Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes a scientific theory in biology?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory is an explanation for a broad class of observations that is widely supported by evidence.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a key difference between Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection and the idea of special creation?

Accepted Answer

Darwin’s theory suggests that life on Earth is only about 6000 years old.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A population of finches developing different beak shapes over generations due to changes in available food sources.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The coccyx bone (vestigial tail) in humans.

Question 5

Radiometric dating is used to determine the absolute age of rocks. Which equation best represents the decay of a radioactive parent isotope to a stable daughter isotope over time?

Accepted Answer

$$N_t = N_0$ e$$^{-b t}$$

Question 6

Which of the following is a correct statement about the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

Younger fossils are found in layers above older fossils in sedimentary rock.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A fossil showing a gradual change from an aquatic fin to a terrestrial limb.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes genetic homology?

Accepted Answer

Similarity in DNA or amino acid sequences between different species.

Question 9

Which of the following is a direct prediction of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Species are related by common ancestry and change through time.

Question 10

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. After several generations, most bacteria are resistant. Which of Darwin’s postulates does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with certain heritable traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a misconception about natural selection and evolution?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on individuals, but only populations evolve.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why silent mutations are not acted on by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

They do not change the phenotype of the organism.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a fitness trade-off?

Accepted Answer

A bird species that lays fewer, larger eggs versus more, smaller eggs.

Question 14

Which of the following is a genetic constraint on natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Lack of genetic variation in a population.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the process of speciation?

Accepted Answer

One species splits into two or more descendant species.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of internal consistency as evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Multiple independent data sets supporting the same evolutionary relationships among cetaceans.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a level at which homology can be recognized?

Accepted Answer

Ecological

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the relationship between acclimatization and adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation is a change in allele frequency in a population; acclimatization is a non-heritable change in an individual.

Question 19

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the concept of population thinking?

Accepted Answer

Recognizing that variation among individuals in a population is key to understanding evolution.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the role of mutations in evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Mutations are random and provide the variation on which natural selection acts.

Evolution by Natural Selection: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards