1.
Which of the following is NOT evidence in support of evolution?
Correct Answer
D. Mutations
Explanation
Mutations are actually evidence in support of evolution. Mutations are random changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in organisms. These variations can be beneficial, detrimental, or neutral. Over time, beneficial mutations can accumulate in a population, leading to the development of new traits or adaptations. This process, known as natural selection, is a driving force of evolution. Therefore, mutations provide evidence for the occurrence of genetic changes and the potential for species to evolve over time.
2.
Organs that have a similar structure in different species but have different functions are called what?
Correct Answer
B. Homologous structures
Explanation
Homologous structures are organs that have a similar structure in different species but have different functions. These structures indicate a common ancestry and evolution. They may have adapted to perform different functions in different species, but their underlying structure remains similar. This similarity is evidence of a shared evolutionary history and supports the theory of evolution. Vestigial organs, on the other hand, are organs that have lost their original function over time. Embryos and fossils are not specifically related to organs with similar structures but different functions.
3.
A horse has small toe bones behind its hoof, under the skin. They have no purpose or function. What kind of organs are they?
Correct Answer
A. Vestigial
Explanation
The small toe bones behind a horse's hoof, which have no purpose or function, are known as vestigial organs. Vestigial organs are remnants of structures that were once functional in an ancestor but are now reduced in size or have lost their original function in the current organism.
4.
Radiometric dating is a method used to do what?
Correct Answer
C. Find the age of a fossil
Explanation
Radiometric dating is a method used to find the age of a fossil. It relies on the principle that certain radioactive isotopes decay at a known rate over time. By measuring the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes in a fossil, scientists can calculate how long it has been since the organism died. This technique is crucial for understanding the timeline of Earth's history and the evolution of life on our planet.
5.
Which one of the following is NOT a type of fossil?
Correct Answer
D. Dried leaf in mud
Explanation
A dried leaf in mud is not considered a type of fossil because for a material to become a fossil, it needs to undergo a specific process called fossilization. Fossilization involves the preservation and replacement of organic material with minerals over a long period of time. In the case of a dried leaf in mud, it may leave an impression or imprint in the mud, but it does not undergo the necessary processes to become a fossil.
6.
Which one of the following species belongs to the Great Apes?
Correct Answer
B. Human
Explanation
The correct answer is human because humans belong to the Great Apes group. Great Apes are a family of primates that includes orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos, as well as humans. Humans share a common ancestor with these species and have many similarities in terms of anatomy and behavior.
7.
Which one of the following animals is NOT a primate?
Correct Answer
C. Kangaroo
Explanation
A kangaroo is not a primate because it belongs to a different taxonomic group called marsupials. Primates include lemurs, monkeys, and humans, as they share common characteristics such as forward-facing eyes, grasping hands and feet, and complex social behavior. Kangaroos, on the other hand, have distinct characteristics like hopping locomotion, a pouch for carrying their young, and a different anatomical structure.
8.
Lucy was a fossil of a very early hominid. Was Lucy a primate?
Correct Answer
A. Yes, because all hominids are primates.
Explanation
The correct answer is "Yes, because all hominids are primates." This is because hominids, which include humans and their extinct ancestors, are a subgroup of primates. Primates are a group of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians. Since Lucy is described as a fossil of a very early hominid, she would also be classified as a primate.
9.
Which one of the following was NOT an early primate species?
Correct Answer
A. Rana pipiens
10.
Which one of the following is a fossil?
Correct Answer
C. A 10,000-year-old footprint of a Woolly Mammoth
Explanation
The correct answer is a 10,000-year-old footprint of a Woolly Mammoth. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that lived in the past. The footprint of a Woolly Mammoth qualifies as a fossil because it is a trace left behind by an ancient organism. The bone dug from a 200-year-old gravesite and the Native American arrowhead are artifacts left behind by humans and not fossils. The chicken bone from KFC found in your yard is a modern bone and not a fossil.