Natural Selection B03

The pattern seen in embryonic development can be useful to identify relationships among organisms. Select the three that apply.

• These patterns may provide evidence that the organisms share a common ancestor.

• Comparing the development of embryos reveals similar patterns and characteristics.

• All start with a tail that grows smaller in size over time.

• These patterns may provide evidence that the organisms share a common ancestor.

• Comparative embryology is not used in supporting evolutionary relationships since patterns are easily seen in the adult form.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Study the characteristic facial features of the finches. Which statement is most likely true about the Galapagos Island finch.

• The different beaks are the result of adaptations to the amount of food available: the more food, the larger the beak.

• The different beaks are not related to the food they eat but to the length of the finch's life.

• The different beaks are the result of adaptations to eating certain kinds of foods on the island.

• The different beaks are not related to the food they eat but to the season.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A few years ago, paleontologists found a skull fossil that provides evidence of a newly discovered species of big cat. Based on the evidence, the paleontologists hypothesize that big cats have an ancestor that was a small cat and lived 7 million years ago. Which of these resources did these paleontologists most likely rely on to form their hypothesis.

• The historical record of interactions between different species of big cats.

• A food web showing how the cats ate in the environment where the scientists found the skull.

• Population data for small wild cats living where the skull was found.

• The fossil record comparing the bone structures of the big cats and fossilized small cats.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The bones in the whale flipper and human arm are similarly arranged, as shown in the diagram. Which statement BEST explains the similarity in the arrangement of bones in these two structures.

• Humans and whales inherited these structures from a common ancestor.

• The bones of all animals are similarly arranged.

• The bones of animals that take in oxygen are similarly arranged.

• Humans and whales use these structures to perform the same functions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

There are three genotypes in a population of animals: AA, Aa, aa. The bar graph shows the number of types each genotype occurs in a population during the first and fifth generations of a population study.

• The Homozygous Recessive trait is a disadvantage in this population so its frequency decreases over time.

• The Heterozygous Dominant trait is an advantage in this population so its frequency decreases over time.

• The Homozygous Recessive trait is an advantage in this population so its frequency increases over time.

• The Homozygous Dominant trait is a disadvantage in this population so its frequency increases over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A giant fossil whale, that lived 36 million years ago, was discovered in Peru and has important biological similarities to and differences from whales that are alive today. Which of the following statements is true regarding the whale fossil?

• Every organism that dies becomes a fossil.

• All parts of an animal become fossilized, including the bones, organs, beaks, etc.

• Fossils from long ago help us analyze data about animals that are living today.

• Fossilization is more likely to occur under water rather than forests

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2