4a
4b
4c/4e
5a1
5b
100
Which of the following best describes the relationship between variations and adaptations?
a.All variations are adaptations, but not all adaptations come from variations
b.All adaptations are variations and all variations help organisms survive
c.Variations result from adaptations organisms make to the environment
d.Adaptations result from variations only if they help an organisms survive
d. Adaptations result from variations only if they help an organism to survive
100
The model below shows changes in an insect population over multiple generations.
Which of the following statements best explains how the first generation lady beetle from the above model changed in the later generations?
- In the first generation, the beetles with the dark spotted trait had a better chance of survival. The beetles changed their color to better adapt to their environment, and the species evolved to have a lighter color.
- In the first generation, the beetles with the dark spotted trait had a lower chance of survival. The beetles changed their color to better adapt to their environment, and the species evolved to have a lighter color.
- In the first generation, the beetles with the dark spotted trait had a better chance of survival. The trait mutated over time, causing the beetles with that trait to be darker, and the species evolved to have a darker color.
- In the first generation, the beetles with the dark spotted trait had a lower chance of survival. The trait mutated over time, causing the beetles with that trait to be lighter, and the species evolved to have a lighter color.
c. In the first generation, the beetles with the dark spotted trait had a better chance of survival. The trait mutated over time, causing the beetles with that trait to be darker, and the species evolved to have a darker color.
100
A group of plant eating animals are separated from their population. In the new environment, the only edible vegetation grows at the top of tall trees. Which of the following variations would be most useful adaptation to members of the group?
a. wide flat teeth adapted to grinding plant material
b. specialized digestive systems for the vegetarian diet
c. a long neck that can grow to as much as 2 meters in length
d. larger ears and eyes located on sides of head to detect predators
c. a long neck that can grow to as much as 2 meters in length
100
Several fossils were uncovered in different layers of rock in a desert area. The following diagram indicates the age of the layers of rock and the fossils found in each.
Based on the fossils found, what did this area most likely used to be?
- The area was most likely a sea that was replaced by a forest.
- The area was most likely a forest that was replaced by a sea.
- The area was most likely a grassland that was replaced by a forest.
- The area was most likely a forest that was replaced by a grassland.
b. The area was most likely a forest that was replaced by a sea.
100
A student wants to know if a Kangaroo rat (Diapodomys compactus) and a Kangaroo (Macropus osphranter) have the same genus. Based on the provided names, what can the student conclude about the organisms and relation to the genus?
a. Both species have kangaroo in their common name, so they are from the same genus.
b. Both species have a two-part scientific name, so they are from the same genus.
c. Both species’ first portion in their scientific name is different, so they are from different genus groups.
d. Both species’ second portion in their scientific name is different, so they are from different genus groups.
c. Both species’ first portion in their scientific name is different, so they are from different genus groups
200
Moles are mammals that live underground and eat worms and other insects. The moles locate their food using their sense of smell. Which environmental change would best explain an increase in the number of moles born with a better sense of smell?
a. More rainfall makes the soil easier for digging so the moles need to have a better sense of smell to locate the worms.
b. More rainfall makes the soil harder for digging so the moles need to have a better sense of smell to locate the worms.
c. Drought causes the worms to come closer to the surface so the moles need to have a better sense of smell to locate the worms.
d. Drought causes the worms to burrow further underground so the moles need to have a better sense of smell to locate the worms.
d. Drought causes the worms to burrow further underground so the moles need to have a better sense of smell to locate the worms.
200
What most likely caused the change in the mouse population?
- The lighter mice were less successful in finding food in the environment than the darker mice, which resulted in fewer of the lighter mice being able to survive.
- The lighter mice were more successful in finding food in the environment than the darker mice, which resulted in fewer of the darker mice being able to survive.
- The lighter mice were more visible to predators than the darker mice, which resulted in fewer of the lighter mice reaching reproductive age.
- The lighter mice were more visible to predators than the darker mice, which resulted in more of the lighter mice reaching reproductive age.
c. The lighter mice were more visible to predators than the darker mice, which resulted in fewer of the lighter mice reaching reproductive age.
200
The graph model shows a peppered moth population before and after natural selection.
According to the theory of natural selection, which explanation is the best representation for the changes seen in the graph?
- The original population decreased due to a change in the environment as the population after natural selection decreased due to the same change in the environment.
- The original population increased due to a change in the environment as the population after natural selection increased due to the same change in the environment.
- The original population decreased due to a change in the environment as the population after natural selection increased due to the same change in the environment.
- The original population increased due to a change in the environment as the population after natural selection decreased due to the same change in the environment.
c. The original population decreased due to a change in the environment as the population after natural selection increased due to the same change in the environment.
200
Pakicetus is described as an early ancestor to modern whales. These organisms were land mammals, but fossil evidence shows a relation to whales and dolphins based on a number of specializations of the ear related to hearing underwater.
The diagram below shows three different skulls in the whale fossil record.
Which of the following claims can be best supported by the evidence from the skulls in the whale fossil record?
- The fossil record does not give enough evidence about the mammals to determine if there is a relationship between the three skulls.
- The fossil record shows similarities in the skulls of the mammals, which shows that they must have had similar habitats and environments.
- The fossil record shows that some mammals evolved so that their nostrils are further at the top of their skull for better breathing while in the water.
- The fossil record shows differences in the skulls of the mammals, which shows that they are from three separate species that all lived at the same time.
c. The fossil record shows that some mammals evolved so that their nostrils are further at the top of their skull for better breathing while in the water.
200
A group of students is creating a dichotomous key to classify organisms. Their teacher gives them this chart of organisms and tells them they are all fish.
Which of these is the MOST useful question to include in their key?
- Is it smaller than a whale?
- Does it swim in the water?
- Does it have any fins or tail on its body?
- Does it have a long, narrow body shape?
d. Does it have a long, narrow body shape?
300
The walking catfish is a species of fish that walks on land using its pectoral fins. During drought conditions, when there is little water in its habitat, the walking catfish can use its pectoral fins to get across land to areas with water. Which of these will MOST LIKELY happen to a population of walking catfish over time if all nearest aquatic environments dry up permanently?
- Walking catfish with small pectoral fins are more likely to survive a trip to distant areas of water. The population is likely to evolve to have smaller pectoral fins.
- Walking catfish with large pectoral fins are more likely to survive a trip to distant areas of water. The population is likely to evolve to have larger pectoral fins.
- Walking catfish with large pectoral fins and those with small pectoral fins are equally likely to survive a trip to distant areas of water. Both types survive, so evolution is unlikely to occur.
- Walking catfish with large pectoral fins and those with small pectoral fins are equally likely to not survive the trip to distant areas of water. Both types of catfish will then become extinct.
b. Walking catfish with large pectoral fins are more likely to survive a trip to distant areas of water. The population is likely to evolve to have larger pectoral fins.
300
Two 7th grade students made models of a population of bacteria before and after they were treated with an antibiotic for several generations. Use the models to answer the question.
Which statement below is the best explanation regarding the accuracy of the student’s models?
a. Student A has the model that is most accurate, the model shows how some bacteria changed themselves in the initial population of bacteria which led to those bacteria surviving the antibiotic while the other bacteria died off.
b. Student A has the model that is most accurate, the model shows variation in the initial population of bacteria which led to some bacteria surviving the antibiotic and reproducing while the other bacteria died off.
c. Student B has the model that is most accurate, the model shows how some bacteria changed themselves in the initial population of bacteria which led to those bacteria surviving the antibiotic while the other bacteria died off.
d. Student B has the model that is most accurate, the model shows variation in the initial population of bacteria which led to some bacteria surviving the antibiotic and reproducing while the other bacteria died off.
b. Student A has the model that is most accurate, the model shows variation in the initial population of bacteria which led to some bacteria surviving the antibiotic and reproducing while the other bacteria died off.
300
The graph below shows a change in beak depth of the medium ground finch over a period of years.
Based on the theory of natural selection, which of the explanations best describes the change in the beak depth of the medium ground finch during the dry years?
- The beak depth of the individual finch declined during dry years due to the survival and reproduction of finches with beak depths greater than 9.6 mm.
- The beak depth of the finch population increased during dry years due to the survival and reproduction of finches with beak depths less than 9.6 mm.
- The beak depth of the individual finch declined during dry years due to the survival and reproduction of finches with beak depths greater than 9.6 mm.
