Evidence & Patterns of Evolution

20 questions • 1 test • tap a section to begin

Welcome! 3.8 Evidence & Patterns of Evolution — Test 1 — 20 questions, CSIR-NET style.

What this test covers

  • Homology, analogy & vestigial organs
  • Convergent vs divergent evolution
  • Exaptation, pre-adaptation & living fossils
  • Continental drift, dating & evolutionary thinkers

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3.8 Evidence & Patterns of Evolution — Test 1
Q1. The wings of birds and bats, which serve the same function but have different evolutionary origins, are examples of:✓ Analogous structures
Q2. Convergent evolution produces:✓ Analogous structures
Q3. The reduced pelvic girdle and hind-limb bones found in pythons are examples of:✓ Vestigial organs
Q4. The near-identical early embryonic stages of a pig and a mouse reveal their:✓ Common ancestry
Q5. The germplasm theory, which argued that acquired characters are not inherited, was proposed by:✓ Weismann
Q6. A pre-existing structure that later takes on a new function for which it was not originally selected is termed a(n):✓ Exaptation
Q7. A morphological modification that is inherited without immediate use but may prove beneficial in a changed future environment is termed:✓ Pre-adaptation
Q8. Cuvier's theory, proposing that successive creations followed large-scale geological catastrophes, is called:✓ Theory of catastrophism
Q9. The repeated evolution of a similar trait or body plan from the same ancestral lineage at different times is termed:✓ Iterative evolution
Q10. The discontinuous distribution of large flightless birds (ostrich, rhea, emu) on different southern continents is best explained by:✓ The break-up of a former supercontinent (continental drift)
Q11. Tigers do not occur naturally in Sri Lanka, but leopards occur in both India and Sri Lanka. The best explanation is that:✓ Leopards originated before India and Sri Lanka separated (continental drift)
Q12. An organism that has remained morphologically little changed over millions of years is called a:✓ Living fossil
Q13. Among the following, a recognised 'living fossil' is:✓ Ginkgo biloba
Q14. Fossils are most commonly preserved in:✓ Sedimentary rocks
Q15. The age of fossils less than about 20,000 years old is most precisely estimated using:✓ Carbon-14 (radiocarbon) dating
Q16. Cope's rule states that, over geological time, lineages tend to:✓ Increase in body size
Q17. Homologous structures (such as the forelimbs of humans, whales and bats) are evidence of:✓ Divergent evolution from a common ancestor
Q18. Lamarck is best known for proposing the:✓ Inheritance of acquired characters
Q19. The streamlined body shapes of sharks (fish), ichthyosaurs (reptiles) and dolphins (mammals) are an example of:✓ Convergent evolution
Q20. Match each scientist with the concept they are known for and select the correct option.✓ A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv