Chapter 19:
Changes in Species
Practice Test
1.
What is the most significant molecular homology providing evidence for evolution?
a.
nucleotide sequences of homologous genes
b.
pseudogenes
c.
DNA
d.
amino acid sequences of proteins
Hint
2.
Why is the fossil record incomplete ?
a.
Most organisms are eaten and digested so they leave no body parts to become fossils.
b.
Most organisms decay after they die and do not become fossils.
c.
Most organisms live a very long time, so fossils are formed only rarely when they die.
d.
Many organisms die in the ocean and their remains pile up on the ocean bottom.
Hint
3.
Suppose a bird species can be found in two different habitats. On observation, it appears that the population living in a swamp doesn't crossbreed with the population living on a brushy slope. What is this an example of?
a.
polyploidy
b.
behavioral isolation
c.
ecological isolation
d.
geographical isolation
Hint
4.
What are short repeated nucleotide sequences that act as genetic switches?
a.
stop codons
b.
analogies
c.
pseudogenes
d.
microsatellites
Hint
5.
A leopard frog from Massachusetts can mate with one from Oklahoma. A leopard frog from Oklahoma can mate with one from Arizona. But a leopard frog from Massachusetts doesn't recognize a leopard frog from Arizona as a potential mate. What is this an example of?
a.
polyploidy
b.
ecological isolation
c.
behavioral isolation
d.
geographical isolation
Hint
6.
Which of the following organisms has remained in stasis for millions of years?
a.
Kaibab squirrel
b.
passenger pigeon
c.
leopard frog
d.
horseshoe crab
Hint
7.
What are single-celled photosynthetic organisms that have hard, glassy shells?
a.
diatoms
b.
rotifers
c.
archaebacteria
d.
cyanobacteria
Hint
8.
Extinctions occur much faster today than in the past. What is the cause of this increase in extinction rate?
a.
appearance of Sun spots
b.
volcanic eruptions
c.
plate tectonics
d.
human activities
Hint
9.
Which of these is NOT a way in which fossils form?
a.
insect trapped in amber
b.
wood burned in a fire
c.
diatoms shells preserved in rock
d.
dinosaur footprints pressed into mud
Hint
10.
What element found in sediments provides evidence that an asteroid or comet hit Earth 65 million years ago?
a.
iridium
b.
radium
c.
uranium
d.
plutonium
Hint
