BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION TAKS QUESTIONS
Spring 2003 – 11
(53) The table shows a comparison of some amino acids found in cytochrome c. The two
organisms in the table that are most closely related are —
A Q and T
B R and S
C* Q and R
D Q and S
April 2004 - 11
(21) The table shows an amino acid comparison of cytochrome c, a protein involved in
cellular respiration in aerobic organisms. The two organisms in the table that are least
genetically related are the —
A silkworm moth and the fruit fly
B* silkworm moth and the screwworm fly
C fruit fly and the screwworm fly
D fruit fly and the hornworm moth
July 2004 – 11
52 The diagram illustrates how some characteristics of the horse have changed over time. Along
with the difference in size, what is another anatomical difference between the modern horse and
its ancestors?
F The structure of the tooth has been adapted for eating meat.
G The size of the molars has decreased.
H The length of the forefoot has decreased.
J* The number of toes has decreased.
October 2005 – 11
16 Which statement is best supported by the information above?
F Barnacles develop within the whale uterus.
G* Whales descended from ancestors with hair.
H Fluid inside the uterus is colder than seawater.
J Adult whales will possess more hair in the future.
Fall 2005 - 11
55 According to these anatomical structures, which two animals are probably most closely
related?
A Ape and bat
B Bat and bird
C Bird and cat
D* Cat and wolf
February 2006 - 11
53 Birds and reptiles are similar in that they are vertebrates and lay eggs. They differ in
that reptiles have teeth and birds have beaks. Some birds do possess teeth. However,
these teeth are present only in the embryonic stage. Which conclusion is best supported
by the presence of teeth in bird embryos?
A* Birds and reptiles share a common ancestor.
B Modern reptiles are the ancestors of modern birds.
C Birds and reptiles eat similar types of food.
D Ancestors of reptiles had beaks similar to those of birds.
July 2006
54 Which conclusion is best supported by the information in the diagram?
F Volcanic eruptions were common in the area.
G* The area was once a marine environment.
H Organisms in the area reproduced frequently.
J Consumers once outnumbered producers in the area.
Spring 2003 – 10
(24) Which of the following is most likely to cause increases in a predator population?
F Fewer prey
G* A reduction in competition
H More parasites
J A period of drought
Spring 2003 – 11
(2) Because of this animal’s adaptations, it would be most successful at —
F competing with birds
G making its own food
H* hiding from predators
J running very rapidly
April 2004 – 10
(12) The maps below show the geographic ranges of four species of the order
Lagomorpha, which includes rabbits and hares. In which range would developing white
fur in winter most likely not be an advantage for a member of this order? Answer: J
April 2004 – 11
(15) Which of these conclusions can be made based on the graphs shown above?
A Larger mosquitoes have migrated into the area.
B Smaller mosquitoes are being eaten by larger mosquitoes.
C* A mosquito length of 2 cm has become a disadvantage in this environment.
D Mosquitoes with a body length of 3 cm have the longest life span.
July 2004 – 11
2 Some bacteria thrive in hostile environments, such as salt flats, boiling-hot springs, and
carbonate-rock interiors, primarily because of bacteria’s —
F* biochemical diversity
G small sizes
H round shapes
J methods of movement
October 2005 – 11
2 Which of the following best explains how the milkweed bug’s coloration helps it avoid
being eaten by birds?
F Birds become confused by the bug’s coloration, so the bug has time to escape.
G* Birds associate the bug’s coloration with its bad taste and avoid eating it.
H Birds are unable to locate the bug’s head, so the bug can escape.
J Birds cannot locate the bug because it appears to be part of the plant.
Fall 2005 – 11
32 Two competing species can thrive in the same community if they have –
F the same habitat
G* different niches
H similar diets
J different life spans
Fall 2005 – 11
34 The diagram shows relationships of selected species over time. According to this
information, which of these species is expected to have the greatest phenotypic difference
form the ancestral species?
F Species Q
G Species R
H Species T
J* Species U
February 2006 – 11
30 The model shows a demonstration a student prepared using black and white marbles to show how
populations of organisms can change. Which of the following concepts is best illustrated by this
demonstration?
F Evolution of a predatory species
G* Genetic drift accompanying natural selection
H Environmentally induced genetic mutations
J Immunity from virulent microorganisms
April 2006 – 10
8 A man treated his home with a pesticide that kills roaches. The first application of the
pesticide killed 92% of the roaches. Two months later he applied the pesticide to his
home again, but the second application killed only 65% of the roaches. What would best
explain the decrease in the effectiveness of the pesticide?
F The pesticide is effective only against mature roaches.
G Once roaches learned how to fight the pesticide, they taught others.
H* The surviving roaches were naturally resistant to the pesticide, and that
resistance was inherited by their offspring.
J The pesticide caused some of the roaches’ digestive systems to mutate and
metabolize the pesticide.
April 2002 - 10
48 The guppy is a species of small freshwater fish. Scientists observed that the average
size of guppies in a pond decreased over a few years after a guppy predator was
introduced into the pond. Which of the following best explains the change in guppy size?
F Speciation
G Convergent evolution
H Inbreeding
J* Natural selection
April 2006 – 11
44 Which of the following explains this phenomenon?
F Competition
G Extinction
H Predation
J* Speciation
April 2006 – 11
54 The myxoma virus was used to control an overpopulation of European rabbits in
Australia. When first introduced in the mid-1900s, the virus greatly reduced the European
rabbit population. Today the virus is not an effective control of the European rabbit
population. Fewer European rabbits are affected by the virus today because they have —
F learned to avoid the virus
G moved away from infected areas
H undergone a change in diet
J* developed resistance to the virus
July 2006
4 Which
of the following is best supported by the information shown above?
F* These lizards evolved in arid habitats.
G Modern lizards drink more water than their ancestors did.
H These lizards cool themselves by evaporation.
J Modern lizards excrete more water than their ancestors did.