#1
Which of the following is an example of a genetic drift?
The random death of a few individuals in a population
ExplanationGenetic drift is exemplified by random changes in allele frequencies due to chance events.
#2
Which of the following is an example of genetic drift?
The random death of a few individuals in a population due to a storm
ExplanationGenetic drift involves random changes in allele frequencies due to random events such as natural disasters.
#3
Which of the following is an example of a selective pressure?
The presence of predators
ExplanationSelective pressures are environmental factors that favor certain phenotypes over others, such as predators favoring traits that enhance survival.
#4
Natural selection is driven by:
Competition for resources
ExplanationCompetition for resources leads to differential survival and reproduction, driving natural selection.
#5
What is the primary role of gene flow in evolution?
To increase genetic diversity
ExplanationGene flow introduces new alleles into a population, increasing genetic diversity.
#6
Which of the following is a mechanism of evolution that can increase genetic variation within a population?
Mutation
ExplanationMutations are changes in DNA sequence, introducing new genetic variation.
#7
What is the bottleneck effect?
When a large population is drastically reduced in size, leading to decreased genetic diversity
ExplanationThe bottleneck effect occurs when a population is drastically reduced, resulting in reduced genetic diversity.
#8
Which of the following best describes the founder effect?
A small group of individuals establishes a new population with a different allele frequency than the original population
ExplanationThe founder effect occurs when a small group establishes a new population with a different genetic makeup than the original population.
#9
Which of the following is not a mechanism of evolution?
Phenotypic plasticity
ExplanationPhenotypic plasticity refers to the ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions and is not a mechanism of evolution.
#10
What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?
Homologous structures have different evolutionary origins, while analogous structures have the same evolutionary origin
ExplanationHomologous structures share a common evolutionary origin but may have different functions, while analogous structures have similar functions but different evolutionary origins.
#11
Which of the following statements about punctuated equilibrium is true?
It suggests that species undergo rapid bursts of change separated by long periods of stasis
ExplanationPunctuated equilibrium proposes that evolutionary change occurs in rapid bursts separated by long periods of little to no change.