Classification and Evolution STAAR

Scientists can determine relatedness among organisms by comparing partial amino acid sequences. The table shows four partial amino acid sequences from four organisms.

Which organism is the LEAST related to the other three organisms?

• Organism 1

• Organism 2

• Organism 3

• Organism 4

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

The image shows part of the humerus bone in different genera of primates.

Which statement is best supported by the observable structures of the different humerus bones?

• The primates lived in similar environments.

• The primates shared a common ancestor.

• The primates interbreed with similar organisms in a population.

• The primates had diets that consisted of similar types of foods.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Researchers studying populations of lizards from the genus Gallotia on the Canary Islands compared the protein cytochrome b in different populations. The table shows the number of differences in the cytochrome b protein between different populations.

Which conclusion about the relatedness of the lizards do these data support?

• G. atlantica and G. stehlini are the least closely related. .

• G. simonyi and G. bravoana are the most closely related.

• G. galloti eisentrauti and G. galloti palmae are the most closely related.

• G. galloti eisentrauti and G. galloti galloti are the least closely related

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The graph shows the number of taxa of reptiles whose fossilized tracks have been found.

Which statement is best supported by these data?

• Competition for food and shelter among reptile species was very low during the Triassic period.

• A great extinction occurred during the Jurassic period.

• Environmental conditions for speciation were most favorable for reptiles during the Permian period.

• Reptiles adapted to a terrestrial environment during the Cretaceous period.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram shows light- and dark-colored beetles that live on a tree.

Which result is most likely to occur to the beetle population due to predation over time?

• The number of light-colored beetles in the population will increase.

• There will be more dark-colored beetles than light-colored beetles.

• The number of light-colored beetles will decrease.

• The dark-colored beetles will move to a different type of tree.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The white cattail is a hybrid species of plant that is a result of the cross between the broad-leaved cattail and the narrow-leaved cattail. Over time, the white cattail has established itself in the wetlands of Midwestern states. Which of these explains the success of the white cattail?

• Favorable genes from parental generations provide advantageous characteristics to the hybrid species.

• Hybridization produces offspring traits that allow different species to survive in extreme environments.

• Inherited traits passed on from parental generations make hybrid species more susceptible to disease.

• Hybrid species display more adaptations due to their reduced genetic diversity.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Adaptations that result from natural selection are expected to increase the fitness of an organism. In terms of natural selection, which of the following best describes fitness?

• Being able to escape from predators

• Being among the strongest organisms in a population

• Being able to survive, find a mate, and produce offspring

• Being able to survive long enough to reach the adult stage

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Common baboons live on the savanna in breeding groups called troops. While females tend to stay with the troop, younger or less dominant males may leave to join a neighboring troop. Which of these is a likely outcome of movement by young males?

• Gene flow occurs between populations.

• Allele frequencies suddenly change.

• Relative genotypic frequencies reach a constant state.

• Intermediate phenotypes increase in the species.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The gray squirrel, Eastern fox squirrel, and red squirrel are all different species of squirrels. Why is having a scientific name for each species of an organism important?

• To prevent existing named organisms from having their names changed as they become extinct

• To keep the classification system from being altered as new organisms are discovered

• To allow organisms to be placed in many classification levels at the same time

• To standardize the naming and organization of organisms to avoid confusion

Scientists around the world use a standardized taxonomic system. Why would scientists want to use a taxonomic system that is standardized?

• In order to avoid confusion with the identification of organisms

• Because Linnaeus established the system

• So that Latin names can be applied for a practical purpose

• In order to place organisms in different groups