Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of evolution in a population?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is the change in gene frequencies over time within a population.

Question 2

According to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which of the following must be true for a gene to NOT be evolving in a population?

Accepted Answer

Allele frequencies remain constant from generation to generation.

Question 3

Why was higher melanin production favored for humans living near the equator?

Accepted Answer

It provided protection against intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, reducing the risk of skin cancer and folate degradation.

Question 4

Which of the following is a requirement for a population to evolve?

Accepted Answer

Genetic variation and differential reproductive success.

Question 5

If a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what does this indicate about the gene in question?

Accepted Answer

The gene is not evolving; allele frequencies are stable.

Question 6

Why do all tetrapods share the anatomical pattern of 'one bone, two bones, many bones, digits' in their limbs?

Accepted Answer

It is a homologous trait inherited from a common ancestor.

Question 7

Why do Inuit people, who live in the Arctic, generally have darker skin than other populations at similar latitudes?

Accepted Answer

Their diet is rich in vitamin D, reducing the selective pressure for lighter skin.

Question 8

Which of the following best defines a homologous trait?

Accepted Answer

A trait shared by different species due to inheritance from a common ancestor.

Question 9

Crocodiles are more closely related to which group, according to evolutionary trees?

Accepted Answer

Birds

Question 10

What is a telomere?

Accepted Answer

A repetitive DNA sequence at the end of a chromosome that protects it from degradation.

Question 11

Humans have a telomere in the middle of chromosome 2. What does this suggest about human evolution?

Accepted Answer

Chromosome 2 was formed by the fusion of two ancestral chromosomes.

Question 12

How many chromosomes do chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans have, respectively?

Accepted Answer

Chimpanzees: 48, Gorillas: 48, Orangutans: 48

Question 13

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 14

A population of 1000 individuals has allele frequencies $p = 0.7$ and $q = 0.3$. According to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes?

Accepted Answer

$2pq = 2 	imes 0.7 	imes 0.3 = 0.42$

Question 15

Why was less melanin selected for people who migrated north from the equator?

Accepted Answer

Lower melanin allowed for increased vitamin D synthesis in regions with less sunlight.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of negative selection acting on a gene?

Accepted Answer

A mutation that decreases fitness is removed from the population over generations.

Question 17

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of 'overproduction' in natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A species produces more offspring than the environment can support, leading to competition and differential survival.

Question 18

Why might avoidance of skin cancer NOT be the primary reason for selection for high melanin levels in equatorial populations?

Accepted Answer

Skin cancer typically affects individuals after reproductive age, so it has less impact on evolutionary fitness.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about populations and evolution is correct?

Accepted Answer

Populations evolve, not individuals.

Question 20

If most genes in a population are undergoing negative selection, what does this imply?

Accepted Answer

Deleterious mutations are being removed, maintaining the status quo.

Study Guide: Evolution, Natural Selection, and Genetics

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards