Part I: Choose the one BEST answer. Circle its letter. Read each question and all 5 choices carefully because more than one answer might seem correct at first glance. 1 point each
1. When we observe different animal species living in the same area, we can assume that
a. they are competing, and soon (in evolutionary time) one species will become extinct
b. they arose from a common ancestor
c. they are not competing for anything which is limiting in the environment, so they will successfully co-exist
d. one is migratory and will not stay there long
e. none of the above can be assumed; however, any might be true
2. Which of the following structures increases ventilation in bony fishes by creating a negative pressure to draw water over the gills?
a. buccal or pharyngeal pump
b. pelvic fins
c. operculum
d. ram ventilation
e. swim bladder
3. Animals who hold eggs to develop inside the mother's body are
a. oviparous
b. oviviparous
c. viviparous
d. marsupial
e. dioecious
4. Give an example of one:
5. The theory that species are generally constant over long periods of time but that periodically there are intervals of rapid change and high rates of speciation is
a. punctuated equilibrium
b. episodic speciation
c. sympatric speciation
d. allopatric speciation
e. genetic divergence
6. Of the following, which two are significant "contributions" seen in chordates?
I. exoskeleton II. perforated pharynx III. paired appendages IV. brain
a. I & II
b. I & III
c. II & III
d. II & IV
e. III & IV
7. Reptilian skin is _____ compared to amphibian skin
a. thicker
b. scaly
c. drier
d. tougher
e. all of the above
8. Which of the following taxa lacks a vertebral spinal column?
a. reptilia
b. amphibia
c. osteichthyes
d. aves
e. urochordata
9. "Fitness" is used in population and evolutionary genetics to mean
a. strength
b. probability that an organism will reproduce
c. probability that an organism will survive
d. ability to adapt to a changing environment
e. overall health
10. Which of the following is a chordate but not a vertebrate?
a. tunicate
b. lancelet
c. lamprey
d. a and b
e. all of the above
11. Mammalian skulls are
a. anapsid
b. diapsid
c. synapsid
d. polyapsid
e. not all mammals have the same skull type
12. Which of the following is NOT considered a skeletal adaptation for flying?
a. hollow bones
b. modified forelimbs
c. sternum with keel
d. long neck
e. very long bony tail
13. Which of the following best illustrates Darwin's theory of evolution?
a. a grasshopper is green because the grass it eats is green
b. a grasshopper is missing a leg because its parent(s) lost legs
c. a grasshopper is green because its color allows it to escape predation by hiding in grass
d. grasshoppers turn green when they move into grass
e. grasshoppers have many legs because they run faster that way
14. A poisonous insect is bright red and yellow. It lives in a forest. This is an example of
a. protective coloration
b. warning coloration
c. camouflage
d. mimicry
e. blending coloration
15. Of the birds seen on our field trip, the one which could probe into sand deepest was the
a. long billed curlew
b. willet
c. pelican
d. marbled godwit
e. snowy egret
16. Which of the following has/have a four-chambered heart?
a. bird
b. salamander
c. fish
d. a and b
e. all of the above
17. When yolk is found throughout the entire egg, it is called
a. holoblastic
b. meroblastic
c. mesolecithal
d. isoolecithal
e. telolecithal
18. The endoskeleton of shark, ray, and skate is made of
a. bone
b. cartilage
c. bone and cartilage
d. no endoskeleton
e. no single answer is true for all the three organisms
19. Segmentation is a defining characteristic of all of the following phyla except
a. chordates
b. echinoderms
c. annelids
d. arthropods
e. none of the above: all of these "advanced" phyla have segmented bodies
20. Speciation occurring when geographically separated populations evolve reproductive barriers is
a. non-allopatric speciation
b. adaptive radiation
c. sympatric speciation
d. allopatric speciation
e. punctuated equilibrium
21. Echinoderm characteristics include:
a. radial symmetry
b. protostome
c. marine (most)
d. water vascular system
e. no specific excretory organs
22. Which of the following are NOT characteristic of Class Chondricthyes?
a. J-shaped stomach
b. cartilaginous skeleton
c. spiral organ
d. ear
e. placoid scales
23. Of the birds seen on our field trip, the one with the longest beak was the
a. marbled godwit
b. duck
c. willet
d. great egret
e. long billed curlew
24. Amphibians respire using
a. gills
b. lungs
c. skin
d. a and b
e. all of the above
25. Echinoderm embryos are bilaterally symmetrical; the adult is pentaradial. This is an example of
a. metamorphosis
b. asymmetric development
c. direct development
d. ecdysis
e. all of the above
26. Geographic partitioning of a population often results in speciation because
a. each group may adapt to its environment differently
b. each group may undergo genetic drift resulting in genotypic divergence
c. a and b are both possible or likely
d. such partitioning seldom if ever results in speciation
e. such partitioning can NOT result in speciation unless the new sites differ greatly
27. Which of the following organs or structures are absent in echinoderms?
a. head
b. brain
c. heart
d. a and b
e. all of the above
28. Reptiles may be distinguished from amphibians because reptiles but not amphibians
a. develop an amnion as embryos
b. reptiles crawl
c. have bones
d. have an open circulatory system
e. breathe
29. Sea stars move by
a. circular muscle
b. longitudinal muscle
c. tube feet
d. a and b
e. all of the above
30. Osteicthyes is characterized by
a. terminal mouth
b. swim bladder
c. bony skeleton
d. a and b
e. all of the above
Part II: Choose sufficient questions to answer to earn 70 points. You may answer up to 75 points worth (that is the "extra credit") including the "write your own" question if you choose. Be brief, focused, and complete. A list of reasons (or examples) with brief explanations would be a good way to answer many, if not all of these questions. Sometimes a drawing helps illustrate a point. However, a drawing by itself is NOT an explanation - be sure to state what you are trying to illustrate! Please do not assume that the reader will "know what you mean". Complete your thoughts and explanations!!
strategy hint: read all the questions; answer in the order YOU KNOW BEST!
1. [10 points] a. What is the Hardy-Weinberg Law, or describe genetic equilibrium?
b-d. The Hardy-Weinberg Law is based on three premises. For each, explain (or illustrate) why it is important -- why equilibrium, as described, requires these 3 conditions.
2. [10 points] List three distinct adaptations to terrestrial life, and explain briefly why they are important.
3. [5 points] Explain at least one way in which being an amniote is an advantage and at least one way in which it is disadvantageous (that is, if it is so great, why isn't everyone amniotic?).
4. [10 points; you may do 3 for 5 points if you wish] Choose 5 of the following animal categories: for each, list one or more characteristics of that group that distinguish it from all the other listed animals. Be sure characteristics are definitive and exclusive, that is, they specify the animal you are describing and could not be used to describe another type on this list (unless the "other" one is a member of the group you are describing). You may explain if you wish (not required)
shark bony fish frog snake dinosaur bird sea star
bat amphibian reptile mammal marsupial sea urchin turtle
5. [5 points] Explain at least one way in which an exoskeleton is "better" than an endoskeleton and at least one way in which an endoskeleton is "better" than an exoskeleton.
6. [5 points] Why can a frog and an insect respire through its surface covering (frog -skin; insect -cuticle) but mammals can not, even though their skin has pores?
7. [10 points] Compare (describe so that they can be compared) ventilation [not respiration] strategies of a fish, frog, marine arthropod, terrestrial arthropod and a mollusc of your own choosing. Which do you think is "best" and why {no right answer to this last part - just support your ideas.]
8. [5 points each] Choose up to two of the following animals; describe -briefly and succinctly - two specific adaptations that permit it to live in its niche. Be sure to state the "problem" that the adaptation allows the animal to overcome. tapeworm; tern; salamander; snake; kangaroo rat; Portuguese Man-O-War; human
9. Write a question that you studied for, and forgetful me, I neglected to ask. Answer your question. PLEASE ask yourself something you can answer well! PLEASE answer the question you actually ask. [points (up to 5) awarded based on question & answer]
10. [5 points each] Describe a "model" animal for each of the following sizes/habitats. For each one, state:
-- whether it is unicellular or multicellular
-- its outer covering
-- skeletal system (if any)
-- respiration system or strategy
-- circulatory system (closed/open; pump - if so, where & how many ...)
-- reproductive strategy (separate sexes or not?; internal/external fertilization? direct/indirect development? etc)
--excretory system (separate? dilute/concentrated urine?)
-- other specializations?
Animals: size: habitat:
< 1mm freshwater
1-5 cm terrestrial
shoe box marine
several feet terrestrial
huge marine
Again, a chart format might help here. Also, you may draw analogies with animals we have studied --- that will probably help a lot. However, DO NOT simply describe a particular real animal that is the right size & life style. You should pick & choose features for your model make-believe animals that you think would make them successful, and explain your reasoning. HINT: You will get more credit if you show some variety (give them some varied reproductive strategies, etc.) EXPLAIN YOUR DECISIONS -- in particular, point out why you chose certain features to fit a particular strategy.