Question 1

Which of the following best describes Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Species evolve over generations as individuals with advantageous heritable traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT considered evidence supporting the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

The constancy of species' traits over millions of years.

Question 3

Which scientist's work on population growth influenced Darwin's thinking about natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Thomas Malthus

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation?

Accepted Answer

It describes the genetic structure of a population that is not evolving.

Question 5

A population of beetles has two alleles for a gene: A and a. If the frequency of allele A is $$p = 0.7$$ and the frequency of allele a is $$q = 0.3$$, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$$0.42$$

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a prezygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Mating occurs at different times of the year for two species.

Question 7

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates allopatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A river divides a population of rodents, and over time, the two groups become separate species.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about genetic drift is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is more significant in small populations and can lead to loss of alleles.

Question 9

Which of the following is a real-world example of a bottleneck effect?

Accepted Answer

A population of cheetahs is reduced to a few individuals due to hunting, resulting in low genetic diversity.

Question 10

Which of the following best defines 'fitness' in the context of Darwinian evolution?

Accepted Answer

The number of offspring an organism leaves in the next generation relative to others.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a condition required for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favors certain alleles.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why homologous structures are considered evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

They indicate that different species share a common ancestor.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

A single species of finch evolves into multiple species with different beak shapes on the Galápagos Islands.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A few individuals colonize a new habitat, leading to a gene pool that differs from the original population.

Question 15

Which of the following is a postzygotic barrier to reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid offspring are sterile.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about mutations is correct?

Accepted Answer

Mutations are the ultimate source of genetic variation.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

Wings of bats and wings of birds, which evolved independently for flight.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why vestigial structures are important to evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

They provide evidence of an organism's evolutionary history.

Question 19

If a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the frequency of the recessive allele ($$q) is$$ $$0.4$$, what is the expected frequency of homozygous dominant individuals ($$p^2$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$0.36$$

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of directional selection?

Accepted Answer

Peppered moths in England became darker in color during the Industrial Revolution due to increased pollution.

Study Guide: Evolution, Microevolution, and the History of Life (Chapters 22–25)

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards