13. Evolution Questions And Answers

 13. Evolution Questions

1. a) Distinguish between homologous and analogous structures in evolution. b) Name one vestigial structure in mammals.

2. a) Give two examples of adaptive radiation in animals.

 b) State two disadvantages of using fossils as evidence of evolution

3. Distinguish between camouflage and mimicry.

4. State the role of light in photosynthesis

5. (a) Name the region of the gut where digestion of cellulose takes place.

 (b) State role of cardiac sphincter in the stomach.

6. (a) Give two limitations of fossil records as evidence of evolution

(b) State any two similarities in structure between Homo
erectus and Homo
Sapiens

7. (a) (i) What is meant by vestigial structures?

(ii) Give an example of a vestigial structure in human

8. Distinguish between the struggle for existence and survival for the fittest as used in the theory of

 natural selection

9. Give two factors that determine water reabsorption in the distal convulated tubule

10. Distinguish divergent and convergent evolution

11. (a) What are the advantages of natural selection

(b) All insects are believed to have arisen from a common ancestor. However, modern insects

differ widely in a variety of ways such as in the adaptation of their mouthparts for different

modes of feeding. What kind of evolution is this?

12. Explain why Lamacks theory of evolution is not accepted by Biologists today.

13. a) i) What is meant by vestigal structures

ii) Give an example of vestigal structure in human

 b) Explain why certain drugs become ineffective in curing a disease after many years of use

14. (a) What is organic evolution?

 (b) Briefly explain the term “survival for the fittest” as used in Darwin’s theory of natural

 selection

15. Explain why insecticides become ineffective against insects if used for several years in succession

16. State three limitations of fossils records as an evidence of organic evolution

17. State three pieces of evidence that support the theory of organic evolution

18. What is meant by natural selection?

19. (a) Explain why Lamarcks theory of evolution is not accepted today

 (b) State two limitations of fossils records as evidence of organic evolution

20. In a breeding experiment, plants with red flowers were crossed. They produced 123 plants with red flowers and 41 with white flowers:

 (a) Identify the recessive trait

 (b) Give a reason for your answer

 (c) If white flowered plants were selfed, what would be the genotype of their offspring?

Show your working using appropriate symbols (R, r)

 (d) What is a test cross?

21. a) What is organic evolution?

 b) Describe the various evidences which support the theory of organic evolution.

22. (a) What is meant by the term natural selection

 (b) Describe how natural selection brings about the adaptations of a species to its environment

 (c) Distinguish between convergent and divergent evolution

 (d) Discuss four evidences to show that evolution has taken place

23. Explain the various evidence for organic evolution

24. (a) What is organic evolution

 (b) Explain why resistance to antibiotics is considered as an example of evolution

 (c) List and explain various evidences of organic evolution

25. Pure breed red flowered plants were cross pollinated with pure breed white flowered plants.

 The resulting F_l offspring’s had pink flowers.

 (a) Using letter R to represent the gene for red colour and letter W to represent gene for white

colour of flowers. Work out the genotype of the F₁ generation

 (b) If seeds from the F_l
generation plants were planted and allowed to self pollinate. Work out

the phenotypic ratio of the F₂ generation

13. Evolution Answers

1. a) Homologous structures have a common embryonic origin but are modified to

Perform different functions; while analogous structures have different embryonic origin but are

modified to perform similar functions;

 b) Nictitating membrane; post anal tail; body hair;

2. a) Pentadactyl limb structure of mammals; beaks of birds; feet of birds;

b) – Missing links between fossils because some parts or whole organisms were not fossilized

– Some parts were distorted during fossilization hence may give wrong impression

of structures;

– Some structures have been destructed by geological activities;

3. Camouflage is the conceal/ element of identity of an organism by resembling the color

of the environment while mimicry is the imitation of non- living organisms to conceal identity

4. Light energy splits water molecules; into hydrogen ions and oxygen atoms;

5. (a) Caecum/ Rumen/ pauch;

 (b) Closes to prevent food from moving up the oesophagus;

6. (a) – the soft bodied organisms fail to fossilize;

– Human activities interfere with fossilization;

Earth movements e.g. volcanic eruptions interfere with fossilization; (mark any first2 pts

(b) – They resembled from neck downwards;

-They walked upright;

– The shape of the skull suggested they were able to speak;

7. a i)vestigial structures are those structures that have ceased to be functional over along

period of time and hence reduced in sizes

ii)-appendix;

-caecum

-coccyx or tail/tail bone;

– Nictitating membrane/semi – lunar fold at the corner of the eye;

-ear muscles

– Body hair;

 b) Disease causing organism mutates; and became resistant;

8. Struggle for existence –environmental pressure on the population in order to survive;

Survival for the fittest-advantageous variations an individual possesses to make it survive;

9. Secretion of antidiuretic hormone; rearbsorption of salts at the loop of Henle;

10. -Divergent evolution refers to a situation where by organisms that are believed to have

had a common ancestral origin have homologous structures which have been modified to suit different environments;

