Final

Question 0

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping can tell us which of the following?
A) The number of loci that influence a quantitative trait.
B) The location of QTL in the genome.
C) The identity of QTL and the proteins they encode.
D) Both the number of loci that influence a quantitative trait and the location of QTL in the genome.
E) All of these.

Answer 0

D) Both the number of loci that influence a quantitative trait and the location of QTL in the genome.

Question 1

One of the following correctly finishes the statement, “Heritability is _____________.” Which one?
A) the proportion of a trait that is due to genes rather than to environment
B) the proportion of variation in a trait that is due to different environments
C) a number that indicates whether natural selection can act on a certain trait
D) the proportion of variation in a trait, across populations, that is due to genetic variation between the populations

Answer 1

C) a number that indicates whether natural selection can act on a certain trait

Question 2

When heritability is calculated using similarities between parents and offspring, an important assumption is _____________.
that the environments of parents and offspring are the same
that heritability is due to genetic variation
C) that environments of parents and offspring are shared
D) that environments of parents and offspring are independent

Answer 2

D) that environments of parents and offspring are independent

Question 3

The response to selection can be calculated as: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ x \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
A) heritability; selection differential
B) selection gradient; relative fitness
C) heritability; relative fitness
D) heritability; selection gradient

Answer 3

A) heritability; selection differential

Question 4

The relationship between selection differential, response to selection, and heritability is best described as _______________.
A) S = R x h2
B) the response to selection is highest when both heritability and the selection differential are high
C) h2 = S x R
D) the stronger the selection differential, the less the heritability

Answer 4

B) the response to selection is highest when both heritability and the selection differential are high

Question 5

According to most evolutionary biologists, _______________ are the most common forms of selection. If this is the case, however; ____________.
A) directional and stabilizing; genetic variability in natural populations is much lower than expected
B) directional and stabilizing; genetic variability in natural populations is much greater than expected
C) disruptive and stabilizing; genetic variability in natural populations is much greater than expected
D) disruptive and stabilizing; genetic variability in natural populations is much lower than expected

Answer 5

B) directional and stabilizing; genetic variability in natural populations is much greater than expected

Question 6

Traits with highly variable phenotypes that do not fall into just a few categories
A) quantitative trait locus
B) marker locus
C) qualitative traits, or discrete traits
D) candidate locus
E) quantitative traits
F) QTL mapping

Answer 6

E) quantitative traits

Question 7

Traits that phenotypes that fall into just a few obvious categories
A) quantitative trait locus
B) marker locus
C) qualitative traits, or discrete traits
D) candidate locus
E) quantitative traits
F) QTL mapping

Answer 7

C) qualitative traits, or discrete traits

Question 8

The process of scanning chromosomes for regions that influence variation in a quantitative trait
A) quantitative trait locus
B) marker locus
C) qualitative traits, or discrete traits
D) candidate locus
E) quantitative traits
F) QTL mapping

Answer 8

F) QTL mapping

Question 9

A locus that is suspected, but not proven, to contribute to variation in a certain quantitative trait
A) quantitative trait locus
B) marker locus
C) qualitative traits, or discrete traits
D) candidate locus
E) quantitative traits
F) QTL mapping

Answer 9

B) marker locus

Question 10

A site in the genome where a simple test will reveal which alleles are present; often used to track nearby, closely linked loci
A) quantitative trait locus
B) marker locus
C) qualitative traits, or discrete traits
D) candidate locus
E) quantitative traits
F) QTL mapping

Answer 10

D) candidate locus

Question 11

A locus that influences a trait that shows quantitative variation
A) quantitative trait locus
B) marker locus
C) qualitative traits, or discrete traits
D) candidate locus
E) quantitative traits
F) QTL mapping

Answer 11

A) quantitative trait locus

Question 12

The difference between the mean value of a trait in the entire population, and the mean value of the individuals that breed successfully
A) selection differential
B) response to selection
C) selection gradient
D) relative fitness

Answer 12

A) selection differential

Question 13

The difference between mean value of offspring, and mean value of the previous generation
A) selection differential
B) response to selection
C) selection gradient
D) relative fitness

Answer 13

B) Response to selection

Question 14

The slope of the best-fit line of a scatterplot of trait vs. relative fitness, for all individuals in the parental population
A) selection differential
B) response to selection
C) selection gradient
D) relative fitness

Answer 14

C) selection gradient

Question 15

An individual's reproductive success divided by the average reproductive success of the entire population
A) selection differential
B) response to selection
C) selection gradient
D) relative fitness

Answer 15

D) relative fitness

Question 16

Which of the following statements are correct?
A) Differences between populations may be assumed to be adaptations to their different environments.
B) Adaptations are usually perfect.
C) Adaptations that are intuitively obvious need not be tested experimentally.
D) Not every trait is an adaptation.

