Q: Which of the following equations represents the calculation of relative fitness ($$w) of an $$individual compared to others in a population?

$$w = \frac{\text{number of surviving, fertile offspring produced by individual}}{\text{average number produced by population}}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between typological thinking and population thinking in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

Typological thinking assumes species are fixed and unchanging, while population thinking recognizes variation among individuals as key to evolution.

Question 2

According to Darwin’s theory, what is the primary mechanism that produces evolutionary change in populations?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acting on heritable variation

Question 3

Which evidence most directly supports the idea that species are related by common ancestry?

Accepted Answer

Genetic, developmental, and structural homologies among different species

Question 4

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. After several generations, most bacteria are resistant. Which Darwinian postulate does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Heritable variation leads to differential survival and reproduction

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial trait?

Accepted Answer

The wings of ostriches, which are reduced and nonfunctional for flight

Question 6

Which statement about adaptation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation results from changes in allele frequencies in a population due to natural selection.

Question 7

Which of the following equations represents the calculation of relative fitness ($$w) of an $$individual compared to others in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$w = \frac{	ext{number of surviving, fertile offspring produced by individual}}{	ext{average number produced by population}}$$

Question 8

Why is the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria considered direct evidence for evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

It demonstrates that heritable genetic variation leads to differential survival when exposed to antibiotics.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for evolution by natural selection to occur?

Accepted Answer

All individuals must have equal reproductive success

Question 10

During a drought, the average beak depth of a finch population increased. What is the most likely explanation for this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favored individuals with deeper beaks, increasing the frequency of alleles for deep beaks.

Question 11

Which of the following best illustrates a fitness trade-off?

Accepted Answer

A bird species that produces many small eggs but fewer survive to adulthood

Question 12

Which process is random with respect to fitness and can cause evolution, but does NOT necessarily lead to adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 13

Which of the following is a structural homology?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a common limb bone arrangement in vertebrates

Question 14

What does the law of succession in the fossil record state?

Accepted Answer

Fossil species in a geographic area are strikingly similar to living species in that area, suggesting ancestry.

Question 15

Which statement about speciation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Speciation is the process by which one species splits into two or more descendant species.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a line of evidence for evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

The occurrence of acclimatization in individuals

Question 17

Which of the following statements about evolution is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Evolution always leads to more complex and 'better' organisms.

Question 18

Which formula would you use to estimate the age of a rock layer using radiometric dating?

Accepted Answer

$$t = \frac{1}{\lambda} \ln \left( \frac{N_0$}{N} \right)$$, where $$t is $$time, $$\lambda is $$decay constant, $$N_0 is $$initial amount, and $$N is $$remaining amount.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of genetic homology?

Accepted Answer

Similar DNA nucleotide sequences in humans and mice

Question 20

Why are adaptations not always perfect solutions to environmental challenges?

Accepted Answer

Adaptations are constrained by genetic, historical, and environmental factors.

Evolution by Natural Selection: Chapter 22 Study Notes

Guida di studio - Domande di pratica

Study guide - Flashcard