Population Genetics Quizzes: Test Your Understanding

Question 1

In small populations, what is the effect of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

It decreases genetic variation

Answer

It increases genetic variation

Answer

It has no effect on genetic variation

Answer

It depends on the strength of selection

Question 2

What is the formula for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

p + q = 1

Answer

p^2 - q^2 = 0

Answer

p + 2pq + q = 1

Question 3

Which scenario is most likely to result in genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A small population with minimal gene flow

Answer

A large population with substantial gene flow

Answer

A population with strong natural selection

Answer

A population with a high mutation rate

Question 4

How is population size related to genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

Larger populations have greater genetic variation

Answer

Smaller populations have greater genetic variation

Answer

Population size has no effect on genetic variation

Answer

It depends on the type of population

Question 5

What distinguishes genetic drift from natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift is random, while natural selection is non-random

Answer

Natural selection is random, while genetic drift is non-random

Answer

Both affect allele frequencies within a population

Answer

Genetic drift only affects small populations

Question 6

What is the term for the movement of genes between populations?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Gene pool

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a factor that alters allele frequencies within a population?

Accepted Answer

Genetic equilibrium

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene flow

Question 8

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes a population that is:

Accepted Answer

Non-evolving under specific conditions

Answer

Evolving

Answer

Rapidly decreasing in size

Answer

Undergoing substantial genetic drift

Question 9

Which of the following processes can contribute to genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Extreme population bottlenecks

Answer

Non-random mating

Answer

High mutation rate

Answer

Strong stabilizing selection

Question 10

Gene flow involves the movement of alleles between populations. What is a primary consequence of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

Increased genetic diversity

Answer

Reduced genetic diversity

Answer

Elimination of deleterious alleles only

Answer

Fixation of advantageous alleles only

Question 11

Which type of selection favours heterozygotes over homozygotes?

Accepted Answer

Balancing selection

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 12

Which process leads to unpredictable fluctuations in allele frequencies due to random sampling?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Selection

Answer

Mutation

Question 13

The term 'gene pool' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The sum of all alleles in a population

Answer

The sum of all genotypes in a population

Answer

The sum of all phenotypes in a population

Answer

The sum of all DNA molecules in a population

Question 14

The effective population size is the number of:

Accepted Answer

Individuals contributing to the next generation

Answer

Total individuals in a population

Answer

Alleles in a population

Answer

Genotypes in a population

Question 15

The founder effect is most likely to occur in:

Accepted Answer

Small populations

Answer

Large populations

Answer

Populations with high gene flow

Answer

Populations with low mutation rates

Question 16

The neutral theory of molecular evolution proposes that:

Accepted Answer

The majority of nucleotide changes in DNA are selectively neutral

Answer

All nucleotide changes in DNA are selectively neutral

Answer

Most nucleotide changes in DNA are selectively advantageous

Answer

All nucleotide changes in DNA are selectively disadvantageous

Question 17

Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies that can occur in populations. Which of the following factors increases the likelihood of genetic drift in a population?

Accepted Answer

Small population size

Answer

Large population size

Answer

High mutation rate

Answer

Non-random mating

Question 18

The process by which alleles are lost from a population due to random events in small populations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Natural selection

Question 19

The movement of alleles between populations is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Natural selection

Question 20

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes the expected genotype and allele frequencies in a population that is:

Accepted Answer

Large and randomly mating

Answer

Not evolving

Answer

Small and isolated

Answer

Undergoing natural selection

Question 21

Gene flow is the movement of alleles between populations. How does gene flow affect genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

It can either increase or decrease genetic variation depending on the direction of gene flow, the genetic differences between the migrant population and the recipient population, and the population size of the recipient population relative to the migrant population.

Answer

It increases genetic variation by introducing new alleles.

Answer

It decreases genetic variation by removing existing alleles.

Answer

It has no effect on genetic variation.

Question 22

Which of the following is a measure of the genetic diversity of a population?

Accepted Answer

Heterozygosity

Answer

Mutation rate

Answer

Effective population size

Answer

Allele frequency

Question 23

How does non-random mating affect genetic variation in a population?

Accepted Answer

It can either increase or decrease genetic variation depending on the type of non-random mating and the population structure, and the genetic differences between mating individuals.

Answer

It can increase genetic variation by creating new allele combinations.

Answer

It can decrease genetic variation by reducing the number of possible mating partners.

Answer

It typically has no effect on genetic variation.

Question 24

How does the concept of genetic equilibrium apply to population genetics?

Accepted Answer

It is a hypothetical state in which allele frequencies remain constant over time in the absence of evolutionary forces, such as mutations, migration, genetic drift, and non-random mating.

Answer

It only applies to large populations.

Answer

It is purely a theoretical concept and is never observed in real populations.

Answer

Genetic equilibrium requires the absence of all evolutionary forces.

Question 25

Which conditions must be met for allele and genotype frequencies to remain constant in a population, as described by the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

Accepted Answer

No mutation, no gene flow, no genetic drift, and random mating

Answer

High mutation rate, no gene flow, no genetic drift, and non-random mating

Answer

No mutation, high gene flow, no genetic drift, and random mating

Question 26

In populations, how does size influence the relative impact of genetic drift and natural selection on allele frequencies?

Accepted Answer

Smaller populations favor genetic drift over natural selection.

Answer

Larger populations favor genetic drift over natural selection.

Answer

Population size has no effect on the relative importance of genetic drift and natural selection.

Answer

Natural selection always outweighs genetic drift in shaping allele frequencies.

Question 27

Gene flow occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Individuals move into or out of a population

Answer

Mutations occur within a population

Answer

Natural selection acts on a population

Question 28

A population of butterflies has been isolated from other populations for many generations. Which of the following is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

Increased inbreeding and reduced genetic variation

Answer

Extinction of the population

Answer

No change in inbreeding or genetic variation

Answer

Increased outbreeding and increased genetic variation

Question 29

Which of the following is an example of directional selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection for increased beak size in a species of finches

Answer

Maintenance of heterozygosity for a gene controlling coat color in a population of mice

Answer

Selection for antibiotic resistance in a population of bacteria

Question 30

Which type of selection favours individuals with extreme phenotypes?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Balancing selection

Answer

Directional selection

Question 31

Which outcome is a consequence of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Loss of genetic variation

Answer

Stabilization of allele frequencies

Answer

Increase in genetic variation

Answer

Speciation

Question 32

Which of the following is a mechanism of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

Migration

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 33

The genetic composition of a population can be described by:

Accepted Answer

Allele frequencies

Answer

Environmental factors

Answer

Age distribution

Answer

Phenotype ratios

Question 34

Which of the following is a non-random mating pattern?

Accepted Answer

Assortative mating

Answer

Random mating

Answer

Disruptive mating

Answer

Sympatric mating

Question 35

Which of the following is a process associated with macroevolution?

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Natural selection

Question 36

A hurricane causes a drastic reduction in the population size of a bird species. Which of the following is a potential effect on the population's genetic structure?

Accepted Answer

Increased genetic drift

Answer

Increased mutation rate

Answer

Stabilized allele frequencies

Answer

Decreased genetic drift

Question 37

Which of the following mechanisms does NOT contribute to gene flow, the movement of genetic material between populations?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Answer

Seed dispersal by animals

Answer

Migration

Answer

Pollination by insects

Question 38

For a population to be in genetic equilibrium, which of the following conditions must be met?

Accepted Answer

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium conditions

Answer

Non-random mating is occurring

Answer

High mutation rate is present

Answer

Strong natural selection pressure is acting

Question 39

Inbreeding, the mating of closely related individuals, can lead to which of the following outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Increased homozygosity

Answer

Increased gene flow

Answer

Increased genetic drift

Answer

Increased heterozygosity

Question 40

In a population of butterflies, the frequency of the black wing color allele (B) is 0.7. What is the frequency of the white wing color allele (b)?

Accepted Answer

0.3

Answer

0.2

Answer

0.5

Answer

0.8

Question 41

A small group of birds establishes a new population on a remote island. Compared to the original population, the new population exhibits lower genetic diversity. This scenario exemplifies:

Accepted Answer

Founder effect

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Natural selection

Question 42

Two squirrel populations, separated by a river, occasionally exchange individuals through interbreeding. This process is known as:

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Natural selection

Question 43

In a rabbit population, predators primarily target individuals with white fur. This selective pressure illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Question 44

An insect population faces exposure to a novel pesticide. Initially, only a small portion of the population possesses resistance. Over generations, the frequency of the resistance-conferring allele increases. This exemplifies:

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Balancing selection

Answer

Disruptive selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Question 45

The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant across generations under specific conditions. Which condition is NOT essential for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Random mating

Answer

Large population size

Answer

No gene flow

Answer

Absence of mutations

Question 46

In a population of plants, the frequency of the dominant allele (A) is 0.6. Assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the expected frequency of heterozygous individuals (Aa)?

Accepted Answer

0.48

Answer

0.36

Answer

0.64

Question 47

A novel mutation arises in a population. The likelihood of this mutation becoming fixed (present in all individuals) is higher in a:

Accepted Answer

Small population

Answer

Large population

Answer

Population characterized by substantial gene flow

Answer

Population experiencing stabilizing selection

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a potential outcome of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Increased genetic diversity

Answer

Reduced genetic diversity

Answer

Changes in allele frequencies

Answer

Loss of beneficial alleles

Question 49

A population of fish is introduced to a novel lake environment. This population exhibits diverse adaptations that enable its members to thrive in different lake zones. This scenario is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Adaptive radiation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Convergent evolution

Answer

Coevolution