Genetics and Evolution: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Year 11 Science

Question 1

Which characteristic primarily distinguishes homologous structures from analogous structures?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures indicate a shared evolutionary history, while analogous structures do not.

Answer

Homologous structures have different functions, while analogous structures have similar functions.

Answer

Homologous structures are found in different species, while analogous structures are found in the same species.

Answer

Homologous structures are always visible, while analogous structures are not.

Question 2

Which characteristic is associated with dominant alleles?

Accepted Answer

Always expressed in the phenotype

Answer

Only expressed in homozygous individuals

Answer

Recessive to other alleles

Answer

Only expressed in heterozygous individuals

Question 3

Which of the following best exemplifies artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Cultivation of new plant varieties

Answer

Natural selection of bacteria resistant to antibiotics

Answer

Evolution of beak shapes in Galapagos finches

Answer

Extinction of the dinosaurs

Question 4

Who is credited with developing the theory of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Louis Pasteur

Answer

Albert Einstein

Question 5

What effect does genetic drift have on genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

Introduces random changes in allele frequencies

Answer

Increases genetic diversity

Answer

Lowers population fitness

Answer

Enhances adaptability to changing environments

Question 6

What is the fundamental unit of genetic inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Nucleotide

Answer

Allele

Question 7

In genetics, a homozygous genotype indicates that:

Accepted Answer

Both alleles of a gene are identical.

Answer

Both alleles of a gene are different.

Answer

One allele is dominant and the other is recessive.

Answer

The genotype cannot be determined without further information.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Height

Answer

Eye color

Answer

Blood type

Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of using a Punnett square?

Accepted Answer

To predict the probable genotypes of offspring.

Answer

To determine the phenotype of an individual.

Answer

To identify the alleles present in a specific genotype.

Answer

To calculate the probability of inheriting a specific allele.

Question 10

Which of the following is the basic unit of heredity, carrying genetic information and determining traits?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Nucleotide

Answer

Allele

Question 11

What is the significance of independent assortment during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

It shuffles genetic material, increasing diversity in offspring.

Answer

It ensures offspring are genetically identical to their parents.

Answer

It determines the sex of an individual.

Answer

It prevents harmful mutations from being passed on.

Question 12

What is the term used to describe a permanent change in the genetic material of an organism?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Answer

Variation

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Natural selection

Question 13

How do dominant and recessive alleles differ in their expression?

Accepted Answer

Dominant alleles are always expressed, masking the effects of recessive alleles.

Answer

Recessive alleles are always expressed, masking the effects of dominant alleles.

Answer

Dominant alleles are more common than recessive alleles.

Answer

Recessive alleles are only expressed in individuals who inherit two copies of the allele.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a Mendelian law of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Law of Natural Selection

Answer

Law of Dominance

Answer

Law of Independent Assortment

Answer

Law of Segregation

Question 15

What is the difference between a genotype and a phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype refers to its observable characteristics.

Answer

Phenotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while genotype refers to its observable characteristics.

Answer

Genotype and phenotype are synonymous terms.

Answer

Phenotype refers to the environment, while genotype refers to the genes.

Question 16

What is the role of mutations in evolution?

Accepted Answer

Mutations create new genetic variations within a population.

Answer

Mutations always result in beneficial changes.

Answer

Mutations are only caused by exposure to radiation.

Answer

Mutations have no impact on evolution.

Question 17

What is the process by which new species are formed?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Question 18

What is the distinction between evolution and adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is the gradual change of a population over time, while adaptation is a specific trait that makes an organism better suited to its environment.

Answer

Adaptation is the gradual change of a population over time, while evolution is a specific trait that makes an organism better suited to its environment.

Answer

Evolution and adaptation are the same process.

Answer

Adaptation is only possible after evolution has occurred.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Recombination

Answer

Gene duplication

Question 20

What is the primary function of homologous chromosomes during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

To align and exchange genetic material through crossing-over

Answer

To carry different versions of genes (alleles)

Answer

To separate during anaphase II

Answer

To determine the sex of the offspring

Question 21

What is the primary purpose of using a Punnett square?

Accepted Answer

To predict the probability of inheriting specific traits based on parental genotypes

Answer

To determine the exact genotype of an individual

Answer

To demonstrate the process of natural selection through generations

Answer

To amplify DNA for genetic analysis

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The wings of birds and bats

Answer

The digestive systems of cows and sheep

Answer

The immune systems of humans and chimpanzees

Answer

The eyes of humans and dogs

Question 23

What is the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principle?

Accepted Answer

The state in which allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences.

Answer

The theory that natural selection is the only mechanism that can drive changes in allele frequencies.

Answer

The principle that all alleles are equally fit and have an equal chance of being passed on to offspring.

Answer

The condition in which there is no genetic variation within a population.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a potential factor contributing to genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Founder effects

Answer

Non-random mating

Question 25

The fundamental unit of heredity, carrying genetic information, is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Cell

Answer

Organ

Question 26

A Punnett Square is a diagram used to predict the:

Accepted Answer

Possible genotypes of offspring

Answer

Family Tree

Answer

Karyotype

Answer

Pedigree

Question 27

Natural selection acts to:

Accepted Answer

Increase advantageous traits in a population

Answer

Eliminate favorable traits from a population

Answer

Introduce new traits into a population

Answer

Decrease genetic diversity within a population

Question 28

Identify the key components of natural selection.

Accepted Answer

Variation, inheritance, and differential survival and reproduction.

Answer

Mutation, genetic drift, and meiosis.

Answer

Dominance, recessiveness, and gene interaction.

Answer

Adaptation, fitness, and speciation.

Question 29

How does population genetics contribute significantly to the study of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Provides data on genetic variation within populations

Answer

Predicts the precise future evolution of a species

Answer

Identifies the specific genes responsible for evolutionary changes

Answer

Supports the inheritance of acquired traits

Question 30

What is the fundamental unit of inheritance passing genetic information?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Allele

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Nucleotide

Question 31

What is the term for various forms of a gene controlling a particular trait?

Accepted Answer

Allele

Answer

Genotype

Answer

Phenotype

Answer

Locus

Question 32

Which inheritance pattern involves a single gene with two different alleles determining a trait?

Accepted Answer

Dominant-recessive

Answer

Codominant

Answer

Incomplete dominant

Answer

Polygenic

Question 33

Which of the following is not a mechanism contributing to gene flow, the movement of genes into or out of a population?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Answer

Migration

Answer

Interbreeding

Answer

Non-random mating

Question 34

What term describes the spectrum of observable variations in traits among individuals within a population?

Accepted Answer

Genetic diversity

Answer

Heritability

Answer

Phenotypic plasticity

Answer

Fitness

Question 35

Which type of natural selection favors individuals with extreme phenotypes, leading to increased diversity?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Sexual selection

Question 36

Name the fossil that provides evidence of the evolutionary transition from fish to amphibians, characterized by both aquatic and terrestrial adaptations.

Accepted Answer

Tiktaalik

Answer

Archaeopteryx

Answer

Lucy

Answer

Homo habilis

Question 37

What is a defining characteristic of a scientific hypothesis, allowing it to be tested and potentially disproven?

Accepted Answer

Testable

Answer

Provable

Answer

Unchanging

Answer

Based on personal belief

Question 38

What is the process by which reproductively isolated populations diverge genetically, potentially leading to the formation of new species?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptive radiation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Extinction

Question 39

Which of the following does NOT influence the rate of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Population size

Answer

Strength of natural selection

Answer

Availability of genetic variation

Question 40

What is the genotype of an individual who expresses a dominant trait while carrying a recessive allele?

Accepted Answer

Aa

Answer

AA

Answer

aa

Answer

aA

Question 41

Which of the following is not considered a type of mutation?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic change

Answer

Point mutation

Answer

Frameshift mutation

Answer

Nonsense mutation

Question 42

What is the probability of obtaining an offspring with a homozygous dominant genotype from two heterozygous parents?

Accepted Answer

0.25

Answer

0.5

Answer

0.75

Answer

1

Question 43

Which of the following mechanisms is the driving force behind the evolution of new traits?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation

Question 44

What is the primary role of natural selection in evolution?

Accepted Answer

To favor the survival and reproduction of individuals with beneficial traits

Answer

To eliminate individuals with harmful mutations

Answer

To create new genetic variation

Answer

To ensure the survival of all individuals in a population

Question 45

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

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bird and the forelimbs of a human

Answer

The eyes of an octopus and the eyes of a human

Answer

The digestive system of a frog and the digestive system of a dog

Answer

The hearts of a dolphin and a fish

Question 46

What is the main distinction between genetic recombination and gene duplication?

Accepted Answer

Genetic recombination involves the exchange of genetic material between chromosomes, while gene duplication creates copies of existing genes

Answer

Gene duplication involves the exchange of genetic material between chromosomes, while genetic recombination creates copies of existing genes

Answer

Genetic recombination is a random process, while gene duplication is controlled

Answer

Genetic recombination occurs only in reproductive cells, while gene duplication occurs in all cells

Question 47

The process by which homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material during meiosis is known as:

Accepted Answer

Crossing over

Answer

Independent assortment

Answer

Segregation

Answer

Mutation

Question 48

Which of the following is **not** a mechanism of genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic recombination

Answer

Gene flow

Question 49

Which of the following terms describes the change in the genetic makeup of a population over time?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Variation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Adaptation

Question 50

What is the term for the observable characteristics or traits of an organism?

Accepted Answer

Phenotype

Answer

Genotype

Answer

Genome

Answer

Proteome

Question 51

What is the process that introduces genetic variation into a population?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 52

What is the term for the gradual change in the frequency of alleles in a population over time?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation

Question 53

What is the theory that explains the origin and diversification of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Answer

The Big Bang Theory

Answer

The Theory of General Relativity

Answer

The Germ Theory of Disease

Question 54

What is the name of the chromosomal condition that results in an additional copy of chromosome 21?

Accepted Answer

Down syndrome

Answer

Turner syndrome

Answer

Klinefelter syndrome

Answer

Edwards syndrome

Question 55

Which of the following is best defined as the fundamental unit of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Allele

Answer

Nucleotide

Question 56

The genotype of an organism refers to its:

Accepted Answer

Genetic makeup

Answer

Observable physical characteristics

Answer

Environmental influences

Answer

Evolutionary lineage

Question 57

In genetics, which pattern of inheritance describes the expression of only one allele in a heterozygous individual?

Accepted Answer

Dominance

Answer

Incomplete dominance

Answer

Codominance

Answer

Recessiveness

Question 58

The process by which new genetic variations arise within a population is known as:

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Question 59

The concept of genetic drift is most significant in:

Accepted Answer

Small populations

Answer

Large populations

Answer

Populations with high genetic diversity

Answer

Populations with low mutation rates

Question 60

Which of the following is the fundamental unit of heredity?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Allele

Answer

Nucleotide

Question 61

Mendel's Law of Segregation states that:

Accepted Answer

During gamete formation, the alleles for a gene separate from each other.

Answer

Alleles for a gene are passed on independently of each other.

Answer

An organism with two dominant alleles will always display the dominant phenotype.

Answer

An organism with two recessive alleles will always display the recessive phenotype.

Question 62

Which of the following is not a source of genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Independent assortment

Answer

Gene flow

Question 63

What is the function of natural selection in the process of evolution?

Accepted Answer

To increase the frequency of advantageous traits within a population.

Answer

To eliminate all unfavorable traits from a population.

Answer

To create new species.

Answer

To prevent evolution from taking place.

Question 64

Which of the following is not a type of evidence supporting the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Theory of Plate Tectonics

Answer

Fossil record

Answer

Comparative anatomy

Answer

Molecular biology