Biology 111 Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
Based on Charles Darwin's observations in the Galapagos Islands, why did tortoises in
the Galapagos Islands have longer necks than tortoises in dry lowlands?
Those with longer necks could reach more leaves and access more food than those with
shorter necks
· Based on Charles Darwin's observations in the Galapagos Islands, why did the variety
finches have different types of beaks?
Varied beaks of each finch helped the birds acquire a specific type of food
· What was Darwin's reasoning about the relationship between the finches on the
Galapagos Islands and mainland finches?
Darwin reasoned that the finches on the Galapagos Islands were modified descendants of
mainland finches
· Who observed that species of organisms on different islands were clearly similar, yet
had distinct differences?
Darwin
· Define natural selection.
also known as "survival of the fittest," is the more prolific reproduction of individuals with
favorable traits that survive environmental change because of those traits; this leads to
evolutionary change.
· What was the subject of an essay that was one of the foundational concepts of natural
selection?
, Human economic pressures
· Describe the principles of natural selection.
is that organisms will compete for resources.most characteristics of organisms are inherited,
or passed from parent to offspring.offspring vary among each other in regard to their
characteristics and those variations are inherited.
Who are the two people who developed ideas about the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
· What is an adaptation (in the context of evolutionary theory)?
evolution gives rise to groups of organisms that become tremendously different from each
other.
· What is necessary in order for organisms to change over generations?
genetic variation
· What process is at work when two species evolve in unique directions from a common
point?
divergent evolution
· What process occurs because of genetic variation that is already present in a
population?
Natural selection
What theory explains why certain individuals thrive while others do not?
evolution
What does fossil evidence allow scientists to determine?
Answers
Based on Charles Darwin's observations in the Galapagos Islands, why did tortoises in
the Galapagos Islands have longer necks than tortoises in dry lowlands?
Those with longer necks could reach more leaves and access more food than those with
shorter necks
· Based on Charles Darwin's observations in the Galapagos Islands, why did the variety
finches have different types of beaks?
Varied beaks of each finch helped the birds acquire a specific type of food
· What was Darwin's reasoning about the relationship between the finches on the
Galapagos Islands and mainland finches?
Darwin reasoned that the finches on the Galapagos Islands were modified descendants of
mainland finches
· Who observed that species of organisms on different islands were clearly similar, yet
had distinct differences?
Darwin
· Define natural selection.
also known as "survival of the fittest," is the more prolific reproduction of individuals with
favorable traits that survive environmental change because of those traits; this leads to
evolutionary change.
· What was the subject of an essay that was one of the foundational concepts of natural
selection?
, Human economic pressures
· Describe the principles of natural selection.
is that organisms will compete for resources.most characteristics of organisms are inherited,
or passed from parent to offspring.offspring vary among each other in regard to their
characteristics and those variations are inherited.
Who are the two people who developed ideas about the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
· What is an adaptation (in the context of evolutionary theory)?
evolution gives rise to groups of organisms that become tremendously different from each
other.
· What is necessary in order for organisms to change over generations?
genetic variation
· What process is at work when two species evolve in unique directions from a common
point?
divergent evolution
· What process occurs because of genetic variation that is already present in a
population?
Natural selection
What theory explains why certain individuals thrive while others do not?
evolution
What does fossil evidence allow scientists to determine?
