Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection as outlined by Darwin's theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with heritable traits that provide a reproductive advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the tenets of cell theory?

Accepted Answer

Cells can spontaneously generate from non-living matter under normal Earth conditions.

Question 3

A scientist discovers a gene in humans that is non-functional but is functional in other mammals and produces vitamin C. What is this gene an example of?

Accepted Answer

Vestigial gene

Question 4

Which of the following best illustrates convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The wings of bats and the wings of birds, which serve similar functions but evolved independently in response to similar environmental pressures.

Question 5

Which of the following is a key piece of evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory for the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA, which is similar to bacterial DNA.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the structure and function of prokaryotic flagella compared to eukaryotic flagella?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic flagella rotate like a propeller using a proton (H$^+$) gradient, while eukaryotic flagella are made of microtubules and move in a whip-like motion.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of evidence for evolution provided by the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

Stromatolites, which are layered sedimentary structures formed by cyanobacteria, show that life on Earth was microbial for billions of years before complex organisms evolved.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the RNA world hypothesis is correct?

Accepted Answer

RNA can serve as both a genetic material and a catalyst for chemical reactions, supporting its role in the origin of life.

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why antibiotic resistance in bacteria is considered an example of evolution in action?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic resistance arises when mutations and selective pressure from antibiotics favor bacteria that can survive and reproduce, leading to a change in the population over generations.

Question 10

Which of the following is a key difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, such as a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the process of abiogenesis?

Accepted Answer

The process by which life arises from non-living matter, such as the formation of simple molecules into complex, self-replicating systems.

Question 12

Which of the following is a requirement for natural selection to occur in a population?

Accepted Answer

There must be variation in traits among individuals, and these traits must be heritable.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of divergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The evolution of different beak shapes in finches that share a common ancestor but have adapted to different ecological niches.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about multicellularity is correct?

Accepted Answer

Multicellularity involves the organization of cells into more complex structures, allowing for cell differentiation and division of labor.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about biogeography as evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Biogeography shows that certain species are found only in specific geographic areas, supporting the idea of evolution through adaptation to local environments.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why the genetic code is considered evidence for common ancestry among living organisms?

Accepted Answer

The genetic code is nearly universal among all living organisms, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin.

Question 17

Which of the following is a plausible scenario for the origin of protocells, according to current scientific hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

Protocells could have formed from lipid bilayers that enclosed simple molecules, allowing for basic metabolic reactions.

Question 18

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. After several generations, most of the population is resistant. Which equation best describes the change in allele frequency for the resistance gene, assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is not met?

Accepted Answer

$\Delta p = s \cdot p \cdot q$

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the transition from the RNA world to the DNA/protein world?

Accepted Answer

DNA became the main genetic material because it is more stable than RNA, while proteins took over most catalytic functions.

Evolution, Cell Theory, and the Origin of Life: General Biology Study Notes

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