Biology SOL Review Evolution – Chpt 14,15

#1 Darwin reasoned that if natural selection operates over vast spans of time, then heritable changes would gradually accumulate and _________ would evolve. A a new community B new populations C new species D a new ecosystem

#2 Determine the relative age of the fossil in the picture below. (“mya”-million years ago) A about 700 million years ago B about 760 million years ago C about 650 million years ago D about 590 million years ago

#3 Lamarck was an early scientist who studied the development of characteristics in organisms over time. Which of the following choices best describes his views on how organisms change over time? A Theory of acquired characteristics B Law of independent assortment C Theory of relative fossil-dating D Theory of artificial selection

#4 Which of the following statements best describes Stephen Jay Gould’s evolutionary theory of Punctuated Equilibrium? A Species only evolve through long, slow periods of speciation. B Species may evolve through equal time periods of both speciation and no change. C Species may go through long periods of speciation, followed by short bursts of time remaining unchanged. D Species may undergo periods of rapid bursts of speciation, followed by long periods of time remaining unchanged.

#5 Which of the following are used as evidence to support the theory of evolution? A just the fossil record B the fossil record, structural similarities among species, and the fact that there are many species C the fossil record, molecular similarity of DNA, and structural similarities among species D similar appearance and the fact that there are many species

#6 Which factor is required in order for evolution to occur? A Variation exists among members of a population. B Organisms produce fewer offspring than would be able to survive. C All traits are equally well suited for every environment. D Humans are able to select the best individuals for breeding.

#7 Why do populations generally produce more offspring than the environment can support? A So that fewer of their offspring will survive. B So that their offspring will dominate a habitat. C So that their predators will be outnumbered. D So that more of their offspring will survive.

#8 A fossil of an ancient fish’s fin shows a bone structure that is quite similar to a human hand. This similarity might suggest that -- A the fin and the hand are analogous structures B the fin and the hand are homologous structures C humans once used their hands to swim underwater D humans descended from that fish (or that fish is descended from a human)

#9 Hummingbird moths are night-flying insects whose behavior and appearance are similar to those of hummingbirds. Which term describes this type of evolution? A convergent evolution B divergent evolution C directional evolution D natural evolution

#10 According to Darwin, what tends to happen to the size of populations when there are natural limits to the resources in the environment? A The population size will stabilize to the available resources. B The population size will increase. C The population size will stay the same. D The population size will decrease.

Biology SOL Review Evolution Answer Key 1. C 2. C 3. A 4. D 5. C 6. A 7. D 8. B 9. A 10. A