Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main function of the cell membrane in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

It regulates the passage of materials between the interior and exterior of the cell.

Question 2

A scientist discovers a new unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and performs anaerobic cellular respiration. To which group does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria

Question 3

Which of the following statements about DNA structure is correct?

Accepted Answer

A always pairs with T and C always pairs with G.

Question 4

Which process is responsible for the increase in atmospheric oxygen that allowed for the evolution of larger and more complex animals during the Cambrian explosion?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis by cyanobacteria

Question 5

A population of beetles varies in shell color. Birds preferentially eat the lighter-colored beetles, so darker beetles survive and reproduce more. Over time, the population becomes mostly dark-colored. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why mitochondria are thought to have originated via endosymbiosis?

Accepted Answer

They have their own circular DNA and double membranes.

Question 7

Which of the following is a synapomorphy?

Accepted Answer

A trait found in two or more taxa that is present in their most recent common ancestor but is missing in more distant ancestors.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for natural selection to occur?

Accepted Answer

All individuals in the population must be genetically identical.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

Independent evolution of similar traits in distantly related organisms due to similar environments.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct statement about prions?

Accepted Answer

They are misfolded proteins that can cause disease by altering normal proteins in the host.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between a monophyletic and a non-monophyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A monophyletic group includes an ancestral population and all its descendants; a non-monophyletic group does not include all descendants.

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world example of adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

Darwin's finches evolving different beak shapes to exploit different food sources on the Galápagos Islands.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct pairing of DNA bases?

Accepted Answer

$A$ pairs with $T$ and $C$ pairs with $G$

Question 14

Which of the following is a likely reason why fossilization is more common in organisms with hard parts?

Accepted Answer

Hard parts like bones and shells are less likely to decay and more likely to be preserved.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the chromosome theory of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Genetic information is encoded in units called genes that are located on chromosomes.

Question 16

A researcher is constructing a phylogenetic tree using DNA sequence data. According to the principle of parsimony, which tree should they prefer?

Accepted Answer

The tree that requires the fewest overall character state changes.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about the endosymbiotic theory for the origin of mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria originated when a bacterial cell took up residence inside another cell about 2 billion years ago.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a derived trait?

Accepted Answer

A trait that is modified from the ancestral trait and originates via mutation, selection, or genetic drift.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of Hox genes in animal evolution?

Accepted Answer

They control the development of body plans and contributed to the diversification of animal forms during the Cambrian explosion.

General Biology: Foundations, Evolution, and Phylogeny Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards