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AP Biology Practice Quiz: Continuing Evolution

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 7 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 7

Which of the following statements best summarizes the central idea presented in the text?

All Questions (7)

Which of the following statements best summarizes the central idea presented in the text?

A) Evolution is a historical event that concluded with the emergence of modern species.

B) Only simple organisms like bacteria continue to evolve.

C) Evolution is a continuous and ongoing process for all living organisms.

D) The fossil record is the only valid evidence for evolution.

Correct Answer: C

The provided content explicitly states that 'evolution is an ongoing process in all living organisms' and that 'All species continue to evolve'.

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. Most bacteria die, but a few survive and reproduce. Over time, the entire population becomes resistant to the antibiotic. This phenomenon is a direct example of which concept from the text?

A) The stability of the fossil record.

B) The cessation of evolution in microorganisms.

C) The ongoing process of evolution through the development of resistance.

D) Genomic changes that have no effect on survival.

Correct Answer: C

The text cites the 'evolution of resistance to antibiotics' as a key piece of evidence demonstrating that evolution is an ongoing process.

According to the provided content, which of the following is cited as a form of evidence for continuing evolution?

A) The unchanging anatomy of certain 'living fossils'.

B) The process of photosynthesis in plants.

C) Genomic changes observed in populations over time.

D) The universal nature of the genetic code.

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly lists 'genomic changes over time' as one of the key pieces of evidence that all species continue to evolve.

A farmer notices that a pesticide that was once effective is no longer controlling an insect population. Based on the provided text, what is the most likely explanation for this change?

A) The insects have stopped evolving.

B) The pesticide's chemical structure has degraded over time.

C) The insect population has evolved resistance to the pesticide.

D) The fossil record of the insects shows no signs of change.

Correct Answer: C

The content uses the 'evolution of resistance to... pesticides' as a primary example of how evolution is an ongoing process that can be observed in living populations.

A student argues that a crocodile species is not evolving because its morphology in the fossil record has been stable for millions of years. Which piece of evidence from the text best refutes this argument?

A) The fossil record is the only reliable source of evolutionary data.

B) Evolution only occurs in response to drug or pesticide application.

C) All species continue to evolve, which can be observed through genomic changes even if physical form is stable.

D) Evolution is a process that guarantees an increase in organismal complexity over time.

Correct Answer: C

The text states that 'All species continue to evolve, as evidenced by genomic changes over time'. This implies that evolution can occur at the genetic level without necessarily causing large-scale changes in physical appearance, directly refuting the student's claim.

The text presents several lines of evidence for ongoing evolution. How do 'genomic changes over time' relate to the 'evolution of resistance'?

A) The evolution of resistance causes genomic changes to occur in an organism.

B) Genomic changes and evolution of resistance are unrelated processes.

C) The fossil record is required to link genomic changes to resistance.

D) Random genomic changes can create variations, and those that confer resistance are selected for in the presence of a pressure like an antibiotic.

Correct Answer: D

This question requires synthesizing two points from the text. Genomic changes (like mutations) provide the raw variation within a population. When a selective pressure (like a drug or pesticide) is applied, individuals with variations that confer resistance are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the evolution of resistance in the population.

All of the following are mentioned in the text as evidence for continuing evolution EXCEPT:

A) The fossil record.

B) The evolution of antibiotic resistance.

C) Comparative anatomy of different species.

D) Genomic changes over time.

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly lists genomic changes, the fossil record, and the evolution of resistance to antibiotics and pesticides. It does not mention comparative anatomy (e.g., homologous structures) as evidence for the *ongoing* nature of evolution.