42. Prior to 1800 in England, the typical moth of the species Biston betularia (peppered moth)
had a light pattern. Dark colored moths were rare. By the late 19th century, the light-colored moths were rare, and the moths with dark patterns were abundant. The cause of this change was hypothesized to be selective predation by birds (J.W. Tutt, 1896). During the industrial revolution, soot and other wastes from industrial processes killed tree lichens and darkened tree trunks. Thus, prior to the pollution of the industrial revolution, dark moths stood out on light-colored trees and
were vulnerable to predators. With the rise of pollution, however, the coloring of moths vulnerable to predators changed to light. Which of the following aspects of Darwin’s theory of evolution does the story of the peppered moth most clearly illustrate? There is competition for resources in an overbred population. There is great variability among members of a population. There is differential reproduction of individuals with favorable traits. The majority of characteristics of organisms are inherited. 43. Prior to 1800 in England, the typical moth of the species Biston betularia (peppered moth) had a light pattern. Dark colored moths were rare. By the late 19th century, the light-colored moths were rare, and the moths with dark patterns were abundant. The cause of this change was hypothesized to be selective predation by birds (J.W. Tutt, 1896). During the industrial revolution, soot and other wastes from industrial processes killed tree lichens and darkened tree trunks. Thus, prior to the pollution of the industrial revolution, dark moths stood out on light-colored trees and were vulnerable to predators. With the rise of pollution, however, the coloring of moths vulnerable to predators changed to light. In the late 1900s, England cleaned up its air, and pollution decreased. The bark of trees went from dark to light. Which of the following outcomes to the populations of peppered moth would you expect given this environmental change?
44. Prior to 1800 in England, the typical moth of the species Biston betularia (peppered moth) had a light pattern. Dark colored moths were rare. By the late 19th century, the light-colored moths were rare, and the moths with dark patterns were abundant. The cause of this change was hypothesized to be selective predation by birds (J.W. Tutt, 1896). During the industrial revolution, soot and other wastes from industrial processes killed tree lichens and darkened tree trunks. Thus, prior to the pollution of the industrial revolution, dark moths stood out on light-colored trees and were vulnerable to predators. With the rise of pollution, however, the coloring of moths vulnerable to predators changed to light. Commonly used in biology textbooks, the peppered moth is a classic example of evolutionary change in action. The example describes changes in a population’s allele frequencies-a small-scale change, evolutionarily speaking. The presence of both light and dark forms within the gene pool is demonstrated by the story, but the peppered moth stays a peppered moth. Which scenario, if it were to occur, would be a model for large-scale evolutionary change?
45.
(credit: modification of work by Kelly A. Frazer, et al./Genome Research, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press) The image compares the genes on human chromosome 7 with genes found on the mouse genome. What is a conclusion we can draw from this comparison?
46. Each of the following observations comes from a different scientific discipline. Which is the best support for Darwin’s concept of descent with modification?
47. Paleontologists have recovered a fossil for an organisms named Archaeopteryx. It has many features in common with reptiles, but, like birds, shows evidence of feathers. For what aspect of evolutionary theory does this piece of evidence suggest support?
48. Which of the following pieces of evidence illustrates evolution as an ongoing process?
49.
(credit: modification of work by Steven Novella/NeuroLogica) Humans have 46 chromosomes. Great apes, including orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees have 48 chromosomes. The image compares the human chromosomes 1 to 4 with great ape chromosomes 1 to 5. Make a hypothesıs based on this image.
50.
(credit: modification of work by Samantha J Richardson/ResearchGate) The image shows the migration of marsupials. Make a hypothesis based on this image.
51. Genes important in the embryonic development of animals have been relatively well conserved during evolution. This means they are more similar among different species than many other genes. What explains this genetic conservation across animal species?
52. The upper forelimbs of humans and cats have fairly similar structures. In contrast, the upper forelimbs of whales (their flippers) have bones with a different shape and proportion from both cats and humans. Interestingly, genetic data suggests that all three organisms have a common ancestor from about the same point in time. What is a likely explanation for these data?
53. Biogeography is the study of biological species as they relate to geographical space and geological time. The fossil record shows that dinosaurs originated about 200 to 250 million years ago. Would you expect the geographic distribution of early dinosaur fossils to be broad (on many continents) or narrow (on one or a few continents)? Explain.
54. The term microevolution describes evolution on its smallest scale: the change in allele frequencies in a population over generations. DDT is a pesticide that was widely in use in the United States from the 1940s until 1972. The table below summarizes a particular allele frequency in laboratory strains of the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster
Using this information, describe a model in which natural selection improved the match between D. mealanogaster and its environment through microevolution.
55.
(credit: modification of work by Deb Bennett/American Farriers Journal) The ulna and radius are two bones found in the forearms of most mammals. In some mammals, including humans, these bones allow rotation of the forearm. In some mammal species, the ulna has become vestigial. The images show the human arm bones and the skeletons of species where this bone has become vestigial. The first two animal images are from bats and the last animal image is from a bison. Ulna is shown with the label "u". What is a conclusion we can draw from these images?
56. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reproduces very quickly. A single virus can replicate itself a billion times in one 24-hour period. In a hypothetical treatment situation, a patient’s HIV population consists entirely of drug-resistant viruses after just a few weeks of treatment. How can this treatment result best be explained? How does this explanation illustrate that evolution is an ongoing process?
57. A friend says: “Natural selection is about the survival of the very fittest in a population. The fittest are those that are strongest, largest, fastest.” Would you agree with that statement? Explain. What evidence from scientific disciplines can you offer to support your agreement or your disagreement?
58. A student placed 20 tobacco seeds of the same species on moist paper towels in each of two petri dishes. Dish A was wrapped completely in an opaque cover to exclude all light. Dish B was not wrapped. The dishes were placed equidistant from a light source set to a cycle of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark. All other conditions were the same for both dishes. The dishes were examined after 7 days, and the opaque cover was permanently removed from dish A. Both dishes
were returned to the light and examined again at 14 days. The following data were obtained:
Figure 18.27 Which of the following best supports the hypothesis that the difference in leaf color is genetically controlled?
59. Use the data from Figure 18.27 to answer the question. Which best describes the usefulness of the yellow-leaved phenotype as a variation subject to natural selection?
60. Use the data from Figure 18.27 to answer the question. Yellow-leaved seedlings are unable to convert light energy to chemical energy. Which observation is most likely to be made on day 21?
61. Populations of a nocturnal toad live along a long river. On the other side of a band of territory that is about 10 kilometers wide, there are populations of a toad that appear similar. Which of the following data would provide compelling evidence that the two populations represent different species?
62. A group of students summarized information on five great extinction events. The students are sampling a site in search of fossils from the Devonian period. Based on the chart, what would be the most reasonable plan for the students to follow?
63. Populations of a plant species have been found growing in the mountains at altitudes above 2,500 meters. Populations of a plant that appears similar, with slight differences, have been found in the same mountains at altitudes below 2,300 meters. Describe a plan for collecting two kinds of data that could provide a direct answer to the question: do the populations growing above 2,500 meters and the populations growing below 2,300 meters represent a single species?
64. Populations of a plant species have been found growing in the mountains at altitudes above 2,500 meters. Populations of a plant that appears similar, with slight differences, have been found in the same mountains at altitudes below 2,300 meters. How can you test if speciation has taken place?
65. Assuming a population that has genetic variation and is under the influence of natural selection, place the following events in the order in which they would occur:
66. A biologist studies a population of voles for 20 years. During almost the entire research period, the population stays between 50 and 75 individuals. Additionally, fewer than half of the voles born do not survive to reproduce, due to predation and competition for food. Then, in one generation, 80% of the voles born live to reproduce. The population increases to 110 individuals. What inferences about food and predation can you make for the singular generation in which 80% of offspring survived? What prediction can you make about the genetic and phenotypic variation of future populations for this group of voles?
67. There are years of drought in a small, relatively isolated community. During the drought, small seeds with thin shells become rare. Large seeds with hard cases become increasingly common. The large, tough seeds are successfully eaten by birds with large and broad beaks. Assuming that the drought continues and the population of birds in the community stays isolated, what predictions for the population can you make under the influence of natural selection?
68. At one time, avian researchers in the Sulawesi region of Indonesia described the Flowerpecker populations on the mainland and the Wakatobi archipelago as one species. A recent reassessment of the Wakatobi populations resulted in the suggested reclassification of these populations as a distinct species, the Wakatobi Flowerpecker. Which of the following pieces of evidence, if true, would be cause for this reclassification?
69. What pattern in the fossil record would you expect to see to support the model of gradual speciation? How would you expect this pattern to differ from a pattern in the fossil record that supports the model of punctuated equilibrium? Explain.
70. Until recently, three species of short-tailed pythons, Python curtus, Python brongersmai, and Python breitensteini were considered one species. However, due to the different locations in which they are found, they have become three distinct species. What is this an example of?
71. Consider two species of birds that diverged while separated geographically but resumed their contact before reproductive isolation was complete. Which describes the first step in what would happen over time if the two species mated extensively and their hybrid offspring survived and reproduced more poorly than offspring from intra-species matings?
What is the smallest level of order at which evolution occurs?A population is the smallest unit of living organisms that can undergo evolution. Within similar organisms are combinations of different genes and different gene types.
What is the smallest unit of evolution and why?The smallest unit of evolution is population as it is the smallest unit of living organisms that can undergo evolution. A population is considered to be a "pool" of genes and gene types that are responsible for the genetic diversity of all the individuals within the group.
Which of the following is the smallest category capable of evolution?"A population is the smallest unit of living organisms that can undergo evolution. "Within similar organisms are combinations of different genes and different gene types.
What is the smallest unit capable of evolving?Population is the smallest biological unit that can undergo evolution. Population refers to the group of individuals of a particular species residing in an area and are capable of interbreeding.
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