Evolution Regents Review Name: Date - Weeblymskneller.weebly.com/.../evolution_regents_review.pdf · Evolution Regents Review Name: Date: 1. According to modern evolutionary theory,

Evolution Regents Review

Name: Date:

1. According to modern evolutionary theory, genesresponsible for new traits that help a speciessurvive in a particular environment will usually

A. not change in frequency

B. decrease gradually in frequency

C. decrease rapidly in frequency

D. increase in frequency

2. Which statement about the rates of evolution fordifferent species is in agreement with the theoryof evolution?

A. They are identical, since the species live onthe same planet.

B. They are identical, since each species is atrisk of becoming extinct.

C. They are different, since each species hasdifferent adaptations that function within achanging environment.

D. They are different, since each species hasaccess to unlimited resources within itsenvironment.

3. Which concept is not a part of the theory ofevolution?

A. Present-day species developed from earlierspecies.

B. Some species die out when environmentalchanges occur.

C. Complex organisms develop from simpleorganisms over time.

D. Change occurs according to the needs of anindividual organism to survive.

4. The first life-forms to appear on Earth were mostlikely

A. complex single-celled organisms

B. complex multicellular organisms

C. simple single-celled organisms

D. simple multicellular organisms

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5. The diagram illustrates a proposed evolutionarypath of certain organisms, based on the theory ofevolution.

Which statement could best be inferred from theinformation in this diagram?

A. Evolution does not involve gradual change.

B. Evolutionary changes can result in extinction.

C. Evolution begins with plants.

D. Evolution produces organisms that all fill thesame niche.

6. Which statement represents the major concept ofthe biological theory of evolution?

A. A new species moves into a habitat whenanother species becomes extinct.

B. Every period of time in Earth’s history has itsown group of organisms.

C. Present-day organisms on Earth developedfrom earlier, distinctly different organisms.

D. Every location on Earth’s surface has its ownunique group of organisms.

7. Base your answer to the following question on thechart below and on your knowledge of biology.

A B C

The diversity of multicellularorganisms increases.

Simple, single-celledorganisms appear.

Multicellular organismsbegin to evolve.

According to most scientists, which sequence bestrepresents the order of biological evolution onEarth?

A. A → B → C B. B → C → A

C. B → A → C D. C → A → B

8. The theory of biological evolution includes theconcept that

A. species of organisms found on Earth todayhave adaptations not always found in earlierspecies

B. fossils are the remains of present-day speciesand were all formed at the same time

C. individuals may acquire physicalcharacteristics after birth and pass theseacquired characteristics on to their offspring

D. the smallest organisms are always eliminatedby the larger organisms within the ecosystem

page 2 Evolution Regents Review

9. Ten breeding pairs of rabbits are introduced ontoan island with no natural predators and a goodsupply of water and food. What will most likelyhappen to the rabbit population?

A. It will remain relatively constant due to equalbirth and death rates.

B. It will die out due to an increase in themutation rate.

C. It will increase until it exceeds carryingcapacity.

D. It will decrease and then increase indefinitely.

10. Which statement is most closely related to themodern theory of evolution?

A. Characteristics that are acquired during lifeare passed to offspring by sexual reproduction.

B. Evolution is the result of mutations andrecombination, only.

C. Organisms best adapted to a changedenvironment are more likely to reproduce andpass their genes to offspring.

D. Asexual reproduction increases the survival ofspecies.

11. The fossil record of ancient life forms providesscientific evidence of

A. direct harvesting

B. selective breeding

C. gene manipulation

D. evolutionary changes

12. Evidence that best supports the theory of biologicalevolution was obtained from the

A. investigation of environmental niches

B. study of fossil records

C. comparison of the number of cells inorganisms

D. analysis of food chains and food webs

13. In 2007, scientists broke open a fossil of a dinosaurbone and found some preserved tissues. Analysisshowed that some proteins in these tissues arevery similar to proteins found in modern chickens.The conclusion that these dinosaurs are related tomodern chickens is based on

A. molecular similarities

B. natural selection

C. similarities in behavior

D. the occurrence of mutations


14. According to the theory of natural selection, whyare some individuals more likely than others tosurvive and reproduce?

A. Some individuals pass on to their offspringnew characteristics they have acquired duringtheir lifetimes.

B. Some individuals are better adapted to existin their environment than others are.

C. Some individuals do not pass on to theiroffspring new characteristics they haveacquired during their lifetimes.

D. Some individuals tend to produce feweroffspring than others in the same environment.

15. The diversity within the wild bird species in theaccompanying diagram can best be explained bywhich process?

A. natural selection

B. asexual reproduction

C. ecological succession

D. mitotic cell division

16. Which situation would most likely result in thehighest rate of natural selection?

A. reproduction of organisms by an asexualmethod in an unchanging environment

B. reproduction of a species having a very lowmutation rate in a changing environment

C. reproduction of organisms in an unchangingenvironment with little competition and fewpredators

D. reproduction of organisms exhibiting geneticdifferences due to mutations and geneticrecombinations in a changing environment

17. Base your answer to the following question on oneof the cartoons, which refer to certain conceptsof natural selection, and on your knowledge ofbiology.

Choose one cartoon and write its number in thespace below. Identify one concept represented inthat cartoon, and explain how this concept supportsthe theory of natural selection. Your answer must:

• identify one concept represented in the cartoonyou choose

• briefly explain the concept you identified

• explain the relationship between this conceptand the process of natural selection

Cartoon Number:


18. In an area in Africa, temporary pools form whererivers flow during the rainy months. Some fishhave developed the ability to use their ventral finsas “feet” to travel on land from one of thesetemporary pools to another. Other fish in thesepools die when the pools dry up. What can beexpected to happen in this area after many years?

A. The fish using ventral fins as “feet” will bepresent in increasing numbers.

B. “Feet” in the form of ventral fins will developon all fish.

C. The fish using ventral fins as “feet” willdevelop real feet.

D. All of the varieties of fish will survive andproduce many offspring.

19. Natural selection and its evolutionary consequencesprovide a scientific explanation for each of thefollowing except

A. the fossil record

B. protein and DNA similarities between differentorganisms

C. similar structures among different organisms

D. a stable physical environment

20. Woolly mammoths became extinct thousandsof years ago, while other species of mammalsthat existed at that time still exist today. Theseother species of mammals most likely exist todaybecause, unlike the mammoths, they

A. produced offspring that all had identicalinheritable characteristics

B. did not face a struggle for survival

C. learned to migrate to new environments

D. had certain inheritable traits that enabledthem to survive

21. The diagram below represents four different speciesof wild birds. Each species has feet with differentstructural adaptations.

The development of these adaptations can best beexplained by the concept of

A. inheritance of resistance to diseases that affectall these species

B. inheritance of characteristics acquired afterthe birds hatched from the egg

C. natural selection

D. selective breeding


22. The graph below shows the growth of a populationof bacteria over a period of 80 hours.

Which statement best describes section II of thegraph?

A. The population has reached the carryingcapacity of the environment.

B. The rate of reproduction is slower than insection I.

C. The population is greater than the carryingcapacity of the environment.

D. The rate of reproduction exceeds the deathrate.

23. The diagram below shows the effect of sprayinga pesticide on a population of insects over threegenerations.

Which concept is represented in the diagram?

A. survival of the fittest

B. dynamic equilibrium

C. succession

D. extinction

24. The females of certain species of turtles willsneak into a nest of alligator eggs to lay their owneggs and then leave, never to return. When thebaby turtles hatch, they automatically hide fromthe mother alligator guarding the nest and go tothe nearest body of water when it is safe to doso. Which statement best explains the behavior ofthese baby turtles?

A. More of the turtles’ ancestors who acted inthis way survived to reproduce, passing thisbehavioral trait to their offspring.

B. The baby turtles are genetically identical, sothey behave the same way.

C. Turtles are not capable of evolving, so theyrepeat the same behaviors generation aftergeneration.

D. The baby turtles’ ancestors who learned tobehave this way taught the behaviors to theiroffspring


25. Base your answer(s) to the following question(s)on the diagram below that shows variations in thebeaks of finches in the Galapagos Islands and onyour knowledge of biology.

The diversity of species seen on the GalapagosIslands is mostly due to

A. gene manipulation by scientists

B. gene changes resulting from mitotic celldivision

C. natural selection

D. selective breeding

26. Base your answer(s) to question(s) on the diagrambelow and on your knowledge of biology. Thediagram shows the heads of four different speciesof Galapagos Islands finches.

