Question 1

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory, as used in biology?

Accepted Answer

A widely accepted explanatory idea that is broader in scope than a hypothesis, generates new hypotheses, and is supported by a large body of evidence.

Question 2

Darwin’s voyage on the HMS Beagle contributed to his theory of evolution primarily by allowing him to:

Accepted Answer

Study the geographic distribution and adaptations of organisms, such as finches and iguanas, on the Galápagos Islands.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of microevolution?

Accepted Answer

Homology

Question 4

A population of beetles has the following allele counts: 14 red, 23 orange, 7 yellow, 20 green, and 9 purple. What is the allele frequency of green?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{20}{73}$$

Question 5

Which statement about natural selection is correct?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on populations, not individuals.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?

Accepted Answer

The human appendix.

Question 7

Homologous structures in different species are evidence of:

Accepted Answer

Common ancestry.

Question 8

Which process is most likely responsible for the change in allele frequencies in a population after a catastrophic event that drastically reduces population size?

Accepted Answer

Bottleneck effect (a type of genetic drift)

Question 9

Artificial selection differs from natural selection in that:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why pesticide resistance increases in insect populations over time?

Accepted Answer

Resistant insects survive and reproduce, passing on their resistance alleles to offspring.

Question 11

Which of the following is a cause of genetic variation in populations?

Accepted Answer

Mutations

Question 12

A phylogenetic tree is used to:

Accepted Answer

Show the evolutionary relationships among species based on shared characteristics.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

A population of birds migrates and breeds with another population, introducing new alleles.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Traits must be acquired during an organism’s lifetime

Question 15

Which selection type favors intermediate phenotypes and reduces variation?

Accepted Answer

Stabilizing selection

Question 16

Which of the following best describes microevolution?

Accepted Answer

Changes in the relative frequencies of alleles in a population over generations.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A small group of birds colonizes a new island, and their descendants show different allele frequencies than the original population.

Question 18

Which of the following is true about evolution?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is a process that can result in both increased and decreased complexity, and is not goal-directed.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why homologous structures are important evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

They indicate that different species share a common ancestor.

Question 20

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Peacocks with larger, more colorful tails are more likely to attract mates and reproduce.

Chapter 13: How Populations Evolve – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards