Question 1

What is an example of what happens when herbivores switch to a new food source with different characteristics?

Accepted Answer

A)   In southern Florida, the soapberry bug (Jadera haema-toloma)  will not have beaks to feed on the seeds of a native plant, the balloon vine (Cardiospermum corindum) .
B)   Soapberry bugs in central Florida, where balloon vines have become rare, now have bigger beaks to feed on seeds of the goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria elegans) , a species recently introduced from Asia.
C)   Soapberry bugs feed most effectively when the length of their beak is longer than the depth at which seeds are found within the fruit. Goldenrain tree fruit consists of three flat lobes, and its seeds are much closer to the fruit surface than seeds of the plump, round fruit of the native balloon vine.
D)   In populations that feed on goldenrain tree, natural selection results in beaks that are shorter than those in populations that feed on balloon vine.E) B) and D)
F) All of the above

Question 2

Figure 19.1
-Figure 19.1 shows an outcrop of sedimentary rock whose strata are labeled A-D. If x indicates the location of fossils of two closely related species, then fossils of their most-recent common ancestor are most likely to occur in which stratum?

Accepted Answer

A)   A
B)   B
C)   C
D)   DE) B) and C)
F) B) and D)

Question 3

Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y)  are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third species (Z)  is placed in the genus Elephas. Thus, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   Species X and Y are not related to species Z.
B)   Species X and Y share a greater number of homologies with each other than either does with species Z.
C)   Species X and Y share a common ancestor that is still extant (in other words, not yet extinct) .
D)   Species X and Y are the result of artificial selection from an ancestral species Z.E) None of the above
F) All of the above

Question 4

Lamarck's contribution to evolutionary theory was the

Accepted Answer

A)   use and disuse principle.
B)   idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.
C)   idea that evolutionary change explains patterns in fossils.
D)   idea that Earth's features could be explained by gradual mechanisms.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 5

Which of the following is the most accurate summary of Cuvier's consideration of fossils found in the vicinity of Paris?

Accepted Answer

A)   extinction of species: yes; evolution of new species: yes
B)   extinction of species: no; evolution of new species: yes
C)   extinction of species: yes; evolution of new species: no
D)   extinction of species: no; evolution of new species: noE) B) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 6

Within six months of effectively using methicillin to treat S. aureus infections in a community, all new S. aureus infections were caused by MRSA. How can this best be explained?

Accepted Answer

A)   A patient must have become infected with MRSA from another community.
B)   In response to the drug, S. aureus began making drug-resistant versions of the protein targeted by the drug.
C)   Some drug-resistant bacteria were present at the start of treatment, and natural selection increased their frequency.
D)   S. aureus evolved to resist vaccines.E) C) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 7

The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)  can be considered to be an example of artificial selection because

Accepted Answer

A)   humans purposefully raise MRSA in large fermenters in an attempt to make the bacteria ever-more resistant.
B)   S. aureus is cultivated by humans to replenish the soil with nutrients.
C)   humans synthesize methicillin and create environments in which bacteria frequently come into contact with methicillin.
D)   Humans are becoming resistant to bacteria by taking methicillin.E) None of the above
F) B) and D)

Question 8

Figure 19.1
-Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y)  are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third species (Z)  is placed in the genus Elephas. Assuming this classification reflects evolutionary relatedness, which of the following is the most accurate phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

A)   
B)   
C)   
D)   E) None of the above
F) All of the above

Question 9

What is true of pseudogenes?

Accepted Answer

A)   They are composed of RNA, rather than DNA.
B)   They are the same things as introns.
C)   They are unrelated genes that code for the same gene product.
D)   They are vestigial genes.E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

Question 10

Natural selection is based on all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A)   genetic variation exists within populations.
B)   the best-adapted individuals tend to leave the most offspring.
C)   individuals who survive longer tend to leave more offspring than those who die young.
D)   individuals adapt to their environments and thereby evolve.E) B) and C)
F) None of the above

Question 11

Please use the following information to answer the question(s)  below.
The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree below. The horizontal axis of the cladogram depicted below is a timeline that extends from 100,000 years ago to the present; the vertical axis represents nothing in particular. The labeled branch points on the tree (V-Z)  represent various common ancestors. Let's say that only since 50,000 years ago has there been enough variation between the lineages depicted here to separate them into distinct species, and only the tips of the lineages on this tree represent distinct species.  Figure 19.2
-Which pair would probably have agreed with the process that is depicted by this tree?

Accepted Answer

A)   Cuvier and Lamarck
B)   Lamarck and Wallace
C)   Aristotle and Lyell
D)   Wallace and LinnaeusE) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 12

Over evolutionary 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?

Accepted Answer

A)   Natural selection cannot account for losses, only for innovations.
B)   Natural selection accounts for these losses by the principle of use and disuse.
C)   Under particular circumstances that persisted for long periods, each of these structures presented greater costs than benefits.
D)   The ancestors of these organisms experienced harmful mutations that forced them to find new habitats that these species had not previously used.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 13

Given a population that contains genetic variation, what is the correct sequence of the following events, under the influence of natural selection?
1)  Well-adapted individuals leave more offspring than do poorly adapted individuals.
2)  A change occurs in the environment.
3)  Genetic frequencies within the population change.
4)  Poorly adapted individuals have decreased survivorship.

Accepted Answer

A)   2 → 4 → 1 → 3
B)   4 → 2 → 1 → 3
C)   4 → 1 → 2 → 3
D)   4 → 2 → 3 → 1E) All of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 14

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?

Accepted Answer

A)   There is heritable variation among individuals.
B)   Poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring.
C)   Species produce more offspring than the environment can support.
D)   Only a fraction of an individual's offspring may survive.E) B) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 15

Darwin's observation of the Galápagos Islands finches' various beaks and behaviors could be explained by

Accepted Answer

A)   adaptations to the specific foods available on their mainland.
B)   adaptations forged by natural selection.
C)   modification with descent.
D)   inherited traits that did not survive.E) B) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 16

Please use the following information to answer the question(s)  below.
The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree below. The horizontal axis of the cladogram depicted below is a timeline that extends from 100,000 years ago to the present; the vertical axis represents nothing in particular. The labeled branch points on the tree (V-Z)  represent various common ancestors. Let's say that only since 50,000 years ago has there been enough variation between the lineages depicted here to separate them into distinct species, and only the tips of the lineages on this tree represent distinct species.  Figure 19.2
-How many separate species, both extant and extinct, are depicted in this tree?

Accepted Answer

A)   two
B)   four
C)   five
D)   sixE) A) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 17

During a study session about evolution, one of your fellow students remarks, "The giraffe stretched its neck while reaching for higher leaves; its offspring inherited longer necks as a result." Which statement is most likely to be helpful in correcting this student's misconception?

Accepted Answer

A)   Characteristics acquired during an organism's life are generally not passed on through genes.
B)   Spontaneous mutations can result in the appearance of new traits.
C)   Only favorable adaptations have survival value.
D)   Disuse of an organ may lead to its eventual disappearance.E) B) and D)
F) A) and D)

Question 18

Analogous features share ________ function but not ________ ancestry.

Accepted Answer

A)   similar; common
B)   common; similar
C)   similar; similar
D)   common; commonE) All of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 19

What are adaptations?

Accepted Answer

A)   inherited characteristics of organisms that enhance their survival and reproduction in specific environments
B)   acquired characteristics of organisms that enhance their survival and reproduction in specific environments
C)   processes that allow individuals with certain inherited traits to survive and reproduce
D)   patterns seen in fossils documenting the origins of other new groups of organismsE) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 20

Which of the following must exist in a population before natural selection can act upon that population?

Accepted Answer

A)   genetic variation among individuals
B)   variation among individuals caused by environmental factors
C)   sexual reproduction
D)   All of the above are correct.E) C) and D)
F) B) and D)

Exam 19: Descent With Modification

Correct Answer
verified

The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be considered to be an example of artificial selection because

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?

Correct Answer
verified

Figure 19.1 -Figure 19.1 shows an outcrop of sedimentary rock whose strata are labeled A-D. If x indicates the location of fossils of two closely related species, then fossils of their most-recent common ancestor are most likely to occur in which stratum?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Within six months of effectively using methicillin to treat S. aureus infections in a community, all new S. aureus infections were caused by MRSA. How can this best be explained?

Correct Answer
verified

During a study session about evolution, one of your fellow students remarks, "The giraffe stretched its neck while reaching for higher leaves; its offspring inherited longer necks as a result." Which statement is most likely to be helpful in correcting this student's misconception?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following is the most accurate summary of Cuvier's consideration of fossils found in the vicinity of Paris?

Correct Answer
verified

What are adaptations?

Correct Answer
verified

What is true of pseudogenes?

Correct Answer
verified

Lamarck's contribution to evolutionary theory was the

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following must exist in a population before natural selection can act upon that population?

Correct Answer
verified

What is an example of what happens when herbivores switch to a new food source with different characteristics?

Correct Answer
verified

Natural selection is based on all of the following except

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Darwin's observation of the Galápagos Islands finches' various beaks and behaviors could be explained by

Correct Answer
verified

Over evolutionary 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?

Correct Answer
verified

Analogous features share function but not ancestry.

Correct Answer
verified

Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y) are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Thus, which of the following statements is true?

Correct Answer
verified

Figure 19.1 -Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y) are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Assuming this classification reflects evolutionary relatedness, which of the following is the most accurate phylogenetic tree?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 19: Descent With Modification

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be considered to be an example of artificial selection because

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Figure 19.1 -Figure 19.1 shows an outcrop of sedimentary rock whose strata are labeled A-D. If x indicates the location of fossils of two closely related species, then fossils of their most-recent common ancestor are most likely to occur in which stratum?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Within six months of effectively using methicillin to treat S. aureus infections in a community, all new S. aureus infections were caused by MRSA. How can this best be explained?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During a study session about evolution, one of your fellow students remarks, "The giraffe stretched its neck while reaching for higher leaves; its offspring inherited longer necks as a result." Which statement is most likely to be helpful in correcting this student's misconception?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is the most accurate summary of Cuvier's consideration of fossils found in the vicinity of Paris?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What are adaptations?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is true of pseudogenes?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Lamarck's contribution to evolutionary theory was the

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following must exist in a population before natural selection can act upon that population?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is an example of what happens when herbivores switch to a new food source with different characteristics?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Natural selection is based on all of the following except

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Darwin's observation of the Galápagos Islands finches' various beaks and behaviors could be explained by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Over evolutionary 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?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Analogous features share ________ function but not ________ ancestry.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y) are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Thus, which of the following statements is true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Figure 19.1 -Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y) are placed in the genus Loxodonta, and a third species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Assuming this classification reflects evolutionary relatedness, which of the following is the most accurate phylogenetic tree?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Analogous features share function but not ancestry.

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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