AP Biology Unit 7 Progress Check

Which of the following is closest to the frequency of the MC1RD allele in the Tule Mountain population? A. 0.03 B. 0.06 C. 0.94 D. 0.97

A. 0.03

Of the following, which is the best next step for the researchers to best determine the long-term effectiveness of these insecticides with regards to the development of resistance? A. Continue treating the three insect populations with the same insecticides and determine whether their efficiencies decline significantly after several generations. B. Add an additional treatment group to the experiment to measure the effectiveness of another insecticide (Insecticide #3) over several generations. C. Set up a new experiment in which these insects are sprayed with two different insecticides to see if they are more effective than Insecticides #1 and #2. D. Spray these insecticides on a different species of insect (whose genotypes are also known) to determine its effectiveness on insects that are not pests.

A. Continue treating the three insect populations with the same insecticides and determine whether their efficiencies decline significantly after several generations.

Based on the phylogenetic relationships shown in Figure 1, which of the following best explains the similarities exhibited by whales, bony fishes, and cartilaginous fishes? A. Convergent evolution, because these organisms do not share a recent common ancestor. B. Adaptive radiation, because all three groups evolved from a unique, shared common ancestor from the cartilaginous fishes group. C. Mutation, because the shared traits can be traced back to a shared recent common ancestor. D. Founder effect, because all three groups formerly existed together as one population that then was disrupted, causing speciation.

A. Convergent evolution, because these organisms do not share a recent common ancestor.

Owls (primary predators of rock pocket mice) are nocturnal visual predators that are able to distinguish effectively between dark and light colors in low-light conditions. Which of the following best explains the relationship between coat color and predation rate in the rock pocket mouse population on the lava flow rocks with respect to the different coat color phenotypes? A .Dark coat color provides camouflage to mice on the lava flow rocks; therefore, mice with dark coats have a lower predation rate in that habitat. B. At night, predators have reduced vision, so there is no relationship between coat color and predation rate on rock pocket mice. C. A dark coat color reflects less light and therefore mice with dark coats have a lower predation rate. D. A light coat color reflects more light and therefore mice with light coats have a lower predation rate.

A. Dark coat color provides camouflage to mice on the flow; therefore, mice with dark coats predation rate in that habitat.

Geologic events such as mountain building can directly affect biodiversity. The Sino‑Himalayan fern, Lepisorus clathratus is widely distributed on the Qinghai‑Tibetan plateau. If geologic events lead to a series of new mountain ranges that divide the plateau into several discrete valleys, which of the following best describes how the L. clathratus population would be affected? A. Geographic isolation will create separate gene pools, leading to speciation over time. B. Gene flow will be reduced by sexual selection and polyploidy. C. Chance events will cause allele frequencies to fluctuate unpredictably from one generation to the next. D. Ferns reproduce asexually, so there will be no impact on the gene pool of the species.

A. Geographic isolation will create separate gene pools, leading to speciation over time.

A researcher uses the protocol shown in Figure 1 to isolate a eukaryotic gene for the purpose of genetically engineering bacteria to synthesize the corresponding protein. Which of the following best predicts why the recombinant bacteria will fail to produce the eukaryotic protein? A. Introns must be removed from eukaryotic DNA before the gene is inserted into the plasmid. B. Bacterial ribosomes cannot recognize eukaryotic mRNA and will not translate the codon sequence. C. Restriction enzymes in the cytoplasm of the bacteria degrade linear DNA. D. Bacteria and eukaryotes use different mRNA codons for the same amino acids during translation.

A. Introns must be removed from eukaryotic DNA before the gene is inserted into the plasmid.

Students created a model showing one possible mechanism for speciation in which a geographic barrier separated one large population into two smaller populations, A and B. Over time, populations A and B developed into two distinct species. The model is shown in Figure 1. Which of the following best describes what occurred during the periods indicated by the arrows? A. Natural selection acted on variation that was present in both populations A and B, and the lack of gene flow eventually led to the formation of two new species. B. Population B was separated for a longer time from the original population than population A was, and population B evolved into a more distinct new species than population A did. C. Gene flow between populations A and B maintained sufficient variation in both gene pools to facilitate the development of two distinct species. D. In response to different environments, populations A and B experienced different mutation rates, leading to the emergence of two different gene pools and, over time, new species A and B.

A. Natural selection acted on variation that was present in both populations A and B, and the lack of gene flow eventually led to the formation of two new species.

In a particular region, a species of lizard lives in the lowlands. Even though there are numerous mountains in the region, the climate on the mountains is too cold for the lizards to survive. Scientists are concerned that the lowlands will become much warmer by the end of the twenty-first century and will become unsuitable for this lowland lizard species. Which of the following best predicts the impact on the lizard species if there is a gradual increase in the average temperatures found in both the lowlands and mountains in this region? A. Some lizards will migrate to new habitats in the mountains and become isolated, leading to allopatric speciation. B. The species will undergo artificial selection, as the genes will adapt to warmer temperatures. C. The species will experience a genetic bottleneck, and sympatric speciation will result in the development of several new species. D. The lizards will hybridize with a different lizard species that is adapted to a warmer environment, leading to increased genetic variation in the species.

A. Some lizards will migrate to new habitats in the mountains and become isolated, leading to allopatric speciation.

A group of researchers claim that chance events play an important role in the evolution of populations. To test their claim, they monitored 12 populations of E. coli for 10,000 generations under the same environmental conditions. They found that although all 12 populations were exposed to the same environmental pressures, each population had differentiated from one another genetically after 10,000 generations. Which of the following statements includes a reasonable refinement that researchers could use in repeating the experiment? A. Start each population with genetically identical bacterial cells from a single culture to make sure that the initial genetic variation in all of the populations was exactly the same. B. Start each population with a different species of bacteria to determine whether the same environment has an effect on genetic differentiation. C. Start each population with bacterial cells that have different genotypes to make sure there is enough genetic variation for selection to occur. D. Start each population with bacteria that differ from one another by a single mutation to ensure that the initial genetic variation in all populations is known.

A. Start each population with genetically identical bacterial cells from a single culture to make sure that the initial genetic variation in all of the populations was exactly the same.

A scientist maintains a large population of the fruit fly Drosophila affinis in the laboratory. After 20 generations of allowing this population of about 1000 flies to mate randomly, 10 females and 10 males were isolated from the rest of the population. Both the larger population and the isolated population were maintained under identical conditions and allowed to mate randomly for another 20 generations. After the 20 generations, DNA sequencing was used to determine the genetic composition of each population. Which of the following predicts the expected outcome of the experiment? A. The two populations will show significant genetic differences because the founder effect will result in significant losses in diversity in the smaller population. B. The two populations will show significant genetic differences because there will be much higher rates of mutation in the smaller population. C. The two populations will not show any differences because they were reared under identical conditions. D. The two populations will not show any differences because they originated from the same gene pool.

A. The two populations will show significant genetic differences because the founder effect will result in significant losses in diversity in the smaller population.

In addition to the ABO blood groups, humans have an MN blood type system in which the M and N alleles are codominant to one another. A group of scientists found that in one population the frequency of the M allele was 0.82, and the frequency of the N allele was 0.18. Assuming that the population is in Hardy‑Weinberg equilibrium, which of the following is the expected frequency of individuals with the genotype MN? A. 0.148 B. 0.295 C. 0.640 D. 0.672

B. 0.295

In addition to the ABO blood groups, humans have an MN blood type system in which the M and N alleles are codominant to one another. These alleles code for glycoproteins that act as antigens on the red blood cells. Scientists determined the frequencies of the M and N alleles in five localized and stable human populations in the Philippines (Figure 1). Based on the data in Figure 1, which of the following would most affect the allelic frequencies of the populations on Isabela and Butuan? A. Migration of individuals between the Isabela and Butuan populations B. Immigration of individuals from Metro Manila into the two populations C. Random mating within each population D. Increased population sizes over time in the Isabela population, but no change in the Butuan population

B. Immigration of individuals from Metro Manila into the two populations

Some scientists propose that due to human activity and climate change, a sixth mass extinction has already begun. Select the best alternate hypothesis to support this claim. A. Current temperature changes will correlate with temperature changes during previous extinctions. B. Observed modern extinction rates will resemble the rates found early in previous extinctions. C. The number of species present on Earth will equal the number of species on Earth before the last extinction. D. The number of species present on Earth will equal the number of species on Earth after the last extinction.

B. Observed modern extinction rates will resemble the rates found early in previous extinctions.

Based on the data in Table 1, which of the following best describes the relationship between the MC1R gene and coat color in the Carrizozo, New Mexico, rock pocket mouse population? A. The MC1RD allele is responsible for dark coat color in the Carrizozo population and likely spread from the Arizona population through migration. B. The MC1RD allele is not responsible for dark coat color in the Carrizozo population, so the dark coat color is likely a result of convergent evolution. C. The MC1RD allele is absent from the Carrizozo population, so all the mice in this population must have coats that are light in color. D. The MC1RD allele is absent from the Carrizozo population because of different environmental pressures in the Carrizozo population.

B. The MC1RD allele is not responsible for dark coat color in the Carrizozo population, so the dark coat color is likely a result of convergent evolution.

The island was surveyed again in 2015, and scientists determined that the giant kangaroo rats originally in population A are now to be considered as a new species. Which of the following best explains the mechanism that caused this speciation event in the giant kangaroo rats of population A? A. The animals in population A were exposed to different predators and had to modify their fur color to be better camouflaged. B. The animals in population A were reproductively isolated from those in populations B, C, and D. C. The animals in population A accumulated fewer genetic mutations, adapting to their microclimate. D. The animals in population A mate at different times of year, causing their gametes to be incompatible with those from animals in populations B, C, and D.

B. The animals in population A were reproductively isolated from those in populations B, C, and D.

In a certain small mammal, fur color is controlled by a pair of alleles, with B being dominant over b. The genotypes BB and Bb result in dark-colored fur, the genotype bb results in light-colored fur. A population of the species has the following allele frequencies: B=0.85 and b=0.15. If a fire caused the surface of the ground in the habitat of the species to become darker in color, which of the following claims about the impact on the allele frequencies in this population is most reasonable? A. The frequency of homozygous recessive individuals will increase because light-colored fur absorbs less heat. B. The frequency of the BB allele will increase because light-colored individuals will be more visible to predators. C. The frequency of the bb allele will increase because there will be more heterozygous individuals. D. The frequency of both alleles will increase because the population will enter a period of rapid growth.

B. The frequency of the BB allele will increase because light-colored individuals will be more visible to predators.

A famous study from the nineteenth century involves the peppered moth, Biston betularia, commonly found in Great Britain and Ireland. At that time, the moths, normally white with black speckles, known as the peppered variety, became less common than the solid black variety. The population was predominantly black throughout the nineteenth century. By the end of the twentieth century, the peppered version of the moth was again more common than the black version. Which of the following best explains the phenotypic pattern in the moths over time? A. The frequencies of the different phenotypes in the moth population changed randomly due to genetic drift. B. The increased air pollution of the nineteenth century due to the use of coal led to a darkening of surfaces from soot. The darker backgrounds conferred a selective advantage to the black variety, as described by natural selection. A shift to less polluting fuel in the twentieth led to cleaner air and a lightening of the moth's normal habitat. C. During the nineteenth century, increased ship commerce between Great Britain and Ireland facilitated the gene flow of the black variety, spreading it throughout the moth's normal range. The switch to increased transport by planes during the twentieth century reduced this gene flow. D. The black variety was a nineteenth century mutation, dominant to the peppered variety. The allele for the peppered trait, being recessive, decreased in frequency. However, an additional mutation in the black allele changed it from a dominant to a recessive allele at the turn of the twentieth century, leading to a return to the dominance of the original peppered variety.

B. The increased air pollution of the nineteenth century due to the use of coal led to a darkening of surfaces from soot. The darker backgrounds conferred a selective advantage to the black variety, as described by natural selection. A shift to less polluting fuel in the twentieth led to cleaner air and a lightening of the moth's normal habitat.

A group of birds is found in an island chain that have all descended from a single ancestral species. Figure 1 shows the phylogeny of the birds. Which of the following best explains the divergence in morphology in the birds? A. The original habitat contained mutagens, leading to the rise of new species as a result of accumulated mutations. B. The original habitat had many available unoccupied ecological niches that were colonized by populations of the original species. C. The original habitat contained many predators, and the species diversified in order to avoid extinction. D. The original habitat was tropical, which increased the rate of mutation and led to rapid diversification.

B. The original habitat had many available unoccupied ecological niches that were colonized by populations of the original species.

Iridium is an element that is rare on Earth but commonly found in meteorites. A scientist believes that the first organic molecules may have come to Earth on meteorites 3.6 billion years ago. Which of these would be an appropriate null hypothesis to test related to whether meteorites hit the Earth 3.6 billion years ago? A. If sediment layers that are 3.6 billion years old are tested, they will contain relatively high iridium levels, because that is when many meteorites crashed into the Earth. B. There is no difference in iridium levels in sediments that were deposited on Earth 3.6 billion years old, compared to recent sediments. C. If a sediment layer that is 3.6 billion years old is tested, it will contain organic material. D. If recently fallen meteorites and meteoroids collected in space are tested, they will not contain organic molecules.

B. There is no difference in iridium levels in sediments that were deposited on Earth 3.6 billion years old, compared to recent sediments.

In an exercise to understand how genetically controlled physical traits could affect speciation, a theoretical population was imagined that contained organisms with three shapes and three levels of pigmentation, as illustrated in Figure 1. Which of the following would most likely represent the types of individuals found in one of the species resulting from shape becoming a prezygotic isolating mechanism in the initial population represented in Figure 1 ? A. White circle, white box, and white triangle. B. White circle, grey circle and black circle. C. Black Circle, grey box, and white triangle. D. Grey Box, grey box and grey box.

B. White circle, grey circle and black circle.

Which of the following best describes the processes occurring between the mouse populations and their environments? A. Natural selection favors the mice with the dark coat color, causing the mice in all of the populations to be better adapted. B. Natural selection favors the mice with the light coat color, causing the mice in all of the populations to be better adapted. C. Dark color is selected for in mice from the West, Mid, and East populations. D. Light color is selected for in mice from the West, Mid, and East populations.

C. Dark color is selected for in mice from the West, Mid, and East Populations.

To prevent the loss of genes as chromosome ends wear down during DNA replication, the tips of eukaryotic chromosomes have specialized DNA "caps" called telomeres. Telomeres consist of hundreds or thousands of repeats of the same short DNA sequence, which varies between organisms. The telomeric repeat sequences for selected organisms are given in Table 1. Which of the following best predicts why humans and mice have identical telomeric repeat sequences? A. Humans and mice have the same number of genes. B. Humans and mice have the same number of chromosomes. C. Humans and mice share a recent common ancestor that had the 5′-TTAGGG-3′5′-TTAGGG-3′ repeat sequence in its telomeres. D. Mice utilized the 5′-TTAGGG-3′5′-TTAGGG-3′ telomeric repeat sequence first, but the sequence independently evolved in humans as well.

C. Humans and mice share a recent common ancestor that had the 5′-TTAGGG-3′5′-TTAGGG-3′ repeat sequence in its telomeres.

Mollusk fossils were excavated and collected from a coastal cliff. Scientists studying the fossils observed patterns of changing shell shape in the mollusks. The scientists identified a period of stability or stasis, followed by rapid change, and then stasis again with regard to shell shape. Which of the following statements best predicts the result of a comparison between the fossils found before and after the period of rapid change? A. The same species will be found in both static periods, but they will have different shell shapes. B. The same species will be found in both static periods, but the species in the second static period will have smaller shells due to the stress of undergoing rapid change. C. Most of the species found in the first static period will be absent in the second static period. D. Most of the species found in the second static period will resemble each other more than the species found in the first static period.

C. Most of the species found in the first static period will be absent in the second static period.

Which of the following sets of data provides evidence that best supports common ancestry for organisms in all three domains? A. There are autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms found in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. B. There is a progression of pathways in organisms found in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. C. Organisms in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya each have adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine bases forming their DNA. D. There is a progression of cellular organization in organisms found in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

C. Organisms in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya each have adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine bases forming their DNA.

Because cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus, experienced a bottleneck event about ten thousand years ago, living cheetahs exhibit very little genetic variation compared to other living species of large cats. Which of the following principles best justifies a claim that cheetahs, compared to other large cats, have a relatively low resilience to environmental perturbations? A. A captive population of cheetahs kept in a confined area will have a greater risk of contracting and passing on a virus. B. When a population is reduced, new niches become available in the environment, which can trigger adaptive radiation. C. Populations with little genetic diversity are less likely to contain individuals that can withstand different selective pressures. D. Populations with low genetic diversity are more likely to contain individuals that can withstand different selective pressures.

C. Populations with little genetic diversity are less likely to contain individuals that can withstand different selective pressures.

The researchers built an enclosure to prevent migration into and out of the O'Neill rock pocket mouse population for a period of two years. Which of the following best predicts the effect of the enclosure on the O'Neill population? A. The O'Neill population will rapidly evolve into a separate species. B. The O'Neill population will become less diverse due to the bottleneck effect. C. The frequency of the MC1RDMC1RD allele will decline due to natural selection. D. One of the alleles for the MC1RMC1R gene will become fixed due to genetic drift.

C. The frequency of the MC1RDMC1RD allele will decline due to natural selection.

A scientist is studying the impact of mutagens on genetic variation in mice. In an experiment, the scientist creates two groups of twenty highly inbred mice. Because the mice are highly inbred, they are essentially identical to one another. One group is given food with an added substance that is known to be a mutagen. The second group is fed the same food without the mutagen. After several generations, both groups of mice are given a new type of food that is harder to digest than the previous food. After rearing five additional generations of the mice on this new food, the two groups are assessed for how efficiently this new food is digested. Which of the following is the most reasonable prediction about the results of the experiment? A. Neither group of mice will show any change in the ability to digest the food because thousands of years are required to develop such a change. B. Both groups of mice will show an increase in the ability to digest the new food, because they experienced the same selective pressures. C. The group of mice fed the mutagen will show a greater ability to digest the food, because the higher genetic variation within the group makes it more likely that some individuals will have a combination of genes better adapted to the new food. D. The group fed the mutagen will show a decrease in the ability to digest the new food, because the mutagen prevented natural selection from acting on them.

C. The group of mice fed the mutagen will show a greater ability to digest the food, because the higher genetic variation within the group makes it more likely that some individuals will have a combination of genes better adapted to the new food.

Some plant species flower in response to increasing daily temperatures in the spring. Many of these species rely on pollinators that migrate based on changes in day length and the position of the Sun. The current global warming trend is placing new selective pressures on the species involved in these relationships. Which of the following best explains the impact of these new selective pressures on the organisms involved? A. If the environment for the plant species becomes too warm, the pollinators will no longer migrate to that area in the spring, continuing on to a more northern environment instead. B. The warmer temperatures will lead to a drier environment, so the plants will no longer produce enough nectar to attract the pollinators. C. The plant species will flower earlier in the spring in response to rising temperatures before the arrival of the pollinators, so seeds will not be produced. D. Migrating pollinators will start migrating later in the year, switching from spring-flowering plants to summer-flowering plants.

C. The plant species will flower earlier in the spring in response to rising temperatures before the arrival of the pollinators, so seeds will not be produced.

One facet of the study of the origin of life focuses on the nature of the first genetic material. Figure 1 describes a possible scenario, known as the RNA World Hypothesis, that could have led to the evolution of our modern-day genetic material. This hypothesis states that the first genetic material was RNA, not DNA, and a transitional period led to the emergence of DNA as the storage molecule for genetic material. A scientist wishes to provide experimental evidence to support the model shown in Figure 1 by demonstrating the ability to synthesize an RNA molecule. Which of the following is an alternative hypothesis that can be tested to support the RNA World Hypothesis? A . protein template that matches proteins found on the primitive Earth added to a mixture of deoxyribonucleotides will produce double-stranded DNA molecules. B. Double strands of DNA placed in a harsh environment will unwind and form RNA molecules for long term information storage. C. A pool of amino acids can spontaneously form into single‑stranded RNA, which would then code for proteins. D. A mixture of ribonucleotides such as adenine and uracil will spontaneously form single-stranded chains of RNA.

D. A mixture of ribonucleotides such as adenine and uracil will spontaneously form single-stranded chains of RNA.

Thoroughbred race horses are subject to intense artificial selection to produce faster-running horses. The results of breeding programs can be seen in the change in winning times of the Kentucky Derby from 1880 to the present, as shown in Figure 1. Which of the following best explains the trend shown in Figure 1? A. The distance the horses ran became shorter between 1880 and 1940. B. All of the selective breeding programs ended in 1940. C. After 1940, natural selection prevented any additional speed increases. D. By 1940, most genetic variation for speed had been lost from the gene pool.

D. By 1940, most genetic variation for speed had been lost from the gene pool.

Catalase is a protein enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water and oxygen gas in the cells of many living organisms. Students used an online database, which used the structure of catalase from different species, to generate the phylogenetic tree shown in Figure 1. Which of the following student claims is best supported by the data provided? A. Mushrooms and potatoes are most closely related, since the node they share gave rise to all of the other organisms. B. Cattle are equally related to pigs and sheep, because the phylogeny places cattle between pigs and sheep. C. Yeast and mushrooms are the most closely related, because they are both fungi. D. Cattle and sheep are separated by only one node, and they are separated from the other organisms by more than one node.

D. Cattle and sheep are separated by only one node, and they are separated from the other organisms by more than one node.

Based on the information provided in the figure, which of the following best describes how membrane-bound organelles provided unique evolutionary advantages to the last eukaryotic common ancestor? A. Cells with nuclear membranes were better able to protect their genetic material against damage. B. Cells with flagella were better able to find food and escape predators. C. Cells with ribosomes were better able to produce proteins needed for a variety of metabolic functions. D. Cells with mitochondria were able to utilize metabolic energy more efficiently.

D. Cells with mitochondria were able to utilize metabolic energy more efficiently.

Henslow's sparrow is a songbird found in North American grasslands. The logging industry created vast meadow habitats for the sparrow in the late 1800s. Henslow's sparrow populations came to a peak in the mid‑1900s. A recent survey of ten Midwest counties are shown in Figure 1. Human activities can drive changes in ecosystems that affect the risk of extinction. An experiment is designed to help prevent the further decline and extinction of the Henslow's sparrow in which controlled burns will be set in the each of the ten Midwest counties in order to prevent the regrowth of the forest. Which of the following represents an alternate hypothesis tested by this experiment with regard to the population sizes of Henslow's sparrows? A. There will be no difference in the populations observed in the controlled fire sites and the rest of counties 5 and 6. B. Population numbers will continue to decline even in the controlled fire sites because human activities always lead to extinction. C. Controlled fires in counties 6 and 8 will have no effect on the sparrow populations. D. Controlled fires in counties 4 and 5 will lead to an increase in the sparrow population.

D. Controlled fires in counties 4 and 5 will lead to an increase in the sparrow population.

Some researchers claim that the decrease in plant species richness of this woodlot is unrelated to human activities over the last forty years. Which of the following would be an appropriate alternative hypothesis? A. Interspecific competition caused the extinction of species 4 and 5. B. The woodlot environment is arid and species 1 and 2 are well-adapted to conserve water. C. The woodlot is shaded, with little direct sunlight, and species 3, 4, and 5 are shade-intolerant canopy trees. D. During the last few decades, tall buildings have been built around the woodlot, and species 3, 4, and 5 are shade‑intolerant plants.

D. During the last few decades, tall buildings have been built around the woodlot, and species 3, 4, and 5 are shade‑intolerant plants.

The heterotroph hypothesis of the origin of life states that basic organic building blocks formed from inorganic molecules under the primitive conditions present early in Earth's development. These building blocks combined to form polymers, such as crude proteins. Dr. Sidney Fox wished to add to the heterotroph hypothesis of the origin of life by synthesizing simple proteins from a mixture of amino acids. Which statement below best states an alternative hypothesis Fox could have used to frame his research? A. Formation of crude proteins occurs by chance and occurs regardless of atmospheric O2O2 levels or available free energy. B. Given aerobic conditions and large amounts of lightning, amino acids will spontaneously form crude proteins. C. Formation of simple proteins on primitive Earth only occurs spontaneously if the required building blocks were transported to Earth by a celestial event or a meteorite. D. In the presence of available energy and the absence of a significant quantity of atmospheric O2O2 simple proteins will form spontaneously from a mixture of amino acids.

D. In the presence of available energy and the absence of a significant quantity of atmospheric O2O2 simple proteins will form spontaneously from a mixture of amino acids.

There are two species of elephant seals: northern elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, found off the western coast of North America from Baja California to the Gulf of Alaska, and southern elephant seals, M. leonina, found in the southern oceans. Hunting in the nineteenth century has been blamed for a drastic reduction in the northern elephant seal population. Even though the population has rebounded following restrictions on seal hunting, genetic variation is greatly reduced in the northern species compared to that in the southern species. Which of the following conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was most likely not met in the northern elephant seal population following overhunting? A. Absence of selection B. No new mutations C. Random mating D. Large population size

D. Large Population size

Which of the specimens indicated in the table is the oldest? A. Specimen 1 B. Specimen 2 C. Specimen 3 D. Specimen 4

D. Specimen 4

Scientists claim that some of the populations in Marion County are at an increased risk of decline or extinction. Based on the data in table 1, which of the following best provides evidence to support this claim? A. The Marion County populations have a higher rate of mutation than the Jasper County populations, as evidenced by the higher degrees of relatedness. B. The Marion County populations are less stable because they are smaller than the Jasper County populations. C. The M2 population has a higher degree of relatedness than the M1 population, meaning that it has more genetic diversity. D. The M4 and M5 populations have the lowest genetic diversity of all populations.

D. The M4 and M5 populations have the lowest genetic diversity of all populations.

The researchers determined that the East lava flow population is not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Which of the following best explains why the population is not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? A. The presence of heterozygotes for the MC1RMC1R gene in the East lava flow population indicates that mating is occurring randomly between mice with different coat colors. B. The selective pressures on the East lava flow population are not strong enough to maintain Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. C. The East lava flow population does not experience migration, which is a required condition for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. D. The presence of MC1RdMC1Rd alleles in the East lava flow population is an indication of gene flow from mice populations living on light granite rocks.

D. The presence of MC1RdMC1Rd alleles in the East lava flow population is an indication of gene flow from mice populations living on light granite rocks.