CSU BZ 110 Exam 2 Review

Exam Instructions

  • Name and Identification: Fill in Name and CSU ID.

  • Question Overview: The exam contains 40 questions.

  • Answer Sheet Instructions:

    • Use a pencil or a blue/black pen.

    • Specify which version of the exam you have by indicating it in the top-right box of the answer sheet.

    • If a mistake is made, erase completely or mark out with an X.

  • Reading Questions: Read each question carefully as some may require multiple answers while others only one.

  • Reference Phylogenies: Two reference phylogenies are available on the last page; they can be removed for easier reference.

  • Scoring for Multiple Answers:

    • Partial credit is given for each correct response.

    • No points if no correct answers or if any incorrect ones are selected.

  • Submission: Turn in your answer sheet; you may keep your question copy. Notes on this sheet will not be graded.

  • Encouragement: "Take a deep breath, you got this! Good luck!"

Academic Integrity Statement

  • Agreement Requirement: You must agree to abide by CSU Academic Integrity Rules as outlined in the syllabus.

  • Consequence of Non-Compliance: Not agreeing or violations reported will lead to consequences for academic integrity.

    • Options: A. Agree B. Disagree

Exam Overview - Spring 2025 Exam 2 (Version A)

Author: Zach Grochau-Wright (2024)

  • Note: Please do not distribute or reproduce this material.

Questions 2-5: Phylogenetics

  • Question 2: States about relationships among species based on the following options:
    A. Species B is not related to Species E but is related to Species F.
    B. Species B is more closely related to Species E than to Species F.
    C. Species B is equally related to Species E and Species F.
    D. Species B is more closely related to Species F than to Species E.

  • Question 3: Identifies the most recent common ancestor of Species B and G:
    A. Node α
    B. Node β
    C. Species E
    D. Species A

  • Question 4: Traits inferred to belong to Species B based on phylogenetic tree:
    A. Trait 1
    B. Trait 2
    C. Trait 3
    D. Trait 4
    E. Trait 9

  • Question 5: Identify an example of an analogous trait from the following:
    A. Trait 2
    B. Trait 4
    C. Trait 5
    D. Trait 6
    E. Trait 8

Evolution and Historical Biology

  • Question 6: When did the first terrestrial tetrapods evolve?

    • Options:
      A. ~233 million years ago during the Triassic Period
      B. ~409 million years ago during the Devonian Period
      C. ~440 million years ago during the Silurian Period
      D. ~545 million years ago during the Cambrian Period

  • Question 7: Identify the clade of organisms including closest unicellular relatives of animals:

    • Options:
      A. Fungi
      B. Amoebozoa
      C. Choanoflagellata
      D. Porifera (Sponges)

  • Question 8: Determine whether the central nervous cord is dorsally located in Phylum Chordata and ventrally in Phylum Arthropoda:

    • A. True

    • B. False

  • Question 9: In Deuterostomes the blastopore develops into the anus, while in Protostomes it becomes the mouth:

    • A. True

    • B. False

Phylogenetic Relations of Species

  • Question 10: Given two species classifications:

    • Species Z, W are in Family 1 and Genus 1.

    • Species X, V, Y are in Family 2 with Species X in Genus 3; Species V and Y in Genus 2.
      Which phylogenetic tree correctly shows their relationships?
      A. Tree A
      B. Tree B
      C. Tree C
      D. Tree D

  • Question 11: Evidence for human-caused climate change. Select multiple:

    • A. Glass bottles filled with CO2 absorb and retain more heat than filled with N2.

    • B. Ice core samples show CO2 increase post-industrial evolution.

    • C. Burning fossil fuels emits CO2.

    • D. Global temperature increased by approximately 1.09 °C from 2011-2020 compared to 1850-1900.

Embryonic Development

  • Questions 12-14: Match embryonic germ layers with developing adult structures:

    • A. Ectoderm, B. Mesoderm, C. Endoderm


    1. Digestive tract (C)


    1. Skin/epithelium and CNS (A)


    1. Muscles and internal organs (B)

Symmetry in Animals

  • Questions 15-18: Match animals to symmetry type:

    • A. Radial symmetry

    • B. Pentaradial symmetry

    • C. Bilateral symmetry

    • D. Asymmetry


    1. Sea Star (B)


    1. Cam the Ram (C)


    1. Jellyfish (A)


    1. Beetle (C)

Ecological Interactions

  • Question 19: Ecological interaction between badgers and coyotes hunting together:

    • A. Competition

    • B. Mutualism

    • C. Commensalism

    • D. Parasite-host

Coelom and Eukaryotic Structures

  • Question 20: Mechanism of coelom formation when mesoderm pouches off from endoderm:

    • A. Schizocoely

    • B. Enterocoely

  • Question 21: Structures found only in Eukaryotes:

    • A. Cell membrane

    • B. Mitochondria

    • C. DNA

    • D. Nucleus

Body Cavity Types

  • Questions 22-25: Type of body cavity by phylum:


    1. Arthropoda (C)


    1. Chordata (C)


    1. Nematoda (B)


    1. Echinodermata (C)

Fish and Mammals

  • Question 26: Class of fish without jaws:

    • A. Petromyzontida

    • B. Chondrichthyes

    • C. Actinopterygii

    • D. Myxini

    • E. Sarcopterygii

  • Question 27: Mammal that lays eggs:

    • A. Kangaroo (Marsupial)

    • B. Platypus (Monotreme)

    • C. Whale (Placental)

    • D. Tasmanian Devil (Marsupial)

Unique Characteristics of Taxa

  • Question 28: Echinoderms and bilateral symmetry:

    • A. True

    • B. False

  • Question 29: Natural selection and mutations:

    • A. True

    • B. False

Amniotic Egg Components

  • Question 30: Structure storing nitrogenous waste in the amniotic egg:

    • A. Allantois

    • B. Yolk sac

    • C. Amnion

    • D. Chorion

  • Question 31: Tardigrades considered extremophiles:

    • A. True

    • B. False

Characteristics of Chordates

  • Question 32: Shared characteristics in Phylum Chordata:

    • A. Notochord

    • B. Endostyle

    • C. Pharyngeal slits

    • D. Vertebral column

    • E. Paired appendages

Reptilian Features

  • Question 33: Diapsid skull characteristics:

    • A. Two separate nasal passages.

    • B. Two inner ear bones.

    • C. Two openings (temporal fenestrae).

    • D. Disconnected upper and lower jaw.

Morphological Features

  • Question 34: Homologous traits between Arthropods and Onychophora:

    • A. Jointed appendages

    • B. Segmented body plan

    • C. Slime papillae

    • D. Shedding outer cuticle

Echinoderm Classification

  • Question 35: Class of Echinoderms with reduced endoskeleton for filter feeding:

    • A. Crinoidea

    • B. Ophiuroidea

    • C. Asteroidea

    • D. Holothuroidea

    • E. Echinoidea

Insect Orders and Wing Morphology

  • Questions 36-39: Match insect orders with wing morphology:

    • A. Hymenoptera

    • B. Lepidoptera

    • C. Coleoptera

    • D. Diptera


    1. Coupled forewing and hindwing (A)


    1. Forewings hardened (C)


    1. Broad forewings covered in scales (B)


    1. Modified hindwings (D)

Final Question Completion

  • Question 40: Rate confidence in exam performance from 1-5:

    • A. 5 - Very confident

    • B. 4

    • C. 3

    • D. 2

    • E. 1 - Not very confident.

  • Note: Marking any answer counts towards points, leaving blank results in a penalty.