Evolution: The Driving Force Behind Life's Diversity

Question 1

In protein synthesis, which molecule carries genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes?

Accepted Answer

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Answer

Deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP)

Answer

Histone octamer

Answer

Phospholipid bilayer

Question 2

What is the main purpose of the circulatory system in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Transport nutrients and oxygen

Answer

Regulate body temperature

Answer

Remove waste products

Answer

Protect from infection

Question 3

Which process is exclusive to meiosis and not found in mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Crossing over of homologous chromosomes

Answer

Condensation of chromosomes

Answer

Alignment of chromosomes at the metaphase plate

Answer

Separation of chromatids

Question 4

Which of the following is **not** a primary function of the respiratory system in humans?

Accepted Answer

Nutrient absorption

Answer

Gas exchange

Answer

pH regulation

Answer

Thermoregulation

Question 5

Which process is NOT directly involved in cell division?

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis

Answer

Interphase

Answer

Prophase

Answer

Cytokinesis

Question 6

Which of these is NOT a function of the circulatory system?

Accepted Answer

Producing hormones

Answer

Delivering nutrients and oxygen to cells

Answer

Removing waste products from cells

Answer

Maintaining body temperature

Question 7

Besides gas exchange, which function is NOT performed by the human respiratory system?

Accepted Answer

Producing hormones

Answer

Maintaining acid-base balance

Answer

Filtering dust and particles

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the cell membrane in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Stores genetic material

Answer

Regulates the movement of substances across the membrane

Answer

Provides structural support and protection to the cell

Answer

Facilitates cell-to-cell communication

Question 9

Which feature is unique to eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

A nucleus

Answer

Ribosomes

Answer

A cell wall

Answer

A plasma membrane

Question 10

Imagine a cell as a house. Which part of the house is most similar to the cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

The walls

Answer

The roof

Answer

The floor

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the process of mitosis?

Accepted Answer

A four-stage process (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) that produces daughter cells genetically identical to the parent cell

Answer

Cell division that results in two daughter cells with twice the number of chromosomes as the parent cell

Answer

Cell division used solely for tissue repair and growth

Answer

A continuous process that occurs without distinct stages

Question 12

Which of these structures is not directly involved in the process of protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria

Answer

Ribosomes

Answer

Nucleus

Question 13

Which of the following best describes cell signaling?

Accepted Answer

Chemical messengers are sent from one cell to another.

Answer

Signals only occur between cells that touch.

Answer

Signals always travel in one direction.

Answer

Signals only control cell growth and division.

Question 14

Which molecule is not involved in cellular communication?

Accepted Answer

Lipids

Answer

Hormones

Answer

Neurotransmitters

Answer

Cytokines

Question 15

In the neural control of body functions, what is the primary role of interneurons?

Accepted Answer

Coordinate and integrate neural signals within the spinal cord

Answer

Transmit sensory signals from receptors to the brain

Answer

Transmit motor signals from the brain to muscles

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Small population size

Answer

Random mating

Answer

Founder effect

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bat and the wings of a bird

Answer

The eyes of a human and the eyes of an octopus

Answer

The spines of a cactus and the thorns of a rose bush

Answer

The tail of a dog and the tail of a fish

Question 18

Which of the following is a mechanism of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Differential survival and reproduction

Answer

Variation

Answer

Inheritance

Answer

Gene flow

Question 19

Which of the following is most likely to lead to the formation of a new species?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Recombination

Question 20

Which of the following is the most important principle in Darwin's theory of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Differential survival and reproduction

Answer

Common descent

Answer

Gradualism

Answer

Overproduction

Question 21

How do genetic drift and gene flow impact the genetic diversity within populations?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift reduces genetic variation, while gene flow increases genetic variation.

Answer

Genetic drift increases genetic variation, while gene flow reduces genetic variation.

Answer

Both genetic drift and gene flow increase genetic variation.

Answer

Both genetic drift and gene flow decrease genetic variation.

Question 22

Natural selection acts on:

Accepted Answer

Populations

Answer

Individuals

Answer

Species

Answer

Ecosystems

Question 23

Genetic drift leads to a random change in:

Accepted Answer

Gene frequencies

Answer

Phenotype frequencies

Answer

Environmental conditions

Answer

Population size

Question 24

Speciation, the formation of distinct species, can occur when:

Accepted Answer

Two populations become reproductively isolated

Answer

Environmental conditions change drastically

Answer

Individuals mutate and become different from the rest of the population

Answer

Interspecies hybridization occurs

Question 25

What is the primary role of mutations in evolution?

Accepted Answer

They provide the raw material for natural selection to act on

Answer

They create new traits that can be beneficial or harmful

Answer

They are always harmful to the organism

Answer

They are only beneficial to the organism

Question 26

According to the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory, which of the following is NOT considered a primary mechanism of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Use and Disuse

Answer

Natural Selection

Answer

Genetic Drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 27

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

Accepted Answer

LaPlacean inheritance of acquired characteristics

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Question 28

Which of the following accurately describes natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Differential survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits

Answer

Random changes in allele frequencies in small populations

Answer

The formation of new species from existing ones

Answer

The direct inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 29

Genetic drift is most likely to occur in:

Accepted Answer

Small populations with limited gene flow

Answer

Large, stable populations

Answer

Environments with strong directional selection

Answer

Rapidly evolving populations

Question 30

How do molecular biology techniques help us understand evolutionary relationships between species?

Accepted Answer

Comparing DNA sequences of homologous genes to infer common ancestry

Answer

Using radioactive isotopes to determine the age of fossils

Answer

Constructing cladograms based on physical similarities between species

Answer

Monitoring the movement patterns of endangered species

Question 31

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

Accepted Answer

Random mating

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Question 32

According to natural selection, individuals with traits that increase their fitness to their environment:

Accepted Answer

Are more likely to survive and reproduce

Answer

Are less likely to survive and reproduce

Answer

Have no effect on their ability to survive and reproduce

Answer

Are unable to survive and reproduce

Question 33

Which of the following is a characteristic of stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

Favors intermediate phenotypes

Answer

Favors extreme phenotypes

Answer

Eliminates genetic variation

Answer

Increases the rate of evolution

Question 34

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

Accepted Answer

Small and isolated

Answer

Large and interconnected

Answer

Rapidly evolving

Answer

Genetically diverse

Question 35

Speciation refers to the process by which:

Accepted Answer

A single species evolves into two or more distinct species

Answer

Two or more species merge into one

Answer

A population becomes extinct

Answer

Genetic variation within a species decreases

Question 36

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

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bat and the forelimbs of a human

Answer

The eyes of a human and the camera of a smartphone

Answer

The hearts of a frog and a mammal

Answer

The gills of a fish and the lungs of a frog

Question 37

Which of the following is a fundamental tenet of modern evolutionary theory?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on heritable variations within a population

Answer

Evolution proceeds toward a predetermined goal

Answer

All species are perfectly adapted to their environment

Answer

Evolution occurs at a constant rate

Question 38

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

James Watson

Question 39

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

Accepted Answer

Ontogeny

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Question 40

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

Accepted Answer

Competition for limited resources

Answer

Overproduction of offspring

Answer

Heritability of traits

Answer

Environmental stability

Question 41

Genetic drift is most likely to occur in which type of population?

Accepted Answer

Small and isolated

Answer

Large and stable

Answer

Densely populated

Answer

Rapidly evolving

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can affect the rate of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics

Answer

Strength of selection pressure

Answer

Availability of genetic variation

Answer

Population size

Question 43

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

DNA → RNA → Protein

Answer

RNA → Protein → DNA

Answer

Protein → RNA → DNA

Answer

DNA → Protein → RNA

Question 44

How do similarities in anatomical structures contribute to understanding evolutionary relationships between organisms?

Accepted Answer

They indicate common ancestry and evolutionary relatedness.

Answer

They always indicate that two species are not closely related.

Answer

Comparative anatomy alone can determine the exact evolutionary history of a species.

Question 45

Evaluate the evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory, which suggests that eukaryotic cells originated from a symbiotic partnership between distinct prokaryotic cells.

Accepted Answer

Ribosomes found within mitochondria and chloroplasts

Accepted Answer

Double membrane structure of mitochondria and chloroplasts

Answer

Mitochondria's exclusive presence in plant cells

Answer

Absence of DNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a scientifically accepted mechanism of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Progressive use and disuse

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 47

According to Darwin's theory of natural selection, which individuals are most likely to survive and pass on their genes?

Accepted Answer

Those with advantageous traits

Answer

Those that are the most aggressive

Answer

Those with the most offspring

Answer

Those that are the largest

Question 48

Which of the following is an example of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A hurricane kills half of a small population of rabbits on an island.

Answer

A group of lions in a pride cooperate to hunt prey.

Answer

A population of birds migrates to a new island and establishes a new colony.

Question 49

The gradual change in a population over time due to genetic variation and environmental pressures is called:

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptation

Question 50

What is the relationship between evolution and biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Evolution leads to increased biodiversity through the divergence of species and adaptation to different environments.

Answer

Evolution and biodiversity are unrelated.

Answer

Biodiversity inhibits evolution.

Answer

Biodiversity leads to evolution.

Question 51

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The wings of birds and bats

Answer

The scales of fish and snakes

Answer

The hair of mammals and the feathers of birds

Answer

The claws of cats and dogs

Question 52

Genetic drift is most likely to significantly affect the allele frequencies of a population that is:

Accepted Answer

Small in size.

Answer

Large in size and panmictic.

Answer

Experiencing high rates of mutation.

Answer

Large in size and isolated.

Question 53

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Mating is non-random.

Answer

There is no gene flow.

Answer

There are no mutations.

Answer

The population is very large.

Question 54

What is the key difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Accepted Answer

Homologous structures share a common evolutionary origin, while analogous structures only share a similar function.

Answer

Homologous structures are always found in the same position on the body, while analogous structures can be found in different positions.

Answer

Homologous structures are always essential for survival, while analogous structures are not.

Question 55

The fossil record:

Accepted Answer

Provides evidence for the evolution of organisms over time through the accumulation of changes in populations.

Answer

Shows that most species have remained unchanged throughout Earth's history.

Answer

Is only complete for a few groups of organisms.

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of speciation?

Accepted Answer

Hybridization

Answer

Allopatric speciation

Answer

Sympatric speciation

Answer

Parapatric speciation

Question 57

The concept of 'survival of the fittest' is central to the theory of:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation

Question 58

Who is widely credited with first proposing the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Answer

Thomas Malthus

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Question 59

Which of the following is a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

A branched diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships between groups of organisms.

Answer

A map that shows the distribution of different species around the world.

Answer

A graph that shows the changes in the frequency of alleles in a population over time.

Question 60

The molecular clock hypothesis states that:

Accepted Answer

The rate of molecular evolution is relatively constant across different lineages and can be used to estimate divergence times.

Answer

The rate of molecular evolution is proportional to the size of the organism.

Answer

The rate of molecular evolution is faster in organisms that live in warm environments.

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?

Accepted Answer

Lamarckian inheritance

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Question 62

The theory of natural selection proposes that individuals with certain traits are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

Survive and pass on their traits to offspring

Answer

Migrate to new habitats

Answer

Develop new genetic mutations

Answer

Become extinct

Question 63

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

Accepted Answer

The forelimbs of a human and a bat

Answer

The digestive system of a human and a plant

Answer

The eyes of a human and an octopus

Answer

The wings of a bird and an insect

Question 64

The study of the distribution of species across different regions of the Earth is known as:

Accepted Answer

Biogeography

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Taxonomy

Answer

Ecology