The four different types of beaks shown are mostlikely the result of

A. gene manipulation


C. unchanging environmental conditions

D. patterns of behavior learned from parents


27. The characteristics of four finches that inhabit thesame island are represented in the chart below.

Complete the table below using information inthe characteristics chart and your knowledge ofbiology.

Competes Withthe LargeTree Finch

Type of Finch State one reason why it competes or doesnot compete with the large tree finch.

no

yes

28. Which characteristic is necessary for naturalselection to occur in a species?

A. stability

B. variation

C. complex cellular organization

D. a very low mutation rate

29. The table below shows adaptations in twoorganisms.

Enviromental Adaptations

Organism Enviroment Adaptation

desert rat hot and dry comes out of burrow only at night

Arctic Poppy plant cold and windy grows low to ground next to rocks

The presence of these adaptations is most likelythe result of

A. reproductive technology


C. asexual reproduction

D. human interference


Base your answer(s) to the following question(s) on the data table below, which shows the estimated population ofwolves in Minnesota from 1995 through 2002.

Minnesota Wolf Population

Year Estimated Population

1995 2000

1996 2200

1997 2300

1998 2450

1999 2500

2000 2600

2001 2600

2002 2600


30. Wolves prey on animals such as deer. Identify oneadaptation of deer that would help them to survivein an area populated by wolves.

31. Base your answer(s) to the following question(s)on the information and photographs below and onyour knowledge of biology.

In addition to their use for hearing, earscontain many blood vessels that allow heat toescape into the air. Animals that live inwarm climates tend to have ears with largeareas exposed to the environment. Animalsin cold climates have a more compact earthat keeps exposure to the environment to aminimum. The photographs below showa jackrabbit from desert regions of thesouthwestern United States and a fennec foxfrom northern Africa with large ears, and asnowshoe hare and an arctic fox with smallears.

Jackrabbit Fennec Fox Snowshoe Hare Arctic Fox

Discuss how differences in ear size in theseorganisms might have occurred.

Explain how the size of these animals’ ears canhelp the animals survive in their environment.

32. Identify or describe one tool used in “TheBeaks of Finches” lab, and explain why thespecial features of this beak represented either anadvantage or a disadvantage in the competition.

33. Base your answer(s) to the following question(s)on the diagram and on your knowledge ofbiology. The diagram shows an interpretation ofrelationships based on evolutionary theory. Theletters represent different species.

Explain why species B and C are more closelyrelated than species A and C are.

34. The diagram indicates that a common ancestor forspecies C and E is species

A. F B. G C. H D. K


35. The accompanying diagrams show the bones inthe forelimbs of three different organisms.

Differences in the bone arrangements support thehypothesis that these organisms

A. are members of the same species

B. may have descended from the same ancestor

C. have adaptations to survive in differentenvironments

D. all contain the same genetic information

36. Base your answer(s) to the following question(s)on the diagram, which represents the relationshipsbetween animals in a possible canine family tree,and on your knowledge of biology.

According to the diagram, which group oforganisms has the most closely related members?

A. cats, weasels, and wolves

B. bears, raccoons, and hyena dogs

C. jackals, foxes, and domestic dogs

D. African hunting dogs, hyena dogs, anddomestic dogs


37. Base your answer(s) to the following question(s)on the information below and on your knowledgeof biology.

Based on their analysis of thedifferences in amino acid sequences of onekind of protein, scientists prepared theevolutionary tree shown below.

According to this diagram, the DNA of which pairof organisms would show the greatest similarity?

A. penguin and turtle B. horse and donkey

C. snake and tuna D. turtle and rabbit

38. Base your answer to the following question on thediagram below and on your knowledge of biology.

The similarities of the bones labeled A provideevidence that

A. the organisms may have evolved from acommon ancestor

B. all species have one kind of bone structure

C. the cells of the bones contain the same typeof mutations

D. all structural characteristics are the same inanimals



Cytochrome c is an enzyme located inthe mitochondria of many types of cells.The number of differences in the aminoacid sequences of Cytochrome c fromdifferent species are compared to humanCytochrome c in the data table below.

Differences in Amino Acid Sequences

Organism Number of Differences inCytochrome c

Compared to Humans

tuna 21

mold 48

moth 31

dog 11

horse 12

chicken 13

monkey 1

Of the organisms listed below, which one has aDNA code for Cytochrome c that is most similarto that of a human?

A. tuna B. chicken

C. moth D. dog


A series of investigations was performedon four different plant species. The results ofthese investigations are recorded in the datatable below.

Characteristics of Four Plant Species

Plant Species Seeds Leaves Pattern of VascularBundles(structures in stem)

Type of Chlorophyll Present

A round/small needle-like scattered bundles chlorophyll a and b

B long/pointed needle-like circular bundles chlorophyll a and c

C round/small needle-like scattered bundles chlorophyll a and b

D round/small needle-like scattered bundles chlorophyll b

Based on these data, which two plant speciesappear to be most closely related? Support youranswer.

Plant species and


41. Thousands of years ago, a large flock of hawkswas driven from its normal migratory route bya severe storm. The birds scattered and foundshelter on two distant islands, as shown on themap below. The eviornment of island A is verysimilar to the hawk’s original nesting region. Theenviornment of island B is very different fromthat of island A. The hawks have survived onthese islands to the present day with no migrationbetween the populations.

Which statement most accurately predicts thepresent-day condition of these island hawkpopulations?

A. The hawks that landed on island B haveevolved more that those on island A

B. The hawks that landed on island A haveevolved more that those on island B

C. The populations on island A and B haveundergone identical mutations.

D. The hawks on island A have given rise tomany new species.

42. The accompanying diagram illustrates the changethat occurred in the physical appearance of arabbit population over a 10-year period.

Which condition would explain this change overtime?

A. a decrease in the mutation rate of the rabbitswith black fur

B. a decrease in the advantage of having whitefur

C. an increase in the advantage of having whitefur

D. an increase in the chromosome number of therabbits with black fur

43. A new chemical was discovered and introducedinto a culture containing one species of bacteria.Within a day, most of the bacteria were dead,but a few remained alive. Which statement bestexplains why some of the bacteria survived?

A. They had a genetic variation that gave themresistance to the chemical.

B. They were exposed to the chemical longenough to develop a resistance to it.

C. They mutated and became a different speciesafter exposure to the chemical.

D. They absorbed the chemical and broke itdown in their digestive systems.


44. In some land plants, guard cells are found onlyon the lower surfaces of the leaves. In somewater plants, guard cells are found only on theupper surfaces of the leaves. Explain how guardcells in both land and water plants help maintainhomeostasis. In your answer be sure to:

• identify one function regulated by theguard cells in leaves

• explain how guard cells carry out thisfunction

• give one possible evolutionary advantageof the position of the guard cells on theleaves of land plants


Scientists found members of a plantspecies they did not recognize. They wantedto determine if the unknown species wasrelated to one or more of four knownspecies, A, B, C, and D.

The relationship between species can bedetermined most accurately by comparing theresults of gel electrophoresis of the DNAfrom different species.

The chart below represents the resultsof gel electrophoresis of the DNA from theunknown plant species and the four knownspecies.

The unknown species is most closely related towhich of the four known species? Support youranswer.

46. The dichotomous key shown below can be used toidentify birds W, X, Y, and Z.

Bird W Bird X Bird Y Bird Z

Bird X is most likely

A. Certhidea B. Geospiza

C. Camarhynchus D. Platyspiza

47. Variation in the offspring of sexually reproducingorganisms is the direct result of

A. sorting and recombining of genes

B. replication and cloning

C. the need to adapt and maintain homeostasis

D. overproduction of offspring and competition


48. The accompanying diagram represents a woollymammoth, a relative of the modern elephant.Woolly mammoths lived during the Ice Age andeventually became extinct.

State one possible reason this species died out.

49. Base your answer to the following question onthe information below and on your knowledge ofbiology.

The dodo bird inhabited the island ofMauritius in the Indian Ocean, where it livedundisturbed for years. It lost its ability to flyand it lived and nested on the ground whereit ate fruits that had fallen from trees. Therewere no mammals living on the island.

In 1505, the first humans set foot onMauritius. The island quickly became astopover for ships engaged in the spice trade.The dodo was a welcome source of freshmeat for the sailors and large numbers ofdodos were killed for food. In time, pigs,monkeys, and rats brought to the island atethe dodo eggs in the ground nests.

Which statement describes what most likelyhappened to the dodo bird within 100 years of thearrival of humans on Mauritius?

