Question 1

Which of the following best explains why MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) became resistant to methicillin so quickly after its introduction?

Accepted Answer

MRSA already had genetic variation, and natural selection favored bacteria with resistance genes when methicillin was used.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of homology?

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bat and the flippers of a dolphin, both derived from the same ancestral limb structure.

Question 3

A population of insects is exposed to a new pesticide. After several generations, most of the population is resistant. Which evolutionary mechanism best explains this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 4

Which of the following statements about phylogenetic trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic trees show patterns of descent, not phenotypic similarity.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation in populations?

Accepted Answer

Phenotypic plasticity due to environmental factors alone

Question 6

A small group of birds is blown off course and colonizes a new island. Over time, their allele frequencies differ from the original population. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The founder effect

Question 7

Which of the following best describes convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

Two unrelated species independently evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

Question 8

Which taxonomic group is the most inclusive?

Accepted Answer

Domain

Question 9

Why can genetic drift have a larger impact on small populations than on large populations?

Accepted Answer

Chance events can cause large changes in allele frequencies in small populations.

Question 10

Which of the following is a real-world example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

A population of mosquitoes develops pesticide resistance and spreads the resistance allele to neighboring populations.

Question 11

Which of the following is true about natural selection?

Accepted Answer

It consistently increases the frequency of alleles that improve reproductive advantage.

Question 12

A population of animals experiences a sudden environmental disaster that drastically reduces its size. The resulting population has different allele frequencies than the original. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The bottleneck effect

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct statement about the Linnaean system of classification?

Accepted Answer

It uses two-part names for species and organizes them into a hierarchy of increasingly broad categories.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes a monophyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A group that includes an ancestor and all of its descendants.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a scenario where natural selection cannot produce a perfect organism?

Accepted Answer

Selection can act only on existing variations.

Question 16

Which of the following equations correctly represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies in a population?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

A hospital patient develops a neck infection with heavy growth of Klebsiella aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, both showing antibiotic resistance. Which evolutionary process is most likely responsible for the rapid spread of resistance genes in this environment?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow between bacterial populations via plasmids

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why the forelimbs of humans, cats, horses, bats, and dolphins are considered homologous structures?

Accepted Answer

They have similar bone arrangements due to descent from a common ancestor.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of divergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The evolution of different beak shapes in finches on the Galápagos Islands.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about genetic variation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Genetic variation is necessary for evolution by natural selection.

Chapter 20-21

Guida di studio - Domande di pratica

Study guide - Flashcard