Evolution Test Review

There is lots of evidence scientists have gathered on the theory of plate tectonics over time. Why is the collection of evidence necessary for plate tectonic theory?

• A theory must be agreed upon by each scientist studying plate tectonics.

• Scientists do not understand the theory of plate tectonics, so it needs to be modified.

• A theory needs a large body of evidence to support our understanding of natural events.

• Scientists should always add more evidence to existing theories, so they cannot be disproved.

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Scientists are able to explain why the plates move on Earth's surface using seafloor spreading as evidence. Which statement below explains why this is an accepted theory?

• It states what the relationship is between the seafloor and the continents.

• It describes the movement and rate at which the plates move around on Earth.

• it explains why certain areas on Earth's surface experience earthquakes and volcanoes.

• Several geologists have been able to predict that our continents will move back together in 100 years.

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Alexis learned about the Universal Law of Gravitation which states every object is attracted to every other object with a force that is determined by their mass and distance. Why is it considered a law and not a theory?

• Everyone can observe how gravity affects an object, so it is a law.

• It uses observations and has been proven with repeated successful testing, so it is a law.

• It describes what happens in nature, appears to be without exception, and is supported by repeated successful testing, so it is a law.

• All scientists accept gravity's effect on objects as a true concept, and there is no debate about its existence or how it works, so that makes it a law.

There is a debate between scientists, after discovering and examining a fossil.  All the scientists came to a slightly different conclusion.

What steps would a scientist mostly likely take following this debate to determine a scientific conclusion?

• Compare the dinosaur fossil to dinosaur bones discovered by other scientists at a museum.

• Share their findings in order to compare them with accepted findings from the scientific community.

• Pick a scientist that studies fossils to decide which scientist came up with the best hypothesis about the fossil.

• Read a paper published by a professor at a university and base all further decisions on the evidence found in that paper.

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Below is a debate between scientists, after discovering and examining a fossil.

Marley - I believe that the bone is from a dinosaur that flew because it is hollow

Evelyn - I disagree. The bone is hollow due to the bone decomposing.

Manson - I partially agree with Marley. I believe that the bone is hollow because it is from an ancient bird.

Sheldon - Perhaps the bone is hollow because other organisms ate it.

Which of the following statements should Marley use to support her scientific explanation?

• I have shared my thoughts with other scientists who seem to agree with my explanation.

• Based on my knowledge and experience at the Natural History Museum and the age of this bone, I would argue that it belonged to a flying dinosaur.

• After reviewing our results, and comparing it to the research conducted by other scientists, the evidence supports the possibility that the bone belonged to a flying dinosaur.

• In my observation, I noticed that the bone was hollow. I remember learning in college that birds have hollow bones, and considering the age of the bone I believe that the fossil belongs to a flying dinosaur.

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Which of the following correctly defines a scientific theory?

• holds under any condition, summary of repeated experimentation, can only be used to describe a natural event

• broad explanation of a natural event, needs broad approval from many scientists, needs replicated evidence as support

• middle step of the scientific process, does not need evidence, can be established by a single scientist

• broad explanation of a natural event, holds under all circumstances, does not need evidence

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Which of the following correctly defines a scientific law?

• has some exceptions, foundation for future experimentation, can be used to explain observations about a natural event

• detailed description of what happens in a natural event, holds under given circumstances, needs repeated evidence as support

• final step of the scientific process, needs no evidence, needs broad approval from many scientists

• description of a natural event, does not need evidence, statement about specific relationships in the natural world

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A type of freshwater fish is found in caves and other underground habitats. Both the fish living on the surface and fish living in the cave belong to the same species, but unlike the surface fish, the cavefish has no eyes.

How can the survival of the cavefish population be explained?

• Cavefish were too far away from sunlight, causing problems in their development and changing their appearance.

• The surface was too bright and predators were catching them, so they adapted to be transparent in color.

• A cavefish produced offspring after having lost its eyes in an injury and this injury changed the population overtime.

• Cavefish population has survived in caves without eyes because it is an adaptation to the environment.

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Which statement below best explains how evolution by natural selection influenced the variation demonstrated by the cat family - Felidae (Tigers, Lions, Panthers)?

• Different adaptations observed in Felidae are not significant enough to be influenced by natural selection.

• Members of Felidae do not share common ancestors so each species has their own unique traits.

• Cats have not been affected by evolution because they are bred and influenced by humans.

• Different traits evolved in each species in order to adapt to the environment where they live.

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How does Natural Selection lead to the evolution of new species?

• The strongest organisms will survive long enough to pass on their genetic traits to future generations.

• The organisms that are best adapted to their environment will survive long enough to pass on the things they have learned to future generations.

• The organisms that are best adapted to their environment will survive long enough to pass on their genetic traits to future generations.

• The strongest organisms will survive long enough to pass on the things they have learned to future generations.

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