Evolution: A Comprehensive Guide for Sixth Form Biology Students

Question 1

In evolutionary terms, what does 'fitness' refer to?

Accepted Answer

An organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment

Answer

An organism's overall health and well-being

Answer

An organism's genetic diversity

Question 2

When a population experiences a drastic reduction in size, it undergoes a population bottleneck. What is the impact of this bottleneck on the frequencies of alleles within the population?

Accepted Answer

Reduces the number of alleles present in the population

Answer

Increases the frequency of dominant alleles

Answer

Increases the genetic diversity of the population

Question 3

Which evidence provides the strongest support for the theory of human evolution from ape-like ancestors?

Accepted Answer

Both morphological and genetic evidence

Answer

Morphological evidence only

Answer

Genetic evidence only

Question 4

What is adaptive radiation and how does it contribute to the formation of new species?

Accepted Answer

Adaptive radiation is the rapid diversification of a species into multiple new species, each adapted to a specific ecological niche.

Answer

Adaptive radiation occurs when a group of organisms migrates to a new environment, resulting in the selection of specific traits.

Answer

Adaptive radiation is a process caused by genetic drift, leading to the random change in allele frequencies.

Answer

Adaptive radiation occurs when a species experiences a mutation that confers a selective advantage.

Question 5

Which observation from the fossil record strongly supports the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Fossils of extinct species show gradual changes over geologic time.

Answer

Fossils form when organisms are replaced by minerals or casts.

Answer

Fossils found in the oldest rock layers depict organisms that existed billions of years ago.

Answer

Fossils provide insights into environmental conditions during past geologic periods.

Question 6

How do mutations contribute to genetic variation within a population?

Accepted Answer

Mutations introduce new alleles, increasing genetic diversity.

Answer

Mutations only occur in non-reproductive cells and do not contribute to genetic variation.

Answer

Mutations solely result from exposure to harmful environmental factors.

Question 7

How do environmental factors, such as climate change and resource availability, affect the strength and direction of natural selection in a population?

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors influence the strength of natural selection by changing the selective pressures on a population, guiding the direction of evolutionary change.

Answer

Environmental factors only affect the speed of natural selection, not its direction.

Answer

Environmental factors do not impact natural selection, as it is driven solely by genetic variation.

Answer

Climate change and resource availability are not relevant to natural selection, as they are too gradual to affect population dynamics.

Question 8

Define coevolution and explain how it occurs between different species, providing examples of both mutualistic and antagonistic relationships.

Accepted Answer

Coevolution is a process where two or more species evolve together, influencing each other's traits over time.

Answer

Coevolution is limited to predator-prey interactions.

Answer

Coevolution is the sole driving force behind the variety of life on Earth.

Answer

Coevolution always leads to mutually beneficial relationships between species.

Question 9

In an isolated bird population, scientists have observed a gradual increase in beak size over generations. Which conclusion is most likely supported by this observation?

Accepted Answer

Birds with larger beaks have a better chance of finding food.

Answer

The environment has become warmer, leading to larger beaks.

Answer

A genetic mutation has caused all birds to have larger beaks.

Answer

Random events have led to the increased prevalence of larger beaks.

Question 10

How does the size of a population affect the strength of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift is stronger in smaller populations because the loss of alleles due to random events has a greater impact on allele frequencies.

Answer

Genetic drift is stronger in larger populations because there is more genetic variation to be lost.

Answer

Genetic drift has the same strength in both small and large populations.

Question 11

How do natural selection, cultural transmission, genetics, environment, and culture interact to shape human behavioral traits? Provide examples to illustrate these interactions.

Accepted Answer

Genetics, environment, and cultural factors interact to shape behavioral traits, and natural selection acts on the resulting phenotypic variation.

Answer

Natural selection acts solely on genetic variation, with no influence from cultural transmission.

Answer

Cultural transmission affects only behavioral traits, not genetic variation.

Answer

Natural selection favors behaviors that enhance survival regardless of cultural context.

Question 12

How does evolutionary theory guide the development and use of biotechnology?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary theory provides a framework for understanding the potential benefits and risks of biotechnology.

Answer

Evolutionary theory suggests that biotechnology is unnecessary because natural selection can drive adaptation.

Answer

Biotechnology should be adopted without ethical considerations because it can solve many human problems.

Answer

Biotechnology is unethical because it interferes with the natural process of evolution.

Question 13

Which mechanism is primarily responsible for driving the process of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Question 14

What term describes the gradual change in the genetic makeup of a population over generations?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Speciation

Question 15

Which of the following is not considered valid scientific evidence supporting the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Intelligent design

Answer

Fossil record

Answer

Comparative anatomy

Answer

Molecular biology

Question 16

What is the term used to describe the process through which new species arise?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Question 17

Which of the following is not a type of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Selective breeding

Answer

Gene editing

Answer

Hybridization

Question 18

What is the term used to describe the process where individuals with specific traits have a higher probability of surviving and reproducing?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 19

What is the idea that all living organisms share a common ancestor referred to as?

Accepted Answer

Common descent

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Speciation

Question 20

Which of the following is not a recognized mechanism of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 21

Which scenario exemplifies the process known as genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A random change in the frequency of an allele due to chance events

Answer

The selective advantage of individuals with favorable traits

Answer

The emergence of new species from an existing one

Answer

The gradual change in allele frequencies over time as a result of mutations

Question 22

What term describes the process through which new species are formed?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 23

Which type of natural selection favors the development of extreme traits within a population?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Balancing selection

Question 24

What is the fundamental distinction between homologous and analogous structures?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures share a common ancestor, while analogous structures do not

Answer

Analogous structures share a common ancestor, while homologous structures do not

Answer

Homologous structures have similar functions, while analogous structures do not

Answer

Analogous structures have similar functions, while homologous structures do not

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation, the raw material for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Sexual reproduction

Question 26

Which of the following is the main mechanism that drives natural selection, the process by which organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce?

Accepted Answer

The survival of the fittest

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Speciation

Question 27

What is the significance of homologous structures, such as the forelimbs of humans and whales, in supporting the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

They provide evidence for common ancestry.

Answer

They demonstrate the influence of environmental factors on evolution.

Answer

They support the idea of convergent evolution.

Answer

They show the importance of genetic drift in evolution.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism driving evolution?

Accepted Answer

Selective breeding

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 29

In the context of natural selection, 'fitness' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment

Answer

The number of offspring an organism produces

Answer

The size or strength of an organism

Answer

The genetic makeup of an organism

Question 30

Genetic drift is most likely to occur in populations that are:

Accepted Answer

Small and isolated

Answer

Large and stable

Answer

Rapidly growing

Answer

Densely populated

Question 31

Which of the following is considered to represent a transitional fossil?

Accepted Answer

Archaeopteryx

Answer

Trilobite

Answer

Mammoth

Answer

Tyrannosaurus rex

Question 32

The process by which homologous structures arise from different embryonic origins is known as:

Accepted Answer

Divergent evolution

Answer

Convergent evolution

Answer

Adaptive radiation

Answer

Vestigial evolution

Question 33

Who is widely recognized as the 'father of modern evolutionary theory'?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Question 34

The idea that acquired traits can be inherited is associated with which theory?

Accepted Answer

Lamarckism

Answer

Darwinism

Answer

Neo-Darwinism

Answer

Modern synthesis

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT considered a valid line of evidence supporting the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Scientific creationism

Answer

The fossil record

Answer

Comparative anatomy

Answer

Biogeography

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of biological evolution?

Accepted Answer

Creationism

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 37

What is genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A change in allele frequencies due to random events in small populations.

Answer

The gradual accumulation of favorable traits over time.

Answer

The separation of a population into two or more distinct groups.

Answer

The process by which individuals with certain traits are more likely to mate.

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a necessary condition for speciation to occur?

Accepted Answer

Stable environmental conditions

Answer

Geographic isolation

Answer

Reproductive isolation

Answer

High genetic diversity

Question 39

What is the process by which populations adapt to specific environmental pressures?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Speciation

Question 40

What is the difference between an organism's genotype and its phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype refers to an organism's genetic makeup, while phenotype refers to its observable traits.

Answer

Phenotype refers to an organism's genetic makeup, while genotype refers to its observable traits.

Answer

Genotype and phenotype are the same thing.

Answer

Genotype refers to an organism's environment, while phenotype refers to its observable traits.

Question 41

Who is credited with developing the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

James Watson

Answer

Francis Crick

Question 42

Which of the following is the driving force behind natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Survival of the fittest through competition

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 43

What type of variation is caused by the chance sampling of alleles in smaller populations?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 44

Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

James Watson

Answer

Francis Crick

Question 45

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

Accepted Answer

Wings of birds and bats, which have evolved from a common ancestor

Answer

Legs of humans and horses, which have diverged over time

Answer

Eyes of humans and octopuses, which have evolved independently

Answer

Dorsal fins of fish and sharks, which serve similar functions but have different origins

Question 46

What is the process by which individuals with favorable traits have a better chance of surviving and reproducing?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection, where nature selects for traits that enhance survival and reproduction

Answer

Artificial selection, where humans select for desired traits in breeding programs

Answer

Genetic drift, where random changes in allele frequencies occur in small populations

Answer

Mutation, where changes in DNA introduce new traits

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT a key mechanism that contributes to the process of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Lamarckian inheritance

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Natural selection

Question 48

Identify the type of anatomical structure that shares a common evolutionary origin and similar structure but may serve different functions in different species:

Accepted Answer

Homologous structure

Answer

Analogous structure

Answer

Vestigial structure

Answer

Homoplastic structure

Question 49

The process by which a population of organisms gradually adapts to its environment over generations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Extinction

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure, a remnant of an ancestral trait that no longer serves an apparent function in the organism?

Accepted Answer

Human appendix

Answer

Dolphin flippers

Answer

Bird wings

Answer

Bat sonar

Question 51

The gradual change in the frequency of alleles in a population over time is known as:

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Mutation

Question 52

The idea that individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to their offspring, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Survival of the fittest

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Evolution

Question 53

Which of the following is NOT a recognized type of natural selection, where individuals with certain traits have different reproductive success?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 54

The process by which new species arise from existing ones is called:

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental mechanism driving evolution?

Accepted Answer

Lamarckism

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 56

The gradual change in the genetic composition of a population over time due to random allele frequency fluctuations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene flow

Question 57

Who is widely recognized as the father of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Question 58

The process by which new and distinct species arise is known as:

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Extinction

Answer

Mutation

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT a type of natural selection, where individuals with certain traits have a higher chance of survival and reproduction in a given environment?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 60

The concept of 'survival of the fittest' is closely associated with:

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution

Answer

Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's theory of acquired characteristics

Answer

Thomas Malthus' theory of population growth

Question 61

Which of the following best describes the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Allele and genotype frequencies remain stable in the absence of evolutionary forces.

Answer

New species evolve through this process.

Answer

It measures genetic diversity within a population.

Answer

It is a type of genetic mutation that occurs in reproductive cells.

Question 62

How has molecular evidence, especially DNA sequencing, revolutionized our understanding of evolutionary relationships and the history of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

It allows scientists to compare the genetic makeup of different species, revealing their shared genetic traits and evolutionary connections.

Answer

It enables us to trace the emergence and spread of specific diseases within populations.

Answer

It has provided definitive proof for the theory of natural selection, supporting the idea of survival of the fittest.

Answer

It has facilitated the creation of genetically modified organisms.

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution as proposed by the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Ontogeny

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 64

Genetic drift is most likely to occur in:

Accepted Answer

Small populations with few individuals

Answer

Large populations with many individuals

Answer

Stable environments with consistent conditions

Answer

Variable environments with unpredictable changes