Evolution Biology Test Review

Question 1

No matter how many times organisms in a species’ tails’ are clipped, their offspring always have normal tails. What is this disproving?

Answer 1

Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 2

Darwin’s theory of evolution did not include the theory that

Answer 2

genetic variation comes from mutations and genetic recombination during sexual reproduction

Question 3

Lamarck believed in the theory of

Answer 3

Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 4

Natural selection is

Answer 4

survival of those organisms genetically best adapted to their environment

Question 5

Over time, giraffes’ average neck lengths have increased. What would Lamarck believe this is caused by?

Answer 5

giraffes stretched their necks and their offspring inherited the new trait

Question 6

Pigs have four toes on each foot, but two of them are small and don’t help the pig walk. How would Lamarck have explained this?

Answer 6

Use and disuse

Question 7

Weisman’s experiments with mice disproved

Answer 7

Lamarck’s theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 8

Gene pool definition

Answer 8

The sum total of all the alleles found in all the individuals of a population

Question 9

Evolution definition

Answer 9

Change in allele frequency within a population

Question 10

5 conditions for Hardy Weinburg equilibrium

Answer 10

1) random mating, 2) no migration, 3) no mutation, 4) large population, 5) no natural selection

Question 11

Genetic drift definition

Answer 11

Chance events that happen in a small population will create the
potential for rapid evolution that may isolate a population genetically

Question 12

Founder effect

Answer 12

the reduction in genomic variability that occurs when a small group of individuals becomes separated from a larger population

Question 13

Bottleneck effect

Answer 13

when a population is greatly reduced in size, limiting the genetic diversity of the species

Question 14

why would a small population evolve faster than a large population?

Answer 14

Fewer alleles- easier to alter frequencies

Question 15

Another name for migration?

Answer 15

Gene flow

Question 16

What is speciation?

Answer 16

the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution

Question 17

What are the 5 causes of speciation?

Answer 17

1) geographical isolation, 2) behavioral isolation, 3) temporal isolation, 4) mechanical isolation, 5) ecological isolation

Question 18

Adaptive radiation definition

Answer 18

One ancestral species (often a “pioneer species”) that gradually splits into multiple
species, due to the opening of many available niches

Question 19

Homologous structures definition

Answer 19

similar physical features in organisms that share a common ancestor, but the features serve completely different functions

Question 20

Analogous structures definition

Answer 20

When two species have evolved body forms that attempt to solve the same problem, they often look somewhat similar. But these structures do NOT indicate a
recent common ancestor

Question 21

Gradualism definition

Answer 21

evolutionary change occurs slowly and in small steps

Question 22

Punctuated equilibrium definition

Answer 22

the view that many evolutionary changes occur
(relatively) quickly

Question 23

Lamarck’s theory of evolution

Answer 23

Lamarck thought that if a certain characteristic was needed to survive in an environment it would be developed by those organisms. Also, as the trait was used more it would tend to become stronger or enhanced, and that these “Acquired Characteristics” would be passed down to their offspring