The Evolution Quiz

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What is the theory of evolution?

The theory of evolution explains that species living today are descendants of species from long ago.

How did Charles Darwin describe evolution?

Charles Darwin described evolution as descent with modification.

How does evolution occur?

Evolution occurs on a large scale over a very long time.

How are you a descendant of your parents?

You are a descendant of your parents, but in a modified version. Signup and view all the answers

What is a scientific theory?

A scientific theory explains natural phenomena and has been repeatedly confirmed through experiments and observations. Signup and view all the answers

Why is evolution considered a scientific theory?

Evolution is considered a scientific theory because it has been studied, tested, and supported by multiple sources of evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the field of paleontology?

The field of paleontology is the study of prehistoric life, including fossils, footprints, and past climatic events. Signup and view all the answers

How does the fossil record support evolution?

The fossil record shows the sequence of historical changes in organisms, providing visual evidence of how organisms evolved over time. Signup and view all the answers

What does radiometric dating help determine?

Radiometric dating helps determine the age of rock and fossils. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the fossil record important to the support and understanding of evolution?

The fossil record provides tangible evidence of the historical changes in organisms, supporting the theory of evolution. Signup and view all the answers

What is one piece of evidence that supports the idea that whales and dolphins evolved from four-legged land animals?

The body structure of whales and dolphins, which includes flippers in the front that may have evolved from front legs and small, internal back limbs that likely evolved from legs once used on land. Signup and view all the answers

What is biogeography and how does it support the theory of evolution?

Biogeography is the study of how species are distributed across Earth. It supports the theory of evolution by suggesting that species evolve from a common ancestor. Charles Darwin observed that animals on the Galapagos Islands were similar to those on the South American mainland but dissimilar to animals on other islands with similar environments. From this, he concluded that the animals on the Galapagos had migrated from South America and evolved into new species as they adapted to their new environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is homology and how does it provide evidence for evolution?

Homology is the similarity in characteristics between organisms that come from a common ancestor. It provides evidence for evolution by showing that organisms that are related to each other have similar features. For example, humans, dogs, whales, and bats all have the same skeletal elements in their forelimbs, suggesting a common ancestor with a similar structure. Signup and view all the answers

How does embryology provide evidence for evolution?

Embryology, the study of embryos, provides evidence for evolution by showing that many organisms share similar structures that are only present during development. These similarities suggest a shared common ancestor long ago. For example, all vertebrate embryos have a tail at some point during their development, even though adult humans do not have tails. Signup and view all the answers

What is molecular biology and how does it provide evidence for evolution?

Molecular biology uses biological change at the molecular level, specifically DNA homology, to describe the evolution of organisms. Organisms that inherited their DNA from a common ancestor will have similar DNA. The degree of difference in DNA can tell us how closely related organisms are and how long ago they shared a common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

Why is molecular biology particularly useful for studying the relationship between distantly related organisms?

Molecular biology is useful for studying the relationship between distantly related organisms because the relationship may be difficult to link with anatomy. By comparing DNA, which is inherited from a common ancestor, biologists can determine how closely related organisms are. Signup and view all the answers

What does the study of biogeography suggest about the distribution of species?

The study of biogeography suggests that species are distributed across Earth based on their evolutionary history. Similar environments on different continents may have different species because the populations on each continent evolved independently from a common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

What did Charles Darwin observe on the Galapagos Islands that led him to propose the theory of evolution?

Charles Darwin observed that the animals on the Galapagos Islands were similar to those on the South American mainland but dissimilar to animals on other islands with similar environments. This observation led him to propose that the animals on the Galapagos had migrated from South America and evolved into new species as they adapted to their new environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are homologous structures and how do they support the theory of evolution?

Homologous structures are structures that come from a common ancestor but have different functions in different organisms. They support the theory of evolution by showing that organisms that are related to each other have similar features, even if those features serve different functions. Signup and view all the answers

How does the study of embryology provide evidence for evolution?

The study of embryology provides evidence for evolution by showing that many organisms share similar structures during development, suggesting a shared common ancestor. These structures may have different functions in adulthood, but their similarities in embryos point to a common evolutionary history. Signup and view all the answers