
Which explanation most likely accounts for this lack of significant change?
Interbreeding among the reptiles resulted in reduced phenotypic diversity and a reduction in non-random mating.
Environmental changes reduced the population size, resulting in a smaller gene pool and reduced fitness.
The reptiles were well-suited to their environment, and the favorable phenotypes remained common in the population.
The reptiles continuously adapted to their changing environment, resulting in a change in favorable phenotypes
tagsbio.4.5 - 16. Multiple Choice
A community located near a small marsh had a serious mosquito problem. In an effort to reduce the mosquito population, a powerful insecticide was sprayed for 8 months. The graph shows the changes in the population throughout the entire treatment program.
Which statement best explains the changes observed in the mosquito population?
The insecticide altered the genetic makeup of some mosquitoes, which increased their resistance and allowed them to survive and pass on the trait to their offspring.
All the mosquitoes began producing antibodies that increased their chance of survival, though some mosquitoes produced them more slowly than others.
The temperature changes over the 8-month spraying program influenced the impact of the insecticide resulting in a decrease followed by an increase in the population.
Some mosquitoes possessed a trait that increased their resistance to the insecticide and allowed them to survive and pass on the resistance to their offspring.
- 17. Multiple Choice
The duck-billed platypus is an animal with characteristics of both reptiles and mammals. It resembles mammals as it has mammary glands and hair. The platypus resembles reptiles as it lays eggs, and its skeleton is like that of a reptile.
Why is the duck-billed platypus considered a connecting link between reptiles and mammals?
The platypus can live in all the places inhabited by mammals and reptiles.
The platypus is like a reptile when born but behaves like a mammal as an adult.
The platypus provides evidence that mammals have gradually evolved from reptiles through intermediate stages.
The platypus provides evidence that reptiles have gradually evolved from mammals through intermediate stages.
- 18. Multiple Choice
Which method provides the most accurate evidence for scientists to use when determining evolutionary relationships between two species of animals?
comparing genetic sequences in the animals using samples of DNA
identifying fossil patterns in rock strata where the animals live
looking for similar vestigial structures in both species of animals
looking for similarities in the coloration and eating habits of the animals
- 19. Multiple Choice
These five species have similar bone structures.
What can be inferred about these animals?
They share a common ancestor.
They share a common habitat.
They share the same niche.
They share the same type of locomotion.
- 20. Multiple Choice
The diagram shows the fossil records of horses over the last 40 million years.
What can scientists conclude about the changing structure of the horses’ foot?
As horses evolved, their toes remained as vestigial structures.
As horses evolved, the structure and size of their feet became smaller.
As horses evolved, they developed toes that were better suited to their changing environment.
As horses evolved, they lost their toes and developed feet that were better suited to their environment.
- 21. Multiple Choice
Using anatomical data, scientists have shown that humans are most closely related to gorillas. Recent technological advances have allowed scientists to use amino acid sequences to determine evolutionary relationships. To examine the relationships of primates further, scientists compared the amino acid sequence for insulin in several primates.
How has this new data contributed to changes in the understanding of evolutionary relationships among modern primates?
The data shows that humans are most closely related to baboons.
The data shows that humans are most closely related to chimps.
The data shows that chimps are most closely related to lemurs.
The data shows that gorillas are most closely related to baboons.
- 22. Multiple Choice
Cytochrome C is a protein that is found in almost all organisms and is used to help determine evolutionary relationships between organisms. The DNA sequences of the Cytochrome C gene from four different organisms are listed.
Which organisms are most closely related?
1 and 2
2 and 3
3 and 4
1 and 4
- 23. Multiple Choice
A team of scientists located the fossilized remains of a canine’s leg and jaw. What information must be gathered before the scientists can place the fossils in the ancestral timeline of the modern dog?
Compare the homologous structures of other fossils found in the same area.
Locate the remainder of the skeleton for a complete anatomical comparison.
Determine the relative age of the fossils.
Compare the fossils with other species of organisms.
- 24. Multiple Choice
Why was the origin of the eukaryotic cell a milestone in the evolution of life?
It led to the evolution of anaerobic autotrophs.
It led to organisms that were heterotrophic.
