- Which of the following mechanisms can lead to the formation of new species without geographic isolation?
A) Allopatric speciation
B) Sympatric speciation
C) Parapatric speciation
D) Hybrid speciation
Answer: B) Sympatric speciation
Explanation: Sympatric speciation occurs when new species arise from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic area, often due to behavioral differences or ecological niches.
- Which of the following types of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution?
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Directional selection
C) Disruptive selection
D) Sexual selection
Answer: C) Disruptive selection
Explanation: Disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution, potentially leading to speciation if the intermediate phenotypes are selected against.
- What is the primary difference between homologous and analogous structures?
A) Homologous structures have similar functions; analogous structures have similar embryonic origins.
B) Homologous structures share a common ancestor; analogous structures do not.
C) Homologous structures are formed through convergent evolution; analogous structures are formed through divergent evolution.
D) Homologous structures are always vestigial; analogous structures are not.
Answer: B) Homologous structures share a common ancestor; analogous structures do not.
Explanation: Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures arise independently in different species due to similar environmental pressures, not because of a common ancestor.
- Which of the following statements best describes “sexual dimorphism”?
A) Variation in physical characteristics between male and female members of the same species.
B) The ability of one sex to choose mates based on specific traits.
C) The evolution of similar traits in unrelated species.
D) The reproductive isolation of two species.
Answer: A) Variation in physical characteristics between male and female members of the same species.
Explanation: Sexual dimorphism refers to differences in size, color, shape, or behavior between males and females of the same species, often related to reproductive roles and competition.
- Which of the following is a characteristic of a population that is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
A) No mutations occur
B) No natural selection occurs
C) Mating is random
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes a theoretical state in a population where allele frequencies remain constant over generations in the absence of evolutionary influences, including mutations, selection, gene flow, and non-random mating.
- Which of the following is NOT a form of prezygotic isolation?
A) Temporal isolation
B) Mechanical isolation
C) Gametic isolation
D) Hybrid sterility
Answer: D) Hybrid sterility
Explanation: Hybrid sterility is a postzygotic reproductive barrier that occurs after fertilization, where hybrid offspring are sterile and unable to reproduce. The other options are mechanisms that prevent fertilization from occurring in the first place.
- What is the significance of the concept of “fitness” in evolution?
A) It refers only to physical strength.
B) It measures an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment.
C) It is the same for all species regardless of their environment.
D) It does not influence natural selection.
Answer: B) It measures an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment.
Explanation: In evolutionary biology, fitness refers to an organism’s reproductive success relative to others in the population, taking into account how well adapted it is to its environment.
- What type of evidence supports the theory of evolution through common descent?
A) Fossil record
B) Molecular biology
C) Comparative anatomy
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: The theory of evolution through common descent is supported by various lines of evidence, including the fossil record, molecular similarities among species, and anatomical comparisons that reveal evolutionary relationships.
- Which of the following terms refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed?
A) Community
B) Ecosystem
C) Population
D) Biosphere
Answer: C) Population
Explanation: A population is defined as a group of individuals of the same species that inhabit a specific geographic area and have the potential to interbreed, sharing a common gene pool.
- Which of the following best describes the concept of “ecological niche”?
A) The physical space an organism occupies
B) The role an organism plays in its environment, including its habitat and interactions with other species
C) The evolutionary history of an organism
D) The genetic makeup of a population
Answer: B) The role an organism plays in its environment, including its habitat and interactions with other species
Explanation: An ecological niche encompasses all the factors an organism needs to survive, reproduce, and interact with other organisms and the environment, including its habitat and resource use.
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