A. Dodo birds developed the ability to fly inorder to escape predation and their populationincreased.

B. The dodo bird population increased after thebirds learned to build their nests in trees.

C. Human exploitation and introduced speciessignificantly reduced dodo bird populations.

D. The dodo bird population became smallerbecause they preyed upon the introducedspecies.


50. Information related to the organisms found onEarth during various geological time periods isrepresented in the accompanying chart.

Which statement concerning the first appearanceof the organisms over the time period representedin this chart is most likely correct?

A. Life on Earth has remained the same.

B. Life on Earth has changed from primitiveorganisms to more complex organisms.

C. Life on Earth began with complex organismsand changed to more complex organisms.

D. Life on Earth has changed rapidly.


Problem-Attic format version 4.4.266c_ 2011–2015 EducAide Software

Licensed for use by Brooke KnellerTerms of Use at www.problem-attic.com

Evolution Regents Review 06/01/2016

1.Answer: D

2.Answer: C

3.Answer: D

4.Answer: C

5.Answer: B

6.Answer: C

7.Answer: B

8.Answer: A

9.Answer: C

10.Answer: C

11.Answer: D

12.Answer: B

13.Answer: A

14.Answer: B

15.Answer: A

16.Answer: D

17.Answer: Cartoon 1

• The concept is overproduction.

• More organisms are produced than cansurvive.

• The organisms that are best adaptedwill survive.

Cartoon 2• The concept is struggle for survival (or

survival of the fittest.)

• Those organisms best adapted willsurvive.

• Those that survive will pass these traitson to their offspring.

18.Answer: A

19.Answer: D

20.Answer: D

21.Answer: C

22.Answer: D

23.Answer: A

24.Answer: A

25.Answer: C

26.Answer: B

27.Answer: Competes With

the LargeTree Finch

Type of Finch State one reason why it competes or doesnot compete with the large tree finch.

no large/smallground finchorwarbler finch

The large tree finch eats mainly animal food,while thelarge/small ground finch eats mainly plant food.orThe warbler finch may eat different animals.

yes warblerfinch

They both eat animal food.

28.Answer: B

29.Answer: B

Teacher’s Key Page 2

30.Answer: Acceptable responses include, but are not

limited to:

– speed

– antlers

– hooves for protection/defense

– fur color similar to surroundings

– well-developed senses

31.Answer: Large ears can help an animal remove

excess heat in a warm environment,which helps the animal maintain a stableinternal temperature.

The small ears in the arctic foxhelp minimize heat loss in its coldenvironment.

The large ears in the jackrabbit let excessheat escape, helping it stay cool.

Large ears would allow animals to hearpredators.

32.Answer: Tool: Forceps

Advantage or disadvantage: Advantage

Explanation: picked up enough smallseeds so a finch on an island with lots ofsmall seeds could survive

Tool: Forceps/Tweezers

Advantage or disadvantage:Disadvantage

Explanation: didn’t pick up enoughseeds to survive

Tool: Large hair clip

Advantage or disadvantage:Disadvantage

Explanation: didn’t pick up any seeds

Tool: Tool for holding test tubes

Advantage or disadvantage: Advantage

Explanation: picked up really big seedsso it got enough food to survive

33.Answer: Species B and C have a common ancestor

(F) that is more recent than the commonancestor (H) of species A and C.

34.Answer: D

35.Answer: C

36.Answer: C

37.Answer: B

38.Answer: A

39.Answer: D

40.Answer: A and C—most characteristics in common

OR

A and C—same type of chlorophyllpresent

41.Answer: A

42.Answer: B

43.Answer: A

44.Answer:

• gas exchange, respiration, orphotosynthesis

• Guard cells change shape. OR Guardcells change the size of the leafopenings.

• prevents excess evaporation of water onsunny days OR prevents the entranceof some pollutants

45.Answer: It is most closely related to species C.

The bands from the DNA of species Care the closest match to those of theunknown species.

46.Answer: D

47.Answer: A

48.Answer: The environment changed and the woolly

mammoth could no longer adapt. or Thenumber of herbivores increased 10,000years ago and there was more competitionfor food. or increase in predators oroverhunting by humans

49.Answer: C

50.Answer: B

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Evolution Regents Review Name: Date - Weeblymskneller.weebly.com/.../evolution_regents_review.pdf · Evolution Regents Review Name: Date: 1. According to modern evolutionary theory,