It led to more complex cells and multicellular organisms.
It led to organisms that were capable of using sunlight for energy.
- 25. Multiple Choice
Similarities are found between embryos of fish, dogs, and humans. What does this observation suggest?
They all have similar components in their blood.
They all maintain similar number of chromosomes.
They have similar habitat requirements.
They share a common genetic heritage.
- 26. Multiple Choice
The diagram shows the skeletal structure of six organisms.
Based upon this evidence, which inference about the evolution of these six species is the most logical?
These organisms evolved skeletal structures that made them well adapted to survival in their unique environments.
The similar skeletal structures of these organisms indicated they competed for resources.
All multicellular organisms evolved to possess similar skeletal structures.
Skeletal structure did not provide any evidence to show an evolutionary relationship between organisms.
- 27. Multiple Choice
Scientists on a fossil expedition in the Florida Everglades excavated an area with four strata (layers).
They found vertebrate fossils in all four strata: 124 fossils in the Miami Limestone, 75 fossils in the Undifferentiated sediments, 138 fossils in the Tamiami Formation, and 62 fossils in the Hawthorn Group. The scientists concluded that the Hawthorn Group contained the oldest fossils.
Is this a valid conclusion?
No. The Miami Limestone must contain the oldest fossils because it is the uppermost layer, just beneath the water of the Everglades.
No. The Tamiami Formation must contain the oldest fossils because it contains the greatest number of vertebrate fossils discovered.
Yes. The Hawthorn Group must contain the oldest fossils because it is the lowermost layer of soil and rock excavated by the scientists.
Yes. The Hawthorn Group must contain the oldest fossils because this layer has the smallest number of vertebrate fossils.
- 28. Multiple Choice
The diagram shows undisturbed layers of rock containing a variety of fossils.
What can most likely be inferred about the evolutionary history of this area?
The area was once a saltwater sea and was later replaced by a forest.
The area was once a forest and was later replaced by a freshwater lake.
The area was once a freshwater lake and was later replaced by a desert.
The area was once a saltwater sea and was later replaced by a desert.
- 29. Multiple Choice
A group of students researching flying animals concluded that birds and bats must be closely related, evolutionarily speaking, since they both had wings and could fly.
Is this a reasonable conclusion?
No. Birds and bats are only distantly related with wings that are analogous structures evolved for the common purpose of flight.
No. Birds and bats share no evolutionary common ancestor because they evolved on separate continents millions of years apart.
Yes. Birds and bats are closely related with wings that are homologous structures that only evolve in close evolutionary relatives.
Yes. Birds and bats are closely related because they are both mammals that share a recent common ancestor that evolved in Africa.
- 30. Multiple Choice
Bats and birds are only very distantly related, and both evolved wings for flight in very different evolutionary pathways.
What is the term that describes the wing structures that these species evolved?
analogous structures
divergent structures
embryonic structures
homologous structures
- 31. Multiple Choice
Skinks are a type of lizard native to many parts of the world. There is a species of skink found in Australia that reproduces in two ways, depending on the climate of the region in which they live. Skinks that live in cold mountain regions keep eggs inside the body longer and give birth to live young similar to mammals. Skinks that live in the warm lowlands lay eggs that develop outside the body for the last few weeks similar to other reptiles.
According to the theory of evolution, which statement best explains how this species of skink came to reproduce differently?
Individual skinks mutated during their lifetimes to reproduce using a particular method.
Individual skinks simply chose the method of reproduction best suited for their needs.
Egg-laying skinks outcompeted live birth skinks in both environments, allowing them to survive, reproduce, and pass the trait to offspring.
The different environments gave an advantage to each reproductive method, allowing the skinks that survive best in each environment to reproduce and pass the trait to offspring.
- 32. Multiple Choice
Which organisms were the first to evolve on Earth?
aerobic eukaryotes
anaerobic eukaryotes
aerobic prokaryotes
anaerobic prokaryotes
- 33. Multiple Choice
Which explanation correctly describes the origin of the mitochondria?
Mitochondria were originally prokaryotic cells that were engulfed by an ancestral eukaryotic cell, and the two formed a symbiotic relationship.