- The beak depth of the finch population increased during dry years due to the survival and reproduction of finches with beak depths greater than 9.6 mm.
d. The beak depth of the finch population increased during dry years due to the survival and reproduction of finches with beak depths greater than 9.6 mm
300
A population of insects has a brown color, providing them with camouflage on the desert sands where they live. Over thousands of years, climate changes in the area cause grasses to grow, and the population of insects becomes green over the same period of time. Which term describes what has taken place in the population of insects?
a. mutation
b. evolution
c. migration
d. variation
b. evolution
300
In trying to classify a newly discovered organism, the following characteristics were noted: multicellular, specialized tissues and organs, chlorophyll-containing structures and cell walls. Into which kingdom should this organism be placed and why?
a.Eubacteria, because it is multicellular and has specialized tissues
b. Protista, because it has chlorophyll and is multicellular
c. Fungi, because it has cell walls and specialized tissues.
d.Plant, because it is multicellular and has chlorophyll
d.Plant, because it is multicellular and has chlorophyll
400
Cane toads are large, poisonous frogs native to Central and South America. They were introduced in Australia in 1935 in an attempt to control the beetle population in the sugarcane fields. Since then, their speed has increased significantly. According to recent studies, scientists have determined that they now have longer legs, are more active, and are larger in size than their ancestors in Central and South America. Which statement best explains why the cane toads in Australia move more quickly than their ancestors?
- Over time, cane toads in Australia that were born with longer legs, were more active, and were larger in size were more likely to survive and passed these traits on to their offspring.
- Over time, cane toads in Australia had more space to roam and less predators, so they stretched their legs to increase leg length, size, and speed and passed these traits on to their offspring.
- The cane toads both in Australia and in Central and South America are born with similar traits, but the cane toads in Central and South America keep their original traits, and the cane toads in Australia have more space to roam, so they grow longer legs and larger in size.
- The cane toads in Australia were likely introduced to a new food source allowing them to grow longer legs and larger in size and speed. These traits were then passed onto offspring.
a. Over time, cane toads in Australia that were born with longer legs, were more active, and were larger in size were more likely to survive and passed these traits on to their offspring.
400
A group of herbivores are separated from their population. In the new environment, the only edible vegetation grows at the tops of trees. Which of the following is a likely physical adaptation that may develop over time?
a. A long neck is an adaptation that will develop over time allowing the herbivores to more easily see their prey from far away.
b. A long neck is an adaptation that will develop over time allowing the herbivores to more easily access food.
c. Striped fur is an adaptation that will develop over time allowing the herbivores to blend in with the trees and avoid predators.
d. Striped fur is an adaptation that will develop over time allowing the herbivores to stay warm in the cold winters.
b. A long neck is an adaptation that will develop over time allowing the herbivores to more easily access food
400
In a tropical forest, a type of beetle spends time on the brown trunk of trees where it lays eggs and rests as well as on the green leaves, where it feeds. The beetles are green in color, providing camouflage on the leaves but not the trunk of the tree. Four sets of data were collected in a survey of the beetles. The location and total number of beetles on the leaves and on the trunks of 10 trees in each location were tallied and the mean number of beetles on the leaves and trunk at each location was calculated. Analyzing the calculated means, which location likely has the largest population of beetle predators?
Location Bark Trees
Location 1 16 120
Location 2 112 44
Location 3 78 72
Location 4 64 67
a. Location 1
b. Location 2
c. Location 3
d. Location 4
d. Location 4
400
Which of the following correctly contrasts artificial and natural selection?
a.Artificial selection involves human-selected traits, while natural forces select traits to be inherited in natural selection
b. Artificial selection does not include the inheritance of traits, while natural selection requires the inheritance of traits
c. In natural selection only physical traits are inherited, while in artificial selection only behavioral traits are inherited
d. Natural selection only occurs after sexual reproduction, while artificial selection only occurs after asexual reproduction
a.Artificial selection involves human-selected traits, while natural forces select traits to be inherited in natural selection
400
What is one characteristics that separates the animal and plant kingdoms?
a.Animal kingdom consist of multicellular organisms, while the plant kingdom consists of unicellular organisms.
b.Animal kingdom consist of unicellular organisms, while the plant kingdom consists of multicellular organisms.
c. Animal kingdom consist of organisms that do not produce their own food for energy, while the plant kingdom does produce their own food for energy.
d. Animal kingdom consist of organisms that produce their own food for energy, while the plant kingdom does not produce their own food for energy.
c. Animal kingdom consist of organisms that do not produce their own food for energy, while the plant kingdom does produce their own food for energy.
