Question 1

Which of the following best describes natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Question 2

Which equation is used to calculate allele frequencies in a population according to the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

Accepted Answer

$$p + q = 1$$

Question 3

A population of beetles has two alleles for shell color: G (green) and g (brown). If the frequency of G is 0.7, what is the frequency of g?

Accepted Answer

0.3

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism that increases genetic variability in a population?

Accepted Answer

Stabilizing selection

Question 5

Which type of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 6

In a population, the frequency of the homozygous dominant genotype (AA) is 0.36. What is the frequency of the dominant allele (A)?

Accepted Answer

$$0.6$$

Question 7

Which of the following best describes genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A change in allele frequencies due to random events in small populations.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

A peacock displaying its colorful tail to attract mates.

Question 9

Which Hardy-Weinberg equation is used to calculate genotype frequencies?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

If a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which of the following must be true?

Accepted Answer

There is no mutation, migration, selection, or genetic drift.

Question 11

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A small group of birds colonizes a new island, leading to different allele frequencies than the original population.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of disruptive selection in a real-world scenario?

Accepted Answer

A population of finches where both large and small beaks are favored, but medium beaks are selected against.

Question 13

Which of the following is a consequence of non-random mating?

Accepted Answer

Increased homozygosity in the population.

Question 14

If $$p = 0.4$$ and $$q = 0.6 in a $$population, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$$0.48$$

Question 15

Which of the following best describes stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection that favors intermediate phenotypes and reduces variation.

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-life example of balancing selection?

Accepted Answer

The maintenance of sickle cell allele in human populations where malaria is present.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

High mutation rate

Question 18

A population of 1000 individuals has 360 with genotype AA, 480 with Aa, and 160 with aa. What is the frequency of allele a?

Accepted Answer

$$0.4$$

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why genetic drift has a greater effect in small populations?

Accepted Answer

Random events can cause large changes in allele frequencies.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

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

General Biology: Evolution, Genetics, and Population Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions