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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. adaptation
C. gene
B. fitness
D. mutation
2. Mutations are always bad for the organism and/or offspring.
A. True
B. False
3. The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce is
A. an adaptation
B. fitness
C. strength
D. fertility
4. Geologist(s) who found evidence that the Earth was MUCH older than 1000 years.
A. Lamarck
C. Mendel
B. Darwin
D. Hutton and Lyell
5. Scientist(s) who described evolution through inheritance of ACQUIRED traits.
A. Lamarck
C. Mendel
B. Darwin
D. Hutton and Lyell
6. Scientist(s) who described evolution through the inheritance of genetic traits that are selected by
the natural environment.
A. Lamarck
C. Mendel
B. Darwin
D. 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
C. Mendel
B. Darwin
D. 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
C. Mendel
B. Darwin
D. 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 Selection
B. Evolution by Natural Selection
C. Evolution by inheritance of Acquired Traits
D. Survival of the Fittest
E. Both B and D are correct
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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 Selection
B. Acquired Selection
C. 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 humans
B. 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 humans
B. more friendly with humans
C. more violent toward humans
D. None of the above. Wolves would have gone extinct.
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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 coldblooded, 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 structure
B. analogous structure
C. 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).
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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 Fights
A 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.
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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 singlecelled 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?