ASU BIO345 EVOLUTION
EXAM 1 PRACTICE
COMPLETE
Question 1: A biologist explains that desert lizards bask in the morning because warming their muscles increases enzyme activity. What type of explanation is this?
Choices:
1) A proximate explanation 2) An ultimate explanation 3) A phylogenetic explanation 4) A biogeographic explanation
Correct Answer: A proximate explanation
Explanation: A proximate explanation identi�es the immediate physiological or mechanical cause of a trait or behavior. Enzyme activity and body warming explain how the behavior works, not why it evolved historically.Page 1
Question 2: Which contribution is most closely associated with Carolus Linnaeus?
Choices:
1) Proposing natural selection 2) Establishing a hierarchical system of biological classi�cation 3) Discovering Mendelian inheritance 4) Formulating the Hardy-Weinberg principle Correct Answer: Establishing a hierarchical system of biological classi�cation Explanation: Linnaeus developed the framework of modern taxonomy, grouping organisms into nested categories such as genera and higher taxa. Natural selection, Mendelian genetics, and Hardy-Weinberg came later.
Question 3: A geologist interprets an ancient canyon by studying erosion and
sediment transport occurring today. Which principle is being applied?
Choices:
1) Orthogenesis 2) Inheritance of acquired characteristics 3) Uniformitarianism 4) Genetic drift
Correct Answer: Uniformitarianism
Explanation: Uniformitarianism holds that processes observable in the present can be used to interpret processes that operated in the past. This principle helped make historical sciences such as evolutionary biology testable.Page 2
Question 4: Which statement best distinguishes Lamarck's view of evolutionary
change from Darwin's?
Choices:
1) Lamarck proposed common descent, whereas Darwin rejected it 2) Lamarck relied on genetic drift, whereas Darwin relied on mutation 3) Lamarck proposed Mendelian inheritance, whereas Darwin proposed blending inheritance 4) Lamarck emphasized changes acquired by individuals, whereas Darwin emphasized changes in frequencies of heritable variants in populations Correct Answer: Lamarck emphasized changes acquired by individuals, whereas Darwin emphasized changes in frequencies of heritable variants in populations Explanation: Lamarckian transformation centers on individuals changing through use or disuse and passing those changes on. Darwin's variational view centers on preexisting heritable di�erences whose frequencies change across generations.
Question 5: Which observation most directly supports Darwin's idea of common
descent?
Choices:
1) Closely related species share inherited structural features even when those features serve di�erent functions 2) Every organism is perfectly adapted to its environment 3) All mutations are bene�cial 4) Allele frequencies remain constant in every population Correct Answer: Closely related species share inherited structural features even when those features serve di�erent functions Explanation: Homologous features are expected when species inherit traits from common ancestors and later modify them. Common descent does not predict perfect adaptation, universally bene�cial mutations, or invariant allele frequencies.Page 3