The Theory of Evolution
Name:______________
Part A: Multiple Choice (16 marks)

1. The process by which unrelated organisms with similar environmental demands evolve superficially similar structures is:
a. Natural selection b. Homologous c. Convergent evolution
d. Comparative anatomy

2. Structures (like molar teeth in vampire bats) which are homologous to important structures in other organisms but serve no purpose in the organism being considered are:
a. Analogous b. Mutations c. Vestigial d. Convergent

3. Boa constrictors have tiny pelvic girdles and leg bones within their bodies. Since these structures are nonfunctional, they are called:
a. Vestigial b. Analogous c. Maladaptive d. Homologue

4. The comparison of chromosomes of humans and chimpanzees indicates that:
a. Humans and chimps are very different
b. Humans and chimps are almost the same genetically
c. Humans are superior because they have more genetic information on each of their chromosomes
d. Humans are superior because they have more chromosomes

5. Natural selection is:
a. Some live and some die in each generation
b. Only the largest and strongest survive
c. Random assortment of genes results in better characteristics in the following generations
d. The best adapted individuals survive and reproduce, contributing the most to the next generation

6. Evolution is:
a. A rare event
b. Currently occurring only in scientific laboratories
c. Constantly occurring at the same rate in ALL organisms
d. An inevitable consequence of the nature of organisms

7. Charles Darwin incorporated Mendel's theories of inheritance into his own theory.
a. This is true, and they worked together. Thus, Darwin knew how genetic information was passed from one generation to the next and this was the foundation of his theory.
b. This is false.
c. This is impossible since Mendel was not born until after Darwin wrote his theory.
d. This is unknown. Darwin may have read the theory and not mentioned it in his writing.

8. Which of these is best considered the raw material of evolution?
a. Non-random mating
b. Natural selection
c. Small populations with massive migrations
d. Mutation

9. Which of these was not included in Darwin and Wallace's theory of natural selection?
a. Variability
b. High reproductive rates
c. Survival of the most fit
d. Organisms striving to become "better"

10. An extremely important observation made by Darwin while considering his collection of finches after his voyage on the Beagle, was the different type of beak found in each different species. Darwin concluded that:

1. The birds were all descendants of the same ancestral species
2. The beaks were adaptations which allowed different resources to be used
3. The beaks illustrated examples of the effect of natural selection

a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 1 & 2 e. 1, 2, & 3

11. If a population includes 250 individuals homozygous dominant (AA: red flowers), 250 individuals heterozygous for this gene (Aa: red flowers), and 125 homozygous recessive (aa: white flowers), what are the frequencies of the alleles for red and white?
a. 0.75 red, 0.25 white
b. 0.60 red, 0.40 white
c. 0.50 red, 0.50 white
d. 0.40 red, 0.60 white
e. 0.25 red, 0.75 white

12. When we use the Hardy-Weinberg equation to characterize a
population, "2pq" represents the frequency of:
a. Homozygous dominant individuals
b. Heterozygous individuals
c. Homozygous recessive individuals
d. Recessive alleles

13. Which of these is not one of the conditions of a Hardy-Weinberg population?
a. Random mating
b. Migration
c. Large population
d. No mutation

14. An example of _______ selection is the death of extremely overweight and underweight babies.
a. Disruptive
b. Directional
c. Stabilizing
d. Survival of the fittest

15. If a population becomes isolated from other populations of the same species and then genetic divergence occurs, what happens?
a. Mechanical incompatibility
b. Speciation
c. Extinction
d. Genetic drifts form

16. The punctuated equilibrium model of evolution assumes that "gaps" in the fossil record are attributed to:
a. Improbability of fossilization
b. Rapid genetic change in the population
c. Extinction
d. Climatic change

Part B: Short Answer (14 marks)

1. In a rabbit population, a reddish-brown coat is determined by a dominant allele(R) and a white coat is determined by a recessive allele(r). Analyze the following data, using the Hardy-Weinberg Law(include allele frequencies), and explain whether the population is evolving. Show all your work for full marks. (6 marks)

b. What possible assumptions(any four) are or are not being violated in the above population. Whether you think the population is evolving or not you will still provide the same answer.(4 marks)

2. Variation is important to a population's survival. Explain this statement using an example.(4 marks)

Part C: Essay (10 marks)

In a short well organized essay, state the theory of evolution and explain two lines of evidence supporting the theory of evolution.(answer on back ONLY)