Question 1

Which of the following best describes Darwin's theory of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Organisms with traits that increase fitness are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Question 2

According to Darwin, what is 'fitness' in the context of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Question 3

Which statement about Lamarck's theory of evolution is correct?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

What is the main difference between Darwin's and Lamarck's ideas about how evolution occurs?

Accepted Answer

Lamarck believed in inheritance of acquired traits, while Darwin emphasized natural selection acting on heritable variation.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a constraint on evolution?

Accepted Answer

Unlimited resources and perfect adaptation.

Question 6

A population of beetles has green and brown color morphs. Birds prefer to eat green beetles. Over time, the frequency of brown beetles increases. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection.

Question 7

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies in a population?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

Which of the following is a real-world example of directional selection?

Accepted Answer

Peppered moths in England becoming darker during the Industrial Revolution.

Question 9

What is the role of mutation in evolution?

Accepted Answer

It creates new genetic variation for selection to act upon.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why vestigial structures are evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

They are remnants of features that served important functions in ancestors.

Question 11

A population of rabbits is exposed to a new predator. Over several generations, the average speed of the rabbits increases. Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

Human birth weight, where very high and very low weights have higher mortality.

Question 13

Which concept did Plato and typological thinking emphasize regarding species?

Accepted Answer

Species are fixed and unchanging.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

All individuals must survive to reproduce.

Question 15

Which term describes the process by which humans breed plants and animals for specific traits?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection.

Question 16

Which of the following is a constraint on evolution?

Accepted Answer

Selection can only act on existing variation.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a transitional fossil?

Accepted Answer

Archaeopteryx, showing features of both dinosaurs and birds.

Question 18

Which equation would you use to calculate allele frequency in a population?

Accepted Answer

$p = \frac{2N_{AA} + N_{Aa}}{2N}$

Question 19

Which of the following is a misconception about evolution?

Accepted Answer

Individuals evolve during their lifetimes.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'descent with modification'?

Accepted Answer

Species change over time, giving rise to new species with shared ancestry.

Evolution by Natural Selection: Foundations and Mechanisms

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