Question 1

A population of 100 ducks has 9 with blue feet (homozygous dominant), 82 with green feet (heterozygous), and 9 with yellow feet (homozygous recessive). Use the Hardy-Weinberg equation $$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$ to determine if this population is in equilibrium. Which of the following is correct?

Accepted Answer

No, there are too many heterozygotes or too few homozygotes.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes balancing selection?

Accepted Answer

A process that maintains multiple alleles of a gene in a population.

Question 3

In negative frequency-dependent selection, what happens to the fitness of a phenotype as it becomes more common?

Accepted Answer

Its fitness decreases.

Question 4

Which scenario is an example of positive frequency-dependent selection?

Accepted Answer

A common warning coloration in butterflies is avoided by predators.

Question 5

Which of the following is a key difference between sexual selection and natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Sexual selection favors traits that increase mating success, even if they reduce survival.

Question 6

According to Zahavi’s handicap hypothesis, why might females prefer males with extravagant traits?

Accepted Answer

Because only males in good condition can afford to produce costly ornaments, signaling good genes.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of intrasexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Male deer fighting for access to females.

Question 8

A researcher manipulates the tail length of male barn swallows and finds that males with elongated tails obtain mates more quickly but have reduced survival the following year. What does this experiment demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Sexual selection and natural selection can act in opposition.

Question 9

Which equation correctly describes the relationship between phenotype, genes, and environment?

Accepted Answer

$$V_p = V_G + V_E$$

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a prezygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 11

Which species concept defines a species as the smallest group of individuals on a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic species concept

Question 12

A population is split by a geographic barrier, and over time, the two groups accumulate genetic differences and can no longer interbreed. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 13

Which of the following is a limitation of the biological species concept?

Accepted Answer

It cannot be applied to asexual organisms.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a fixed action pattern?

Accepted Answer

A goose rolling an egg back to its nest in a stereotyped way.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the 'runaway' sexual selection model proposed by Fisher?

Accepted Answer

Female preference for a trait and the trait itself become genetically linked, leading to exaggerated traits.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of sexual conflict?

Accepted Answer

Males and females have different optimal mating strategies due to differences in parental investment.

Question 17

Which of the following is a postzygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid viability

Question 18

Which of the following is true about heritability ($$h^2) of $$behavior in wild wolf packs, as discussed in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

$$h^2$$ can vary, and aggression in wolves shows moderate heritability.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of frequency-dependent selection maintaining genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

Left- and right-mouthed fish, where the rare morph has a feeding advantage.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about microevolution and macroevolution?

Accepted Answer

Microevolution refers to changes in allele frequency within a population, while macroevolution refers to evolutionary changes above the species level.

Population Genetics, Selection, and Speciation: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards