Evolutionary Theory: Learn the Mechanisms of Evolution Online

Question 1

The evolution of darker-winged peppered moths during the Industrial Revolution is primarily attributed to:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favoring moths with darker wings

Answer

Random changes in moth wing color

Answer

Gene flow introducing new alleles into the population

Answer

Isolation of different moth populations leading to speciation

Question 2

Antibiotic resistance exhibited by bacteria is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Microevolution

Answer

Macroevolution

Answer

Convergent evolution

Answer

Divergent evolution

Question 3

The Galapagos finches are significant in evolutionary biology because they provide evidence for:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acting on different populations within the same species

Answer

Convergent evolution of similar traits in different species

Answer

Importance of isolation in the formation of new species

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Role of genetic drift in the process of speciation

Question 4

Which type of natural selection favors the accumulation of traits that are beneficial in very specific environmental conditions?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Sexual selection

Question 5

Who first proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Gregor Mendel and Thomas Malthus

Answer

James Hutton and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Answer

Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch

Question 6

In evolutionary biology, the term 'fitness' refers to:

Accepted Answer

An individual's reproductive success

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An individual's physical strength

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An individual's intelligence

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An individual's social skills

Question 7

According to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principle, the allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant if:

Accepted Answer

No mutation, gene flow, or non-random mating occurs

Answer

The population is small and isolated

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The environment is rapidly changing

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Mutation rates are high

Question 8

A key distinction between allopatric and sympatric speciation is:

Accepted Answer

Geographic isolation

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Number of individuals involved

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Rate of genetic divergence

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Type of reproductive barrier formed

Question 9

Which of the following is a characteristic of a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Allele frequencies remain constant across generations in the absence of evolutionary influences.

Answer

Genotype frequencies change over generations due to the action of natural selection.

Answer

The population is actively evolving due to changing allele frequencies.

Answer

The population size is decreasing, leading to genetic drift and changes in allele frequencies.

Question 10

What is the relationship between natural selection and fitness?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection acts on individuals with higher fitness, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction.

Answer

Natural selection decreases the fitness of a population by eliminating individuals with less favourable traits.

Answer

Fitness has no influence on natural selection, as it is determined solely by environmental factors.

Answer

Natural selection favours individuals with lower fitness, as they are more likely to survive and reproduce in harsh conditions.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental mechanism of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Random mutation

Answer

Variation within a population

Answer

Differential survival and reproduction

Answer

Inheritance of traits

Question 12

Genetic variation within a population is essential for evolution because it provides:

Accepted Answer

Diversity for natural selection to act upon

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Protection against inbreeding

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Increased population size

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Optimal survival conditions

Question 13

According to Darwin, the primary driving force behind evolution is:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Overproduction of offspring

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Competition for limited resources

Answer

Random mutations

Question 14

An example of adaptive radiation is:

Accepted Answer

The diversity of finch species on the Galapagos Islands

Answer

The similarity in bone structure between bats and birds

Answer

The presence of vestigial structures in humans

Answer

The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Question 15

The endosymbiotic theory suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts were once independent organisms

Answer

Eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic cells

Answer

Prokaryotic cells evolved from eukaryotic cells

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Viruses gave rise to all forms of life

Question 16

Which of the following is not a factor that contributes to natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Acquired characteristics

Answer

Variation within a population

Answer

Inheritance of advantageous traits

Answer

Increased reproductive success

Question 17

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, fittest organisms are those that:

Accepted Answer

Survive and reproduce successfully in their environment

Answer

Have the most offspring

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Are physically strongest

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Have the highest intelligence

Question 18

Bats and birds having wings is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution

Answer

Divergent evolution

Answer

Parallel evolution

Answer

Coevolution

Question 19

Homologous structures suggest:

Accepted Answer

Common ancestry

Answer

Similar function

Answer

Identical DNA sequences

Answer

Convergent evolution

Question 20

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes a population that is:

Accepted Answer

Not evolving at all

Answer

Evolving rapidly

Answer

Evolving slowly

Answer

Extinct

Question 21

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Selective breeding of dogs

Answer

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Answer

The evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Answer

The evolution of moths in response to industrial pollution

Question 22

According to Darwin's theory of natural selection, which organisms are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus passing on their traits?

Accepted Answer

Organisms with favorable traits

Answer

Organisms with unfavorable traits

Answer

Organisms with neutral traits

Answer

All organisms have an equal chance of survival

Question 23

What is genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

Differences in the genetic makeup of individuals within a population

Answer

The total number of genes in an organism's genome

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The specific sequence of nucleotides in a gene

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The number of chromosomes in a cell

Question 24

Which of the following statements accurately describes the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

Accepted Answer

A mathematical model that explains the genetic equilibrium of a stable population

Answer

A theory that explains the evolution of new species

Answer

A method for identifying specific genes in a cell

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A hypothesis that states that genetic variation will always increase over time

Question 25

Convergent evolution refers to:

Accepted Answer

The development of similar characteristics in unrelated species that occupy similar ecological niches

Answer

The gradual change in a population's trait distribution in response to natural selection

Answer

The accumulation of neutral mutations over time

Answer

The formation of a new species through the process of allopatric speciation

Question 26

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

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic recombination

Answer

Gene flow

Question 27

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, what is the driving force behind the adaptation of species?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Random genetic variation

Answer

Use and disuse of body parts

Answer

Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 28

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

Bats and birds both having wings

Answer

Humans and chimpanzees sharing a common ancestor

Answer

Peppered moths changing color in response to pollution

Answer

Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Question 29

What is the term for the process by which populations of a species become reproductively isolated from one another?**

Accepted Answer

Speciation

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Question 30

What is the name of the scientist who first proposed the concept of natural selection?**

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Louis Pasteur

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in overall fitness of the population

Answer

Increased adaptation to the environment

Answer

Emergence of new species

Answer

Creation of genetic diversity

Question 32

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, which of the following is a key mechanism driving evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 33

Which example below illustrates convergent evolution, where different species evolve similar traits in response to similar environmental pressures?

Accepted Answer

Bats and birds having wings

Answer

Snakes and lizards having scales

Answer

Humans and chimpanzees having opposable thumbs

Answer

Dolphins and sharks having fins

Question 34

Evolution occurs through different mechanisms. Which of the following processes describes the differential survival and reproduction of individuals with certain inherited traits?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Question 35

The theory of punctuated equilibrium in evolution suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Evolution proceeds through alternating periods of rapid change and stability

Answer

Evolution occurs at a constant, gradual pace

Answer

New species arise exclusively through gradual processes

Answer

The fossil record is complete and represents all forms of life

Question 36

Natural selection directly acts upon which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Phenotypic variation within a population

Answer

Behavioral variation

Answer

Environmental variation

Answer

Genotypic variation within a population

Question 37

Which type of natural selection favors individuals with extreme phenotypes at both ends of the phenotypic spectrum?

Accepted Answer

Disruptive selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Directional selection

Question 38

Who is widely recognized as the 'father of evolution' due to his groundbreaking contributions to the field?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Question 39

Which of the following is a central principle in Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Survival of the fittest

Answer

Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Answer

Punctuated equilibrium

Answer

Use and disuse

Question 40

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes which of the following in a population?

Accepted Answer

The allele and genotype frequencies remain constant across generations in the absence of evolutionary forces.

Answer

The allele and genotype frequencies change rapidly over time due to non-random mating.

Question 41

Which criticism of evolutionary theory highlights the difficulty in observing and studying the gradual changes that occur over long periods of time?

Accepted Answer

It relies on unobservable processes.

Answer

It is not supported by empirical evidence.

Answer

It conflicts with religious beliefs.

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It is too simplistic.

Question 42

Genetic variation within a population is crucial for evolution because it:

Accepted Answer

Provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon

Answer

Guarantees the survival of a species

Answer

Prevents the accumulation of harmful mutations

Question 43

Which of the following is an example of a homologous structure, indicative of shared ancestry among different species?

Accepted Answer

The forelimbs of humans and bats

Answer

The wings of birds and insects

Answer

The digestive system of humans and cows

Answer

The photosynthetic pigments of plants and bacteria

Question 44

Which of the following is a potential consequence of genetic drift, particularly in small populations?

Accepted Answer

Loss of genetic diversity

Answer

Enhanced fitness of individuals

Answer

Adaptive evolution

Answer

Increased genetic variation

Question 45

In the context of evolutionary theory, the concept of 'fitness' refers to:

Accepted Answer

An individual's ability to survive and reproduce successfully in a particular environment

Answer

The physical strength or size of an individual

Answer

The number of offspring an individual produces

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a recognized type of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Artificial selection

Answer

Stabilizing selection

Answer

Directional selection

Answer

Disruptive selection

Question 47

According to the theory of evolution, what is the primary factor driving the process of speciation?

Accepted Answer

Reproductive isolation

Answer

Convergent evolution

Answer

Homologous structures

Answer

Genetic recombination

Question 48

Which of the following is considered an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve similar traits?

Accepted Answer

The wings of bats and birds

Answer

The forelimbs of humans and cats

Answer

The digestive system of humans and cows

Answer

The photosynthetic pigments of plants and bacteria

Question 49

One of the major challenges faced by Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was:

Accepted Answer

The scarcity of transitional fossils

Answer

The existence of vestigial structures

Answer

The lack of genetic evidence