Question 1

Which of the following best explains why Hox genes are considered homologous across different animal species?

Accepted Answer

They are similar because they are descended from genes in a common ancestor.

Question 2

A researcher introduces the mouse Hoxb6 gene into a Drosophila embryo, resulting in legs developing where antennae should be. What does this experiment demonstrate about Hox genes?

Accepted Answer

Hox genes are interchangeable and their function is determined by their regulatory context.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of heterochrony in evolution?

Accepted Answer

The extended growth period of giraffe neck vertebrae, resulting in longer necks.

Question 4

The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene is essential for limb development in vertebrates. In snakes, limb loss is associated with:

Accepted Answer

A nonfunctional or limited enhancer sequence controlling SHH expression.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the concept of heterometry?

Accepted Answer

A change in the quantity of gene expression.

Question 6

In Drosophila, the wingless (Wnt) gene is an example of a tool-kit gene. Which of the following is NOT a function of the wingless gene product?

Accepted Answer

Directly synthesizing proteins for muscle contraction.

Question 7

Which scenario illustrates the concept of heterotopy?

Accepted Answer

A gene is expressed in a new location, leading to webbed feet in ducks.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the evolution of morphological diversity is supported by the concept of modularity?

Accepted Answer

Genes affecting development can evolve independently in form and/or expression.

Question 9

Which historical idea about species did Darwin and Wallace’s theory of evolution by natural selection directly challenge?

Accepted Answer

Typological thinking, where species are viewed as unchanging types.

Question 10

A mutation in the Hox gene Ubx in arthropods leads to the development of extra wings. This is most likely due to:

Accepted Answer

Loss of repression of wing gene expression in thoracic segment 3 (T3).

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between typological thinking and population thinking?

Accepted Answer

Typological thinking sees species as unchanging types, while population thinking emphasizes variation within populations.

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world example of how changes in gene expression can drive evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

The loss of limbs in snakes due to changes in the enhancer of the SHH gene.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a proposition of Darwin’s explanatory theory of evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is always progressive, producing more complex species.

Question 14

Which process is most directly responsible for the diversity of insect wing morphologies, such as the difference between dragonfly and fly wings?

Accepted Answer

Changes in Hox-protein responsive elements of downstream genes.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the role of tool-kit genes in evolution?

Accepted Answer

They are conserved genes that direct related aspects of development in different species.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a scientific theory’s 'process' component, as described in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

The mechanism of natural selection that produces evolutionary change.

Question 17

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo)?

Accepted Answer

Studying how changes in the timing, location, or amount of gene expression lead to new morphological traits.

Question 18

Which of the following is a direct consequence of a mutation in a genetic switch controlling a developmental gene?

Accepted Answer

A change in where or when a gene is expressed, leading to morphological differences.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why the webbed feet of ducks are an example of heterotopy?

Accepted Answer

The Gremlin gene is expressed in a new spatial pattern, inhibiting apoptosis in the webbing.

Genes, Development, and Evolution by Natural Selection

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