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Evolution Challenge Questions #1

Write answers in YOUR CHOICE OF (DARK) COLOR. It should not be difficult to see (like this). Save in multiple places.

1. An inherited characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce is a(n):A. adaptationB. fitness

C. geneD. mutation

2. Mutations are always bad for the organism and/or offspring.A. TrueB. False

3. The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce is A. an adaptationB. fitness

C. strength D. fertility

4. Geologist(s) who found evidence that the Earth was MUCH older than 1000 years.A. Lamarck B. Darwin

C. MendelD. Hutton and Lyell

5. Scientist(s) who described evolution through inheritance of ACQUIRED traits.A. Lamarck B. Darwin

C. MendelD. Hutton and Lyell

6. Scientist(s) who described evolution through the inheritance of genetic traits that are selected by the natural environment.

A. Lamarck B. Darwin

C. MendelD. Hutton and Lyell

7. Scientist(s) who described inheritance of “factors” in predictable mathematic ratios. Described the principles of Dominance, Segregation, and Independent assortment using pea plants.

A. Lamarck B. Darwin

C. MendelD. Hutton and Lyell

8. Scientist(s) who studied the organisms of the Galapagos Islands. Published the book On the Origin of Species and described the theory of evolution by Natural Selection.

A. Lamarck B. Darwin

C. MendelD. Hutton and Lyell

9. Variation exists in nature. Some variations are more favorable than others in a given environment. The organisms with the favorable variations survive and reproduce. Later generations are genetically similar to those that survived.

A. Evolution by Artificial SelectionB. Evolution by Natural SelectionC. Evolution by inheritance of Acquired TraitsD. Survival of the Fittest E. Both B and D are correct

Names: 10. A cattle rancher wants to produce cattle with lots of muscle mass. He/she breeds two cattle with a

high percentage of muscle mass in order to accomplish the goal. This process is an example of:A. Natural SelectionB. Acquired SelectionC. Artificial Selection (also known as selective breeding). D. a yummy steak

11. Wolves

There is much evidence that Milo and all domestic dogs evolved from wolves. Some say that humans domesticated wolves on purpose to provide protection and help with work, etc. Others say that a process more similar to natural selection occurred. For example, Native Americans and wolves shared an environment. They lived near each other. Humans could easily fend off wolves because they had larger brains and weapons. Remember, different types and “temperaments” of wolves were likely to have been present. This is natural “variation” or differences that exist. In this scenario, the most “fit” wolves were the ones that:

A. feared humansB. were friendly with humans C. attacked humans D. None of the above. Wolves would have gone

extinct.

Based on your answer, consider that the most “fit” wolves survived and reproduced with one another. Future generations of wolves that lived near or with humans would be:

A. more fearful of humansB. more friendly with humansC. more violent toward humans D. None of the above. Wolves would have gone extinct.

Names: 12. Whales

Although whales do not have legs, they do have small pelvic bones. (Pelvic bones are where legs attach in vertebrates). Mammals have pelvic bones and legs, while fish do not. Whales are warm blooded, breathe through lungs, and have live young. Mammals are warm-blooded, breathe through lungs, and have live young. Fish are cold-blooded, breathe through gills, and lay eggs.

A. The whale’s pelvic bones are an example of a (homologous, vestigial, or analogous structure?)

B. The whale is most closely related to the (fish or mammals)?

C. Whales share a more recent common ancestor with (fish or mammals)?

In the question above you have decided that whales are more closely related to either fish or mammals. However, both fish and whales have a “streamlined body.” This helps them swim quickly through water. The streamlined body shape can BEST be described as a(n)

A. homologous structureB. analogous structureC. vestigial structure

13. Salmon Spawn

Salmon travel many miles to “spawn” or lay eggs. After they lay eggs, they usually die from the exhaustion of the journey or from being exposed to a new and potentially poisonous habitat. (Salmon are used to the ocean, but often spawn in fresh water).

A. The dying salmon have a (high OR low level) of fitness. B. Justify your answer in terms of the definition of fitness (HINT: remember the TWO parts of

fitness). C.

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14. Predators and Prey

A species of rabbit is the prey of the lynx (a type of wild cat). The “slow poke” type of rabbits are slower but have a coat that blends in better with the snowy environment. The “rapid rabbit” type of rabbits are faster but have a coat that stands out in the wooded environment. Both types of rabbits have equal fitness in this environment.

A. The adaptation of the “slow poke” type is:B. The adaptation of the “rapid rabbit” type is:

Global warming has been occurring for the past 15 years and has created more snowmelt in the artic. The type of rabbit with the greater fitness will be the (slow poke OR rapid rabbit)?

Poachers begin to hunt the lynx for its fur coat. The population of rabbits is expected to (increase or decrease)?

Rabbits eat grass. With the lynx being hunted, the amount of grass is expected to (increase or decrease)?

How have humans disturbed this ecosystem?

15. Finch FightsA species of finch lives on one of the Galapagos Islands. Most have beaks that are thick and good for chomping seeds. Some finches have a mutation which makes their beaks slightly longer and skinner. The seeds are becoming scarce on the Island. Competition for seeds is increasing. However, flowers are plentiful. The nectar could be a potential food source, but a thick beak will not be able to obtain it.

A. The adaptation of the birds with the thick beaks is:B. The adaptation of the birds with skinny beaks is: C. The percentage of birds with skinny beaks is expected to (increase, decrease, OR not

change?)D. The percentage of birds with thick beaks is expected to (increase, decrease, OR not change?) E. The birds with skinny beaks tend to mate with other skinny beak birds. Over many

generations, we would expect the skinny beaks to become (skinnier or thicker?). This is evolution!

F. ***Explain how these two finches could become separate species.

Names: 16. Antibiotic Resistance

The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus causes “staph” infections. A staph infection can cause symptoms ranging from minor skin infections, to “flesh-eating” infections or even death if the bacteria gets into a patient’s blood stream. Experts now know that a single-celled bacterium like Staph aureus can give rise to five billion trillion new cells in a day. That’s a LOT of mitosis!

You may have heard about MRSA? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type (strain) of staph bacteria that does not respond to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections. Methicillin is an antibiotic. The strains are “resistant” because antibiotics cannot kill them to prevent infection.

A. What is the “adaptation” of MRSA? B. The “resistant” strains of Staph have higher levels of fitness

because: C. We have learned that evolution takes time, perhaps even

billions of years. Staph and other bacteria are able to adapt at a more rapid pace because:

D. Why is it important to take ALL of an antibiotic?