Chapter 6 Study Guide
Answer the following questions to help you prepare for your test.
Good luck
1. _____________________ refers to the phenomenon where changes
are noticed in a species over time.
2. _____________ _________________developed the theory of
natural selection based on his observations of plants and animals on the
Galapagos’ islands. This theory supported the ideas of evolution.
7. A characteristic that enables an organism to live more successfully in
its environment is a (n) _______________.
8. The body color of a moth can vary just as height among humans can
vary. These differences between members of the same species are
known as ________________________.
9. A scientist surveyed 18 islands for animal species that live only on
each island. According to the graph, what is the distance to the mainland
of the island with the greatest number of unique animal species?
3. ________________ _____________ is a theory that explains
evolution. It relates to the phrase “survival of the fittest” because it
shows that individuals with characteristics suited to an environment will
survive and have a better chance of reproducing. Organisms without
these characteristics will not be able to reproduce and therefore will
die. (Example: giraffe neck length and pepper moths of Manchester)
4. Circle the options that provide evidence for evolution.
similarities in DNA sequences
similarities in embryos
similarities in body structure
similarities in body sizes
fossils
5. _____________ are the preserved remains or traces of an organism
that lived in the past.
10. Due to a drought in the giraffe’s habitat, only the giraffes with the
longer necks were able to get the food they needed. This meant that
giraffes with shorter necks were at a disadvantage. In order for the
giraffe species to beat extinction, should the females choose mates
with longer necks or mates with shorter necks? Explain your answer
based on what you learned
6. According to the diagram below, which layer of soil would contain the
youngest fossils?
11. When a species produces more offspring than it has resources, this
is known as ___________________.
12. If there are more organisms than resources, _____________ will
occur between members of the same species. This does not mean animals
of the same species will fight one another but simply that some will find
enough to eat while others will not.
20. Why would scientists study embryos?
13. What are the four parts of natural selection?
What features of these three embryos support
evolution?
14. Explain the term homologous structures. If two organisms have
homologous structures they have common ____________.
15. What is the difference between gradualism and punctuated
equilibrium?
16. Where are the oldest fossils found?
A. In the bottom layers of rocks.
B. In the top layers of rocks.
C. In the middle layers of rocks.
D. In museums
17. If a population cannot adapt to their changing environment, what will
eventually happen to them?
18. What are the characteristics of all primates?
19. Describe the stages of early humans: Australopithecus, Home habilis,
Homo erectus, Neanderthal, Cro- Magnon, and Home sapiens.
21. Each letter represents a chemical found in a species of bacteria.
Which species are closely related?
Chemicals present in Bacteria
Species 1
A, G, T, C, L, E, S, H
Species 2
A, G, T, C, L, D, H
Species 3
A, G, T, C, L, D, P, U, S, R, I, V
Species 4
A, G, T, C, L, D, H
22. Predict what type of bird the foot pictured at right would belong to.
Explain your choice.