Mitochondria, formed from ancient chloroplasts in an environment without sunlight, evolved to produce ATP instead of glucose.
Mitochondria evolved from the Golgi apparatus after photosynthetic organisms began producing oxygen gas.
Mitochondria were formed from methane, water vapor, and carbon dioxide that were struck by lightning on early Earth.
- 34. Multiple Choice
Review the phylogenetic tree.
According to the phylogenetic tree, which trait does the sunfish have?
jaws
four walking legs
amniotic egg
fur
- 35. Multiple Choice
The phylogenetic tree shows the relationships among different plants.
Which plant groups possess true roots and form seeds?
ferns and mosses
cycads and conifers
monocots and dicots
ginkgos and gnetophytes
- 36. Multiple Choice
Examine the phylogenetic tree of insects.
Which two species of insects are the least closely related?
Bristletails and the Jumping Bristletails
Dragonflies and the Mayflies
Mayflies and the Dipturans
Proturans and the Springtails
- 37. Multiple Choice
Phylogenetic trees are used to show evolutionary relationships between a group of organisms.
Which statement is a correct interpretation of the relationships between the five species?
Species H, R, and K form one related group, and species F and M form another group.
Species H and R form one related group, and species K, F, and M form another group.
Species H and M form one related group, and species K, F, and R form another group.
Species F, M, and H form one related group, and species K and R form another group.
- 38. Multiple Choice
The diagram shows the evolutionary pathways of five species of organisms as determined by the DNA base sequences of each organism.
What does this information reveal about organisms 1, 2, and 5?
Organisms 1 and 2 have more genetic similarities to the ancestral species than organism 5.
Organisms 1 and 5 have more anatomical similarities than genetic similarities.
Organisms 1 and 2 are more closely related than organisms 1 and 5.
Organisms 1 and 5 evolved rapidly while organism 2 evolved slowly.
- 39. Multiple Choice
The echidna, also called the spiny anteater, lives only in New Guinea and Australia.
Based on this information, which animal is the echidna's closest living relative?
hedgehog
platypus
porcupine
All are equally related to the echidna.
- 40. Multiple Choice
The phylogenetic tree shows the evolution of ten groups of organisms.
Which statement accurately explains the relationship between these organisms?
Each group of organisms evolved at the same rate.
Arthropoda evolved before Platyhelminthes.
Annelida is more closely related to Mollusca than Nematoda.
Chordata has existed longer than Echinodermata and Arthropoda.
- 41. Multiple Choice
Review the phylogenetic tree.
According to the phylogenetic tree, which organism is most closely related to the salamander?
chimpanzee
lamprey
lizard
mouse
- 42. Multiple Choice
The methods used to classify organisms have changed throughout the history of science. One technique used by modern scientists to determine the evolutionary relationships of organisms is to compare their amino acid sequences. Examine the amino acid sequence chart and the four phylogenetic trees.
Which phylogenetic tree best represents the information shown in the chart?
- 43. Multiple Choice
Certain structural adaptations among the members of a population are passed on to future generations while others are not. What is the most likely explanation?
The adaptations passed on are environmental changes and are favorable for the species.
The adaptations passed on are genetic changes and are favorable for the species.
The adaptations passed on are environmental changes and are unfavorable for the species.
The adaptations passed on are genetic changes and are unfavorable for the species.
- 44. Multiple Choice
An example of natural selection is the peppered moth found in Europe. There are two color forms of this moth, shown in the diagram.
Form X was more common before the industrial revolution covered the trees with smoke and dust. Form Y is more common after the industrial revolution.
Which statement explains why these two color forms exist at the same time?
Random mutations in the DNA led to different colors of individuals in the population.
The moths acquired the colors that they needed to be better camouflaged in their habitat.
The smoke and dust created by the factories coated the moths, changing their colors.
The smoke and dust created by factories randomly coated the moths and suffocated some of them.
- 45. Multiple Choice
The diagram shows four different species of birds. Each species has a different beak shape.
Which statement explains how these different beak shapes developed?
natural selection based on diet
selective breeding by humans
resistance to herbicides through continued exposure
inheritance of acquired characteristics
- Answer choicesTagsAnswer choicesTags