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Introduction to Evolution and Natural Selection quiz #4

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  • Which group of organisms evolved first? A) Bacteria B) Archaea C) Eukaryotes D) Protists

    A) Bacteria
  • What are the characteristics of H. naledi?

    All of the above
  • Why do synapomorphies arise during evolution?

    Synapomorphies arise as shared derived traits that indicate common ancestry and evolutionary relationships.
  • What stage is unique to the hemimetabolous lifecycle?

    The nymph stage is unique to the hemimetabolous lifecycle.
  • What characteristics define early Homo?

    All of the above
  • What evidence supports the hypothesis of common descent?

    All of the above
  • What is an example of an acquired trait?

    Muscle strength from exercise
  • What advantage do ectotherms have over endotherms of the same size?

    Ectotherms require less energy for metabolism, allowing them to survive on fewer resources.
  • Which group is thought to be most closely related to the common animal ancestor?

    Choanoflagellates
  • What is not a general trend in hominin evolution?

    Increase in tail length
  • What does it mean that there is both unity and diversity of life?

    Unity refers to shared characteristics due to common ancestry, while diversity arises from adaptations to different environments.
  • What can a shark do that a lamprey can't?

    A shark can bite and chew food with its jaws, while a lamprey lacks jaws and feeds by suction.
  • Why are honeybees altruistic?

    Honeybees exhibit altruism by sacrificing themselves to protect the hive, ensuring the survival of related individuals.
  • What are vestigial traits?

    Vestigial traits are remnants of features that were functional in ancestors but are no longer useful in the current organism.
  • What are the key characteristics of deuterostomes?

    They develop the anus from the blastopore, have radial cleavage, and include vertebrates.
  • Which pattern describes a type I survivorship curve?

    A type I survivorship curve is characterized by high survival rates during early and middle life, followed by a decline in survival in later life.
  • What are 5 differences between plants and animals?

    Plants perform photosynthesis, have cell walls, are generally sessile, reproduce via seeds or spores, and have indeterminate growth; animals are heterotrophic, lack cell walls, are motile, reproduce sexually, and have determinate growth.
  • What is one characteristic of Neandertals?

    Neandertals had a robust build and large cranial capacity, adapted to cold climates.
  • What do many organisms with deuterostome development have in common?

    Many deuterostomes develop the anus from the blastopore and exhibit radial cleavage during embryonic development.
  • How do deuterostomes develop and which groups do they include?

    Deuterostomes develop the anus from the blastopore and include groups like echinoderms and vertebrates.
  • What is the difference between punctuated equilibrium and gradualism?

    Punctuated equilibrium suggests rapid evolutionary changes followed by periods of stasis, while gradualism implies slow, continuous change over time.
  • What is the first species of humans found outside Africa?

    Homo erectus is the first species of humans found outside Africa.
  • What is the best way to determine the evolutionary relationships between species?

    The best way to determine evolutionary relationships is through phylogenetic analysis using genetic and morphological data.
  • What unique characteristic do all deuterostomes have in common?

    All deuterostomes develop the anus from the blastopore during embryonic development.
  • How is punctuated equilibrium different from gradualism?

    Punctuated equilibrium involves rapid changes and long periods of stasis, while gradualism involves slow, continuous change.
  • How does the bombardier beetle protect itself?

    The bombardier beetle protects itself by ejecting a hot, noxious chemical spray from its abdomen.
  • To what does the term evolution refer?

    Evolution refers to the process of change in the genetic makeup of populations over time.
  • Evolutionary change and evolutionary relationships are represented by what?

    Evolutionary change and relationships are represented by phylogenetic trees.
  • What did Darwin think about Earth and life while he was forming his theory of evolution?

    Darwin thought that Earth and life were ancient and that species evolved over long periods through natural selection.
  • What is the smallest biological unit that can evolve?

    The smallest biological unit that can evolve is a population.
  • What is the definition of evolution in biological terms?

    Evolution is the gradual change of a population over time, described as 'descent with modification.'
  • How does natural selection drive evolution?

    Natural selection favors traits that enhance survival and reproduction, making those traits more common in future generations and causing populations to evolve.
  • How does natural selection lead to adaptation?

    Natural selection increases the frequency of traits that help organisms survive and reproduce, resulting in adaptations suited to their environment.
  • What is the main difference between typological and population thinking?

    Typological thinking focuses on an idealized form of a species, while population thinking emphasizes the importance of variation among individuals.
  • How does population thinking define a species?

    Population thinking defines a species by considering the variation among all individuals, not just an idealized form.
  • Why is tree thinking preferred over ladder thinking in modern biology?

    Tree thinking better represents evolutionary relationships and avoids implying a hierarchy of complexity among species.
  • What do the branches of a phylogenetic tree indicate?

    Branches represent populations evolving over time.
  • How can you determine how closely related two species are using a phylogenetic tree?

    By finding how recently they share a common ancestor, indicated by the depth of their shared node on the tree.