Question 1

Which of the following best describes the biological species concept?

Accepted Answer

A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Question 2

Which mechanism is most likely responsible for the formation of new species when a population is separated by a mountain range?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a prezygotic isolating mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation

Question 4

A mule is the offspring of a horse and a donkey. Mules are viable but sterile. Which reproductive isolating mechanism does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 5

Which species concept would be most useful for identifying bacterial species that reproduce asexually?

Accepted Answer

Ecological species concept

Question 6

Which of the following is a drawback of using morphological traits to identify species?

Accepted Answer

Members of different species can look very similar.

Question 7

In a hybrid zone, what outcome is most likely if hybrids are less fit than non-hybrids?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement

Question 8

Which equation best represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 9

Which gene is responsible for causing programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the development of bird feet?

Accepted Answer

BMP4

Question 10

What is the primary function of Hox genes in animal development?

Accepted Answer

They specify the developmental fate of body segments.

Question 11

Which mechanism of sympatric speciation is most common in plants and involves the presence of three or more complete sets of chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Polyploidy

Question 12

Which of the following best describes heterochrony?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary changes in the rate or timing of developmental events

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a drawback of using reproductive isolation to define species?

Accepted Answer

It is always applicable to all organisms.

Question 14

A population of fish is split by the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, resulting in two distinct species. What type of speciation does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 15

Which of the following is a postzygotic isolating mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid breakdown

Question 16

Which concept defines a species based on its evolutionary history and separate evolution of lineages?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary lineage concept

Question 17

Which of the following is a plausible outcome when two populations in a hybrid zone produce hybrids that are fit and enable gene flow?

Accepted Answer

Fusion

Question 18

Which factor is most likely to promote adaptive radiation in a population?

Accepted Answer

A single ancestral species evolving into an array of descendants that differ in habitat, form, or behavior

Question 19

Which of the following is a limitation of using molecular features to distinguish species?

Accepted Answer

It is difficult to determine how much genetic difference is required to consider groups as separate species.

Question 20

Which equation would you use to calculate the frequency of heterozygotes in a population under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$$2pq$$

Evolution of Life II: The Emergence of New Species

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