Question 1

Alfred Wallace came to his conclusions about natural selection by studying in the Malay Archipelago.

Accepted Answer

Alfred Wallace conducted extensive fieldwork in the Malay Archipelago, studying the flora and fauna and observing the patterns of species distribution. It was during this time that he came to his conclusions about natural selection, which he shared with Charles Darwin.

Question 2

Which of the following observations is not part of natural selection as posed by Darwin?
A) Individuals within a species exhibit variation.
B) Organisms compete for available resources.
C) Individuals within a population differ in terms of reproductive success.
D) Organisms become adapted to conditions as the environment changes.
E) All of these observations are part of natural selection as posed by Darwin.

Accepted Answer

All of these observations are part of natural selection as posed by Darwin.

Question 3

Which of the following observations were made during Darwin's journey aboard the Beagle that led him to believe in evolution?
A) geological formations and species variations
B) geological formation and the fixation of species
C) artificial selection and species variation
D) All of the above are correct

Accepted Answer

Darwin observed geological formations and species variations during his journey aboard the Beagle, which contributed to his development of the theory of evolution. He noted the diversity of species and how they seemed adapted to their environments, as well as the geological changes that could influence such adaptations.

Question 4

Which of the following piece of fossil evidence was not observed during Darwin's journey aboard the Beagle?
A) fossilized remains of the Glyptodont
B) fossilized remains of a giant ground sloth
C) 13 different species of fossilized finches on the Galapagos Islands
D) fossilized marine shells in the cliffs of the Andes Mountains

Accepted Answer

Darwin did not observe 13 different species of fossilized finches on the Galapagos Islands during his journey aboard the Beagle. He observed live finches on the islands and later noted the differences in their beaks, which led to his understanding of natural selection. The fossilized remains of the Glyptodont and giant ground sloth were observed by Darwin during his journey, and he also discovered fossilized marine shells in the cliffs of the Andes Mountains.

Question 5

The chart depicts the number of amino acid differences in cytochrome C between several different organisms and humans. What conclusions can you draw from this chart?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The chart depicts the number of amino...

Question 6

Erasmus Darwin, Charles Darwin's grandfather, suggested the possibility of evolutionary descent in his writings.

Accepted Answer

Erasmus Darwin, a physician and poet, proposed the idea of evolution in his writings, including the 1794 publication "Zoonomia." His ideas likely helped influence his grandson Charles Darwin's later work on evolution.

Question 7

Which of the following misconceptions about evolution can be refuted with the molecular evidence that is being collected through DNA analysis?
A) Evolution is a theory about how life originated.
B) There are no transitional fossils.
C) Evolution is not observable or testable, thus it is not science.
D) Evolution proposes life changed as a result of random events; traits are too complex to have originated by chance alone.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following misconceptions about evolution...

Question 8

The oldest mammals were large, dinosaur-like creatures that flourished over 600 million years ago.

Accepted Answer

Mammals did not appear until after the extinction of dinosaurs approximately 65 million years ago. The oldest known mammals date back to the Mesozoic era, but they were small, shrew-like creatures.

Question 9

Once exposed to an antibiotic drug, bacteria will develop a resistance in order to survive and then pass the resistance onto subsequent generations. This is an example of Lamark's idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics suggests that traits developed during an organism's life can be passed on to its offspring. The concept of bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics and passing this resistance on fits with Lamarck's idea, even though the actual mechanism of bacterial resistance and its inheritance is more accurately explained by modern genetics and evolutionary theory.

Question 10

Overuse of antibiotics has created drug resistant "superbugs." Is this statement accurate? Explain how drug resistant strains of bacteria occur.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Overuse of antibiotics has created drug resistant...

Question 11

What is the main reason that the alternative explanations to evolution are not considered scientific?
A) The alternative explanations are not testable by the scientific method.
B) The people suggesting the alternative explanations are not scientists.
C) The scientific community is biased and will not look at any other explanation.
D) All of these are reasons why the alternative explanations are not considered scientific.

Accepted Answer

The main reason that alternative explanations to evolution are not considered scientific is because they are not testable using the scientific method. This means that they cannot be verified or falsified through empirical evidence and experimentation.

Question 12

Analogous structures serve the same function, are similarly constructed and are inherited from a common ancestor.

Accepted Answer

Analogous structures serve the same function but are not similarly constructed and are not inherited from a common ancestor; they arise due to convergent evolution.

Question 13

What was Darwin's main purpose during his time aboard the H.M.S. Beagle?
A) to serve as the ship's naturalist
B) to develop evidence that could be used to support the theory of evolution
C) to document evidence that would support the concept of Natural Selection
D) darwin was a simple sailor with not specific purpose aboard the H.M.S. Beagle

Accepted Answer

Darwin's main purpose during his time aboard the H.M.S. Beagle was to serve as the ship's naturalist. He was tasked with collecting and studying specimens of plants, animals, and fossils during the ship's voyage. The observations he made during this time would eventually lead him to develop his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Question 14

When we compare amino acid differences to estimate the evolutionary "distance" between organisms, what assumptions are being made about the rate at which mutations occur over time?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When we compare amino acid differences to...

Question 15

HIV and cancer cells are becoming more drug resistant over time.

Accepted Answer

Both HIV and cancer cells can develop drug resistance over time due to the high mutation rates in their genetic material. This can make treatment more difficult and require the use of different drugs or strategies to manage the disease.

Question 16

During a break at work you and a coworker begin discussing the topic of evolution. He indicates that he does not believe in evolution because it is just a theory about how life originated and this is in direct conflict with the beliefs he was taught during his childhood. How would you convince him that evolution is factual?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During a break at work you and...

Question 17

The distribution of species can help provide information about all of the following except
A) past geological events.
B) the movement of continents.
C) formation of volcanic islands.
D) ecological change.
E) the time period in which a species was present on Earth.

Accepted Answer

The distribution of species can provide information about past geological events, the movement of continents, formation of volcanic islands and ecological change, but it cannot provide information about the time period in which a species was present on Earth. The time period in which a species was present on Earth is determined through other methods such as radiometric dating and the fossil record.

Question 18

Which of the following features were present in the transitional species between amphibian tetrapods and the fishes?
A) fins, rounded head with eyes on the side and a neck
B) lungs, fins and scales
C) a flat head with eyes on the top, fins and scales
D) fins, simple wrist bones and expanded ribs

Accepted Answer

Transitional species between amphibian tetrapods and fishes had features such as fins, simple wrist bones, and expanded ribs. Lungs, scales and a flat head with eyes on the top are not typical features of transitional species between these two groups.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of evolution that can be observed and studied?
A) bacterial resistance to antibiotics
B) resistance of weeds to select herbicides
C) resistance of HIV to drug treatment
D) All are examples of evolution that can be observed and studied.

Accepted Answer

All of the options given involve observable changes in the genetic makeup of populations over time in response to selective pressures. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics, resistance of weeds to select herbicides, and resistance of HIV to drug treatment are all instances of evolution through natural selection that have been observed and studied.

Question 20

Marsupials are more numerous in Australia than South America because of less competition with placental mammals.

Accepted Answer

Australia has been geographically isolated for millions of years, which allowed marsupials to evolve and diversify without much competition from placental mammals. In contrast, South America was connected to North America until about 3 million years ago, allowing placental mammals to migrate and compete with marsupials. As a result, South America has far fewer marsupial species than Australia.

Quiz 15: Darwin and Evolution

Alfred Wallace came to his conclusions about natural selection by studying in the Malay Archipelago.

Which of the following observations is not part of natural selection as posed by Darwin?

Which of the following observations were made during Darwin's journey aboard the Beagle that led him to believe in evolution?

Which of the following piece of fossil evidence was not observed during Darwin's journey aboard the Beagle?

The chart depicts the number of amino acid differences in cytochrome C between several different organisms and humans. What conclusions can you draw from this chart?

Erasmus Darwin, Charles Darwin's grandfather, suggested the possibility of evolutionary descent in his writings.

Which of the following misconceptions about evolution can be refuted with the molecular evidence that is being collected through DNA analysis?

The oldest mammals were large, dinosaur-like creatures that flourished over 600 million years ago.

Once exposed to an antibiotic drug, bacteria will develop a resistance in order to survive and then pass the resistance onto subsequent generations. This is an example of Lamark's idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Overuse of antibiotics has created drug resistant "superbugs." Is this statement accurate? Explain how drug resistant strains of bacteria occur.

What is the main reason that the alternative explanations to evolution are not considered scientific?

Analogous structures serve the same function, are similarly constructed and are inherited from a common ancestor.

What was Darwin's main purpose during his time aboard the H.M.S. Beagle?

When we compare amino acid differences to estimate the evolutionary "distance" between organisms, what assumptions are being made about the rate at which mutations occur over time?

HIV and cancer cells are becoming more drug resistant over time.

The distribution of species can help provide information about all of the following except

Which of the following features were present in the transitional species between amphibian tetrapods and the fishes?

Which of the following is an example of evolution that can be observed and studied?

Marsupials are more numerous in Australia than South America because of less competition with placental mammals.