Question 1

Which of the following best describes Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck's hypothesis regarding the inheritance of traits?

Accepted Answer

Traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed on to its offspring.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about Lamarck's hypothesis is supported by modern evidence?

Accepted Answer

There is little evidence supporting the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Question 3

Charles Darwin's main contribution to evolutionary biology was:

Accepted Answer

Proposing natural selection as a mechanism for evolution.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains the relationship between current species and ancestral species according to Darwin?

Accepted Answer

Current species are descended from ancestral species through gradual changes over time.

Question 5

Which factor is the primary driving mechanism behind evolution according to Darwin?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 6

A population of beetles lives in a forest where birds prefer to eat green beetles over brown beetles. Over time, the population becomes mostly brown. Which evolutionary mechanism is best illustrated by this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin's observations that led to his theory of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

All individuals in a population are genetically identical.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

The diversification of finch species on the Galápagos Islands from a common ancestor.

Question 9

Which type of evidence is best illustrated by the presence of similar bone structures in the limbs of whales, bats, and humans?

Accepted Answer

Anatomical homology

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the fossil record as evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

It shows a succession of organisms that have changed over time.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of biogeographical evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Unique species of marsupials found only in Australia.

Question 12

Which of the following is a direct observation of evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Question 13

Which of the following best summarizes Darwin's concept of 'descent with modification'?

Accepted Answer

Species change over time, giving rise to new species that share a common ancestor.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a type of data used to document the pattern of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Astrological predictions

Question 15

A scientist finds that two species of birds on different continents have similar beak shapes and diets, but are not closely related genetically. What is the best explanation for this observation?

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution due to similar environmental pressures.

Question 16

Which of the following equations represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies in a population?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Which of the following is a necessary condition for natural selection to occur?

Accepted Answer

Variation in traits among individuals in a population.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the process of adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

A single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into many new species adapted to different environments.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The pelvic bones in whales.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why the fossil record is incomplete?

Accepted Answer

Many organisms do not fossilize well due to soft bodies or rapid decay.

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life (Chapter 22 Study Guide)

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards