Biology B Exam Review

A structure that serves no purpose in an organism is called

• homologous

• dichotomous

• vestigal

• fossilized

Two organisms that are closely related would have

• a completely different DNA sequence

• very similar DNA sequence

• no proteins in common

• exactly the same DNA sequence

Scientists think that dolphins and whales may have evolved from a common ancestor. What evidence supports this hypothesis?

• They eat the same food.

• They swim the same way.

• They live in the same area of the ocean.

• They have similar anatomies.

A group of mice becomes separated by the formation of a river. Over time, the northern mice became smaller and whiter, while the southern mice became larger and browner. This is an example of

• homology

• divergence

• gigantification

• industrial melanism

Any variation that can help an organism survive in its environment is called a or an

• adaptation

• vestigal structure

• competition

• characteristic

A bird that can easily outcompete other birds for food and that can produce many offspring has a high

• fitness

• sexuality

• adaptability

• mutation rate

Which of the following statements is true regarding biological evolution?

• The rate of evolution is essentially the same for all living things.

• Both statements are true.

• Evolution is genetic change in a population from generation to generation.

Natural selection results in change over time by acting on traits that are

• mutated

• new

• better

• heritable (passed on to offspring)

Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed on to offspring?

• Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.

• Because they come from recessive alleles.

• Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.

• Because they come from dominant alleles.

In natural selection, the selective agent is the

• environment.

• humans.

• breeders.

• mutations.