Q: In a population of 1,000 rabbits, the allele frequency for a dominant allele (A) is 0.7 and for the recessive allele (a) is 0.3. According to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes ($$Aa$$)?

$$2pq = 2 \times 0.7 \times 0.3 = 0.42$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.

Question 2

A population of beetles is separated by a newly formed river, preventing them from interbreeding. Over time, the two groups evolve into distinct species. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Natural selection must favor certain alleles.

Question 4

A small group of finches colonizes a new island, and their gene pool differs from the original population. This scenario illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Founder effect

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

$$p + q = 1$$

Question 6

In a population of 1,000 rabbits, the allele frequency for a dominant allele (A) is 0.7 and for the recessive allele (a) is 0.3. According to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes ($$Aa$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$2pq = 2 	imes 0.7 	imes 0.3 = 0.42$$

Question 7

Which type of selection increases variation by favoring individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 8

A population of plants experiences a drought, and only those with deep roots survive. Over generations, the average root depth increases. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Question 9

Which of the following is a postzygotic barrier to reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 10

A population of frogs lives in the same pond, but one group breeds in early spring and another in late summer. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation

Question 11

Which of the following best describes exponential population growth?

Accepted Answer

Population increases rapidly without limiting factors, following $$N(t) = N_0$ e$$^{rt}$$

Question 12

If a population exceeds its carrying capacity, what is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The population will decrease due to limited resources.

Question 13

Which survivorship curve is characterized by high early mortality and low parental care, as seen in many fish and insects?

Accepted Answer

Type III

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic of K-selected species?

Accepted Answer

Few offspring with high parental investment

Question 15

A hurricane drastically reduces a population of lizards, leaving only a few survivors. The resulting genetic diversity is much lower than before. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Bottleneck effect

Question 16

Which of the following best describes gene flow?

Accepted Answer

The movement of alleles between populations due to migration

Question 17

Which of the following scenarios is an example of sympatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A population of insects in the same forest splits into two species due to different mating behaviors.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes gradualism in evolution?

Accepted Answer

Species evolve through slow, steady changes over long periods of time.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a prezygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical isolation

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why advantageous traits become more common in a population over generations?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, increasing the frequency of those traits.

Evolution and Population Ecology: Study Guide and Key Concepts

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards