Question 1

Which chromosomal event is most likely responsible for the difference in chromosome number between humans and chimpanzees, as illustrated by the fusion of two ancestral chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Chromosome fusion

Question 2

Polyploidy is a condition resulting from errors in meiosis. Which of the following best describes polyploidy?

Accepted Answer

A cell with multiple sets of chromosomes

Question 3

The presence of telomere-like and centromere-like sequences in human chromosome 2 provides evidence for which evolutionary event?

Accepted Answer

Chromosome fusion

Question 4

In the comparison of human and mouse chromosomes, colored regions on human chromosome 16 are found on mouse chromosomes 7, 8, 16, and 17. What does this suggest about their evolutionary relationship?

Accepted Answer

Human and mouse chromosomes share a common ancestor

Question 5

Which mechanism can lead to the duplication and deletion of genes during meiosis, as shown in the diagram with misaligned chromatids?

Accepted Answer

Crossing over between misaligned nonsister chromatids

Question 6

The globin gene family is an example of gene duplication followed by divergence. Which process is primarily responsible for the functional differences between α-globin and β-globin proteins?

Accepted Answer

Random mutations after gene duplication

Question 7

Which equation best represents the probability of a mutation occurring in a gene during DNA replication, given a mutation rate $$\mu$$ and $$n$$ replication events?

Accepted Answer

$$P = 1 - (1 - \mu)^n$$

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why duplicated genes can evolve new functions?

Accepted Answer

Duplicated genes accumulate mutations independently

Question 9

A crossover event between misaligned homologous chromosomes during meiosis can result in which genetic outcome?

Accepted Answer

One chromatid has a duplicated gene and the other has a deleted gene

Question 10

The alignment of globin amino acid sequences shows regions of similarity and difference. What does this pattern most likely indicate about the evolutionary history of these genes?

Accepted Answer

The genes share a common ancestor and diverged through mutation

Question 11

Which of the following is a real-world consequence of gene duplication and divergence, as seen in the globin gene family?

Accepted Answer

Specialized oxygen transport proteins in different tissues

Question 12

If a mutation occurs in a duplicated gene that destroys its function, what is the most likely fate of this gene over evolutionary time?

Accepted Answer

It becomes a pseudogene

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the process by which a transposable element can cause gene duplication during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Transposable elements cause misalignment and unequal crossing over

Question 14

The evolutionary tree of globin genes shows multiple branches. What does each branch represent?

Accepted Answer

A duplication or mutation event

Question 15

Which of the following is a plausible reason why some duplicated globin genes are nonfunctional?

Accepted Answer

They have accumulated deleterious mutations

Question 16

Which equation would you use to calculate the percent identity between two amino acid sequences, given $$N_{match}$$ matching residues and $$N_{total}$$ total residues?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Percent Identity} = \frac{N_{match}}{N_{total}} 	imes 100$$

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of random mutations in the evolution of gene families?

Accepted Answer

Random mutations can create new gene functions after duplication

Question 18

What is the significance of finding an extra, unused centromere in human chromosome 2?

Accepted Answer

It is evidence for chromosome fusion in human evolution

Question 19

Which of the following is a likely outcome of template slippage during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Formation of a variable number of repeated units at a site

Question 20

Which real-world example illustrates the concept of gene duplication and divergence leading to functional specialization?

Accepted Answer

The evolution of the globin gene family for oxygen transport

Genome Evolution: Chromosomal Changes, Gene Duplication, and the Globin Gene Family

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards