Question 1

Which of the following best describes Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Species change over time as individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin's postulates for natural selection?

Accepted Answer

All individuals in a population have equal reproductive success.

Question 3

A population of moths is exposed to pollution, causing tree bark to darken. Over generations, the frequency of dark-colored moths increases. Which evolutionary mechanism is primarily responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The flippers of a whale and the arms of a human

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

A scientist observes that the embryos of chickens, humans, and turtles all have pharyngeal pouches during development. This is evidence for which type of homology?

Accepted Answer

Developmental homology

Question 7

Which of the following statements about transitional forms is correct?

Accepted Answer

Transitional forms provide evidence for gradual evolutionary change between ancestral and derived species.

Question 8

Which misconception about evolution is addressed by the statement: 'Evolution does not occur in individuals, but in populations over generations'?

Accepted Answer

Evolution occurs in individuals.

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why adaptations are often compromises?

Accepted Answer

Adaptations may improve one function while reducing efficiency in another.

Question 10

If a population of birds is separated by a mountain range and evolves into two distinct species, which evolutionary process has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 11

Which of the following is a vestigial trait in humans?

Accepted Answer

The appendix

Question 12

Which statement about genetic homology is correct?

Accepted Answer

Genetic homology refers to similarities in DNA sequences among different species.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

$2pq = 0.42$

Question 14

Which of the following is evidence that species can be observed changing today?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'population thinking'?

Accepted Answer

Variation among individuals is important for understanding evolution.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Small population size

Question 17

Which of the following scenarios illustrates speciation due to natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A population splits and adapts to different environments, eventually becoming two species.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a transitional feature?

Accepted Answer

The presence of feathers in some dinosaurs

Question 19

Which of the following is a common misconception about evolution?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is goal-directed and always leads to perfection.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why similar species are often found in the same geographic area?

Accepted Answer

Similar species share a common ancestor and have diverged in the same region.

Evolutionary Patterns and Processes: Study Notes for General Biology

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