Evolution Exam One Chapters 1-5
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
biological evolution - Correct Answer- any change in the inherited traits of a population that
occurs from one generation to the next
natural selection - Correct Answer- mechanism that can lead to evolution
differential survival and reproduction of individuals cause some genetic types to outcompete
others
homologous characteristics - Correct Answer- similar in two or more species because they are
inherited from a common ancestor
synapomorphy - Correct Answer- derived form of a trait that is shared by a group of related
species
evolved in common ancestor and is inherited by all
phylogeny - Correct Answer- visual representation of the evolutionary history of populations,
genes, or species
viral reassortment - Correct Answer- genetic material from different strains gets mixed into
new combinations within an individual
genetic drift - Correct Answer- evolution arising from random changes in the genetic
composition of a population from one generation to the next
occurs by CHANCE
Phenotype - Correct Answer- measurable aspects of organisms
, sexual selection - Correct Answer- how profoundly animals are influenced by sex
taxa - Correct Answer- refers to groups of organisms that a taxonomist judges to be cohesive
units such as species or orders
taxonomy - Correct Answer- the science of classifying species living or fossils
stratigraphy - Correct Answer- the study of layering rock (stratification)
adaptations - Correct Answer- traits that have evolved through the mechanism of natural
selection
inherited aspects that allow an individual to outcompete other members of the same
population
radiometric dating - Correct Answer- a technique that allows geologists to estimate the
precise age at which one geological formation ends and another begins
lagerstatten - Correct Answer- sites with an abundant supply of unusually preserved fossils
including soft tissues
burgess shale - Correct Answer- lagerstatte in Canada that preserved fossils from the
Cambrian period
biomarkers - Correct Answer- molecular evidence of life in the fossil record
include fragments of DNA, molecule such as lipids, or specific isotopic ratios
stromatolites - Correct Answer- layered structures formed by the mineralization of bacteria
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
biological evolution - Correct Answer- any change in the inherited traits of a population that
occurs from one generation to the next
natural selection - Correct Answer- mechanism that can lead to evolution
differential survival and reproduction of individuals cause some genetic types to outcompete
others
homologous characteristics - Correct Answer- similar in two or more species because they are
inherited from a common ancestor
synapomorphy - Correct Answer- derived form of a trait that is shared by a group of related
species
evolved in common ancestor and is inherited by all
phylogeny - Correct Answer- visual representation of the evolutionary history of populations,
genes, or species
viral reassortment - Correct Answer- genetic material from different strains gets mixed into
new combinations within an individual
genetic drift - Correct Answer- evolution arising from random changes in the genetic
composition of a population from one generation to the next
occurs by CHANCE
Phenotype - Correct Answer- measurable aspects of organisms
, sexual selection - Correct Answer- how profoundly animals are influenced by sex
taxa - Correct Answer- refers to groups of organisms that a taxonomist judges to be cohesive
units such as species or orders
taxonomy - Correct Answer- the science of classifying species living or fossils
stratigraphy - Correct Answer- the study of layering rock (stratification)
adaptations - Correct Answer- traits that have evolved through the mechanism of natural
selection
inherited aspects that allow an individual to outcompete other members of the same
population
radiometric dating - Correct Answer- a technique that allows geologists to estimate the
precise age at which one geological formation ends and another begins
lagerstatten - Correct Answer- sites with an abundant supply of unusually preserved fossils
including soft tissues
burgess shale - Correct Answer- lagerstatte in Canada that preserved fossils from the
Cambrian period
biomarkers - Correct Answer- molecular evidence of life in the fossil record
include fragments of DNA, molecule such as lipids, or specific isotopic ratios
stromatolites - Correct Answer- layered structures formed by the mineralization of bacteria
