Question 1

Which of the following best describes genetic variation in a population?

Accepted Answer

The presence of differences in the DNA sequences among individuals within a population.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation in populations?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 3

A mutation occurs in the skin cells of a lizard after exposure to UV radiation. Which statement is correct regarding the inheritance of this mutation?

Accepted Answer

The mutation will not be passed to the next generation because it is not in the germ cells.

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios is an example of the bottleneck effect?

Accepted Answer

A hurricane drastically reduces the population of a bird species, leaving only a few survivors with limited genetic diversity.

Question 5

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies in a population?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

Which of the following best describes directional selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection that favors individuals at one extreme of a phenotypic range.

Question 7

A population of fish has two color morphs: blue and red. If the fitness of each morph depends on its frequency in the population, which evolutionary mechanism is at work?

Accepted Answer

Frequency-dependent selection

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

A group of wolves migrates into a new area and breeds with the local population, introducing new alleles.

Question 9

Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes between phenotype and genotype?

Accepted Answer

Phenotype refers to observable traits, while genotype refers to the genetic makeup.

Question 10

Which of the following is a non-adaptive mechanism of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 11

In a population of beetles, green beetles are favored because they are less visible to predators, while brown beetles are eaten more often. Over time, the frequency of the green allele increases. Which type of selection is this?

Accepted Answer

Positive selection

Question 12

Which of the following best describes sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

A form of selection in which individuals with certain inherited traits are more likely to obtain mates.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of intrasexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Male deer fighting with each other for access to females.

Question 14

Which of the following is a potential cost of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of predation due to conspicuous traits.

Question 15

Which sex is typically more influenced by sexual selection, and why?

Accepted Answer

Males, because they often compete for access to females.

Question 16

A population of rabbits is exposed to a new predator. Over several generations, only the fastest rabbits survive and reproduce. Which type of selection is most likely occurring?

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Question 17

Which of the following best describes balancing selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection that maintains two or more alleles in a population.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of disruptive selection?

Accepted Answer

Both very small and very large beak sizes are favored in a bird population, while intermediate sizes are selected against.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

A small group of humans colonizes an isolated island, and their descendants show reduced genetic diversity compared to the original population.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about natural selection and sexual selection is correct?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favors traits that increase survival and reproduction, while sexual selection favors traits that increase mating success.

Study Guide: Evolution of Populations (Ch. 21)

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards