Domain 4 Evolution EOC

The scientific theory of evolution is supported by different types of evidence. The diagrams above show the skeletons of two different animal species. How does comparing the skeletons of these animals provide support for the scientific theory of evolution?

When Darwin first proposed his theory of evolution by natural selection, the field of genetics did not yet exist. In what way does genetic science now contribute to the study of evolution?

The diagram above illustrates an embryonic stage of two organisms. Using the diagram as evidence, which of the following conclusions is best supported?

A small population of chimpanzees lives in a habitat that undergoes no changes for a long period. How will genetic drift probably affect this population?

Theodosius Dobzhansky discovered that successful species tend to have a wide variety of genes that do not appear to be useful to the species in its present environment. What did this discovery help explain about genetics and the changes that occur in a species over time?

The pictures above show similarities among the forelimbs of three mammals. These similarities provide evidence in support of which of the following hypotheses?

How does drug resistance evolve in bacteria?

A population of crabs living on a sandy beach exhibits three colors: dark brown, light brown, and speckled, as shown above. The genotypes for these colors are BB for dark brown, bb for light brown, and Bb for speckled. The speckled color blends in extremely well with the color of the sand on the beach. The pattern appears to provide the speckled crabs with some protection from predatory birds.

Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the information above?

Genetic drift states that the random effects of everyday life can cause differences in the survival and reproduction of individuals. What is one effect of genetic drift on evolution?

A mutation may make no difference to an individual. Even if the mutation results in a nonfunctional protein, the body’s cell may have a functional copy of the gene as its second allele. This new nonfunctioning version could be passed on as a recessive allele. This kind of mutation is the probable origin of many recessive disorders. Heterozygous carriers have the opportunity to carry the trait undetected and potentially pass it to their offspring. However, only characteristics that are expressed can be targets of natural selection. Therefore, natural selection will only target homozygous recessive organisms that would be unlikely to reproduce.

What does this explain?

Scientists studied a species of phytoplankton. These phytoplankton are an important part of marine food webs and are major primary producers. As all organisms are regulated by their environment, so are the phytoplankton. The scientists looked at the relationship between the populaton of the phytoplankton and viruses found in the same environment. They created three environments in a laboratory setting to collect data on the numbers of phytopankton and viruses over a period of time and graphed the results once they were averaged, as shown on this chart.

The scientists claimed that the growth and stability of the phytoplankton populations were affected by the viruses. Using the information given, which TWO arguments support this claim? (Select TWO choices.)

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are found throughout eastern North America. They are omnivores, feeding on nectar, pollen, tree sap, insects, and spiders. They get all the water they need from nectar. Most nests are in forested areas, citrus groves, marshes, and scrubland. The hummingbirds breed in the spring and the summer, and females raise one to three broods per breeding season. Most of the hummingbirds migrate to Mexico or Central America for the winter. Many fly nonstop for 20 hours to cross the Gulf of Mexico. However, increasing numbers of the hummingbirds have begun to winter north of the gulf. Researchers have documented that the hummingbirds’ winter range has expanded northward by about 300 kilometers in recent years.

Which explanation BEST predicts the ability of the hummingbirds to survive their first winter in this new environment?

Today, the common type of banana we buy and eat is a Cavendish banana. They arose from chance mutants that were produced sexually from wild banana plants. The Cavendish banana is infertile and can only be produced by cloning from root shoots. Large commercial growers worldwide now plant only the mutant type. Some information about both types of banana is recorded in the table.

Why are scientists warning that exclusively growing this mutant type by asexual reproduction presents a serious disadvantage?

Geographic isolation caused the separation of rainforest frog populations into a population in the north and a population in the south. The separated populations later reconnected because the climate became wetter and warmer, causing the rainforest to expand. When males from the north mated with females from the south, the offspring failed to develop past the tadpole stage. When males from the south mated with females from the north, the offspring developed more slowly than the offspring of pairs of northern frogs. Based on these data, which event occurred while the two populations of frogs were separated?

The ribosome of the bacterium E. coli includes the ribosomal protein L4 (rpl4). The rpl4 gene carries the instructions for making rpl4 protein. Which of the following arguments provides support for the claim that E. coli has a common ancestor with all other organisms?