Answer 16

D) Not every trait is an adaptation

Question 17

Which of the following is not a guideline for good experimental design?
A) Test as many competing, realistic hypotheses as you can think of.
B) To avoid scatter in the data, repeat the test on no more than ten individuals.
C) Phrase your question as precisely as possible.
D) Treat all groups in exactly the same way.
E) Use randomization to equalize other miscellaneous effects across groups.

Answer 17

B) To avoid scatter in the data, repeat the test on no more than ten individuals.

Question 18

Felsenstein’s method of independent phylogenetic contrasts is a method _________________.
A) useful for comparative studies when phylogenies are not completely known
B) of controlling for phylogenetic relatedness in comparative studies
C) of performing comparisons between individuals during observational studies
D) of calculating a test statistic for experimental studies

Answer 18

B) of controlling for phylogenetic relatedness in comparative studies

Question 19

A trait may be assumed to be an adaptation if ____________________.
A) it is shown, in a well-designed study, to have a function and to increase fitness
B) it appears plausible that it is an adaptation
C) an interesting theory has been proposed that it is an adaptation
D) it has long been common knowledge that it is an adaptation
E) a news story reports that it is an adaptation

Answer 19

A) it is shown, in a well-designed study, to have a function and to increase fitness

Question 20

In comparative studies, it is important to be aware of relationships among species because ___________________.
A) testing related species is more powerful than testing randomly chosen species
B) experimental conclusions are statistically more powerful when data points are not independent of each other
C) data points should be independent, and two related species might have derived their trait from a shared ancestor, rather than each having evolved it independently
D) a trait that appears in several closely related species is probably an adaptation
E) it is not necessary to have large sample sizes if the species are closely related

Answer 20

C) data points should be independent, and two related species might have derived their trait from a shared ancestor, rather than each having evolved it independently

Question 21

In general, the hypothesis that a particular trait represents a trade-off implies that
A) physiological processes regulate the trait.
B) the trait is the result of “conflicting” selection pressures.
C) the trait has no genetic basis.
D) natural selection has no role in the evolution of the trait.

Answer 21

B) the trait is the result of “conflicting” selection pressures.

Question 22

Trait that increases the fitness of its possessor
A) reaction norm
B) genotype-by-environment interaction
C) trade-off
D) adaptation
E) phenotypic plasticity

Answer 22

D) adaptation

Question 23

An influence on phenotype by the environment
A) reaction norm
B) genotype-by-environment interaction
C) trade-off
D) adaptation
E) phenotypic plasticity

Answer 23

E) phenotypic plasticity

Question 24

The normal range of possible phenotypes that a given genotype may produce under different environmental conditions
A) reaction norm
B) genotype-by-environment interaction
C) trade-off
D) adaptation
E) phenotypic plasticity

Answer 24

A) reaction norm

Question 25

Genetic variation for phenotypic plasticity; a phenomenon in which some genotypes show higher phenotypic plasticitiy than others, in response to changes in environment
A) reaction norm
B) genotype-by-environment interaction
C) trade-off
D) adaptation
E) phenotypic plasticity

Answer 25

B) genotype-by-environment interaction

Question 26

A situation in which evolution of increased fitness of one trait causes reduced fitness in another trait
A) reaction norm
B) genotype-by-environment interaction
C) trade-off
D) adaptation
E) phenotypic plasticity

Answer 26

C) trade-off

Question 27

Three of the following correctly complete the statement, “Sexual dimorphism is __________” while the other three do not. Which three are correct?
A) An evolutionary consequence of different levels of investment of males and females in mating and parental care.
B) A difference in the sexes that always takes the form of greater body size in males, and attractive features in females.
C) Any difference between males and females, such as in morphology, physiology, or behavior.
D) Not present in humans.
E) Any morphological feature that is influenced by reproductive hormones.
F) Usually caused by sexual selection.

Answer 27

A) An evolutionary consequence of different levels of investment of males and females in mating and parental care.
B) A difference in the sexes that always takes the form of greater body size in males, and attractive features in females.
F) Usually caused by sexual selection.

Question 28

Which statement is correct?
A) Females are always choosy, and males are always competitive.
B) Which sex is choosy or competitive usually depends on the strength of sexual selection for each sex.
C) Males are always choosy, and females are always competitive.

Answer 28

B) Which sex is choosy or competitive usually depends on the strength of sexual selection for each sex.

Question 29

Parental care by males ________________________.
A) results in strong sexual selection on males
B) is common in most birds
C) is associated with “choosiness” in females
D) is common in most mammals (including humans)
E) is not common in any group of animals

Answer 29

B) is common in most birds

Question 30

The “puzzle of sexual dimorphism” refers to the fact that
A) in many organisms, one sex or the other often exhibits traits that are not found in the other and that appear to be maladaptive.
B) offspring differ from their parents.
C) in many organisms (both plant and animal) males and females differ.
D) Darwin was unable to explain sexual dimorphism.

Answer 30

A) in many organisms, one sex or the other often exhibits traits that are not found in the other and that appear to be maladaptive.

Question 31

In African lions, infanticide seems to be adaptive for males because of the combination of _____ and _____.
A) long male residence time/long interbirth intervals
B) long male residence time/short interbirth intervals
C) short male residence time/long interbirth intervals
D) short male residence time/short interbirth intervals

Answer 31

C) short male residence time/long interbirth intervals

Question 32

Generalizing from the example of female choice for genetic quality in grey tree frogs, “good genes” models of sexual selection via female choice should include which of the following?
A) The quality of male ornamentation (song, color, behavioral display, etc.) is a reliable indicator of his genetic quality.
B) Females receive direct benefits from ornamented males in the form of food, protection, or parental care for their young.
C) Offspring of the most ornamented males will have performance/fitness advantages over offspring of less ornamented males.
D) The first and third choices are correct.

Answer 32

D) the first and third are correct

Question 33

The chief prediction of the sensory exploitation hypothesis for female choice is that
A) female preference for a male trait evolves before the male trait itself.
B) the males with the best ornaments or advertisements provide the best genetic benefits to the female’s offspring.
C) males with the best ornaments or advertisements provide nutrients, protection, or some other benefit to females.
D) The second and third answers are both correct.

Answer 33

A) female preference for a male trait evolves before the male trait itself.

Question 34

Evidence that sexual selection explains some examples of sexual dimorphism in flowers through selection on male function (pollen donation) includes which of the following?
A) Stanton et al. found that, in wild radishes, reproductive success through pollen donation was limited by pollinator visits, whereas reproductive success through seed production was not.
B) Delph et al. found that, in wind-pollinated plants, the sex with the largest reproductive parts always had the largest perianth.
C) In 29% of 42 animal-pollinated plant species Delph et al. studied, females had the largest reproductive parts but males had the largest perianths.
D) The first and third choices are both correct.

Answer 34

D) the first and third choices are correct

Question 35

any consistent difference between males and females of a species (in physiology, behavior, morphology, etc.)
A) intrasexual selection
B) parental investment
C) sexual dimorphism
D) sexual selection
E) intersexual selection

Answer 35

C) sexual dimporphism

Question 36

differential reproductive success that is solely due to differences in the ability to attract mates
A) intrasexual selection
B) parental investment
C) sexual dimorphism
D) sexual selection
E) intersexual selection

Answer 36

D) sexual selection

Question 37

the energy and time expended in creating and caring for offspring
A) intrasexual selection
B) parental investment
C) sexual dimorphism
D) sexual selection
E) intersexual selection

Answer 37

B) parental investment

Question 38

selection for the ability to compete directly with members of the same sex
A) intrasexual selection
B) parental investment
C) sexual dimorphism
D) sexual selection
E) intersexual selection

Answer 38

A) intrasexual selection

Question 39

selection for the ability to attract the opposite sex
A) intrasexual selection
B) parental investment
C) sexual dimorphism
D) sexual selection
E) intersexual selection

Answer 39

E) intersexual selection