Question 1

A scientist is studying a population of beetles. She hypothesizes that a new pesticide will reduce beetle survival. She sets up two groups: one exposed to the pesticide and one not exposed. Which of the following best describes the role of the control group in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The control group is not exposed to the pesticide and serves as a baseline for comparison.

Question 2

In Mendel’s pea plant experiments, crossing a true-breeding yellow-seeded plant (YY) with a true-breeding green-seeded plant (yy) produces all yellow-seeded offspring in the F1 generation. If two F1 plants are crossed, what is the expected phenotypic ratio in the F2 generation?

Accepted Answer

3 yellow : 1 green

Question 3

Which of the following best explains how meiosis contributes to genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis allows for crossing over and independent assortment of chromosomes.

Question 4

A mutation changes a single base in a DNA sequence from A to T. Which of the following best describes a possible consequence of this mutation according to the Central Dogma?

Accepted Answer

The mutation may change the mRNA and potentially alter the amino acid sequence of the protein.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin’s four postulates for evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

All individuals survive and reproduce equally.

Question 6

In a population of 1000 individuals, 360 show the recessive phenotype for a trait controlled by a single gene with two alleles. Assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the frequency of the dominant allele ($$p$$)?

$$	ext{Given: } q^2$ = \frac{360}{1000} = 0.36$$

$$\sqrt{0.36} = 0.6 = q$$

$$p = 1 - q = 1 - 0.6 = 0.4$$

Accepted Answer

$$0.4$$

Question 7

Which of the following evolutionary mechanisms is most likely to decrease genetic variation within a population but increase differences between populations?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 8

A population of frogs is split by the formation of a new river, preventing gene flow between the two groups. Over time, the groups diverge genetically and become separate species. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation by vicariance

Question 9

Which of the following statements about phylogenetic trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

A branch represents a lineage through time.

Question 10

A biome is characterized by high annual precipitation and consistently warm temperatures. Which biome is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Question 11

According to the Theory of Island Biogeography, which island would be expected to have the highest species richness?

Accepted Answer

A large, nearshore island

Question 12

Which equation correctly describes exponential population growth?

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN$$

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN$$

Question 13

In a community, two species of birds compete for the same nesting sites. Over time, one species shifts to nesting in higher branches, while the other nests lower. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Niche differentiation via character displacement

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows through the ecosystem and is lost as heat, while nutrients cycle.

Question 15

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles; prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 16

Which evolutionary innovation allowed plants to colonize land successfully?

Accepted Answer

Formation of vascular tissue and cuticle

Question 17

Which of the following is a mutualistic relationship involving fungi?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizal fungi associating with plant roots

Question 18

Which of the following is a major evolutionary innovation in animal body plans?

Accepted Answer

Evolution of bilateral symmetry

Question 19

The evolution of the amniote egg was significant because it:

Accepted Answer

Enabled vertebrates to reproduce on land without drying out the embryo

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the independent origin of homeothermy (endothermy) in mammals and birds is correct?

Accepted Answer

Homeothermy evolved independently in mammals and birds.

BIO 150 Final Exam Study Guide: Core Concepts in Biology

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