Patterns of Evolution

Select the best description of the term Extinction.

• The complete disappearance of a species or group of organisms from the Earth.
• The migration of a species to a new habitat
• The process of creating new species through evolution
• The increase in population of a species

Select the best definition for Divergent Evolution.

• The process by which species remain identical over time
• The process by which a single species evolves into two or more distinct species
• The process by which two or more related species become more dissimilar over time
• The process by which two unrelated species become more similar over time

Select the best definition for Convergent Evolution.

• The process by which different species evolve similar traits or characteristics independently in response to similar environmental challenges.
• The process by which species evolve traits that are completely unrelated to each other.
• The process by which species evolve traits in response to different environmental challenges.
• The process by which species evolve identical traits due to shared ancestry.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Select the best definition of gradualism as it relates to evolution.

• Evolution happens suddenly and drastically over short periods of time.
• Evolution occurs slowly and gradually over long periods of time, with small changes accumulating over generations.
• Gradualism refers to the belief that evolution is a random and chaotic process.
• Gradualism suggests that evolution occurs in bursts of rapid change followed by long periods of stasis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Select the best definition for Punctuated Equilibrium.

• A theory in evolutionary biology suggesting species evolve in short bursts of rapid change separated by long periods of stability.
• A concept in chemistry describing the behavior of noble gases
• A hypothesis in geology proposing that earthquakes occur in predictable patterns
• A theory in physics stating that all particles have an equal and opposite reaction

Ostriches are native to the Savannahs of Africa, while penguins live in the polar regions. Although penguins and ostriches are closed related, they look very different. This is an example of:

• Divergent Evolution

• Convergent Evolution

• Coevolution

• Punctuated Equillibrum

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which type of extinction is caused by a catastrophic event?

• Mass extinction

• Gradual extinction

• Gradualism

• Punctuated equilibrium

Unrelated species evolving similar characteristics because they live in similar environments is called...

• Divergent Evolution

• Convergent Evolution

• Coevolution

• Adaptive Radiation

These structures are built the same, but do different jobs.

• Homologous

• Analogous

• Vestigial

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Structures that do the same job, but are built differently are called

• Homologous

• Analogous

• Vestigial

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2