Evolution & Classification

Question 1

What is evolution?

Answer 1

The process through which species change over time through genetic variation and natural selection.

Question 2

True or False: Evolution can occur in a single generation.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The theory of evolution was first formulated by ______.

Answer 3

Charles Darwin

Question 4

What is natural selection?

Answer 4

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Question 5

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a mechanism of evolution? (A) Genetic Drift (B) Artificial Selection (C) Mutation (D) All of the above

Answer 5

D) All of the above

Question 6

What is genetic variation?

Answer 6

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals within a population.

Question 7

True or False: All mutations are harmful.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

What is speciation?

Answer 8

The process by which new distinct species evolve from a common ancestor.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The two main types of speciation are ______ and ______.

Answer 9

allopatric; sympatric

Question 10

What is the role of fossils in understanding evolution?

Answer 10

Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time.

Question 11

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT evidence of evolution? (A) Fossil Record (B) Comparative Anatomy (C) Astrology (D) Molecular Biology

Answer 11

C) Astrology

Question 12

What is a homologous structure?

Answer 12

An anatomical feature in different species that is similar due to shared ancestry.

Question 13

True or False: Convergent evolution results in homologous structures.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

What is a cladogram?

Answer 14

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The scientific name of an organism is composed of its ______ and ______.

Answer 15

genus; species

Question 16

What is the significance of the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

Answer 16

It describes the genetic equilibrium in a population and helps predict allele frequencies.

Question 17

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT one of the conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? (A) No mutations (B) Large population size (C) Natural selection (D) Random mating

Answer 17

C) Natural selection

Question 18

What does the term ‘adaptive radiation’ refer to?

Answer 18

The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor.

Question 19

True or False: Artificial selection is a form of natural selection.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

What is a phylogenetic tree?

Answer 20

A branching diagram that represents the evolutionary history of a group of organisms.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The study of the evolutionary relationships among species is called ______.

Answer 21

systematics

Question 22

What is the difference between a prokaryote and a eukaryote?

Answer 22

Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms without a nucleus, while eukaryotes have a nucleus and can be unicellular or multicellular.

Question 23

Multiple Choice: Which domain includes organisms that can survive extreme environments? (A) Bacteria (B) Archaea (C) Eukarya (D) None of the above

Answer 23

B) Archaea

Question 24

What is genetic drift?

Answer 24

A mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in allele frequencies in a population.

Question 25

True or False: Genetic drift has a larger effect in small populations.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

Answer 26

Microevolution refers to small changes within a species, while macroevolution refers to large-scale changes that can lead to the emergence of new species.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: ______ is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Answer 27

Biogeography

Question 28

What is the role of embryology in evolutionary biology?

Answer 28

Embryology provides insights into the developmental similarities and differences among species, indicating common ancestry.

Question 29

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a form of reproductive isolation? (A) Temporal isolation (B) Behavioral isolation (C) Mechanical isolation (D) All of the above

Answer 29

D) All of the above

Question 30

What is a mutation?

Answer 30

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome.

Question 31

True or False: Mutations can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

What is the significance of the fossil record in evolutionary studies?

Answer 32

It provides chronological evidence of past life forms and their evolution over time.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: The process by which organisms become better suited to their environment is called ______.

Answer 33

adaptation

Question 34

What does the term 'endemic species' refer to?

Answer 34

Species that are native to and found only in a specific geographic area.

Question 35

Multiple Choice: Which scientist is known for developing the concept of punctuated equilibrium? (A) Charles Darwin (B) Stephen Jay Gould (C) Richard Dawkins (D) Ernst Mayr

Answer 35

B) Stephen Jay Gould

Question 36

What is a niche in ecology?

Answer 36

The role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

Question 37

True or False: Two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat indefinitely.

Answer 37

False

Question 38

What is the significance of molecular evidence in evolution?

Answer 38

Molecular evidence, such as DNA sequences, helps to determine evolutionary relationships and lineage.

Question 39

Fill in the blank: The classification system used by biologists is known as ______.

Answer 39

taxonomy

Question 40

What are the three domains of life?

Answer 40

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Question 41

Multiple Choice: Which taxonomic rank is directly above 'species'? (A) Family (B) Genus (C) Order (D) Class

Answer 41

B) Genus

Question 42

What is the concept of 'survival of the fittest'?

Answer 42

The idea that individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.