Question 1

Which of the following best explains why the pentadactyl limb structure (as shown in the first image) is considered evidence for macroevolution?

Accepted Answer

It indicates that different vertebrates share a common ancestor due to the similarity in limb structure despite different functions.

Question 2

A fossil of Archaeopteryx (see image 8) is significant because it provides evidence for which evolutionary transition?

Accepted Answer

Reptile to bird

Question 3

Why did the now-discredited blending model of inheritance pose a problem for Darwin’s theory of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

It implied that variation would be lost over generations, preventing natural selection from acting effectively.

Question 4

Given a population of 1,000 moths with 810 BB, 180 Bb, and 10 bb individuals, what is the frequency of the b allele?

Accepted Answer

$$0.1$$

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

Soft-bodied organisms fossilize more readily than hard-bodied ones.

Question 6

If a population consists of 25 AA, 40 Aa, and 35 aa individuals, what is the frequency of the A allele?

Accepted Answer

$$0.45$$

Question 7

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a gene with two alleles, p and q?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 8

Why did researchers search for Tiktaalik roseae in rocks that were approximately 380 million years old?

Accepted Answer

They predicted that transitional forms between fish and amphibians would be found in rocks of that age.

Question 9

Which of the following best defines a 'fixed allele' in a population?

Accepted Answer

An allele that is present in all individuals, all of whom are homozygous for it.

Question 10

If the frequency of allele A is $$p = 0.7$$ and allele a is $$q = 0.3$$, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes (Aa) under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$$0.42$$

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Purple flowers in pea plants

Question 12

Which of the following statements about Mendel’s model of heredity is correct?

Accepted Answer

Each parent transmits only one of their two alleles for each trait to their offspring.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the gene pool of a population?

Accepted Answer

All the alleles in all individuals of a population.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Small population size

Question 15

A population of 200 individuals has 120 with genotype RR, 60 with Rr, and 20 with rr. What is the frequency of the r allele?

Accepted Answer

$$0.25$$

Question 16

Which of the following best describes molecular homology as evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

The presence of similar DNA or protein sequences in different species, indicating common ancestry.

Question 17

Which of the following is the correct order of appearance in the fossil record, according to the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Fish → Amphibians → Reptiles → Mammals

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a transitional fossil, as discussed in the lecture?

Accepted Answer

Tiktaalik roseae

Question 19

If a population is not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Allele and genotype frequencies are changing, indicating evolution is occurring.

Lec: 9 Population Genetics and Evidence for Evolution: Study Notes

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