In the Galápagos, Darwin was able to observe a.a. completely unrelated organisms on each of the islands. b.b. most of the species of animals found in South America. c.c. similar species in somewhat different habitats. d.d. species unrelated to those found in South America.

The species of finches that Darwin found on the Galápagos Islands displayed different structural adaptations. One of the adaptations that Darwin noted was the a.a. similarities of the birds' embryos. b.b. birds' differently shaped beaks. c.c. length of the birds' necks. d.d. number of eggs in each bird's nest.

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

Darwin formulated his theory of evolution by natural selection after a.a. experimentation with animals. b.b. observations of many species and their geographical distributions. c.c. reading the writings of Wallace. d.d. agreeing with Lamarck about the driving force behind evolution.

The wings of experimental fruit flies were clipped short each generation for fifty generations. The fifty-first generation emerged with normal-length wings. This observation would tend to disprove the theory of evolution based on a.a. inheritance of mutations. b.b. inheritance of acquired characteristics. c.c. natural selection. d.d. survival of the fittest.

The economist Malthus suggested that a.a. people die faster than babies are born. b.b. babies are born faster than people die. c.c. in the 1700s, Earth was overrun by people. d.d. in the 2000s, the seas will be overrun by oysters.

Galápagos birds that Darwin thought were wrens, warblers, and blackbirds really were all a.a. wrens. b.b. finches. c.c. mockingbirds. d.d. blackbirds.

When a farmer breeds only his or her best livestock, the process involved is a.a. natural selection. b.b. artificial selection. c.c. artificial variation. d.d. survival of the fittest.

According to Darwin's theory of natural selection, individuals who survive are most likely the ones best adapted to exist in their environment. Their survival is due to the a.a. possession of structures developed through use. b.b. possession of adaptations that maximize fitness. c.c. lack of competition within the species. d.d. ability to change their genotype.

If a male bird's rate of reproduction is higher than another male's based upon the appearance of each, what process is occurring? a.a. evolution b.b. extinction c.c. inheritance of acquired characteristics d.d. selection

.An adaptation is a characteristic that can be physical or a.a. behavioral. b.b. geographical. c.c. acquired. d.d. that does not affect fitness.

When lions prey on a herd of antelope, some antelope are eliminated. Which part of Darwin's theory of evolution may be used to describe this situation? a.a. acquired characteristics b.b. reproductive isolation c.c. survival of the fittest d.d. speciation due to mutations

Darwin called the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment a.a. diversity. b.b. fitness. c.c. adaptation. d.d. evolution.

What is evolution? a.a. the increased reproductive success of the fittest individuals b.b. the diminished reproductive success of poorly adapted individuals c.c. the change in the inherited characteristics of a population d.d. the struggle for existence undergone by all living things

The observation by Darwin that finches of different species on the Galápagos Islands have many similar physical characteristics supports the conclusion that these finches a.a. have the ability to interbreed. b.b. acquired traits through use and disuse. c.c. all eat the same type of food. d.d. originated from a common ancestor.

Darwin's theory of evolution suggests that a.a. species change over time. b.b. all living things developed from fish. c.c. most plants and animals can interbreed. d.d. all dogs are more closely related to fish than to whales.

Darwin's theory of evolution is based on a.a. natural variation and natural selection. b.b. use and disuse. c.c. a tendency toward perfect organisms. d.d. transmission of acquired characteristics.

Common cells growing in similar patterns in different organisms produce a.a. homologous structures such as wings and arms. b.b. indistinguishable early embryos. c.c. vestigial organs such as reduced tails. d.d. different limb types specialized for a single function.

Interpreting Graphics According to Figure 15-3, how did overall body size change during the evolution of the horse? A.) it increased B.) it decreased C.) it remained the same

Analyzing Data According to Figure 15-3, how did the number of toes change during the evolution of the horse? A.) Increased to five B.) Decreased to one

Interpreting Graphics What differences in the bodies of the three tortoise species are apparent in Figure 15-4? A.) Differences in eyes B.) Differences in shell and necks C.) Differences in feet

Interpreting Graphics Which of the tortoises shown in Figure 15-4 has the longest neck? A.) Pinta Island B.) Isabela Island C.) Hood Island

Inferring Vegetation on Isabela Island is close to the ground. How might the location of vegetation have affected the neck and shell of the Isabela Island tortoise shown in Figure 15-4? A.) Short neck turtle would have advantage B.) Long neck turtle would have advantage C.) Mid-neck Turtle Would have advantage

Applying Concepts Which parents of the nests shown in Figure 15-5 have the potential for the greatest fitness? A.) parents of nest A B.) parents of nest B C.) parents of nest C

Inferring In which of the nests shown in Figure 15-5 might there be intense competition for food? A.) nest A B.) nest B C.)nest C

Applying Concepts Which parents of the nests shown in Figure 15-5 would suffer the greatest loss of fitness if one egg did not hatch? A.) parents of nest a B.)parents of nest B C.) parents of nest C