Honors Biology
Test- 120 points
Evolution
Due 5/6
EVOLUTIONS TAKE HOME TEST
Directions: Please answer Five of the following questions completely, using examples to
support your answers. Limit yourself to NO MORE THAN a half hour per questions (max.
2.5 hours). Please TYPE your answers (double-spaced 12 point font) and put them in
numerical sequence. You may not consult in any form with any other person while
doing this take-home exam. You may, however, consult our textbook, your class notes,
and your own homework. This means you may not utilize the internet. No two papers
with identical answers (or nearly identical) will be accepted. If they are the same, the
grade will be zero for BOTH individuals!
Questions 5 & 7 are REQUIRED and you may answer any three of the remaining questions.
1.
What is the difference between micro and macroevolution? Read the
attached articles from Science News and explain how each story relates to
either process.
2.
Darwin’s theory of natural selection was influenced by many individuals.
Describe how at least three different individuals provided Darwin with some
evidence to come up with the theory of evolution by natural selection.
3.
Retrace the presumed steps of chemical evolution that led to the
appearance of the first cell (origins of life)? In this discussion, please explain
the experiments throughout the 1900’s that support these theories.
4.
Explain how organisms are currently classified. Include a brief history of
classification, some problems with early classification schemes, and what sort
of evidence is being used to classify organisms today.
5.
Describe how scientists use each of the following as evidence for evolution
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
6.
comparative biochemistry
comparative anatomy
comparative embryology
vestigial structures
the fossil record
Do the following with reference to the Hardy-Weinberg model.
a. Indicate the conditions under which allelic frequencies (p and q) remain
constant from one generation to the next.
b. Calculate, showing all work, the frequencies of the alleles and the
frequencies of the genotypes in a population of 50,000 rats, of which
12,500 are white and 37,500 are black. (In rats the white color is due to a
recessive allele, w, and the black is due to a dominant all, W.)
c. If the homozygous dominant condition were to become lethal, what
would happen to the allelic and genotypic frequencies in the rabbit
population after two generations?
7.
Compare how Darwin, Lamarck, and a creationist would explain the evolution
of the modern appearance of Erethizon dorsatum.
Honors Biology
Test- 120 points
Evolution
Due 5/6
8. What is genetic drift and when is it likely to happen in nature? Provide some
real world examples of genetic drift. Be sure to explain how this can lead to
inbreeding depression and what can be done to remedy this problem.
9. What is a species? Describe the process of speciation. Include in your discussion
the factors that may contribute to the maintenance of genetic isolation and
provide examples of several isolating mechanisms.
10. What is the difference between gradualism and punctuated equilibrium in terms
of describing the process of evolution? How would a scientist who supports
gradualism explain gaps in the fossil record? How would a scientist who
supports punctuated equilibrium explain the gaps? What sort of evidence
would you need to convince you to accept gradualism rather than punctuated
equilibrium?