This document contains an outline for an IB Biology unit on evolution. It includes 17 multiple choice or short answer questions about various topics related to evolution, such as the fossil record providing evidence of evolution, selective breeding demonstrating artificial selection, homologous structures evolving through adaptive radiation, and population divergence leading to speciation. Students are asked to define key terms, describe examples like the evolution of melanistic moths in polluted areas, and explain concepts such as how geographic variation can drive evolutionary change.

1. IB Biology: Evolution
Student Name: ________________________________
. Understandings, Applications and Skills (This is what you may be assessed on)
Statement Guidance
5.1 U.1 Evolution occurs when heritable characteristics of a species change.
5.1 U.2 The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
5.1 U.3 Selective breeding of domesticated animals shows that artificial selection can cause
evolution.
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5.1 U.4 Evolution of homologous structures by adaptive radiation explains similarities in
structure when there are differences in function.
5.1 U.5 Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution
5.1 U.6 Continuous variation across the geographical range of related populations matches
the concept of gradual divergence.
5.1 A.1 Development of melanistic insects in polluted areas.
5.1 A.2 Comparison of the pentadactyl limb of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles with
different methods of locomotion
5.1 U.1 Evolution occurs when heritable characteristics of a species change.
1. Define evolution. (Slide 5)
2. Describe the scientific method (Slide 11)
3. What is the difference between a Science theory and a theory to the general public? (Slide 14)

2. IB Biology: Evolution
Student Name: ________________________________
5.1 U.2 The fossil record provides evidence for evolution
4. Explain what a fossil is? (Slide 21)
5. Identify the types of fossils
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6. Below is a profile of sedimentary rock containing fossils?
a. Which layer contains the youngest fossil _____
b. Which layer contains the oldest fossil _____

3. IB Biology: Evolution
Student Name: ________________________________
7. The table below gives information about the radioactive decay of carbon-14. After how many years
will 1/128 gram of the original carbon-14 remains? _____________________ (Slides 30-32)
5.1 U.3 Selective breeding of domesticated animals shows that artificial selection can
cause evolution.
8. Describe the common practice that has been used by farmers for hundreds of years to
developed new plant and animal varieties. (Slide 33-35)
9. State the purpose of selective breeding after reading the article: Why did evolution create a chicken
that lays so many unfertilized eggs when that is so wasteful?

4. IB Biology: Evolution
Student Name: ________________________________
5.1 U.4 Evolution of homologous structures by adaptive radiation explains similarities in
structure when there are differences in function.
10. List three features that the birds above would share with all birds. (Slides 41-44)
11. Describe two anatomical changes that occurred in two of the birds above from their original
ancestor (in the center of the picture) that may have led to these changes.
a. Anatomical change:_______________ Selective Pressure: _______________
b. Anatomical change:______________ Selective Pressure:_______________
5.1 U.5 Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution
12. The Hawaiian violets are distributed across six main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago.
List some of the habitats across six main islands (Slide 45)
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13. Describe the evolutionary relationships between the Hawaiian violet and the Hawaiian
Islands age and as an example the biogeography of Kauai (Slide 46-47)
http://www.hras.org/sw/sw1-04c.jpg

5. IB Biology: Evolution
Student Name: ________________________________
5.1 U.6 Continuous variation across the geographical range of related populations
matches the concept of gradual divergence.
14. Describe how variation in geographical range may lead to evolution taking place
5.1 A.1 Development of melanistic insects in polluted areas.
The bark of the trees around Manchester,England was covered with white lichens before the Industrial
Revolution. Light colored peppered moths that rested on the trees were camouflaged against bird
predators, while dark colored moths were easily preyed upon. After a few years of industrialization, the
tree bark became darkened from pollution. The table below represents a change in the number of light and
dark colored moths within the peppered moth population over a period of 6 years from the beginning of
industrialization.
15. What year had the most light colored moths? ______ Dark colored moths? ________
16. What is happening to the light moths during the 6 years?
17. What is happening to the dark moths during the 6 years?
18. Explain why the selection light colored peppered moth by the birds may be occurring

6. IB Biology: Evolution
Student Name: ________________________________
5.1 A.2 Comparison of the pentadactyl limb of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles
with different methods of locomotion
15. Describe the changes that have taken place in the limbs examples above (Slide 36-39)
 Human:
 Horse:
 Cat:
 Bat:
 Bird:
 Whale: