Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the three requirements for natural selection to act on a population?

Accepted Answer

All individuals must have equal reproductive success

Question 2

A population of birds experiences a sudden reduction in numbers due to a hurricane, leaving only a few survivors. Which microevolutionary mechanism is most likely to affect allele frequencies in the next generation?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift (bottleneck effect)

Question 3

Which term describes the physical expression of an organism’s genetic makeup?

Accepted Answer

Phenotype

Question 4

In a population, the frequency of allele A is 0.7 and allele a is 0.3. According to the Hardy-Weinberg equation $$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes (Aa)?

Accepted Answer

$$0.42$$

Question 5

Which of the following best describes genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A change in allele frequencies due to random events

Question 6

A scientist observes that a certain trait increases in frequency over several generations. Which statistical test would best determine if natural selection is acting on this trait?

Accepted Answer

Chi-square test comparing observed and expected frequencies

Question 7

Which of the following statements about reproductive fitness is correct?

Accepted Answer

It reflects both survival and reproductive success relative to others in the population

Question 8

Which scenario best illustrates gene flow?

Accepted Answer

A population of deer migrates and breeds with a neighboring population, introducing new alleles

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Humans breeding dogs for specific traits

Question 10

In the case study 'Genetic drift: Japanese wattlebird', what evolutionary process is primarily illustrated?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift causing random changes in allele frequencies

Question 11

Which figure from the textbook best illustrates the concept of a population bottleneck?

Accepted Answer

A diagram showing a sharp reduction in population size followed by recovery

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why genetic variation is important for evolution?

Accepted Answer

It allows populations to adapt to changing environments

Question 13

A population of insects is exposed to a pesticide. Over time, the frequency of a resistance allele increases. Which mechanism is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 14

Which of the following is the correct definition of an allele?

Accepted Answer

A variant form of a gene at a particular locus

Question 15

In the 'Mutation – Elephant tusklessness' case study, what evolutionary force is most likely responsible for the increase in tuskless elephants?

Accepted Answer

Mutation followed by natural selection

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the founder effect?

Accepted Answer

A small group starts a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity

Question 17

Which equation is used to predict genotype frequencies in a population under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Which laboratory technique would you use to identify the presence of a specific allele in a population?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Question 19

Which of the following best explains the difference between artificial and natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection is driven by human choice, while natural selection is driven by environmental pressures

Question 20

Which concept is illustrated by the observation that sickle cell allele frequency is higher in regions with malaria?

Accepted Answer

Balancing selection due to heterozygote advantage

Microevolution, Genetic Terminology, and Mechanisms of Evolution: Study Guide for General Biology

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