Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between typological thinking and population thinking in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

Typological thinking assumes species are fixed and unchanging, while population thinking recognizes variation among individuals as key to evolution.

Question 2

Which evidence supports the claim that species change through time and are related by common ancestry?

Accepted Answer

The presence of vestigial traits, such as the human coccyx, which are reduced versions of traits found in related species.

Question 3

Radiometric dating is used to determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils. Which equation represents the relationship used in radiometric dating?

Accepted Answer

$ t = \frac{1}{\lambda} \ln \left( \frac{N_0}{N} \right) $

Question 4

Which scenario illustrates a fitness trade-off in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

A bird species that produces many small eggs, resulting in lower survival rates for each offspring.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a postulate of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

All individuals in a population survive and reproduce equally.

Question 6

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. After several weeks, only bacteria with a mutation in the rpoB gene survive. Which statement best explains this outcome?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favored bacteria with the pre-existing resistant allele, increasing its frequency in the population.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The hip and leg bones in whales that do not aid in swimming.

Question 8

Which level of homology is demonstrated when early chick, human, and cat embryos all have tails and pharyngeal pouches?

Accepted Answer

Developmental homology

Question 9

During a drought, finches with deeper beaks had higher reproductive success. What is the most likely explanation for the increase in average beak depth in the population?

Accepted Answer

Alleles for deeper beaks increased in frequency due to differential reproductive success.

Question 10

Which statement about evolution by natural selection is correct?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on individuals, but only populations evolve.

Question 11

Which process is random with respect to fitness and can cause evolution, but is NOT natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 12

Which equation best represents the concept of evolutionary fitness?

Accepted Answer

$ W = \frac{N_{offspring}}{N_{total}} $

Question 13

Which of the following is a misconception about natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection always produces traits that are adaptive.

Question 14

Which real-world example demonstrates speciation in action?

Accepted Answer

Killer whale populations that no longer interbreed due to differences in prey choice and social behavior.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of internal consistency in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

Multiple independent data sets, such as fossil record, DNA analysis, and vestigial traits, all support the evolution of cetaceans from terrestrial ancestors.

Question 16

Which statement about adaptation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation occurs when allele frequencies in a population change in response to natural selection.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT evidence for evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Species are always created as perfect, unchanging types.

Question 18

Which gene is associated with beak shape in Galápagos finches?

Accepted Answer

ALX1

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the concept of genetic correlation?

Accepted Answer

Selection favoring alleles for one trait causes correlated but suboptimal change in an allele for another trait due to pleiotropy.

Question 20

Which statement about silent mutations is correct?

Accepted Answer

Silent mutations do not change the phenotype and cannot be acted on by natural selection.

Evolution by Natural Selection: Foundations, Evidence, and Mechanisms

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