Question 1

Which of the following best describes genetic drift in small populations?

Accepted Answer

It causes allele frequencies to change randomly due to chance events.

Question 2

A population of cheetahs experienced a drastic reduction in numbers due to a natural disaster, leaving only a few survivors. Which evolutionary phenomenon does this scenario illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Bottleneck effect

Question 3

Which equation represents the calculation of allele frequency for allele $A$ in a population, given $p$ is the frequency of $A$ and $q$ is the frequency of allele $a$?

Accepted Answer

$p + q = 1$

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

A group of birds migrates to a new island and breeds with the local population, introducing new alleles.

Question 5

In a population of scale-eating cichlids, the frequency of left-jawed and right-jawed phenotypes oscillates over time. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Frequency-dependent selection

Question 6

Which type of natural selection favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 7

Why does the sickle-cell allele persist at relatively high frequencies in certain human populations?

Accepted Answer

Heterozygous individuals are resistant to malaria, providing a selective advantage in regions where malaria is prevalent.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a reason why natural selection cannot fashion perfect organisms?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection always produces the best possible traits for every environment.

Question 9

A population of birds colonizes a new island, and only a few individuals establish the population. Over time, rare alleles become common. This scenario is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Founder effect

Question 10

Which of the following is a postzygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 11

In the context of sexual selection, what does the 'good genes' hypothesis propose?

Accepted Answer

Females select males with traits that indicate genetic quality or overall health.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

It favors individuals with intermediate phenotypes and acts against extreme phenotypes.

Question 13

Which process is most likely to increase genetic variation within a population?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of prezygotic reproductive isolation?

Accepted Answer

Gametic isolation

Question 15

In a population, the fitness of a particular phenotype depends on how frequently it appears in the population. This is known as:

Accepted Answer

Frequency-dependent selection

Question 16

Which of the following statements about speciation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Speciation is the process by which one species splits into two or more species.

Question 17

Which of the following is true about heterozygote advantage?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection will tend to maintain two or more alleles at that locus.

Question 18

Which of the following is a consequence of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Loss of alleles and reduced genetic variation in small populations

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why the sickle-cell allele is more common in regions where malaria is prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Heterozygous individuals have a selective advantage because they are resistant to malaria.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of microevolution?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Evolution in Populations and the Origin of Species

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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