Practice: Evidence of Evolution

The fossil record help scientists

• better understand the kinds of organisms that lived in the past

• better understand how the environment has changed over time

• better understand how organisms have evolved over time

• all of the above

Some organisms have features that have different functions, but similar structures. One example is the forelimb of humans, dogs, birds, and whales. What term describes these structures?

• Analogous.

• Embryological.

• Homologous.

• Vestigial.

Whales are aquatic mammals that contain a pelvis bone. The pelvis is not thought to aid in the whale’s movement but may have been used by a common ancestor. Thus, the pelvis is referred to as a(n)

• vestigial structure

• analogous structure

• homologous structure

• Fossil structure

Which of the following would best determine whether two plant species share a recent common ancestor?

• Flowering times

• DNA sequences

• Stem lengths

• Habitat distribution

A scientist compares DNA taken from a common ancestor and three different living species, as shown in the diagram at the right. Which of the following statements best describes the results?

• Species 1 and 3 may share a recent common ancestor.

• Species 1 and Species 3 are exactly the same.

• Species 3 and Species 4 can interbreed.

• Species 2 evolved from Species 4.

How does embryology support the Theory of Evolution?

• It shows that animals change over time

• It shows that plants change over time

• It shows that various species may have had a common ancestor.

• It shows that all embryos are the same.

The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct?

• Fossil A and C are the same age

• Fossil B is older than fossil C

• Fossil A is older than fossil B

• Fossil D is older than fossil C