Q: What is the correct formula for calculating the frequency of an allele in a population?

$$\frac{\text{# of copies of an allele}}{\text{Total # of alleles for the same gene in the population}}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best defines evolution in a biological context?

Accepted Answer

A genetic change in heritable traits within a population over generations.

Question 2

Which of the following can evolve, according to the biological definition of evolution?

Accepted Answer

A group of fir trees in Oregon.

Question 3

What is the correct formula for calculating the frequency of an allele in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{	ext{# of copies of an allele}}{	ext{Total # of alleles for the same gene in the population}}$$

Question 4

If the frequency of an allele for black hair is high in Asia but low in Sweden, what does this indicate about the two populations?

Accepted Answer

They have different allele frequencies for the gene controlling hair color.

Question 5

Which of the following statements supports the concept of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Both A and B are correct.

Question 6

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection is driven by human choice, while natural selection is driven by environmental pressures.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Mutations occur frequently.

Question 8

In a population of 100 starfish, 40% of alleles for a trait are recessive ($$q = 0.4) $$and 60% are dominant ($$p = 0.6). $$How many individuals would you expect to be homozygous dominant under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

36

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'fitness' in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

An organism's genetic contribution to the next generation.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of directional selection?

Accepted Answer

A population of moths where darker individuals survive and reproduce more than lighter ones after pollution darkens tree bark.

Question 11

Why might a harmful allele, such as the sickle cell allele, persist in a population?

Accepted Answer

Heterozygotes have a selective advantage in certain environments.

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world example of disruptive selection?

Accepted Answer

A population of snails where both very light and very dark shells are favored over intermediate colors.

Question 13

Which process introduces new genetic variation into a population?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Question 14

A population bottleneck is most likely to result in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A random change in allele frequencies due to a drastic reduction in population size

Question 15

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates gene flow?

Accepted Answer

A few individuals from a mainland bird population migrate to an island and breed with the local population.

Question 16

Which of the following is a misconception about evolution?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is a random process in all its mechanisms.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

A male peacock displaying its colorful tail to attract females.

Question 18

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for genotype frequencies?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 19

A population of fish is harvested by removing only the largest individuals each generation. What evolutionary outcome is most likely?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of alleles for small size will increase.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why evolution does not have a goal?

Accepted Answer

Adaptations that are beneficial in one environment may not be beneficial in another.

Chapter 12: The Forces of Evolutionary Change – Study Notes

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