Question 1

Which of the following best explains why antibiotic resistance in bacteria is considered a real-world example of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Some bacteria already possess resistance genes; antibiotics kill non-resistant bacteria, allowing resistant ones to survive and reproduce, increasing the frequency of resistance in the population.

Question 2

A population of birds lives on an island where seeds are the main food source. During a drought, only large, hard seeds are available. Over several generations, the average beak size in the population increases. Which type of selection is most likely responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A small group of lizards drifts to a new island and establishes a population with limited genetic variation.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a reason viruses are considered non-living?

Accepted Answer

They can reproduce independently in the environment.

Question 5

A scientist discovers two populations of frogs that look similar but do not interbreed in the wild because one breeds in spring and the other in summer. Which reproductive barrier is most likely responsible for their isolation?

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures are inherited from a common ancestor and may have different functions; analogous structures have similar functions but evolved independently.

Question 7

Which of the following equations correctly represents exponential population growth, where $$N is $$population size, $$r is $$the per capita growth rate, and $$t is $$time?

Accepted Answer

$$N_t = N_0$ e$$^{rt}$$

Question 8

Which of the following is a key advantage of seeds in plant evolution?

Accepted Answer

They enable plants to reproduce without water and survive harsh conditions until germination.

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Most energy is used for life processes and lost as heat, so only a small fraction is stored in biomass and available to the next level.

Question 10

Which of the following is a function of xylem in vascular plants?

Accepted Answer

Transporting water and minerals from roots to shoots

Question 11

A population of insects is exposed to a new pesticide. After several generations, most individuals are resistant. Which process best explains this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

Accepted Answer

A bee pollinating a flower while collecting nectar

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the role of mycorrhizae in plant-fungi mutualisms?

Accepted Answer

Fungi provide water and minerals to plants, while plants supply sugars to fungi.

Question 14

Which of the following is a postzygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

The trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to increased global temperatures.

Question 16

Which of the following is a characteristic unique to mammals?

Accepted Answer

Having hair and producing milk

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why gene flow increases genetic variation within a population?

Accepted Answer

It introduces new alleles from other populations through migration.

Question 18

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes lack a nucleus, while eukaryotes have a nucleus.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the process of transpiration in plants?

Accepted Answer

Water evaporates from leaves, creating a pull that moves water upward through xylem.

Question 20

Which of the following is a density-dependent limiting factor for population growth?

Accepted Answer

A contagious disease

General Biology II: Evolution, Diversity, Ecology, and Plant Biology – Study Notes

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