Module 5 Regular Exam
Answer Key
Question 1 (Worth 2 points)
(05.01 LC)
Giraffes use their extremely long necks to reach the leaves high up on acacia trees, which other
animals can not reach, giving them a food source for which they have few competitors. What can
you conclude about natural selection from this observation?
Giraffe necks get longer over a lifetime of stretching, and their offspring inherit the longer
necks of their parents.
All giraffes are born with short necks and, eating acacia leaves causes them to stretch over a
lifetime.
Other animals will mimic the giraffe and grow longer necks.
The giraffes with the longest necks survive and produce offspring.
Points earned on this question: 0
Question 2 (Worth 2 points)
(05.03 MC)
Over millions of years, hominid species learned to use and create tools that became more
complex over time. They eventually shaped stone into knives used for cutting, and they
harnessed fire for light, heat, and cooking food. Which of the following best explains what effect
this had on hominid evolution?
Hominid tooth size decreased as they relied on cooked foods and tools for cutting.
Hominid brain size decreased as life became easier with the advent of tools.
Hominid hands developed smaller thumbs as they developed finer tools.
Hominid front limbs became longer in proportion to the rest of their body.
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 3 (Worth 2 points)
(05.01 MC)
How might a comparison of the anatomy of two closely related animals such as lizards and
snakes provide information about their evolutionary history?
A greater number of shared traits would mean they recently diverged from a common
ancestor.
The anatomical differences between them would indicate which evolved from the other.
Physical traits shared between them would explain how they evolved in parallel, without
relation.
Shared traits would indicate they must have a close relative in common.
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 4 (Worth 2 points)
(05.02 MC)
Coral snakes are brightly colored highly venomous snakes with red, yellow, and black bands
along their bodies. Another species of snake, called the scarlet king snake, has similar bands of
red, black, and yellow. Which of the following describes the conditions that resulted in a large
population of king snakes with these types of markings?
King snakes and coral snakes relied on similar food sources that contributed to their unique
coloring.
Since king snakes with these markings were avoided by predators, they were able to survive
to pass on this trait to offspring.
Coral snakes mated with king snakes often enough to produce another species of king snake
with the red, black, and yellow.
Overproduction of offspring increased the likelihood that the genetic mutation leading to
these bands would spontaneously occur.
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 5 (Worth 2 points)
(05.02 HC)
Guppies living in a stream have a variety of spot patterns, some of which provide good
camouflage against the stones in the streambed and others of which make them stand out against
the background, allowing potential mates to see them more easily. If a predator that hunted by
sight were introduced to the stream, what would be the most likely long-term consequence for
the guppy population?
The number of guppies in the population would decline, although most of the remaining
ones would be uncamouflaged.
The guppy population would devise a mutation that allowed the camouflaged guppies to
find mates by scent or sound.
The guppy population would die out since none of the guppies would be able to find mates.
The number of camouflaged guppies in the population would increase while the number of
successful matings decreased.
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 6 (Worth 2 points)
(05.02 MC)
The following observations have been made about moose living in the northeastern forests of the
United States.
1. Male moose grow very broad antlers each year and lose them after the mating season in
autumn.
2. Large, heavy antlers can make escaping predators in a forest difficult if the trees grow
closely together or if the underbrush is thick.
3. Female moose do not develop antlers.
4. Female moose raise their calves alone without the assistance of males.
What is the most likely inference that can be drawn from these observations?
Having antlers makes the males grow bigger so they can better compete for food in the fall.
Antlers make a male moose more likely to attract a mate and pass on the gene for antlers.
Male moose spend all their excess energy growing antlers and cannot help raise offspring.
Male moose without antlers are more attractive to females because they can escape
predators.
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 7 (Worth 2 points)
(05.01 MC)
Organism A shares 50% of its DNA sequences with organism B, while organisms B and C share
90% of their DNA sequences. What can be concluded from this?
Organisms B and C are probably full siblings while organism A is a grandparent of both.
Organism A is more ancient than either organism B or organism C.
Organisms B and C are more closely related to each other than they are to organism A.
Organism A has suffered more mutations than organisms B or C.
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 8 (Worth 2 points)
(05.03 MC)
Using your knowledge of hominid evolution, which of the following correctly associates the
given brain capacities with the hominid species in the table in order from smallest to largest?
Species
Time period
Tool use
A. afarensis
A. africanus
H. habilis
H. neanderthalensis
(millions of years ago)
3.6–2.8
3.0–2.4
2–1.5
0.13–0.035
Possible tool use
Possible tool use
Simple stone tools
Complex stone tools
H. neanderthalensis, H. habilis, A. africanus, A. afarensis
A. afarensis, A. africanus, H. habilis, H. neanderthalensis
A. afarensis, A. africanus, H. neanderthalensis, H. habilis
H. habilis, A. afarensis, A. africanus, H. neanderthalensis
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 9 (Worth 2 points)
(05.01 MC)
Darwin noticed differences in the beak shapes of finches on the various islands of the Galapagos
and surmised that they all might have evolved from a common ancestor on the mainland. If
Darwin had known about molecular biology, a field of study that did not exist at the time he
lived, how might he have used it to test his hypothesis?
He could have done DNA tests on the birds to see how closely they were related.
He could have checked to see if they shared similar cellular structures indicating their
common ancestry.
He could have used modern tools to make more accurate measurements of beak shape and
size.
He could have genetically engineered finches with extreme beak shapes to see how they
survived.
Points earned on this question: 0
Question 10 (Worth 2 points)
(05.01 MC)
Based on fossilized evidence, there are scientific claims made about the evolution of certain
species. If a scientist studying the fossils of a specific species had a hypothesis other than what
was currently accepted, what steps should be taken to have the alternative hypothesis
considered?
Since the original hypothesis is untestable given the circumstances, another one is more
likely to be correct.
If an alternative hypothesis sounds plausible it could be used in place of the original
hypothesis.
The scientist should publish the alternative hypothesis in a popular magazine to gain public
support.
It is useful to test alternative hypotheses and know that they are incorrect.
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 11 (Worth 2 points)
(05.03 LC)
A scientist makes a discovery that suggests a hominid species created and used relatively
sophisticated tools. The scientist decides to publish his findings. Which of the following sources
would be regarded as the most reliable?
A scientific magazine article
A college or university website
A film on anthropology
A journal reviewed by peers
Points earned on this question: 2
Question 12 (Worth 2 points)
(05.03 MC)
Scientific evidence indicates that Homo erectus were the first hominids to leave Africa. Which of
the following would make this conclusion incorrect?
DNA analysis showing Homo erectus and modern humans did not have a common
evolutionary ancestor
An archaeological dig finding fossil remains of Australopithecus Africanus in Europe and
Asia
Finding tools used by Homo erectus in continents other than Africa
A discovery of fossils of Homo erectus showing that they walked upright
Points earned on this question: 0