500
A species of frog lives in a forest. A snake species moves to the ecosystem where the frogs live and begins to hunt the frogs. Using your understanding of natural selection, what is the most likely explanation of what will happen to the frog population when the snakes, who are predators and will hunt the frogs, move into the ecosystem?
a. Some of the frogs would try to develop new traits to avoid the predator and pass those on traits to offspring, and the other frogs would die.
b. All of the frogs would try to develop new traits to be able to avoid the predator, and they will all survive and pass on their new traits to offspring.
c. The frogs that were born with traits that allow them to avoid the snake would be more likely to survive and reproduce, and the frogs that are not would be less likely to survive and reproduce.
d. Since all of the frogs have identical traits, they would all be equally good or bad at avoiding the snake and so they would all survive and reproduce or they all would die.
c. The frogs that were born with traits that allow them to avoid the snake would be more likely to survive and reproduce, and the frogs that are not would be less likely to survive and reproduce.
500
A population of crabs live on light-colored sandy beach. In this environment there is a population of birds that eat the crabs. One year, there is a volcanic eruption near the beach and dark volcanic ash covers the beach. The sand is now much darker than it used to be. Scientists studying the area are most likely to predict which outcome?
a. Some of the light-colored crabs will try to change their body color to be darker and pass on those traits to their offspring.
b. Some of the light-colored crabs will try to change their body color to be lighter and pass on those traits to their offspring
c. Some of the crabs born with the traits that do not allow them to escape the birds will likely survive and pass on those traits.
d. Some of the crabs born with traits that allow them to escape the birds will likely survive and pass on those traits.
d. Some of the crabs born with traits that allow them to escape the birds will likely survive and pass on those traits.
500
A group of guppies is separated into a small pond and a large pond. In the larger ponds, the fish must avoid predators that also live in the pond and spend much of their time hiding. In the smaller ponds, there are no predators and the male fish compete for female fish mates. In both ponds, the male fish have long, decorative tails that they use to attract females. The tails of males in the small ponds have an average length of 10cm. The tails of males in the large ponds have an average length of 6cm. Male and female fish from a large pond are captured and placed into a small pond where there are no other predators.
Which of the following best predicts and explains how the average tail length in males might change over many generations when the group of fish moved to the new small pond?
a. The mean tail length will increase because the males will need to catch new food sources in the new pond.
b. The mean tail length will increase because the males will start to compete for females when no predators are present in the pond.
c. The mean tail length will decrease because the males will be safe from predators in the new pond.
d. The mean tail length will decrease because the males will have less food to grow tails in the new pond.
b. The mean tail length will increase because the males will start to compete for females when no predators are present in the pond
500
Which statement gives a correct justification and procedure for creating a new kingdom?
a. A scientist creates a new kingdom based on the fact that a discovered organism has characteristics and DNA different from any existing kingdom and this research is supported by other members of the scientific community.
b. A scientist creates a new kingdom based on the fact that a discovered organism has unique characteristics and he has never seen a similar organism before.
c. A scientist creates a new kingdom based on the fact that a discovered organism has characteristics and DNA different from any existing kingdom without the research being supported by other members of the scientific community.
d. Organisms discovered after 2020 are placed into a new kingdom because they are more likely to be unique and developed through natural selection
a. A scientist creates a new kingdom based on the fact that a discovered organism has characteristics and DNA different from any existing kingdom and this research is supported by other members of the scientific community.
500
The teacher gives a group of students a mystery species to investigate. The teacher wants students to determine the mystery species’ kingdom. The teacher provides the following clues:
*The mystery species can perform photosynthesis.
*The mystery species is multicellular.
*The mystery species has a cell wall.
After receiving the clues, the students start to eliminate the kingdoms into which the mystery species does not belong. Which of the following explanations is accurate?
- Students can eliminate the animal kingdom because animals are multicellular but do not perform photosynthesis.
- Students can eliminate the animal kingdom because animals have cell walls but cannot perform photosynthesis.
- Students can eliminate the protist kingdoms because protist can perform photosynthesis but do not have cell walls.
- Students can eliminate the protist kingdom because protists are multicellular but cannot perform photosynthesis.
a.Students can eliminate the animal kingdom because animals are multicellular but do not perform photosynthesis