Biological Evidence and the Fossil Record

Question 1

Siblings have similar traits because they inherit those traits from a common ancestor. How is this similar to some evidence for evolution?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Similarities can be seen among related organisms, which shows common ancestry.

Question 2

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of human molars that come in during the late teens or early twenties. In some cases, these teeth come in without problems, but they often have to be removed due to misalignment in the jaw, as shown below. Removal of the teeth does not cause any long-term complications in regard to eating.Which type of anatomic structure are wisdom teeth?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

vestigial

Question 3

Australopithecus is an ape that lived in trees, but could walk on two feet. How might fossils from Australopithecus provide evidence for evolution?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Australopithecus is a transitional form between apes and humans.

Question 4

Studying the anatomy of different organisms allows scientists to determine how different species have evolved over time. Which type of anatomic structure are bird wings and butterfly wings when compared to each other?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

analogous

Question 5

What is the most likely reason that horses and mountain goats have hooves?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

They have homologous structures because they have a common ancestor.

Question 6

Which structures are similar in function, but do not indicate that the organisms are related?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

analogous structures

Question 7

Biology shows us the fossil record and comparative anatomies. Chemistry shows us that organic molecules can come from inorganic matter. Geology shows us that organisms that used to live together are found on separate continents due to continental drift. Which fields of science provide evidence for evolution?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

biology, chemistry, and geology

Question 8

A scientist makes the argument that she has found DNA evidence that shows that evolution does not exist. What would her evidence have to show for her to be correct?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Weak genetic similarities in closely related organisms and strong genetic similarities in distantly related organisms.

Question 9

Which of these statements best sums up evolution?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

change in a population through genetic variation over time

Question 10

What do gradualism and punctuated equilibrium have in common?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

They are both explanations of the rate of evolutionary change.

Biological Evidence and the Fossil Record Answers

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