Question

A) Which of the following types of evidence would be useful in understanding if the impact of a comet caused the extinction of the dinosaurs?

more phylogenetic studies

more detailed collection of fossils

more DNA analyses

more comparison of skeletal structures

B) Use the following information to answer the question.

Due to its system of air sacs connected to the lungs, the respiratory system of birds is arguably the most effective respiratory system of all air-breathers. Upon inhalation, air first flows into posterior air sacs, then into the lungs, and then into anterior air sacs on the way to being exhaled. Thus, there is one-way flow of air through the lungs, along thousands of tubules called parabronchi.

The one-way flow of air along parabronchi makes what type of gas exchange mechanism possible, at least theoretically?

the same as that occurring in mammalian lungs

the same as that occurring in fish gills

the same as that occurring in insect tracheae

the same as that occurring in echinoderm skin gills

C) Which of the following is the most inclusive (most general) group in which all of the members have fully opposable thumbs?

primates

anthropoids

Homo

apes

D) Which of the following statements about the geographic distribution of marsupials is accurate?

they occur only in Africa

they occur only in Australia and New Guinea

they occur in Australia and the Americas

they occur on all continents except Antarctica

E) Marsupials survived in Australia (as opposed to Asia) because ________.

marsupials were, and are, better competitors than eutherians

Australia had separated from Pangea, and eutherians were not able to invade Australia

marsupials were better adapted to the climatic conditions of Australia than were eutherians

continental drift, caused by plate tectonic processes, allowed eutherians to invade Asia and the America

Humans are _______.

Australopithecus

Homo erectus

Ardipithecus

Homo sapiens

Homo habilis

Answer 1

A. ANS: A. More phylogenetic studies

Phylogenetic analyses have become central to understanding genomes, ecology, evolution and biodiversity.

B. ANS: B. The same as that occurring in fish gills

C. ANS: B. Anthropoids

Anthropoids are the most inclusive (most general) group in all of the members have fully opposable thumbs.

D. ANS: C. They occur in Australia and the Americas

The geographic distribution of marsupials is accurate in Australia and the Americas

E. ANS: B. Australia had separated from Pangea, and eutherians were not able to invade Australia

Theory suggests that there were marsupials everywhere, but that they were an 'inefficient' life form that got crowded out by more efficient predators elsewhere. They survived in Australia because of the continent's isolation and scarcity of natural enemies.

F. ANS: D. Homo sapiens

Humans are Homo sapiens