1. mutation
2. natural selection
3. overbreeding
4. sexual reproduction

1. Most characteristics of organisms are inherited.
2. Offspring vary among each other in regard to their characteristics.
3. Some generations of offspring do not need to compete for resources.
4. Certain traits will be better represented in the next generation.

1. a trait or behavior that aids an organism’s survival and reproduction
2. a heritable trait or behavior that aids an organism’s survival and reproduction
3. a trait or behavior that aids a population’s survival and reproduction
4. a heritable trait or behavior that aids a population’s survival and reproduction

1. The better nutrition of a human helps her grow taller.
2. The webbed feet of a duck help it swim.
3. The urban location of a raccoon helps it find food.
4. The large leaves of a desert plant require more water.

1. Groups of organisms evolve in different directions from a common point.
2. A new species develops rapidly when an event cuts off a portion of a population.
3. Groups of organisms independently evolve to similar forms.
4. A species evolves when a few members move to a new geographical area.

1. Some fish that live in total darkness have eyes.
2. Hawks and other birds have feathers.
3. Worms and snakes both move without legs.
4. Flowers that look very different have the same reproductive organs.

1. physical structures that have no apparent function
2. parallel structures in diverse organisms
3. physical structures that are used only occasionally
4. similar structures in diverse organisms

1. gills in fish and parts of the throat in humans
2. butterfly wings and dragonfly wings
3. hind leg bones in whales and leaves on some cacti
4. shark fins and dolphin fins

1. The theory includes an explanation of life’s origins.
2. The theory cannot explain the origin of life.
3. The theory does not try to explain the origin of life.
4. The theory does not contribute understanding to pre-life processes.

1. The bacteria develops resistance to the antibiotic in direct response to its application.
2. The bacteria’s genetic material mutates in response to the antibiotic, resulting in resistance.
3. A gene for resistance, already present in the population, decreases in frequency.
4. A gene for resistance, already present in the population, increases in frequency.

1. A group of individual organisms with significant genetic similarities
2. a group of individual organisms with significant genetic similarities that share external and internal characteristics
3. a group of individual organisms that interbreed
4. a group of individual organisms that interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring

1. ecological niches
2. morphological differences
3. reproductive barriers
4. genetic changes

1. mutations and sexual reproduction
2. isolation and sexual reproduction
3. sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction
4. migration and sexual reproduction

1. Without genetic variation, speciation would occur more slowly.
2. Without genetic variation, speciation would not be possible.
3. Genetic variation influences sympatric speciation, but not allopatric speciation.
4. There is no relationship between genetic variation and any form of speciation.

1. They occur after fertilization.
2. They include hybrids that are sterile.
3. They include hybrid organisms that don’t survive the embryonic stage.
4. They include reproductive organ incompatibility.

1. Two species of fish produce sterile offspring.
2. Two species of flowers attract different pollinators.
3. Two species of insects mate, but the zygote does not survive.
4. Two species of lizards mate, but the offspring dies before reproducing.

1. A flood causes the formation of a new lake
2. A storm causes several large trees to fall down.
3. A mutation causes a new trait to develop.
4. An injury causes an organism to seek out a new food source.

What is the main difference between an autopolyploid individual and an allopolyploid individual?

1. number of extra chromosomes
2. functionality of extra chromosomes
3. source of extra chromosomes
4. number of mutations in the extra chromosomes

1. It leads to multiple species forming from one parent species.
2. It only occurs on or around island archipelagos.
3. It requires a population to disperse from its parent species.
4. It is a special kind of sympatric speciation.

1. There are vacant ecological niches nearby.
2. Genetic drift in a population increases.
3. There are isolated regions with suitable habitats.
4. There are few competitor species.

1. compete
2. reproduce
3. transition
4. fuse

1. The hybrid offspring are more fit than the parent species.
2. Reproductive barriers weaken.
3. The hybrid offspring are about as fit as the parent species.
4. Reproductive barriers strengthen.

1. Graudal speciation and punctuated equilibrium both result in the divergence of species.
2. Punctuated equilibrium is most likely to occur in a large population in a stable environment.
3. In the punctuated equilibrium model, gradualism is not excluded.
4. In the gradual speciation model, traits change incrementally.

1. a division in populations
2. a change in environmental conditions
3. ongoing gene flow
4. a number of mutations occurring at once