1. Fossils and genes are used to determine(1 point)

Question

Responses

how many mutations occurred in a species over time.
how many mutations occurred in a species over time.

differences between organisms.
differences between organisms.

how species will change over time.
how species will change over time.

how species interact with each other.
how species interact with each other.
Question 2
2. A common ancestor is an organism that is the(1 point)
Responses

direct ancestor of one organism.
direct ancestor of one organism.

indirect ancestor of two or more different organisms.
indirect ancestor of two or more different organisms.

indirect ancestor of one organism.
indirect ancestor of one organism.

direct ancestor of two or more different organisms.
direct ancestor of two or more different organisms.
Question 3
3. A scientist discovers a fossil of a new organism and places it in the fossil record. The fossil shows the organism had similar structures to organism X, which appears later in the fossil record. Which conclusion about the organisms is most reasonable?(1 point)
Responses

The fossils came from the same organism.
The fossils came from the same organism.

The fossils are from an organism that is an ancestor of organism X.
The fossils are from an organism that is an ancestor of organism X.

The fossils are from an organism that is a descendant of organism X.
The fossils are from an organism that is a descendant of organism X.

The fossils are from organisms that lived in the same location.
The fossils are from organisms that lived in the same location.
Question 4
4, Which group includes only bipedal animals?(1 point)
Responses

primates
primates

hominids
hominids

lesser apes
lesser apes

hominins
hominins
Question 5
5. What does the fossil record tell us about the evolution of the hominin skull?(1 point)
Responses

The face grew wider as hominins evolved.
The face grew wider as hominins evolved.

The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew larger as hominins evolved.
The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew larger as hominins evolved.

The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew more pointed as hominins evolved.
The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew more pointed as hominins evolved.

The face stuck out farther from the rest of the skull as hominins evolved.
The face stuck out farther from the rest of the skull as hominins evolved.
Question 6
6. Compared to rodents, rabbits have an extra pair of incisors and other skeletal structures that are different. They also have some features that are similar. What can scientists conclude from this observation?(1 point)
Responses

Rodents and rabbits share a common ancestor.
Rodents and rabbits share a common ancestor.

Rabbits evolved from a species of rodent.
Rabbits evolved from a species of rodent.

Rodents and rabbits evolved from different mammal ancestors and lack a common ancestor.
Rodents and rabbits evolved from different mammal ancestors and lack a common ancestor.

Rabbit teeth are better than rodent teeth.
Rabbit teeth are better than rodent teeth.
Question 7
7. Humans, mice, and giraffes have seven vertebrae in their necks. What can scientists conclude from this observation?(1 point)
Responses

These animals descended from a common ancestor.
These animals descended from a common ancestor.

Each animal independently evolved this trait.
Each animal independently evolved this trait.

All vertebrates have seven vertebrae in their necks.
All vertebrates have seven vertebrae in their necks.

Humans, mice, and giraffes have the same number of bones.
Humans, mice, and giraffes have the same number of bones.
Question 8
8. Archaeopteryx is considered to be a transitional form between dinosaurs and birds. Which of the following is a trait that is unique to both Archaeopteryx and modern birds? (1 point)
Responses

teeth
teeth

claws
claws

feathers
feathers

wings
wings
Question 9
9. Which pattern emerged in horse evolution as scientists studied early horse fossils and modern horse bones?(1 point)
Responses

The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone.
The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone.

Early and intermediate horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), and modern horses have three foot bones (two small and one large)
Early and intermediate horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), and modern horses have three foot bones (two small and one large)

Early and intermediate horses had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
Early and intermediate horses had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).

The earliest horses had a single large foot bone, intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
The earliest horses had a single large foot bone, intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
Question 10
10. Listed below are characteristics that serve as evidence of shared ancestry between fish and reptiles. Select the option that applies only to embryos rather than adults.(1 point)
Responses

hatch from and lay eggs
hatch from and lay eggs

spines and tails
spines and tails

gill slits that turn into gills
gill slits that turn into gills

scales as a form of skin
scales as a form of skin
Question 11
11. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals have similar embryos.
They all start with gill slits. Fish and some amphibians grow to have gills. Some amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals develop lungs to breathe air.
They all start with tails. Fish, some amphibians, reptiles, and birds grow tails. Humans do not keep their tails.
Fish and reptiles develop scales. Amphibians, birds, and humans have skin. Birds have feathers, and humans have hair.

Which two animals exhibit the most linear relationship?(1 point)
Responses

amphibians and reptiles
amphibians and reptiles

birds and reptiles
birds and reptiles

amphibians and fish
amphibians and fish

birds and humans
birds and humans
Question 12
12. Which evidence supports the theory that fish and mammals evolved from the same ancestor? (1 point)
Responses

They both produce egg and sperm cells that must join in fertilization.
They both produce egg and sperm cells that must join in fertilization.

Their embryos share features in the early stages of development.
Their embryos share features in the early stages of development.

They both emerge from fertilized eggs.
They both emerge from fertilized eggs.

Their embryos share features in the late stages of development.
Their embryos share features in the late stages of development.
Question 13
13. Which pattern is evidence that reptiles and amphibians share the same ancestor? (1 point)
Responses

They have similar skin
They have similar skin

They have backbones.
They have backbones.

They have eyes.
They have eyes.

They have legs.
They have legs.
Question 14
14. Which of the following best explains how the fossil record provides evidence for natural selection?(1 point)
Responses

Fossils show that species have always been the same and never change.
Fossils show that species have always been the same and never change.

Fossils help us see how species change over time, showing that traits which help survival tend to appear more frequently.
Fossils help us see how species change over time, showing that traits which help survival tend to appear more frequently.

Fossils prove that all species evolved at the same time.
Fossils prove that all species evolved at the same time.

Fossils show that animals adapt by randomly changing their traits without any specific reason.

Answer 1

Here are the answers to the questions provided:

1. Fossils and genes are used to determine

   • differences between organisms.

2. A common ancestor is an organism that is the

   • indirect ancestor of two or more different organisms.

3. A scientist discovers a fossil of a new organism and places it in the fossil record. The fossil shows the organism had similar structures to organism X, which appears later in the fossil record. Which conclusion about the organisms is most reasonable?

   • The fossils are from an organism that is an ancestor of organism X.

4. Which group includes only bipedal animals?

   • hominins.

5. What does the fossil record tell us about the evolution of the hominin skull?

   • The part of the skull surrounding the brain grew larger as hominins evolved.

6. Compared to rodents, rabbits have an extra pair of incisors and other skeletal structures that are different. They also have some features that are similar. What can scientists conclude from this observation?

   • Rodents and rabbits share a common ancestor.

7. Humans, mice, and giraffes have seven vertebrae in their necks. What can scientists conclude from this observation?

   • These animals descended from a common ancestor.

8. Archaeopteryx is considered to be a transitional form between dinosaurs and birds. Which of the following is a trait that is unique to both Archaeopteryx and modern birds?

   • feathers.

9. Which pattern emerged in horse evolution as scientists studied early horse fossils and modern horse bones?

   • The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone.

10. Listed below are characteristics that serve as evidence of shared ancestry between fish and reptiles. Select the option that applies only to embryos rather than adults.

    • gill slits that turn into gills.

11. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals have similar embryos. They all start with gill slits... Which two animals exhibit the most linear relationship?

    • birds and reptiles.

12. Which evidence supports the theory that fish and mammals evolved from the same ancestor?

    • Their embryos share features in the early stages of development.

13. Which pattern is evidence that reptiles and amphibians share the same ancestor?

    • They have similar skin.

14. Which of the following best explains how the fossil record provides evidence for natural selection?

    • Fossils help us see how species change over time, showing that traits which help survival tend to appear more frequently.

These answers reflect the principles of evolutionary biology and the importance of fossil evidence in understanding the relationships among different species.