Question 1

Which of the following best describes the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

Accepted Answer

It provides a mathematical model for predicting the frequency of genotypes in a population under certain conditions.

Question 2

A population of beetles has two alleles for shell color: $$A ($$dominant, green) and $$a ($$recessive, brown). If the frequency of allele $$A is$$ $$0.7$$ and allele $$a is$$ $$0.3$$, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes ($$Aa) $$under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$$0.42$$

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of microevolution?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acting on acquired traits

Question 4

A population experiences a bottleneck event. What is the most likely genetic consequence?

Accepted Answer

Decreased genetic diversity due to random loss of alleles

Question 5

Which scenario best illustrates the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A small group of birds migrates to a new island and establishes a population with different allele frequencies than the original population.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

Individuals from one population migrate and breed with another population, introducing new alleles.

Question 7

Why is genetic variation important for the survival of a population?

Accepted Answer

It allows populations to adapt to changing environments.

Question 8

Which process increases genetic variation in sexually reproducing populations?

Accepted Answer

Random mating and recombination during meiosis

Question 9

A population of fish is exposed to a new predator that prefers larger fish. Over several generations, the average size of fish decreases. Which type of natural selection is this?

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Question 10

Which of the following best describes stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection favors intermediate phenotypes and reduces variation.

Question 11

In a population, heterozygote advantage can maintain genetic diversity. Which real-world example illustrates this?

Accepted Answer

Sickle cell trait in regions with malaria

Question 12

Which of the following is a result of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Peacocks evolving elaborate tail feathers to attract mates

Question 13

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a gene with two alleles, $$p$$ and $$q$$?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Small population size

Question 15

A population of rabbits has the following genotype frequencies: $$AA = 0.36$$, $$Aa = 0.48$$, $$aa = 0.16. $$What are the allele frequencies of $$A$$ and $$a$$?

Accepted Answer

$$A = 0.6$$, a = 0.4$

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why natural selection cannot fashion the perfect organism?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is limited by historical constraints and trade-offs.

Question 17

Which type of selection would most likely result in two distinct phenotypes within a population?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of intrasexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Male deer fighting for access to females

Question 19

Which process is most likely to decrease genetic variation in a population?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 20

A population of lizards is split by a river, and over time, the two groups develop different coloration due to different predators. Which evolutionary mechanism is primarily responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Evolution of Populations – Study Notes (General Biology)

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards