Heredity and Evolution Study Guide
NAME_________________________________
1. Understand all of the following terms and how to apply them to heredity and evolution
concepts:
trait
phenotype
natural selection
heredity
genotype
sexual reproduction
homozygous (purebred)
asexual reproduction
heterozygous (hybrid)
fossil
adaptation
gene
extinction
physical adaptation
allele
species
behavioral adaptation
dominant allele
Punnett square
acquired trait
recessive allele
evolution
inherited trait
2. List 3 human traits that can be altered by the environment (acquired) and 3 inherited.
acquired
inherited
a. weight
a. eye color
b. scars
b. hitchhiker thumb
c. athletic ability
c. dimples
3. List 3 traits inherited by Mendel’s pea plants.
a. height
b. flower color
c. pea color
4. Why is there variation in beak size and shape between the finches on the Galapagos
Islands? The beaks are adapted for the different kinds of food available and eaten.
5. What is the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations?
Physical adaptations are physical characteristics that help and organisms survive and
eventually reproduce. Behavioral adaptations are behaviors either inherited or learned
that will help and organisms survive and reproduce.
6. . List 2 physical and behavioral adaptations in animals. This one is a little off….
Physical
Behavioral
a. Camouflage coloring
a. mating rituals
b. Shape of beak
b. hibernating
7. Define common ancestor.
A species from an earlier time that are related to several other species. Evidence for this
is found through the fossil record, similarities in DNA, homologous structures and
similarities in early development.
8. What kind of evidence to fossils provide? They are a history of life in the geologic past.
9. What shows similarities among species both past and present?
a. fossil record
b. similarities in early development
c. homologous structures
d. similarities in DNA
10. Because of global warming, there is concern for Arctic fox survival. What adaptations
may help some the Arctic fox survive warmer temperatures?
(possible responses) Some may have darker fur to blend in with environments lacking
snow and ice.
Some may have less dense fur which does not trap as much heat.
Some may have a smaller body size so it doesn’t retain as much heat.
11. What can happen to a species of it doesn’t have helpful adaptations to a major change
in the environment? The species may go extinct.
12. What is the difference between a learned behavior and an inherited behavior? Which
can be passed to offspring and why?
Learned behaviors are ones an organism has gained by interacting with its environment.
Inherited behaviors are instinctive and passed on through genes. Only inherited behavior
is passed to offspring because they are genetic.
13. SpongeBob is known for his big round eyes (R), which is dominant over an oval eye
shape (r). If he is heterozygous for his round eye shape and marries a woman with oval
eye shape, what type of eyes might the kids have?
A. List the genotypes for each:
Heterozygous round eyes - __Rr_____ Oval eyes - __rr_____
B. Complete the Punnett square to show the possibilities that would
result if SpongeBob had children with an oval-eyed woman.
R
r
r
Rr
rr
r
Rr
rr
C. List the possible genotypes and phenotypes for their children. Rr round and rr oval
D. What are the chances of a child with a round eye shape? _50___%
What are the chances of a child with an oval eye shape? __50__%
14. What are 3 catastrophic events causing mass extinctions of several species?
(possibilities)
a. asteroid hit
b. volcanic eruptions/earthquakes
c. change in sea level, change in climate/temperature
15. Darwin’s Theory evolution is called natural selection and give an example. The process
by which organisms that are best adapted to their environment are most likely to survive
and reproduce. OR Organisms with adaptations for surviving their environment survive
and pass those traits on to the offspring.
Examples: finch beaks on the Galapagos Islands. The lengthening of a giraffe’s neck.
16. Why are there similarities between South American and Galapagos iguanas? What is
the reason for the differences? It’s likely the Galapagos iguanas were originally from
South America. That is why there are similarities. The differences are due to the
differences in environment. Each type of iguana has adaptations for survival where they
live.
17. What are 2 advantages to both sexual and asexual reproduction?
Sexual
Asexual
a. Genetic variation
a. no need to find a mate
b. Better chance for survival if
b. reproduce more quickly
change in environment
18. What is the genetic difference between offspring produced asexually and those
produced sexually? There is genetic variation in those produced sexually. Asexually
reproduced offspring are identical (clone) to the parent.
19. What is the purpose of inference? How do scientists use it to describe change over
time? Inferences use evidence and knowledge to come to a conclusion. Scientists use
fossilized evidence to infer what life and organisms were like in the past.
20. How might it be possible for a new species evolve from the original population? When a
group of organisms is separated from the original species, individuals with the best
adaptations will survive and pass those traits on to the next generations. Over time, the
new group may become different enough that they are no longer able to successfully
reproduce with the original population.
21. What are homologous structures? List a group of animals that have them. Explain how
homologous structures provide evidence of evolution?
Similar structures that related species have inherited from a common ancestor, but
changed over time.
A dolphin, a dog, and a seagull
If animals share homologous (similar) structures they may have evolved from a common
ancestor.
22. A farmer in Iowa and a farmer in Michigan are planting corn. How could you explain
whether differences in corn growth are because of genetics or the environment?
(Sample answer) A Michigan corn seed can be planted in Iowa and an Iowa corn seed
can be planted in Michigan. If plants grow to match the plants in the new area, the
differences are environment. If the plants grow to match plants in the original place, the
differences are genetic.