Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory is a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable statement that can be supported or refuted.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of gene flow in a population?

Accepted Answer

A group of birds migrates to a new island and breeds with the local population, introducing new alleles.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the process of allopatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A population splits into two groups due to a physical barrier, and over time, genetic differences accumulate until they become separate species.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis

Question 5

A scientist is studying a population of rabbits. She observes that the population size levels off after a period of rapid growth. Which ecological concept best explains this observation?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Question 6

Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Question 7

In a food chain, the amount of energy available at each trophic level is approximately what fraction of the energy from the previous level?

Accepted Answer

$\frac{1}{10}$

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the principle of competitive exclusion?

Accepted Answer

No two species can occupy the exact same niche in the same environment for a long time.

Question 9

A researcher is constructing a phylogenetic tree for three species. She finds that species A and B share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with species C. What does this imply?

Accepted Answer

Species A and B are more closely related to each other than either is to C.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Humans breeding dogs for specific traits such as size or temperament.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about mutations?

Accepted Answer

Mutations are changes in DNA that can introduce new genetic variation into a population.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why fossil evidence is considered incomplete?

Accepted Answer

Fossils only form under specific conditions, so many organisms are never preserved.

Question 13

A population of beetles is exposed to a new pesticide. After several generations, most beetles are resistant to the pesticide. Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

Accepted Answer

Bees pollinating flowers while obtaining nectar.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about carrying capacity ($K$) is correct?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals an environment can support indefinitely.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the difference between an observation and a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

An observation is information gathered using the senses, while a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observation.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of the bottleneck effect?

Accepted Answer

A disease wipes out most of a cheetah population, leaving only a few survivors with reduced genetic diversity.

Question 18

Which of the following is the best strategy for determining which of three groups on a phylogenetic tree is most closely related?

Accepted Answer

Look for the group that shares the most recent common ancestor with the other groups.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor affecting a population?

Accepted Answer

A drought reducing the water available to a plant population.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genotype and phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, which determines its phenotype, or observable traits.

General Biology: Foundations, Evolution, and Ecology Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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