Q: A population of beetles has two alleles for color: G (green) and g (brown). If the frequency of G is 0.7 and g is 0.3, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

$2 \times 0.7 \times 0.3 = 0.42$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of natural selection as proposed by Darwin?

Accepted Answer

It is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT considered direct evidence supporting the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Analogous structures

Question 3

A population of beetles has two alleles for color: G (green) and g (brown). If the frequency of G is 0.7 and g is 0.3, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$2 	imes 0.7 	imes 0.3 = 0.42$

Question 4

Which evolutionary force is most likely responsible for a sudden reduction in genetic diversity due to a natural disaster?

Accepted Answer

Bottleneck effect

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

A population of birds where individuals with very short or very long wings are less likely to survive, while those with medium-length wings have the highest fitness.

Question 6

Which of the following is a postzygotic reproductive isolating mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 7

Which term describes the evolution of similar traits in unrelated lineages due to similar environmental pressures?

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why genetic variation is necessary for natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Without genetic variation, all individuals would have identical fitness and selection could not occur.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of allopatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

Two populations of squirrels are separated by a river and evolve into distinct species.

Question 10

Which statement about the fossil record is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

It provides evidence for the gradual change of species over time.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct definition of a clade?

Accepted Answer

A group of organisms that share a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the principle of parsimony in phylogenetic analysis?

Accepted Answer

The tree with the fewest evolutionary changes is preferred.

Question 13

Which of the following is a shared derived character (synapomorphy) for mammals?

Accepted Answer

Presence of hair

Question 14

Which process is most responsible for the evolution of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic ancestors?

Accepted Answer

Endosymbiosis

Question 15

Which of the following is the best example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

Migration of individuals from one population to another, introducing new alleles.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct formula for calculating allele frequency in a population?

Accepted Answer

$p + q = 1$

Question 17

Which evolutionary event is associated with the rapid diversification of animal body plans during the Cambrian period?

Accepted Answer

Cambrian explosion

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The human appendix

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the biological species concept?

Accepted Answer

Species are groups of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Question 20

A population of lizards is found on two separate islands. Over time, the populations evolve different coloration and mating behaviors. Which evolutionary process is most likely responsible for this divergence?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

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