Question 1

Which of the following best describes a scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A tentative explanation that can be tested and is falsifiable.

Question 2

In an experiment testing the effect of sunlight on plant growth, which is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The amount of sunlight each plant receives.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin's four postulates of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

All individuals survive and reproduce equally.

Question 4

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. After several generations, most bacteria are resistant. Which evolutionary process is most directly responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a bottleneck effect?

Accepted Answer

A population is drastically reduced by a natural disaster, leaving few survivors.

Question 7

Which process leads to the formation of new species due to geographic isolation?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 8

What is the main difference between Lamarck's theory and Darwin's theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Lamarck believed traits acquired during an organism's lifetime could be inherited.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes homology?

Accepted Answer

Similarity due to shared ancestry.

Question 10

A scientist is constructing a phylogenetic tree. What is the principle of parsimony?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the tree that requires the fewest evolutionary changes.

Question 11

Which of the following is a constraint in natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is limited by historical and genetic factors.

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of a p-value in a biological experiment?

Accepted Answer

The probability of obtaining the observed results if the null hypothesis is true.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

A peacock displaying its colorful tail to attract mates.

Question 14

Which process is random with respect to fitness?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A new population is established by a small number of individuals, leading to reduced genetic variation.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of reproductive isolation?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Question 17

Which of the following is a monophyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A group that includes an ancestor and all its descendants.

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating genotype frequencies under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2$$ for homozygous dominant, $$2pq$$ for heterozygous, $$q^2$$ for homozygous recessive

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of goal-oriented thinking that should be avoided in biology?

Accepted Answer

Assuming that giraffes evolved long necks in order to reach high leaves.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a real-world example of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria with resistance genes survive and reproduce more successfully in the presence of antibiotics.

General Biology Exam 1 Study Guide: Evolution, Genetics, and Scientific Skills

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