EVOLUTION

 

1. Which of the following would you expect to find on remote islands? Explain your reasoning:

a) A variety of hummingbirds or a variety of larger seed- eating birds

I would expect to find larger birds because a humming bird wouldn’t be able to travel far enough to reach a remote island. On the other hand a larger bird would be able to travel that distance to reach a remote island.

b) Large Lizards or Large Mammals

I would probably find the large lizards because lizards are able to survive a long journey to the remote island rather than a large mammal because mammals require a ton of food and water to survive the journey.

c)Some species that are genetically similar or most species that are genetically very distinct

I would expect to find species that are genetically similar because species could have evolved on the island into new species. Also only certain animal groups would be able to make a long journey to a remote island so the animals that made it to the island must have similar characteristics.

d) Species found nowhere else on Earth or species that are also found on other remote islands

I would expect to find species that are found nowhere else on Earth unless there are similar islands near the location.

 

4)Which of the following pairs represent homologous features and which represent analogous features? Explain your answers.

a)The claw of a lobster and the hand of an ape

This is an analogous feature because both the claw and the hand are used for similar functions such as grabbing however they are different in terms of origin and anatomical features.

b)The wing of a bat and the wing of a bird

This is a Homologues feature because both are used for flying and both have a similar structure.

c) The eyes of a fly and the eyes of a hawk

Analogues because both are used for sight however they are different in anatomical structure.

c) The tusks of an elephant and the teeth of a mouse

Analogous because they have a different structure and function

d)The webbed feet of an otter and the fins of a fish

Analogues because they perform a similar function but have different anatomical features.

 

7. For each of the vestigial features, state the likely original function of the structure and suggest a reason why it may have become vestigial:

a)The muscles and the hairs that cause Goosebumps in humans

Original function was to keep us warm. It became vestigial because it wasn’t necessary because people moved to warm areas. Also the human hair is too small and thin to keep us warm.

b) Short wing "stubs" in some insects such as earwigs

They were used for flying however the insect must have stayed on the ground for several generations which resulted in the wings not being used and eventually becoming a vestigial feature

c)Webbed feet in frigate birds that never enter the water

The webbed feet were used for swimming however over generations the bird must have stayed away from water resulting in an evolutionary pattern that resulted in the webbed feet becoming a vestigial feature.

d)Rudimentary hip bones in some large snake species

The species must have had legs in the past and the hip bones supported the legs. Eventually the species stopped using it and that resulted in the hip bones becoming vestigial features.