Question 1

Which of the following best explains why sexual reproduction, involving meiosis, increases genetic variation in a population?

Accepted Answer

Because meiosis involves crossing over and independent assortment, shuffling alleles into new combinations.

Question 2

A diploid cell with 2n = 8 chromosomes undergoes meiosis. How many chromosomes will each resulting gamete contain, and how does this compare to mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Each gamete will have 4 chromosomes, while mitosis produces cells with 8 chromosomes.

Question 3

In Mendelian genetics, if a homozygous dominant plant (AA) is crossed with a homozygous recessive plant (aa), what is the expected genotype ratio of the F1 offspring?

Accepted Answer

All Aa

Question 4

A population of beetles has the following genotype frequencies: 0.36 AA, 0.48 Aa, and 0.16 aa. What is the frequency of the 'A' allele in this population? Use the formula $$p = f(AA) + \frac{1}{2}f(Aa).$$

Accepted Answer

$$p = 0.36 + \frac{1}{2}(0.48) = 0.60$$

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Small population size

Question 6

Which species concept would be most useful for identifying fossil species, and why?

Accepted Answer

Morphological species concept, because it relies on physical traits observable in fossils.

Question 7

Which of the following best distinguishes reproductive isolation from geographic isolation?

Accepted Answer

Reproductive isolation prevents gene flow even if populations are together; geographic isolation separates populations physically.

Question 8

Given the following phylogenetic tree: ((A,B),C),D. Which two taxa are most closely related?

Accepted Answer

A and B

Question 9

Which adaptation was crucial for plants to colonize land and avoid desiccation?

Accepted Answer

Evolution of a waxy cuticle

Question 10

Which of the following events contributed to the rapid diversification of animal body plans during the Cambrian explosion?

Accepted Answer

The evolution of Hox genes controlling development

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of asexual reproduction in animals?

Accepted Answer

Budding in hydra

Question 12

Which flower part is responsible for producing pollen?

Accepted Answer

Stamen

Question 13

Which process do animals most directly facilitate in flowering plants?

Accepted Answer

Pollination

Question 14

Which of the following best describes negative feedback in homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

A process that counteracts a change, returning the system to a set point.

Question 15

After you feel cold, which system first detects the temperature change and initiates a response?

Accepted Answer

Nervous system

Question 16

Which of the following best explains how bulk flow occurs in the xylem of plants?

Accepted Answer

It is facilitated by a pressure gradient created by transpiration at the leaves.

Question 17

How do statoliths help plants respond to gravity?

Accepted Answer

They settle in the direction of gravity, signaling cells to grow accordingly.

Question 18

Which hormone is responsible for bending a plant stem toward light, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Auxin, by accumulating on the shaded side and promoting cell elongation.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of phytochrome in plants?

Accepted Answer

It senses light and triggers changes in gene expression for growth.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events in the sexual life cycle of a typical animal?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis → Fertilization → Mitosis

Comprehensive Study Guide: Genetics, Evolution, and Diversity in Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards