Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The change in allele frequency in a population over time.

Question 2

In the case study of bighorn sheep, what evolutionary impact has trophy hunting had on the population?

Accepted Answer

It has decreased the average horn length and body weight over time.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

All individuals must survive and reproduce.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a morphological adaptation?

Accepted Answer

The long back legs of a frog.

Question 5

A population of moths experiences a shift in color from light to dark after industrial pollution darkens tree bark. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Question 6

Which of the following statements about evolution is a common misconception?

Accepted Answer

Evolution explains the origin of life on earth.

Question 7

Why does gene flow tend to reduce local adaptation in populations?

Accepted Answer

It introduces alleles from other populations, potentially diluting locally advantageous traits.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes an evolutionary tradeoff?

Accepted Answer

An adaptation that improves one aspect of fitness but reduces another.

Question 9

In Darwin’s finches, what evidence supports the heritability of beak depth?

Accepted Answer

Offspring beak depth is correlated with parent beak depth.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of disruptive selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection favors individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution.

Question 11

Which equation best represents the change in allele frequency in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta p = p' - p$$

Question 12

A genetically-determined trait that enhances the survival and reproduction of its bearers is called:

Accepted Answer

Adaptation

Question 13

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the connection between ecology and evolution?

Accepted Answer

Predator-prey interactions lead to evolutionary changes in both species.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a category of adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Cultural

Question 15

Why does evolution not always produce organisms that are perfectly adapted to their environments?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is constrained by genetic variation and evolutionary history.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a physiological adaptation?

Accepted Answer

The ability of deep sea vent bacteria to survive in high temperatures due to specialized enzymes.

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why not all individuals in a population survive to reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Most individuals die before reproducing due to competition for limited resources.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of an evolutionary tradeoff?

Accepted Answer

Sickle-cell anemia confers resistance to malaria but causes health problems.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about natural selection is correct?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on individuals, but evolutionary change occurs at the population level.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection favors individuals with intermediate traits, reducing variation.

2.2 Evolution and Adaptation: Mechanisms and Case Studies

Study Guide - Practice Questions