Question 1

Which scientist proposed that species evolve through the inheritance of acquired traits, a theory later shown to be incorrect but influential in early evolutionary thought?

Accepted Answer

Lamarck

Question 2

During Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle, which observation most directly led him to infer that populations, not individuals, evolve over time?

Accepted Answer

The adaptation of finches to different environments

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a condition required for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in a population?

Accepted Answer

Small population size

Question 4

A population of beetles has allele frequencies for a gene such that $p = 0.7$ and $q = 0.3$. According to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes ($2pq$)?

Accepted Answer

$0.42$

Question 5

Which mechanism of evolution is most likely responsible for a rapid decrease in genetic diversity following a natural disaster that drastically reduces population size?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift (bottleneck effect)

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the structure of a typical virus?

Accepted Answer

A protein coat surrounding nucleic acid, sometimes with an envelope

Question 7

Why are antibiotics generally ineffective against viruses?

Accepted Answer

Viruses do not have metabolic processes targeted by antibiotics

Question 8

Which process is responsible for the transfer of genetic material between prokaryotes via direct cell-to-cell contact?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 9

Cyanobacteria played a crucial role in Earth's history by producing $O_2$ through photosynthesis. What major event did this lead to?

Accepted Answer

The Great Oxidation Event

Question 10

Which evidence supports the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria and plastids in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Circular DNA and double membranes similar to prokaryotes

Question 11

A population of birds is observed to have a higher fitness in individuals with intermediate beak sizes compared to those with very small or very large beaks. Which mode of selection is most likely occurring?

Accepted Answer

Stabilizing selection

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

Analogous gliding structures in flying squirrels and sugar gliders

Question 13

Which of the following statements about prions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Prions are infectious proteins that cause brain degeneration

Question 14

Which structure is found in both bacteria and archaea, but not in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Circular chromosome

Question 15

Which evolutionary process can increase genetic variation in a population by introducing new alleles from another population?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why multicellularity is considered a major evolutionary innovation?

Accepted Answer

It enabled cell differentiation and division of labor

Question 17

A virus infects a host cell and integrates its genome into the host's DNA, remaining dormant for years before reactivating. What is this type of viral cycle called?

Accepted Answer

Lysogenic cycle

Question 18

Which of the following is a direct observation supporting evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic resistance in MRSA bacteria

Question 19

Which group is considered the closest living relatives to animals, sharing genes for cell adhesion and signaling?

Accepted Answer

Choanoflagellates

Question 20

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotes have a nucleus and cytoskeleton

General Biology: Evolution, Viruses, Prokaryotes, and Eukaryotes – Structured Study Notes

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