Biology Test Study Guide Targets

Strategy 1: Figure out what to study

  • Target 8.1: Explain, using examples, how the fossil record, embryonic stages, homologous structures, analogous structures, vestigial structures, and molecular differences all support the theory of evolution.
    • What biomolecules are used for molecular evidence of evolution?
    • How do an organism's DNA and proteins provide evidence of evolution?
  • Target 8.2: Explain how convergent evolution leads to analogous structures and divergent evolution leads to homologous structures.
  • Target 8.3: Describe the conditions of early Earth and how life originated.
    • Age of Earth
    • Conditions of early Earth and atmosphere
    • First cells
    • Endosymbiosis
  • Target 8.4: Explain how major events in Earth's geologic history influence the development of life over time.
    • Cause/effect of mass extinction
    • Development of major phyla

Target Check Boxes

  • If you can easily and accurately answer the target, check the box that says, “I know it” . (Lowest priority)
  • If you can answer the target accurately but cannot add details or use the vocabulary to answer the target, check the box that says, “I kind of know it” . (Priority)
  • If you cannot answer the target or your response is inaccurate, check the box that says, “I don’t get it” . (Top priority)

Target 8.5: Darwin’s Theory

  • Summarize Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.
  • Discuss what he observed and how this led him to his thoughts about change over time.

Target 8.6: Natural Selection

  • Summarize the major concepts of natural selection (survival of the fittest) and reproduction of inherited variations depending on environmental conditions.

Target 8.7: Artificial vs. Natural Selection

  • Differentiate between artificial selection (breeding) and natural selection.

Target 8.8: Natural Selection on Individuals vs. Populations

  • Explain how natural selection acts on individuals, but it is populations that evolve.

Target 8.9: Reproductive Isolation and Speciation

  • Explain how reproductive isolation can lead to speciation.

Target 8.10: Genetic Mutations and Diversity

  • Relate genetic mutations and genetic variety produced by sexual reproduction to diversity within a given population.

Target 8.11: Cladograms and Phylogenetic Trees

  • Interpret a cladogram or phylogenetic tree showing evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Target 8.12: Dichotomous Key

  • Use a dichotomous key to separate groups of organisms including the five traditional Kingdoms of Life

Target 8.13: Animal Kingdom Phyla

  • Distinguish between different phyla in the animal kingdom providing examples and major trends in their classification.

Strategies for Studying

  1. Figure out what to study.
  2. Create a study plan and make a commitment to follow it.
  3. Use your resources to study the targets you kind of know and don’t know (Read, re-read, review).
  4. Practice applying your knowledge and answer the practice questions.

Resources for Studying

  • Check the unit folders in Schoology for:
    • Summary packets
    • Vocabulary cards
    • Study guides
    • Notes
    • Labs
    • Slide presentations

Concept 1: Evolutionary Consequences of Natural Selection

  • Provide scientific explanations for the fossil record and similarities in structure and molecular composition among diverse living organisms.

Anatomical Evidence of Evolution

  • Homologous vs. Analogous vs. Vestigial Structures.
    • What is the difference between homologous, analogous, and vestigial structures?
    • Which anatomical structure shows a relationship with a common ancestor?
    • How do homologous and vestigial structures show evidence of evolution?
    • How do homologous structures show the idea of divergent evolution?
      Example from a lab that shows how DNA and evolution are related.
      What evidence of evolution connects every living thing.

The Fossil Record

  • Fossils and Evidence of Evolution.
    • How do scientists use the fossil record to compare the ages of different organisms?
    • What evidence of Natural Selection does the fossil record provide?
    • How does the fossil record give us information about evolution?
    • How do we know that fossils are old?
    • What methods are used to determine the age of a fossil?
    • The fossil record is an incomplete record of evolution. Why are there gaps?

Three Types of Evidence

  1. Fossil Record
  2. Anatomical Structures (Homologous, Analogous, Vestigial)
  3. Molecular Evidence (DNA, proteins)

Early Earth Conditions

  • What happened on earth that caused gaps in the fossil record?
  • What is one major difference between the atmosphere of the early earth and the earth today?
  • Describe the conditions of the early earth.
  • What 3 types of evidence do scientists use to tell us about the early conditions of the earth?
  • Approximately how old is the earth?
  • What is the name of the experiment conducted in Chicago that demonsatrated how scientists think life on earth appeared?
  • What was their hypothesis?

Concept 2: Biological Evolution

  • Occurs over time and is a result of overproduction, variation, struggle for survival, selection and adaptations.

Myths About Natural Selection and Evolution (Corrected)

  1. Evolution is organisms adapting to their environment.
  2. Survival of the Fittest.
  3. Evolutionary Purpose.

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection

  • Explain in your own words.
  • What observations from his voyage did Darwin make that led him to describe natural selection?

Terms of Natural Selection

  • Use the terms below about natural selection to describe the major points of Darwin’s theory and explain what they mean. Give an example of each
    • Overproduction
    • Variation
    • Struggle for survival
    • Selection
    • Adaptation

Artificial vs. Natural Selection

  1. What is the difference between artificial selection (breeding) and natural selection?
  2. Find some everyday examples of organisms that express traits that are artificially selected.

Reproductive Isolation and Speciation

  1. Define speciation.
  2. Find an example of an organism for each type of isolation and explain how it leads to speciation.
    • Geographic Isolation
    • Temporal Isolation
    • Behavioral Isolation
  3. Using the information in your chart, write a short paragraph about how reproductive isolation lead to speciation. Discuss geographic, temporal and behavioral isolation in your response.

Variation

  • How does variation happen?
  • Why is variation such an important part of Darwin’s Natural Selection?
  • Describe an example.