Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis in the context of biological evolution?

Accepted Answer

A theory is supported by a large body of evidence and explains a broad range of phenomena, while a hypothesis is a testable prediction about a specific observation.

Question 2

A population of beetles has the following genotype frequencies: $$AA = 0.36$$, $$Aa = 0.48$$, $$aa = 0.16. Is $$this population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? Use the Hardy-Weinberg equation $$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$ to justify your answer.

Accepted Answer

Yes, because the observed genotype frequencies match the expected frequencies under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A small population of birds is hit by a hurricane, and only a few survive by chance, leading to a change in allele frequencies.

Question 4

Why are many point mutations considered neutral in their effect on an organism?

Accepted Answer

They often occur in non-coding regions or do not change the amino acid sequence due to the redundancy of the genetic code.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why genetic drift has a greater impact on small populations than large populations?

Accepted Answer

Random changes in allele frequencies are more likely to significantly affect small populations due to sampling error.

Question 6

A population of cheetahs went through a severe bottleneck, reducing genetic diversity. What is a likely long-term consequence of this event?

Accepted Answer

The population will have reduced ability to adapt to new environmental changes.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

All individuals must survive and reproduce equally.

Question 8

In a population of rabbits, a new allele increases in frequency because it allows individuals to better avoid predators. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection increasing the frequency of a beneficial allele.

Question 9

Which of the following best defines 'fitness' in an evolutionary context?

Accepted Answer

The ability of an individual to survive and reproduce relative to others in the population.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of disruptive selection?

Accepted Answer

In a population of finches, individuals with either very large or very small beaks have higher fitness than those with intermediate beak sizes.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about inbreeding is correct?

Accepted Answer

Inbreeding increases the frequency of homozygotes but does not change allele frequencies, so it does not cause evolution.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the process of PCR (polymerase chain reaction)?

Accepted Answer

PCR amplifies a specific DNA sequence using cycles of heating and cooling with DNA polymerase.

Question 13

A researcher wants to determine the exact sequence of a gene. Which biotechnology technique should they use?

Accepted Answer

Dideoxy (Sanger) sequencing.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about CRISPR is correct?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR allows for targeted editing of specific DNA sequences in living cells.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between PCR and DNA synthesis in cells?

Accepted Answer

PCR is performed in vitro and uses repeated cycles of temperature changes, while DNA synthesis in cells occurs in vivo and is regulated by the cell cycle.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct definition of genomics?

Accepted Answer

The study of entire genomes, including all of an organism's genes and their interactions.

Question 17

How does the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine utilize biotechnology to protect against the virus?

Accepted Answer

It uses synthetic mRNA encoding the viral spike protein, which is translated by host cells to elicit an immune response.

Question 18

A scientist wants to introduce a human insulin gene into bacteria to produce insulin. Which process should they use?

Accepted Answer

Gene/DNA cloning followed by bacterial transformation.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

Wolves from one population migrate and breed with wolves from another population, introducing new alleles.

Evolution and Biotechnology: Study Guide for BIOL 115 Unit 4

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