11. a) Allows survival of organisms with better qualities / traits / characteristics; eliminates

organisms with unfavorable characteristics/ traits;

 b) Divergent;

12. Evidence does not support Larmarks theory

Acquired characteristics are not inherited/;

Inherited characteristics are found in reproductive cells

13. (a) Vestigial structures

 (i) Are those structures that have ceased to be functional over a long period of time hence

reduced in size;

 (ii) Appendix/coccyx/tail/ nictitating membrane semilun fold at the corner of the

eye/caecum/ear muscles, body hairs;

 (b) Disease causing micro-organisms mutate and become resistant;

14. a) The gradual emergence of complex life forms from pre-existing simple forms over along

period of time ;

 b) Nature selects those organisms with structures that are well adapted to survival in

the environment. These structures are passed to their offspring; organisms with structures

that are poorly adapted perish

15. The insecticide kills most of the insects when introduced; those that survive; give rise to a new

generation of flies that are resistant to insecticide.

16. – Most organisms especially soft-bodied ones do not form fossils;

– Most fossils have not yet been discovered;

– Exposed fossils are usually destroyed by physical and chemical weathering;

– Earth movements e.g. volcanicity, earthquakes, tsunami do destroy fossils;

– Most animals are prayed upon;

17. -Fossil records/paleontology ;

-Comparative anatomy/taxonomy;

-Comparative embryology;

-Geographical distribution;

-Cell biology;

-Comparative cellulogy/immunology; (award 1^st three 3mks)

18. Nature selects organisms that are well adapted and allows them to survive: but rejects those that are poorly adapted they perish/die/become eliminated;

19. (a) The genotype of an organism is not changed by characteristics acquired during the

life/ phenotypically acquired characteristics do not affect the genotype of an individual

(b) – Missing links (due to decomp0osing of savaged form)

– Distortion of parts (some parts were flattened);

– Geographical activities (e.g. earthquake, faulting, erosion) (any 2)

20. (a) White flowers.

 (b) The white flowers were fewer that is the ratio of ¼ of the total flowers.

Parental phenotype white flowers white flowers

Parental genotypes r r x v r

Gametes

(c) A cross between unknown genotype with a homozygous recessive/double recessive genotype

 (d) – Low mental capability

• Short/stubby fingers
• Slit eyes

  21. (a) Emergence of new life forms//species//organisms; from pre-existing forms gradually

  over a long period of time;

  (b) Fossil records//Palaeontology;

  These are remains of organisms preserved in some naturally occurring materials e.g. sedimentary rocks for many years; They give direct evidence of the type of organisms that existed at a certain geological time//show a gradual increase in complexity/morphological changes of organisms over a long period of time e.g. skull of man

  Geographical distribution;

  present continents are thought to have been a large land mass joined together; continental drift led to isolation that lead to different patterns of evolution; e.g. camels of Africa resemble the Ilamas of S. America// tiger of Asia resemble jaguars of S. America // unique Marsupials of Australia;

  (accept any valid example)

  Comparative Embryology;

  Vertebrate embryos show morphological similarities in their early development suggesting these organisms have a common origin; Accept – embryos of mammals /reptiles/ amphibians compared to show the similarities;

  Cell Biology// Cytology;

  Occurrence of cell organelles e.g. Mitochondria

  Cytoplasm nucleus// Accept any correct organelle; point towards a common ancestor;

  Comparative serology;

  Analysis of blood proteins and antigens / Rh factor/ blood group /haemoglobin reveal phylogenetic blood group/haemoglobin reveal phylogenetic relationships; Those species that are more close phylogenetically related contain more similar blood protein;// Antigen-antibody reactions/serological tests/experiments with serum reveal some phylogenetic relationship depending on the level of precipitation.

  Comparative anatomy/taxonomy;

  • Members of a phylum show similarities indicating common ancestry; These organisms have similar functions e.g. presence of digestive, urinary, nervous systems e.t.c;
  • Homologous structures like pentadactyl limbs in different animals like monkey and rats have similar borne arrangement hence same origin but modified to perform different functions// adaptive radiation//divergent evolution; vestigial organs//coccyx Appendix;
  • Analogous structures like wings of birds and wings of insects with different embryonic origin but perform same function//convergent evolution; (maximum 18mks)

  N/B- Mention of each evidence 1mk each

  • It is muscular//Has cardiac muscles which are myogenic;//capapble of contracting and relaxing without nervous stimulation to ensure the heart beat without stopping;
  • Supplied by vagus and sympathetic nerves; which control the rate of heart beat depending on body’s physiological requirement;
  • Has tricuspid and bicuspid valves//arteria ventricular valves; to prevent back flow of blood into wrong directions;
  • Has semi lunar valves at the base of pulmonary artery and aorta; to prevent back flow of blood into right and left ventricles respectively;
  • Presence of valve tendons attached to the walls //arteria ventricular walls; prevent arteria ventricular valves // tricuspid and bicuspid valves from turning inside out;
  • Supplied by coronary artery; to supply food and oxygen t the cardiac muscles for their pumping action;
  • Coronary vein; draws away metabolic wastes;
  • Heart is enclosed by pericardial membrane; which secrete fluids which lubricates//reduces friction on the walls as it pumps;
  • Pericardial membrane is lined with a layer of fat to act as shock absorber; hold the heart in position; checks over dilation of the heart;
  • The heart is divided into two by (artria ventricular) septum; which prevents mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood;
  • The sino-artria node// pace maker; initiates a wave of excitation leading to contraction and relaxation of cardiac muscles;
  • The artria –ventricular node; in the heart spread out waves of excitation through out the heart

  The structure tied to function wrong function cancel the mark of the structure. Correct structure minus function do not qualify for a mark

22. (a) Nature or the environment selects those individuals that are sufficiently adapted; and rejects

those that are not adapted;

(b) Adaptation by natural selection.

– Individuals of the same species show variations.

– The variations are caused by genes that can be passed on from parents to the off springs

(inherited);

– Some of these variation become more suitable or favorable or advantageous in the prevailing

environmental conditions;

– Because organisms usually produce more off springs than the environment can support;

competition for resources sets in;

– This leads to struggle for existence;

– Individuals with more favorable characteristics/ adaptations/ gene mutation have better chance

of survival in the struggle;

– Hence they reach reproductive age, reproduce and pass on favorable characteristics to the off spring;

– Those with less favorable characteristics or adaptations fail to reach sexual maturity; they die young;

– Examples of natural selection include- malarial parasite/plasmodium which has developed

strains that are resistant to anti-malarial drugs;

– Sickle cell trait; the homozygous die young and the heterozygous are resistant to malaria.

(c) – Convergent evolution.

– This is a phenomenon where structures from different embryonic origins are modified

to perform the same function. E.g. wings of birds and those of insects, eyes of human

beings and those of octopuses;

– Divergent evolution.

– This is a phenomenon where one basic structural form is modified to give rise to various

different forms which perform different functions. E.g. pentadactyl limbs of vertebrates,

shapes of beaks in birds;

(d) Evidences to show that evolution has taken place. (Any 4)

i) Fossil records.√

ii) Comparative anatomy. .√

iii) Comparative embryology. .√

iv) Geographical distribution (continental drift).√

v) Vestigial organs.√

vi) Cell biology. √

(i) Fossils records;

Fossils are remains of dead organisms preserved naturally. They indicate that organisms have evolved from simple life forms to most complex forms. Fossils of human beings indicate that the modern human being has a highly developed brain and uses speech for communication unlike the early human being. Of horses show that the modern horse is 1.5 m high, lives in dry grassland, teeth are adapted for chewing and it stands on one digit whose distal end is converted into hoof.

(ii) Comparative Anatomy;

 This involves comparing the form and structure of different organisms.Some groups

organisms show basic structural similarities suggesting common or related ancestry

showing divergent evolution.

Other groups of organisms show morphological similarities but are found to have different

ancestry showing convergent evolution;

(iii) Vestigial Organs;

Some structures have ceased to be functional and have reduced in size; such structures are called vestigial structures. Examples include the appendix and the tail in human beings; reduced wings in flightless birds, nictitating membranes in mammalian eyes and lack of visible limbs in pythons.

(iv) Geographical distribution;

– Its believed that long ago the land was one mass which later drifted apart to form the current continents. This is called the continental drift.

– Regions with similar climatic conditions and lie in the same latitude have flora and fauna that are not identical. This indicates that they have evolved differently; e.g. Amazon forest of South America has long tailed monkeys, panthers and jaguars while similar African forests have short tailed monkeys, leopards and

cheetahs.

(v) Comparative embryology;

Studies show that embryos of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals are morphologically similar during the early stages of development but with time they develop and change to look like their parents;

(vi) Cell biology;

– Cells of higher organisms show basic similarities in their structure and function; e.g. the presence of cell membranes and organelles such as mitochondria, ribosomses and golgi bodies.

– Higher plant cells have cellulose cell walls, chloroplasts and starch showing evolution from a common ancestry.

– The blood pigment, haemoglobin is common in vertebrates and invertebrates.

23. a) organic evolution is the process by which changes in the genetic composition occur in

response to environmental changes *RCH*

b) within the population some individual posses the gene for resistance to the antibiotic or it develops the genes by mutation such genes lead to production of enzyme which neutralize the antibiotic; the resistance forms survive the antibiotic hence transmit their advantages genes to their offspring; thus a new population of resistance strains is established(e mergence of new species(speciation)

c) fossil records;

-remains of ancestral forms that were accidentally preserved in some naturally

occurring

materials

-they give direct evidence of the type of animals and plants that existed at a certain

geological agp

-the fossils records also show gradual increases in complexity of organism over time

e.g. evolution of man

-by comparing fossils of different organism its possible to tell the phylogenic

relationship between the organism

24. RR X WW

;

b)

RW X RW

 ;

Red Pink Pink White

1 : 2 :

 c) Gene for red colour and white colour in flowers are co dominant/ equal dominance/ none

is dominant/ recessive