Question 1

Which of the following best describes Darwin's concept of 'descent with modification'?

Accepted Answer

All living species come from earlier ancestral species, gradually accumulating changes over generations.

Question 2

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. Over time, some bacteria survive and reproduce, passing on their resistance genes. Which evolutionary mechanism is primarily responsible for the increase in antibiotic resistance?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for natural selection to occur in a population?

Accepted Answer

Unlimited resources

Question 4

A population of cheetahs experienced a drastic reduction in numbers due to hunting, resulting in low genetic diversity. This scenario is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Bottleneck effect

Question 5

Which statement correctly explains why evolution acts on populations and not on individual organisms?

Accepted Answer

Populations change over generations as helpful traits become more common.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Humans breeding dogs for specific traits such as size or behavior

Question 7

Radiometric dating is used to determine the age of fossils. If a fossil contains 25% of its original radioactive isotope, and the half-life of the isotope is 10,000 years, how old is the fossil?

Accepted Answer

$$20,000$$ years

Question 8

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of homologous structures?

Accepted Answer

The flipper of a whale and the human arm

Question 9

A population of birds is separated by a mountain range, and over time, each group adapts to its environment and can no longer interbreed. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 10

Which mechanism of evolution is most likely to increase genetic similarity between two populations?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Question 11

Which reproductive barrier is described when two species breed at different times of the year?

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct sequence in the taxonomic hierarchy from broadest to most specific?

Accepted Answer

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a domain in the three-domain system of classification?

Accepted Answer

Protista

Question 14

A male bird of paradise has bright, colorful feathers that attract females. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Sexual selection

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Microevolution involves small genetic changes within a population; macroevolution involves major evolutionary changes such as speciation.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a transitional fossil?

Accepted Answer

A fossil showing features of both land-dwelling and aquatic ancestors

Question 17

Which process creates new combinations of genes during sexual reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Crossing over and independent assortment

Question 18

A population of insects is exposed to a pesticide. After several generations, most individuals are resistant. Which statement best explains this outcome?

Accepted Answer

Resistant insects survived and reproduced, passing on resistance genes.

Question 19

Which of the following is a key feature of the biological species definition?

Accepted Answer

Members of a species can interbreed and produce healthy offspring.

Question 20

If a population of wheat undergoes chromosome doubling and becomes fertile, forming a new species within the parent population, this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Sympatric speciation

Unit 7: Darwinian Evolution, Speciation, and Biodiversity

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