Q: If a population of birds has two alleles for beak size, $$A ($$large) and $$a ($$small), and the frequency of $$A is 0.7$$, what is the expected frequency of the $$aa$$ genotype in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

$$0.09$$ $$\text{Frequency of } aa = (1-0.7)^2$ = 0.3^2$ = 0.09$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'descent with modification' as proposed by Charles Darwin?

Accepted Answer

Species accumulate differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments over time.

Question 2

A population of insects develops resistance to a pesticide over several generations. Which mechanism best explains this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection, where individuals with resistance alleles survive and reproduce more.

Question 3

Which historical figure first proposed that Earth's features could be explained by gradual change over time, and that these processes operate at the same rate today?

Accepted Answer

Hutton and Lyell

Question 4

In the context of evolution, what is an adaptation?

Accepted Answer

An inherited characteristic that enhances survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

Question 5

During the industrial revolution in England, the frequency of dark-colored peppered moths increased. What was the primary selective pressure responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Predation by birds, which favored moths that were better camouflaged on polluted, darkened trees.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about natural selection is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on traits already present in the population.

Question 7

A sugar glider (marsupial) and a flying squirrel (eutherian) both have adaptations for gliding, but are not closely related. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a vestigial structure?

Accepted Answer

A remnant of a feature that served a function in the organism’s ancestors.

Question 9

If a population of birds has two alleles for beak size, $$A ($$large) and $$a ($$small), and the frequency of $$A is 0.7$$, what is the expected frequency of the $$aa$$ genotype in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$$0.09$$

$$	ext{Frequency of } aa = (1-0.7)^2$ = 0.3^2$ = 0.09$$

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT evidence for evolution?

Accepted Answer

The fixed, unchanging nature of species

Question 11

A biologist finds fossils of ocean organisms high in the Andes mountains. What does this observation most strongly support?

Accepted Answer

The concept of continental drift and changes in Earth's surface over time.

Question 12

Which of the following best distinguishes artificial selection from natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection is driven by human choice for desired traits.

Question 13

Which statement about evolutionary trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

Branch points represent common ancestors shared by descendant groups.

Question 14

A population of soapberry bugs feeds on a new plant with deeper seeds. Over time, the average beak length increases. What is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favored bugs with longer beaks, increasing their frequency.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a homologous structure?

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bat and the flippers of a whale, both derived from a common ancestor.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable prediction, while a theory integrates and explains a wide variety of phenomena.

Question 17

If two species share a homologous gene that has lost its function in one species but is still functional in the other, what is this gene called in the non-functional species?

Accepted Answer

Pseudogene

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why populations, not individuals, evolve?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is the change in allele frequencies within a population over generations.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of biogeography supporting evolution?

Accepted Answer

The distribution of Galaxiidae fish in South America and Australia, explained by continental drift.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a phenotype?

Accepted Answer

The observable color of a moth’s wings.

Descent with Modification: The Foundations of Evolutionary Biology

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