Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

Accepted Answer

Microevolution refers to changes in allele frequency within a population over time, while macroevolution refers to broad patterns of evolutionary change above the species level.

Question 2

A population of frogs is separated by the construction of a new highway, preventing gene flow between the two groups. Over time, the two populations diverge genetically and can no longer interbreed. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a prezygotic barrier to reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 4

A mule is the sterile offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Which reproductive barrier does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 5

Which scenario best illustrates habitat isolation as a prezygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Two species of flies feed and mate on different types of fruit in the same geographic area.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the biological species concept is correct?

Accepted Answer

It cannot be applied to fossils or asexual organisms.

Question 7

A plant species undergoes a mitotic error, resulting in a tetraploid individual ($$4n) $$from a diploid parent ($$2n). $$This process is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Autopolyploidy

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

It relies on subjective criteria for distinguishing species.

Question 9

In Lake Victoria, female cichlids choose mates based on male breeding coloration, leading to the formation of new species. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Sexual selection driving sympatric speciation

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a hybrid zone?

Accepted Answer

A region where members of different species mate and produce hybrids

Question 11

A hybrid offspring of two salamander species rarely survives to adulthood. Which reproductive barrier is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid viability

Question 12

Which of the following is most likely to result in sympatric speciation in plants?

Accepted Answer

Polyploidy

Question 13

Why might gene flow between two distinct species, such as grizzly and polar bears, challenge the biological species concept?

Accepted Answer

Because the biological species concept emphasizes the absence of gene flow between species

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of mechanical isolation?

Accepted Answer

Two snail species cannot mate because their genital openings do not align due to different shell spirals.

Question 15

A hybrid plant is initially sterile due to mismatched chromosomes from two parent species. In a subsequent generation, chromosome doubling occurs, restoring fertility. This process is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Allopolyploidy

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why hybrid zones can shift location over time?

Accepted Answer

Changing environmental conditions can relocate hybrid zones by altering where species' habitats meet.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of habitat differentiation leading to sympatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

Maggot flies specializing on apples versus blueberries in the same geographic area

Question 18

Which of the following crops is an example of a polyploid species formed through speciation?

Accepted Answer

Wheat

Question 19

Which of the following best describes hybrid breakdown?

Accepted Answer

First-generation hybrids are viable and fertile, but their offspring are feeble or sterile.

Question 20

A researcher observes that two populations of fruit flies, originally from the same parent population, prefer to mate with individuals adapted to the same diet after being raised on different foods. This is evidence for:

Accepted Answer

Reproductive isolation as a byproduct of genetic divergence

Speciation and the Origin of Species

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