Evolution MC
C
Which of the following statements best summarizes evolution as it is viewed today? A. it is the descent of humans from the present-day great apes B. it is goal directed C. it is the differential survival and reproduction of the most fit phenotypes D. it represents the result of selection for acquired characteristics E. it is synonymous with the process of gene flow
C
Which of the following statements best summarizes evolution as it is viewed today? A. It is the descent of humans from the present-day great apes B. It is goal directed C. It is the differential survival and reproduction of the most fit phenotypes D. It represents the result of selection for acquired characteristics E. It is synonymous with the process of gene flow
A
A balanced polymorphism exists through diversifying selection in seedcracker finches from Cameroon in which small- and large-billed birds specialize in cracking soft and hard seeds, respectively. If long-term climatic change resulted in all seeds becoming hard, what type of selection would then operate on the finch population? A. Directional selection B. Stabilizing selection C. Diversifying selection D. Sexual selection E. No selection would operate because the population is in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
B
A proficient engineer can easily design skeletal structures that are more functional than those currently found in the forelimbs of such diverse mammals as horses, whales, and bats. That the actual forelimbs of these mammals do not seem to be optimally arranged is because... A. In many cases, phenotype is not merely determined by genotype, but by the environment as well. B. Natural selection is generally limited to modifying structures that were present in previous generations and in previous species. C. Natural selection has not had sufficient time to create the optimal design in each case, but will do so given enough time. D. Natural selection operates in ways that are beyond the capability of the human mind to comprehend. E. Though we may not consider the fit between the current skeletal arrangements and their functions excellent, we should not doubt that natural selection ultimately produces the best design.
A
A. Diversifying (disruptive) selection B. Directional selection C. Stabilizing selection D. Random selection E. Sexual selection An African butterfly species exists in two strikingly different color patterns
B
A. Diversifying (disruptive) selection B. Directional selection C. Stabilizing selection D. Random selection E. Sexual selection Fossil evidence indicates that horses have gradually increased in size over geological time.
C
A. Diversifying (disruptive) selection B. Directional selection C. Stabilizing selection D. Random selection E. Sexual selection Most Swiss starlings produce 4 to 5 eggs in each clutch
B
A. Diversifying (disruptive) selection B. Directional selection C. Stabilizing selection D. Random selection E. Sexual selection Pathogenic bacteria found in many hospitals are antibiotic resistant
E
A. Diversifying (disruptive) selection B. Directional selection C. Stabilizing selection D. Random selection E. Sexual selection Brightly colored peacocks mate more frequently than do drab peacocks
B
All of the following are criteria for maintaining a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium involving two alleles except... A. Gene flow from other populations must be zero B. The frequency of all genotypes must be equal C. Matings must be random D. Populations must be large E. There should be no natural selection
C
All of the following statements are inferences of natural selection except... A. Often only a fraction of offspring survive because there is a struggle for limited resources B. Individuals whose inherited characteristics best fit them to the environment should leave more offspring C. An individual organism undergoes evolution over the course of its lifetime D. Unequal reproductive success among its members leads a population to adapt over time E. Subsequent generations of a population should have greater proportions of individuals that possess favorable traits
B
Darwin's and Lamarck's ideas regarding evolution both suggest that... A. Species are fixed B. The interaction of organisms with their environment is important in the evolutionary process C. The environment creates favorable characteristics on demand D. The main mechanism of evolution is natural selection E. Natural theology is an acceptable alternative explanation in cases where evolutionary explanations are not yet available
B
During a study session about evolution, one of your fellow students remarks, "The giraffe stretched its neck while reaching for higher leaves; its offspring inherited longer necks as a result." Which statement most accurately corrects the student's misconception? A. Only favorable adaptations have survival value B. Characteristics acquired during an organism's life are not passed on through genes. C. Spontaneous mutations can result in the appearance of new traits. D. Disuse of an organ may lead to its eventual disappearance E. Overproduction of offspring leads to a struggle for survival
A
Given a population that contains genetic variation, what is the correct sequence of the following events, under the influence of natural selection? 1. Differential reproduction occurs 2. A new selective pressure occurs 3. Allele frequencies within the population change 4. Environmental change occurs A. 4, 2, 1, 3 B. 4, 2, 3, 1 C. 4, 1, 2, 3 D. 2, 4, 1, 3 E. 2, 4, 3, 1
C
If two modern organisms are distantly related in an evolutionary sense, then one should expect that... A. They should be members of the same genus B. They ought to live in very different habitats C. They should share fewer homologous organs than two closely related organisms D. They shared a common ancestor relatively recently E. Their chromosomes should be very similar
E
In modern technology, diversity is understood to be a result of genetic variation. Sources of variation for evolution include all of the following except... A. Recombination by crossing over in meiosis B. Mistakes in DNA replication C. Recombination at fertilization D. Translocations and mistakes in meiosis E. Mistakes in translation of structural genes
E
In modern terminology, diversity is understood to be a result of genetic variation. Sources of variation for evolution include all of the following except A. recombination by crossing over in meiosis B. mistakes in DNA replication C. recombination at fertilization D. translocations and mistakes in meiosis E. mistakes in translation of structural genes
D
Natural selection is most closely related to... A. Genetic drift B. Gene flow C. Diploidy D. Differential reproductive success E. Assortative mating
B
Over evolutionary time, many cave-dwelling organisms have lost their eyes. Tapeworms have lost their digestive systems. Whales have lost their hind limbs. How can natural selection account for these losses? A. By the principle of use and disuse B. Under particular circumstances that persisted for long periods, each of these structures presented greater costs than benefits. C. Natural selection cannot account for losses, only for innovations D. These organisms had the misfortune to experience harmful mutations, which caused the loss of these structures. E. Both B and D are correct
B
What is the most important part of missing evidence or observation in Darwin's theory of 1859? A. Evidence that some organisms became extinct B. The source of genetic variation C. Observation that competition exists in populations D. Evidence of the overproduction of offspring E. Observation that variation is common in populations
E
Which of the following is the unit of evolution? In other words, which of the following can evolve in the Darwinian sense? A. Chromosome B. Individual C. Species D. Gene E. Population