Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

All individuals must survive and reproduce equally.

Question 2

A population of insects is exposed to a new pesticide. After several generations, most individuals are resistant to the pesticide. Which statement best explains this observation?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favored insects with pre-existing resistance genes.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

The rapid evolution of many diverse species from a common ancestor.

Question 4

Why did mammals undergo an adaptive radiation after the extinction of dinosaurs?

Accepted Answer

The disappearance of dinosaurs opened up ecological niches for mammals.

Question 5

In the soapberry bug example, what evolutionary change was observed after the introduction of the goldenrain tree in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Soapberry bugs evolved shorter beaks to match the smaller fruit of the goldenrain tree.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

MRSA strains have a gene encoding a different cell wall protein, making them resistant.

Question 7

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of homology?

Accepted Answer

The forelimbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats, which share a similar bone structure.

Question 8

Vestigial structures are best described as:

Accepted Answer

Remnants of features that served important functions in ancestors.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The similar body shape of dolphins (mammals) and sharks (fish).

Question 10

What does the fossil record provide evidence for? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

All of the above.

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why antibiotic resistance in bacteria can evolve rapidly?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics select for bacteria with pre-existing resistance genes.

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world example of biogeography supporting evolution?

Accepted Answer

Endemic species on islands are closely related to species on the nearest mainland.

Question 13

A researcher breeds largemouth bass with high vulnerability to angling together, and those with low vulnerability together, for several generations. What is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

High-vulnerability fish will become easier to catch, while low-vulnerability fish will become harder to catch.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about natural selection is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection creates new traits in a population.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The wings of flightless birds such as ostriches.

Question 16

Which of the following equations best represents the concept of fitness in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Which of the following best describes why the beak length of soapberry bugs changed in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favored beak lengths that matched the depth of seeds in the available fruit.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of an analogous structure?

Accepted Answer

The wings of bats and the wings of birds.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Random distribution of species with no relation to geography.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why endemic species on islands often resemble species on the nearest mainland?

Accepted Answer

Island species descended from mainland ancestors and adapted to new environments.

Evolution II: Mechanisms and Evidence for Evolutionary Change

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