Question 1

Which of the following best describes Darwinian fitness?

Accepted Answer

The number of offspring an individual produces during its lifetime.

Question 2

In the context of natural selection, which factor is NOT required for evolution to occur?

Accepted Answer

Equal reproductive success among all individuals.

Question 3

A population of beetles is exposed to predation by birds that prefer green beetles over brown beetles. Over several generations, the proportion of brown beetles increases. This scenario best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection.

Question 4

Sexual dimorphism is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A phenotypic difference between male and female members of a species.

Question 5

According to evolutionary theory, why do males typically compete for access to females?

Accepted Answer

Females are a limiting resource because they invest more in eggs or parenting.

Question 6

Which social mating system is characterized by one male and multiple females with prolonged pair bonds and exclusive mating?

Accepted Answer

Polygyny

Question 7

In marine iguanas, stabilizing selection for body size results in:

Accepted Answer

Higher fitness for medium-sized iguanas.

Question 8

Which equation best represents the relationship between fitness ($$w$$), number of offspring ($$n$$), and reproductive success?

Accepted Answer

$$w = n$$

Question 9

In mammals, why is monogamy less common compared to birds?

Accepted Answer

Mammals require less parental care for offspring.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

A male peacock displaying its colorful tail to attract females.

Question 11

If the variance in reproductive success ($$\$$sigma^2$$) is greater in males than in females, what does this imply about the mating system?

Accepted Answer

There is intense male competition for mates.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why medium-sized marine iguanas have higher fitness than small or large iguanas?

Accepted Answer

Medium-sized iguanas balance energy requirements and reproductive success.

Question 13

Which reproductive strategy is most likely to evolve in a species where paternal care is necessary for offspring survival?

Accepted Answer

Monogamy

Question 14

A graph shows that male stature is generally greater than female stature in a population. This is most likely a result of:

Accepted Answer

Sexual dimorphism due to sexual selection.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about sexual selection is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Sexual selection can favor traits that enhance reproductive success, even if they reduce survival.

Question 16

In a population where females invest heavily in offspring, what is the expected pattern of male behavior?

Accepted Answer

Males will compete for access to females.

Question 17

Which formula best describes stabilizing selection for a quantitative trait $$x$$ with fitness $$w(x)$$?

Accepted Answer

$$w(x) = e$$^{-\frac{(x - \mu)^2}$${2\$$sigma^2$$}}$$

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a plausible outcome of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Increased survival of individuals with sexually selected traits.

Question 19

In a species where females produce eggs that are 20% of their body mass and provide parental care, what is the most likely mating system?

Accepted Answer

Monogamy

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the general pattern of reproductive strategies in mammals?

Accepted Answer

Most mammals exhibit polygyny or promiscuity.

Lec 28

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