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Evolutionary History EOU Assessment

Last updated over 2 years ago

9 questions

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Question 1

1.

This fossil snake and this living rat both have a structure in their skull called the quadrate bone. What best explains why both species have a quadrate bone?

The snake and rat are different species, so they must not be related. They inherited the quadrate bone structure from separate ancestor populations.

All species have their own specific body structures, so it is a coincidence that the snake and rat each happen to have the quadrate bone structure.

The snake and rat both share the same ancestor population that had a quadrate bone. They inherited this structure from the ancestor population.

It is impossible to say. Fossils are very old; therefore, we cannot make observations of the snake’s ancestors, and we cannot explain its body structures.

Question 2

2.

This fossil bird and this living salamander both have tails. However, they have different tail structures. The bird has a very short tail made of just one bone that helps it have a light skeleton for flying. The salamander has a long tail with many bones that helps it balance while it runs. What most likely explains why both the bird and salamander have tails and why the tails are different?

The salamander and bird both inherited tails from a shared ancestor population, but this population separated into different environments. In each environment, different types of tails evolved, which helped the populations survive.

It is impossible to explain the body structures of different species. The way that structures change over time is very complex, and no one has ever observed these changes occurring.

The bird and salamander are different species, so they do not share an ancestor population. These species had separate ancestor populations, and each evolved a tail that helps it survive in its environment.

All species have their own specific body structures, so it is a coincidence that the bird and salamander happen to have different types of tails.

Question 3

3.

This bandicoot, this sea lion, and this zebra have similarities and differences in their body structures. What does the information about these structures tell you about the ancestors of these species?

Sea lions and zebras share the same ancestor population, but they must not share an ancestor with bandicoots because sea lions and zebras do not have a pouch for their babies.

None share an ancestor population because different species cannot share an ancestor population. It is a coincidence that these species have some of the same body structures.

All three species share an ancestor population, but sea lions and zebras share a more recent ancestor population. This is why neither shares the pouch structure for their babies.

We cannot make observations of ancestor populations from the past. It is impossible to explain ancestors with only the information about the body structures of different species.

Question 4

4.

What does this diagram show?

All three species share a common ancestor, but the African elephant and Sumatran tiger are more closely related to each other than they are to the Norway rat.

All three species share a common ancestor, but the Sumatran tiger and Norway rat are more closely related to each other than they are to the African elephant.

The Sumatran tiger, African elephant, and Norway rat are not related and come from separate lines of evolutionary history.

All three species share a common ancestor and are equally related to each other.

Question 5

5.

The body structures for a population of green herons (a species of bird that lives near water) were stable for a long time. Then, their body structures changed to make the green herons taller. Why did this happen?

It is impossible to say without more information.

The green heron population wanted to be taller.

Their environment must have changed.

Organisms naturally become taller over time.

Question 6

6.

This echidna, this natterjack toad, and this blue tang have similarities and differences in their body structures. What does the information about these structures tell you about the ancestors of these species?

We cannot make observations of ancestor populations from the past. It is impossible to explain ancestors with only the information about the body structures of different species.

None share an ancestor population because different species cannot share an ancestor population. It is a coincidence that these species have some of the same body structures.

All three species share an ancestor population, but echidnas and natterjack toads share a more recent ancestor population. This is why they share the neck-bone structure.

Echidnas and natterjack toads share an ancestor population, but they must not share an ancestor with the blue tang because blue tangs have no neck bones.

Question 7

7.

What does this diagram show?

All three species share a common ancestor, but the bold jumping spider and Bombay locust are more closely related to each other than they are to the common octopus.

All three species share a common ancestor, but the bold jumping spider and common octopus are more closely related to each other than they are to the Bombay locust.

The three species are not related and come from separate lines of evolutionary history.

All three species share a common ancestor and are equally related to one another.

Question 8

8.

Julio is studying the evolutionary history of desert cottontail rabbits, sea otters, and grizzly bears. All three species share some body structures, but all three also have some differences in their body structures. Below is a table that includes some of the body structures Julio is studying.

How could Julio explain why all three species share some body structures and have some differences? Why do only grizzly bears and sea otters have canine teeth?

CFS:
student describes the relationship between anatomical similarities and differences in animal species
student describes the environmental difference between animal species with a common ancestor based on body structures

Question 9

9.

Xiao is studying a fossil that was recently discovered. She wants to determine whether the fossil is more closely related to the hippopotamus or the green iguana. She has information about the body structures of the three species in the table below.

Help Xiao by using the structures to determine if the new fossil is more closely related to hippopotamuses or green iguanas by completing the evolutionary tree below.