Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'fitness' in the context of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment, contributing to the gene pool of the next generation.

Question 2

A population of beetles has two color morphs: green and brown. If birds preferentially eat green beetles, which type of selection is most likely occurring?

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Question 3

Which equation is used to calculate allele frequencies in a population under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

A small group of lizards migrates to a new island and establishes a population. Over time, this population shows reduced genetic diversity compared to the original population. Which evolutionary mechanism best explains this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Founder effect

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a prezygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid breakdown

Question 6

In a population of 1000 individuals, 360 show the homozygous recessive phenotype. Assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the frequency of the recessive allele ($$q$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$q = 0.6$$

Question 7

Which statement best explains why genetic variation within a population is a prerequisite for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Without genetic variation, natural selection cannot act to favor certain traits over others.

Question 8

Which of the following scenarios is an example of allopatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A river forms and splits a population of mice into two isolated groups, which eventually become separate species.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the bottleneck effect?

Accepted Answer

A sharp reduction in population size due to a random event, resulting in loss of genetic diversity.

Question 10

Which of the following is a postzygotic barrier to reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 11

Which of the following statements about Hox genes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Changes in the number, sequence, or expression of Hox genes can lead to major morphological differences between species.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

Darwin's finches evolving into multiple species with different beak shapes on the Galápagos Islands.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the principle of maximum parsimony in phylogenetic analysis?

Accepted Answer

The simplest explanation, requiring the fewest evolutionary changes, is preferred.

Question 14

Which of the following is a shared derived character (synapomorphy)?

Accepted Answer

Feathers in birds

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the Cambrian explosion is correct?

Accepted Answer

It was a period of rapid diversification of animal body plans approximately 541 million years ago.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains the difference between homology and analogy?

Accepted Answer

Homology refers to similarity due to shared ancestry, while analogy refers to similarity due to convergent evolution.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The scale-eating cichlid fish in Lake Tanganyika, where left- and right-mouthed morphs are maintained in the population.

Question 18

Which of the following is a consequence of gene flow between populations?

Accepted Answer

It reduces genetic differences between populations.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about molecular clocks is correct?

Accepted Answer

Molecular clocks estimate the time of evolutionary events based on the rate of genetic mutations.

Core Concepts in Evolution, Population Genetics, Speciation, and Phylogeny

Guida di studio - Domande di pratica

Study guide - Flashcard