Chapter 10

Question 1

What was the major flaw in Lamarck’s idea that organisms change over time through use or disuse of certain features?

a. Individuals adapt to their surrounding and to repeated tasks.
b. Individuals cannot change their genetic makeup, but the genetic makeup of populations can change over time as allele frequencies change.
c. Individuals pass on their learned behaviors or skills to their offspring as genetic changes occur.
d. An individual’s genetic makeup changes throughout their lifetime in a heritable manner.
e. Changes to an individual organism’s traits over its lifetime are passed on to their offspring.

Answer 1

Individuals cannot change their genetic makeup, but the genetic makeup of populations can change over time as allele frequencies change.

Question 2

To establish that evolution by natural selection is operating in a population, one must demonstrate variability for a trait, heritability of that trait, and:

a. differential reproductive success based on that trait.
b. continuous change in the environment.
c. random mating.
d. increased complexity of the organism.
e. progress.

Answer 2

differential reproductive success based on that trait.

Question 3

Tiktaalik appears to:

a. be a “living fossil” since it resembles many of the earliest fish, yet populations thrive today.
b. be an extinct species of fish that was also able to fly due to flaps of skin between its fins.
c. be an extinct species of giant fish that was subject to strong selection for smaller body size.
d. be a descendant of the one branch of ancestral horses that survived until today.
e. represent a transitional species, somewhere between fish and land animals.

Answer 3

represent a transitional species, somewhere between fish and land animals.

Question 4

If a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which statement is true?

a. Recessive and dominant alleles are not changing in frequency over time.
b. More homozygotes are dying.
c. More recessive alleles are being eliminated from the population.
d. Evolution is occurring.
e. Non-random mating is occurring in the population.

Answer 4

Recessive and dominant alleles are not changing in frequency over time.

Question 5

According to molecular evidence, humans and birds last shared a common ancestor roughly _____ million years ago.

a. 112
b. 46
c. 607
d. 23
e. 564

Answer 5

112

Question 6

Which is an example of an experiment that does not involve evolution?

a. bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics
b. rabbits selected for increased speed
c. giraffe necks that have elongated after repeatedly stretching
d. dogs bred for smaller body size
e. fruit flies selected for starvation resistance

Answer 6

giraffe necks that have elongated after repeatedly stretching

Question 7

Most mutations:

a. migrate from one population to another.
b. are random, meaning they are unrelated to how useful or harmful they might be to the organism in which they occur.
c. are in response to natural selection.
d. are beneficial to the organism in which they occur.
e. are random, meaning that they only occur in small populations.

Answer 7

are random, meaning they are unrelated to how useful or harmful they might be to the organism in which they occur.

Question 8

Which statement best describes evolution?

a. an introduction of new alleles into a species
b. a change in phenotypes in a population
c. a change in genotypes in a population
d. a change in the phenotypes or genotypes of individuals
e. a change in allele frequencies in a population

Answer 8

a change in allele frequencies in a population

Question 9

The consistent accumulation of mutations that creates differences in the DNA sequences of two diverging groups of organisms is referred to as:

a. directional selection.
b. the “hemoglobin regression.”
c. a “molecular clock.”
d. the founder effect.
e. convergent evolution.

Answer 9

a “molecular clock.”

Question 10

10. Adaptation:

a. is responsible for the fact that porcupines are at an unusually high risk of predation.
b. refers both to the process by which organisms become better matched to their environment and to the features of an organism that make it more fit than other individuals.
c. is possible only when there is no mutation.
d. occurs for physical traits but not behaviors.
e. cannot occur in environments influenced by humans

Answer 10

refers both to the process by which organisms become better matched to their environment and to the features of an organism that make it more fit than other individuals.

Question 11

Radiometric dating:

a. allows the fossils of organisms to be compared in terms of species types.
b. is highly inaccurate.
c. measures the radioactive protons present in fossil-containing rocks.
d. does not make it possible to put the fossil record in order.
e. makes it possible to determine the absolute age of fossils.

Answer 11

makes it possible to determine the absolute age of fossils.

Question 12

While on the HMS Beagle, Darwin was intrigued by glyptodonts because:

a. armadillos occurred in Africa, but not South America. Glyptodont fossils in South America revealed that the two continents had once been joined.
b. glyptodont fossils varied in size across the different islands in the Galapagos archipelago.
c. their dental structures indicated that they consumed seeds much larger than those produced by any species of plant currently found on earth.
d. he believed that if he could not complete the curriculum for medical school, he would enjoy studying dentistry.
e. glyptodont fossils resembled a species that currently existed, but were much, much larger.

Answer 12

glyptodont fossils resembled a species that currently existed, but were much, much larger.

Question 13

Which is considered a result of natural selection?

a. “perfect” organisms
b. artificial selection
c. new genes
d. adaptation
e. unchanged allele frequencies

Answer 13

adaptation

Question 14

The appropriate unit for defining and measuring genetic variation is the:

a. species.
b. population.
c. mating pair.
d. individual.
e. genome.

Answer 14

population.

Question 15

Which is not an agent of evolutionary change?

a. mutation
b. natural selection
c. genetic drift
d. migration
e. genetic shift

Answer 15

genetic shift

Question 16

Which is NOT a line of evidence that demonstrates the occurrence of evolution?

a. fossil record
b. biogeography
c. comparative anatomy and embryology
d. molecular biology
e. abiogenesis.

Answer 16

abiogenesis.

Question 17

A population:

a. stays the same size over time.
b. describes a group of organisms in the wild.
c. is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same geographic region.
d. has limited potential for genetic change.
e. can only evolve in the presence of selective pressure.

Answer 17

is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same geographic region.

Question 18

An organism’s fitness is measured:

a. by reproductive success.
b. only for a specific environment.
c. relative to other genotypes/phenotypes in the population.
d. for a specific environment and time based on their reproductive success relative to other phenotypes.
e. for a given point in time.

Answer 18

or a specific environment and time based on their reproductive success relative to other phenotypes.

Question 19

Which statement about evolution is true?

a. Evolution only occurs in natural habitats.
b. Evolution is a type of natural selection.
c. Evolution always takes thousands of years.
d. Evolution is only observable through fossil evidence.
e. Evolution undeniably occurs.

Answer 19

Evolution undeniably occurs.

Question 20

For natural selection to be operating in a population, one of the things that must be present is a particular trait that must be capable of being passed on from parents to offspring. Another word for this is:

a. recessive.
b. varying.
c. migrating.
d. mutable.
e. heritable.

Answer 20

heritable.

Question 21

Which anatomical feature is not a vestigial structure?

a. molars in bats
b. coccyx in humans
c. flippers in dolphins
d. eye sockets in cave-dwelling fish with no eyes
e. pelvic bones in whales

Answer 21

flippers in dolphins

Question 22

Which scientist is incorrectly matched to his scientific/evolutionary contribution?

a. Darwin’s observation of unique animals in diverse environments, such as in the Galapagos, inspired him to develop the theory of natural selection.
b. Charles Lyell theorized that geological forces had shaped the earth and continue to do so.
c. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck suggested that living species might change over time.
d. Georges Cuvier showed through genetic experiments that extinction had occurred.
e. Georges Buffon showed that earth is much older than previously believed.

Answer 22

Georges Cuvier showed through genetic experiments that extinction had occurred.

Question 23

Which does not cause mutation?

a. environmental influences
b. the complex process of cell division
c. social influences
d. chemical influences
e. chance

Answer 23

social influences

Question 24

During genetic drift, where do the genes drift to?

a. The genes drift from a locus on one chromosome to another locus on the same chromosome.
b. The genes drift from a locus on one chromosome to a locus on another chromosome.
c. The genes drift out on a raft to sea to found new populations on islands.
d. The genes drift into and out of the population due to migration of individuals from one population to another.
e. The genes do not drift at all—drift is a mathematical metaphor that means gene frequencies are unstable and drift from one number to another.

Answer 24

The genes drift into and out of the population due to migration of individuals from one population to another.

Question 25

In the fruit fly starvation experiment, which explanation best fits the observation that after 60 generations of selectively breeding the most starvation-resistant flies, the average fly in the descendent population can survive without food for up to 8 times as long as the first-generation flies?

a. Evolution has occurred because the population of flies is more suited to their environment.
b. Evolution has not occurred because all of the flies in the population are the same species.
c. Evolution has not occurred because the alleles were already present in the population.
d. Evolution has occurred because alleles that confer starvation resistance have increased in frequency within the population.
e. Evolution has not occurred because the flies were merely conditioned to withstand starvation.

Answer 25

Evolution has occurred because alleles that confer starvation resistance have increased in frequency within the population.

Question 26

Which pair is incorrectly matched?

a. molecular biology: examination of life at the level of atoms and compounds
b. fossil record: physical evidence of organisms from the past
c. biogeography: patterns in geographic distribution of organisms
d. comparative anatomy: growth, development, and body structures of major groups of organisms
e. laboratory and field studies: implementation of the scientific method to observe and study evolution

Answer 26

molecular biology: examination of life at the level of atoms and compounds

Question 27

Complete the sentence: _____ evolve; _____ do not.

a. eukaryotes; prokaryotes
b. animals; plants
c. individual organisms; populations
d. populations; individual organisms
e. fruit flies; house flies

Answer 27

populations; individual organisms

Question 28

It is said that the fossil record is an incomplete record. Why is that?

a. The soft parts of an organism almost always decay rapidly and completely after death.
b. Only a few environments demonstrate reduced forces of decomposition resulting in the preservation of the organism’s hard parts (i.e., teeth, bones).
c. Scientists know the number of fossils embedded in this earth due to radiometric testing, but they have only been able to locate about 10% of them.
d. The fossil record is no longer considered to be incomplete. That is an outdated concept that has since been rejected.
e. The soft parts of an organism usually decay rapidly and only a few environments are conducive to preserving the remaining portions.

Answer 28

The soft parts of an organism usually decay rapidly and only a few environments are conducive to preserving the remaining portions.

Question 29

Which statement accurately reflects what we know about evolution?

a. Evolution is occurring continuously in wild and controlled populations.
b. Evolution happened a long time ago and then stopped.
c. Evolution can only occur in isolated natural populations.
d. The theory of evolution is a hypothesis that cannot be supported by scientific evidence.
e. Evolution takes millions of years to produce changes in populations.

Answer 29

Evolution is occurring continuously in wild and controlled populations.

Question 30

To establish that evolution by natural selection is operating in a population, one must demonstrate variability for a trait, heritability of that trait, and:

a. differential reproductive success based on that trait.
b. continuous change in the environment.
c. random mating.
d. increased complexity of the organism.
e. progress

Answer 30

differential reproductive success based on that trait.

Question 31

In the early 1800s when Darwin was growing up, it would have been difficult to develop a theory about how populations change over time because:

a. almost everyone believed that humans and all other species, once created, could not change.
b. no one had ever proposed that the earth was older than 6,000 years, so there was insufficient time for change to have occurred.
c. almost everyone believed that organisms existed as groups of populations, not species.
d. no one had yet found a fossil having an obvious similarity to a living species.
e. it was widely accepted that there was insufficient variation within any species to allow for change.

Answer 31

almost everyone believed that humans and all other species, once created, could not change.

Question 32

Based on the information given, which of the organisms described below most likely has the LOWEST fitness?

a. a sand-colored mouse living at the beach
b. a short-lived rabbit with a greater than average number of offspring, relative to other individuals in its population
c. a dark-colored mouse living in the brown brush
d. a sterile organism that lives twice as long as the average longevity in its population
e. a human who dies at age 40 who has had four children

Answer 32

a sterile organism that lives twice as long as the average longevity in its population

Question 33

What is the difference between homologous structures and analogous structures?

a. The only difference between homologous structures and analogous structures is the length of time over which they diverged.
b. Analogous structures have different functions and developed from unrelated features, whereas homologous structures have similar functions and are found in organisms that share a common ancestor.
c. Homologous structures may have different functions, but are found in organisms that share a common ancestor, whereas analogous structures may have similar functions, but developed from unrelated features.
d. Homologous structures have different functions and developed from unrelated features, whereas analogous structures have similar functions and are found in organisms that share a common ancestor.
e. Analogous structures may have different functions, but are found in organisms that share a common ancestor, whereas homologous structures may have similar functions, but developed from unrelated features.

Answer 33

Homologous structures may have different functions, but are found in organisms that share a common ancestor, whereas analogous structures may have similar functions, but developed from unrelated features.

Question 34

Despite flaws in his theory, Lamarck’s ideas about how living organisms may change was valuable in that:

a. it caused more scientists to challenge long-held beliefs and inspired Darwin’s developing theory of evolution.
b. it hypothesized that living things are composed of cells.
c. it proposed discrete units of inheritance.
d. it was incorporated directly into Darwin’s more complete theory of evolution.
e. it hypothesized that DNA is responsible for inheritance.

Answer 34

it caused more scientists to challenge long-held beliefs and inspired Darwin’s developing theory of evolution.

Question 35

Which statement about fitness is false?

a. Fitness depends on an organism’s reproductive success compared with others in the population.
b. Fitness depends on the organism’s environment and their relative reproductive success.
c. Fitness is the relative success of a phenotype or genotype in a population.
d. Fitness is based on an individual organism’s ability to survive.
e. Fitness depends on the environment in which an organism lives.

Answer 35

Fitness is based on an individual organism’s ability to survive.

Question 36

Fossils:

a. represent all living things that have existed.
b. can show evidence of evolutionary change by revealing what organisms looked like a long time ago.
c. can be formed in any environment or material.
d. can be formed from any type of tissue.
e. are impossible to use to accurately determine the age of the rocks in which they are found.

Answer 36

can show evidence of evolutionary change by revealing what organisms looked like a long time ago.

Question 37

Darwin’s theory of evolution did not coalesce during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, but rather when he read an essay by Thomas Malthus in which the economist discussed how population growth would eventually surpass food supplies. What did Darwin speculate based on that essay?
a. Food supplies must change with species change to accommodate the difference.
b. The fluctuation of the food supply must explain the rise and fall of new species.
c. If resources are limited, the individuals in a group best suited to the local environment may beat out the worse-suited individuals for survival.
d. Animals will adapt to increase the food supply.
e. Strategies learned for effectively acquiring food will be passed on from capable individuals.

Answer 37

If resources are limited, the individuals in a group best suited to the local environment may beat out the worse-suited individuals for survival.

Question 38

The gray wolf is more closely related to the _____ than it is to the Tasmanian wolf.

a. sugar glider
b. giant anteater
c. eucalyptus tree
d. kangaroo
e. numbat

Answer 38

giant anteater

Question 39

Experiments in the selection of fruit flies for starvation resistance:

a. are testable and reproducible.
b. take many years to observe any change in a population.
c. show different results every time the experiment is conducted.
d. are difficult to perform, and the results are difficult to interpret.
e. cannot provide supporting evidence for the occurrence of evolution.

Answer 39

are testable and reproducible.

Question 40

Consider a population of 5,000 garter snakes. Two hundred of those snakes split off from the population and migrate to a new habitat. When the original population dropped from 5,000 to 4,800, the allele frequencies of various genes changed. The evolutionary process that caused the change in allele frequencies in the original population is:

a. genetic drift.
b. migration.
c. mutation.
d. disruptive selection.
e. stabilizing selection.

Answer 40

migration.

Question 41

If _____ has occurred, the allele frequencies in a population have changed.

a. homology
b. species distribution
c. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
d. evolution
e. mutation

Answer 41

evolution

Question 42

Which of these is NOT one of the reasons why radioactive carbon can be used by scientists to date the ages of ancient fossilized organisms?

a. After an organism dies, its radioactive carbon concentration decreases while the concentration of nonradioactive carbon stays the same.
b. Radioactive carbon is produced in the atmosphere at the same rate as the radioactive carbon decays.
c. Carbon components are found in all of the earth’s creatures.
d. The rate of decay for radioactive carbon always remains the same.
e. Living organisms contain significantly more radioactive carbon than other substances.

Answer 42

Living organisms contain significantly more radioactive carbon than other substances.

Question 43

Which statement is NOT consistent with evolution by natural selection?

a. Individuals that reproduce most successfully are more likely to have offspring that also reproduce successfully if the environment remains stable.
b. Individuals in a population exhibit variation, some of which can be inherited by their offspring.
c. Certain individuals in a population have a higher rate of reproductive success than other individuals due to a variety of environmental and developmental factors.
d. Natural selection can lead to speciation.
e. Individuals change during their life spans to fit their environment better, and these changes can be inherited by their offspring.

Answer 43

Individuals change during their life spans to fit their environment better, and these changes can be inherited by their offspring.

Question 44

Evolution can occur when certain individuals in a population are born with characteristics that make them more likely to:

a. survive and reproduce compared to other individuals in the population.
b. migrate to more hospitable habitats.
c. utilize the natural resources existing in their habitat.
d. become predators within their population.
e. eat more than other individuals in the population.

Answer 44

survive and reproduce compared to other individuals in the population.

Question 45

All northern elephant seals come from a very small genetic pool. This is because in the 1890s a large number of them were very quickly killed until their population size was reduced to only about 20 individuals. Though their population has since increased to over 30,000 individuals, all their genes have come from those 20 individuals. Which population genetic concept does this example represent?

a. evolution
b. the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
c. genetic drift
d. the bottleneck effect
e. the founder effect

Answer 45

the bottleneck effect

Question 46

In the fruit fly starvation experiment, the 20% of flies that survived the longest without food in each generation:

a. possessed heritable alleles that allowed them to survive the longest without food.
b. could only survive a maximum of 23 hours, but no more.
c. died before they could lay eggs and pass that trait on to future generations.
d. were found to be sterile; therefore, they were unable to lay eggs.
e. were found to age more quickly than the flies with low starvation resistance.

Answer 46

possessed heritable alleles that allowed them to survive the longest without food.

Question 47

By studying similarities in the amino acids chains that make up hemoglobin, researchers can state that humans are more closely related to _____ than they are to _____.

a. dogs; monkeys
b. birds; dogs
c. birds; lamprey
d. lamprey; dogs
e. birds; monkeys

Answer 47

birds; lamprey

Question 48

Artificial selection and natural selection are similar in what way?

a. Both are a result of differential reproductive success of individuals carrying particular alleles due to “pressure” from the external environment.
b. Only extreme traits are selected for in both artificial selection and natural selection.
c. In both artificial selection and natural selection, limitations in available resources drive change.
d. Both artificial selection and natural selection occur quickly.
e. The method by which mates are chosen is the same in both artificial selection and natural selection.

Answer 48

Both are a result of differential reproductive success of individuals carrying particular alleles due to “pressure” from the external environment.

Question 49

Estimates of evolutionary relatedness based on a “molecular clock” are supported by:

a. the fossil record.
b. observations of comparative anatomy.
c. the mutation rate of other genes.
d. models of the phylogenetic tree of life.
e. both the fossil record and observations of comparative anatomy.

Answer 49

both the fossil record and observations of comparative anatomy.

Question 50

In 1954, William Thompson performed a maze-running experiment using rats in which he was able to produce populations of fast maze-learners and slow maze-learners. The results of this experiment indicate that:

a. behavior cannot be measured for experimental purposes.
b. behavior plays a pivotal role in reproductive success.
c. behavior is not controlled by genetics.
d. complex traits, such as behavior, are heritable.
e. behavior plays a role in obtaining necessary resources to survive.

Answer 50

complex traits, such as behavior, are heritable.

Question 51

Which condition is NOT necessary for the evolution of a trait by natural selection?
a. heritability of the trait
b. variation in fitness due to variation in the trait
c. Both a large population size and variations in fitness due to the trait are not necessary for the evolution of a trait by natural selection.
d. trait variation
e. large population size

Answer 51

large population size

Question 52

The amino acid chains making up hemoglobin in different species:

a. differ depending how long it has been since the species last shared a common ancestor.
b. are identical; otherwise, the hemoglobin cannot function properly.
c. differ depending on whether the species are marine or terrestrial.
d. reflect differences in how the hemoglobin functions in the species.
e. can only be compared among mammalian species since non-mammalians do not possess hemoglobin.

Answer 52

differ depending how long it has been since the species last shared a common ancestor.

Question 53

While visiting Argentina, Darwin discovered the fossils of extinct glyptodonts, which resembled the living armadillos in that same area. What did he deduce after making these observations?

a. Glyptodonts indicated that ancient life was larger than modern life.
b. Glyptodonts showed an example of evolution repeating itself independently with similar body plans.
c. Glyptodonts indicated that life was unchanging because the glyptodonts had become extinct.
d. Glyptodonts were an unrelated species filling a similar niche as the armadillo.
e. Glyptodonts were ancient relatives of the armadillo.

Answer 53

Glyptodonts were ancient relatives of the armadillo.

Question 54

Which best describes worldwide views before and after Darwin?

a. BEFORE: Earth is mostly unchanging. AFTER: The geology of the earth is not constant, but always changing; however, scientists recognize that it will undoubtedly reach a finite point.
b. BEFORE: Earth is about 6,000 years old. AFTER: Earth is at least 10 billion years old.
c. BEFORE: The amount of species on this planet will forever remain unchanged. AFTER: The amount of species on this planet will fluctuate, but true extinction remains questionable (since evolution can bring back old species).
d. BEFORE: A creator put all organisms on earth at the same time. AFTER: Over time, species evolved, but it all started with one organism.
e. Worldwide views before and after Darwin remained the same, since many people reject Darwin’s accuracy in his statements.

Answer 54

BEFORE: A creator put all organisms on earth at the same time. AFTER: Over time, species evolved, but it all started with one organism.

Question 55

Which statement about radiometric dating is false?

a. Radiometric dating is achieved by measuring the relative amounts of radioactive isotopes present in rock and their leftover decay products.
b. Radiometric dating is possible because radioactive isotopes in rock break down at a constant rate.
c. Radiometric dating only provides enough information to know the relative ages of rocks and not their absolute numerical ages.
d. Radiometric dating has allowed scientists to determine the age of the earth and living organisms on it.
e. Radiometric dating allows scientists to learn the ages and chronologies of fossils found in rocks.

Answer 55

Radiometric dating only provides enough information to know the relative ages of rocks and not their absolute numerical ages.

Question 56

The amount of time that has passed since two species last shared a common ancestor:

a. can be determined for prokaryotic species but not eukaryotes.
b. is revealed by the degree of similarity in sections of their DNA.
c. can be determined by the relative amounts of uranium-238 found in the bones of individuals from each species.
d. cannot be determined, due to the fact that most species pass through the same embryological stages.
e. cannot be determined, due to gaps in the fossil record.

Answer 56

is revealed by the degree of similarity in sections of their DNA.

Question 57

In the 1790s, Georges Cuvier found the fossil remains of mastodons. This conflicted with the prevailing worldview in Europe because:

a. it meant that all of the continents must have been linked together at one time.
b. it meant that fossils of long-dead individuals existed.
c. it meant that Irish elk had descended from much larger ancestors, which could only be true if evolutionary change was possible.
d. it meant that individuals from species currently found on earth were not completely decomposed after death.
e. it meant that extinction must occur, since nothing resembling mastodons existed on earth at that time.

Answer 57

it meant that extinction must occur, since nothing resembling mastodons existed on earth at that time.

Question 58

While visiting the Galapagos Islands, Darwin discovered 14 unique species of finches that closely resembled the mainland species. These observations led to the hypothesis that:

a. each finch was a remnant from the time when the Galapagos was part of the mainland and not isolated from the mainland population.
b. each finch was the result of a different introduction event from the mainland that diverged from the other island populations.
c. the Galapagos finches resembled mainland finches due to their similar niches.
d. the 14 species had once been 14 populations, which subsequently diverged into distinct species after separation from the mainland population.
e. all 14 island populations had come from different faraway islands that had diverged from each other.

Answer 58

the 14 species had once been 14 populations, which subsequently diverged into distinct species after separation from the mainland population.

Question 59

59. Charles Darwin initially sketched out his ideas about evolution by natural selection in 1842; however, he didn’t actually publish a full book, detailing his ideas, until:

a. 1843.
b. 1858.
c. 1907.
d. 1859.
e. 1882

Answer 59

1859.

Question 60

The term that defines any genetic change in a population of organisms is _____.

a. evolution
b. speciation
c. fitness
d. genetic drift
e. mutation

Answer 60

evolution

Question 61

Why do human embryos have gill pouches?

a. Embryonic gill pouches eventually develop into lungs.
b. Embryonic gill pouches are an artifact of convergent evolution.
c. Gill pouches allow embryos to breathe in the womb.
d. Humans and fishes share a common ancestor.
e. Embryonic gill pouches filter amniotic fluid during early development.

Answer 61

Humans and fishes share a common ancestor.

Question 62

The chief concern among conservation biologists trying to protect small populations is:

a. to preserve genetic diversity.
b. that mutation rates are much higher in small populations.
c. that natural selection can only operate in large populations.
d. to maximize rates of allele fixation.
e. to reduce the duration of genetic bottlenecks.

Answer 62

to preserve genetic diversity.

Question 63

While on the voyage of the HMS Beagle, Darwin:

a. wrote The Origin of Species.
b. studied Malthus’s book Essay on the Principle of Population.
c. corresponded extensively with Alfred Russel Wallace about their ideas on evolution.
d. nurtured his love of studying nature, exploring plant and animal diversity, and collecting fossils.
e. discovered a love for sea travel.

Answer 63

nurtured his love of studying nature, exploring plant and animal diversity, and collecting fossils.

Question 64

The study of the distribution patterns of living organisms around the world is called:

a. geobiology.
b. biogeography.
c. biocartography.
d. cartobiology.
e. paleobiology.

Answer 64

biogeography.

Question 65

Which work by earlier scientists was least important for Darwin’s development of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

a. Buffon’s discovery that the world was much older than previously thought
b. Cuvier’s discovery that there were species of animals that once lived on the earth that were no longer present
c. Wallace’s discovery of distinct bioregions in the Malaysian archipelago
d. Lyell’s argument that geological forces have continuously changed the features of the earth
e. Lamarck’s suggestion that species change over time

Answer 65

Wallace’s discovery of distinct bioregions in the Malaysian archipelago