Evolutionary Relationships and Mechanisms Quiz

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What is the key requirement for the process of evolution to occur?

Geographic variation in habitats

Post-zygotic barriers

Source of change (variation) (correct)

Hybrid unavailability

Which mechanism of change involves random events and genetic drift?

Artificial selection

Directional forces

Genetic drift (correct)

Natural selection

What is the main function of fossils in demonstrating common ancestry?

Prevention of decomposition via oxygen exposure

Preservation of remains via mineralization

Rapid burial of organisms

Showing connections within species through exhibited traits (correct)

Why are fossilization conditions important for the preservation of remains?

To prevent decomposition via low oxygen conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the Law of Fossil Succession used for in dating fossils?

Dating fossils according to rock layer age Signup and view all the answers

What do transitional fossils demonstrate within an evolutionary pathway?

Connections within species through exhibited traits Signup and view all the answers

What is the Founder Effect?

The establishment of a new population by a small subset of a larger population resulting in less genetic variation Signup and view all the answers

Which era is known for having 'old life' and 'squiggly, wormy life'?

Paleozoic Signup and view all the answers

During which period did dino life end due to an asteroid that killed almost everything?

Cretaceous Signup and view all the answers

What is Biological Evolution defined as?

A change in the allele frequency of a population’s gene pool over successive generations Signup and view all the answers

Which eon is characterized by Earth being a ball of hot rock with the moon in the process of forming?

Hadean Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hybrid infertility' refer to?

The inability of hybrid offspring to reproduce Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a species that is common only to a specific geographical area?

Endemic Signup and view all the answers

In cladistics, what does a clade consist of?

A node and all its descendants sharing common traits Signup and view all the answers

What does homologous structure refer to?

Structures with different functions due to adaptive radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that leads to analogous structures in distantly related species?

Convergent evolution Signup and view all the answers

How are cladograms used to represent evolutionary relationships?

By indicating the common ancestor at each branch point Signup and view all the answers

What does a speciation event represent on a cladogram?

The point where a new species forms Signup and view all the answers