Evolutionary Relationships Trivia Quiz

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Stephen Reinbold, PhD (Biological Sciences) |
Biology Instructor
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Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.
, PhD (Biological Sciences)
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Evolutionary Relationships Trivia Quiz - Quiz

Have you studied evolution well enough? Are you ready for this evolutionary relationships trivia quiz? What do we actually mean by evolutionary relationships? An evolutionary relationship means that different species are related to each other in accordance with evolutionary or ancestral history. The study of evolutionary relationships helps us to track the biological history of various species and their connection to the species present currently. Let's go for this quiz now!


Evolutionary Relationships Questions and Answers

  • 1. 

    Evolution is the process of the:

    • A.

      Development of one-celled organisms from mammals

    • B.

      Change in species over long periods of time

    • C.

      Embryonic development of modern humans

    • D.

      Changing energy flow in food webs

    Correct Answer
    B. Change in species over long periods of time
    Explanation
    Evolution refers to the gradual change in species over extended periods of time. It involves the accumulation of genetic variations within a population, leading to the development of new traits and the formation of new species. This process occurs through mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation. Evolution is not limited to the development of one-celled organisms from mammals or the embryonic development of modern humans. Additionally, it is not directly related to the changing energy flow in food webs.

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  • 2. 

    Evolution is often represented as a branching tree diagram similar to the one shown below.  The names shown represent different groups of organisms alive today; the lines represent their evolutionary histories. The statement that is best supported by the diagram is that

    • A.

      Annelida and Arthropoda have an ancestor in common.

    • B.

      Echinodermata are more closely related to Mollusca than they are to Chordata.

    • C.

      Mollusca and Arthropoda probably evolved before Porifera.

    • D.

      Annelida and Arthropoda evolved from Echinodermata.

    Correct Answer
    A. Annelida and Arthropoda have an ancestor in common.
    Explanation
    The diagram shows a branching tree, with Annelida and Arthropoda sharing a common branch. This indicates that they have a common ancestor, supporting the statement that Annelida and Arthropoda have an ancestor in common.

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  • 3. 

    Birds evolved from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs called

    • A.

      Theropods

    • B.

      Spinosaurus

    • C.

      Allosaurus

    • D.

      Diplodocus

    Correct Answer
    A. Theropods
    Explanation
    Birds evolved from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs called theropods. This is supported by various fossil evidence and genetic studies. Theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor, had many characteristics that are also found in modern birds, such as hollow bones, feathers, and a similar hip structure. Over millions of years, these theropods gradually evolved into the diverse group of birds we see today.

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  • 4. 

    The study of fossils has allowed scientists to:

    • A.

      Describe past environments and the history of life

    • B.

      Study present ocean temperatures at different depths

    • C.

      Analyze the chemical composition of sedimentary rocks and minerals

    • D.

      Describe the details of the process by which life began on Earth

    Correct Answer
    A. Describe past environments and the history of life
    Explanation
    The study of fossils provides valuable information about past environments and the history of life on Earth. Fossils can reveal the types of plants and animals that existed in different time periods, as well as the conditions in which they lived. By examining fossils, scientists can reconstruct ancient ecosystems, understand evolutionary patterns, and track changes in biodiversity over time. Fossils also help in dating rock layers and determining the sequence of events in Earth's history. Therefore, the study of fossils allows scientists to describe past environments and gain insights into the history of life.

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  • 5. 

    The process by which a species passes out of existence is known as:

    • A.

      Endangerment

    • B.

      Deforestation

    • C.

      Extinction

    • D.

      Adaptation

    Correct Answer
    C. Extinction
    Explanation
    Extinction refers to the process by which a species ceases to exist. It occurs when there are no remaining individuals of a species alive. This can happen due to various factors such as environmental changes, natural disasters, competition, or human activities. Extinction is a natural part of the evolutionary process, but it is also influenced by human actions such as habitat destruction, pollution, and overhunting. When a species becomes extinct, it is permanently lost from the Earth, and its unique genetic information and ecological role are gone forever.

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  • 6. 

    The bones in the forelimbs of three mammals are shown below. For these mammals, the number, position, and shape of the bones most likely indicate that they may have

    • A.

      Developed in a common environment

    • B.

      Developed from the same earlier species

    • C.

      Identical genetic makeup

    • D.

      Identical methods of obtaining food

    Correct Answer
    B. Developed from the same earlier species
    Explanation
    The bones in the forelimbs of three mammals being similar in number, position, and shape suggests that they may have developed from the same earlier species. This similarity in bone structure indicates a common ancestry and evolutionary history, where the forelimbs of these mammals have been inherited and modified over time from a common ancestor.

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  • 7. 

    Base your answers to this question on the diagram below, which represents the relationships between animals in a possible canine family tree, and on your knowledge of biology. According to the diagram, which group of organisms has the most closely related members?

    • A.

      Cats, weasels, and wolves

    • B.

      Bears, raccoons, and hyena dogs

    • C.

      Jackals, foxes, and domestic dogs

    • D.

      African hunting dogs, hyena dogs, and domestic dogs

    Correct Answer
    C. Jackals, foxes, and domestic dogs
    Explanation
    According to the diagram, jackals, foxes, and domestic dogs are all connected by a single line, indicating a direct relationship. This suggests that they share a more recent common ancestor compared to the other groups mentioned. Therefore, jackals, foxes, and domestic dogs have the most closely related members among the given options.

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  • 8. 

    Base your answers to this question on the diagram below, which represents the relationships between animals in a possible canine family tree, and on your knowledge of biology. According to the canine family tree, weasels, foxes, and domestic dogs all most likely originated from the

    • A.

      Wolf

    • B.

      Bear dog

    • C.

      Marcus

    • D.

      Miacis

    Correct Answer
    D. Miacis
    Explanation
    Miacis is the most likely origin for weasels, foxes, and domestic dogs according to the canine family tree. This is because Miacis is the earliest ancestor shown in the diagram, branching off into different lineages that eventually lead to these animals. The diagram suggests that these animals share a common ancestor in Miacis, indicating a close evolutionary relationship.

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  • 9. 

    The diagrams below show the bones in the forelimbs of three different organisms. Similarities in the bone arrangements support the hypothesis that these organisms

    • A.

      Are members of the same species

    • B.

      May have descended from the same ancestor

    • C.

      Have adaptations to survive in different environments

    • D.

      All contain the same genetic information

    Correct Answer
    B. May have descended from the same ancestor
    Explanation
    The diagram shows similarities in the bone arrangements of the forelimbs of three different organisms. This suggests that these organisms may have descended from the same ancestor. The similarities in bone arrangements indicate a common evolutionary history and ancestry. Therefore, the hypothesis that these organisms may have descended from the same ancestor is supported.

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  • 10. 

    The diagrams below show the bones in the forelimbs of three different organisms. Differences in the bone arrangements support the hypothesis that these organisms

    • A.

      Are members of the same species

    • B.

      May have descended from the same ancestor

    • C.

      Have adaptations to survive in different environments

    • D.

      All contain the same genetic information

    Correct Answer
    B. May have descended from the same ancestor
    Explanation
    The diagrams show differences in the bone arrangements of the forelimbs of three different organisms. This suggests that these organisms may have descended from the same ancestor. The similarities in bone structure indicate a common evolutionary origin, as different species would not have such similar bone arrangements. This supports the hypothesis that these organisms share a common ancestor and have diverged over time.

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Stephen Reinbold |PhD (Biological Sciences) |
Biology Instructor
Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.

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  • Jun 10, 2024
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  • Feb 13, 2012
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