Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between Lamarck's and Darwin's models of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Lamarck proposed that acquired traits are inherited, while Darwin proposed that natural selection acts on heritable variation.

Question 2

A population of beetles has two alleles for color: $B$ (black) and $b$ (brown). If the frequency of $B$ is $0.6$ and $b$ is $0.4$, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes ($Bb$) under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$0.48$

Question 3

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A small group of birds migrates to a new island, and by chance, only birds with short beaks are present, leading to a population dominated by short beaks.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Small population size

Question 5

If a population is experiencing inbreeding depression, what is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

An increase in the frequency of deleterious recessive alleles

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why natural selection does not produce 'perfect' organisms?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on existing variation and is limited by historical constraints and trade-offs.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of allopatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A river divides a population of squirrels, leading to the evolution of two distinct species.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

Which of the following best describes homologous structures?

Accepted Answer

Structures that are similar due to shared ancestry, even if their functions differ.

Question 10

A population of 1000 individuals has the following genotype frequencies for a gene: $AA = 0.36$, $Aa = 0.48$, $aa = 0.16$. What are the allele frequencies of $A$ and $a$?

Accepted Answer

$A = 0.6$, $a = 0.4$

Question 11

Which of the following is a reproductive barrier that can lead to speciation?

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation, where two populations breed at different times of the year.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about mutation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Mutation introduces new genetic variation into a population.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the concept of fitness in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a deleterious mutation?

Accepted Answer

A mutation that reduces an organism's ability to survive and reproduce.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why common descent is supported by phylogenetic trees?

Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic trees show patterns of shared ancestry among species.

Question 16

Which of the following is a key difference between natural selection and genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection is non-random, while genetic drift is random.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of sympatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A population of plants undergoes polyploidy, resulting in reproductive isolation within the same geographic area.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

An increase in homozygosity and a decrease in heterozygosity.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why evolution is considered to be 'goal-less'?

Accepted Answer

Evolution occurs due to random mutations and selection pressures, not toward a predetermined outcome.

General Biology: Evolution, Natural Selection, and Speciation Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards