Evolution Quiz

The modern theory of evolution is centered on the role of natural selection in adaptation. Natural selection is
1. stress in a population
2. differential success in reproduction
3. mutation
4. habitat selection of an organism as it lives.
According to the theory of evolution, differences between species may be the result of
1. the disuse of body structures
2. the transmission of acquired characteristics
3. natural selection
4. mutagenic agents
Darwin's studies of finches on the Galapagos Islands suggest that the finches' differences in beak structure were most directly due to
1. acquired characteristics in the parent finches
2. the size of the island where the finches live
3. mating behaviors of the different finch species
4. adaptations of the finches to different environments
Charles Darwin proposed that organisms produce many more offspring than can possible survive on the limited amount of resources available to them. According to Darwin, the offspring that are most likely to survive are those that
1. are born first and grow fastest
2. are largest and most aggressive
3. have no natural predators
4. are best adapted to the environment
One concept that supports the theory of evolution states that organisms best adapted for survival are the ones that will reproduce and pass traits on to future generations. Adaptations that can be passed on do not include
1. the number of limbs the organism has
2. the abilility to conduct a mating dance taught by older males
3. the nervous system an organism has
4. the type of mitochondria the organism inherits
Many biologists believe that the great number of different species of organisms which exist on the planet and the present time has resulted from billions of years of
1. gel electrophoresis
2. recombinant DNA
3. cloning
4. natural selection
A change in genetic material that produces a variation in a species may be a result of
1. a mutation
2. overproduction of a species
3. competition
4. a struggle for survival
Variations within a species are most likely the result of
1. mutations and sexual reproduction
2. mitosis and asexual reproduction
3. overpopulation and recombination
4. synapsis and disjunction
Base your answer on the given information and statement.

The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific were probably never connected to South America. However, in the various habitats on the islands, there are about 14 species of finchlike birds that appear to be related to the finches on the South American mainland. Although the Galapagos finches vary in beak structure, there is a close resemblance between these species in plumage, calls, nests, and eggs. These species do not interbreed and do not compete for food.

Statement: Isolation from the South American mainland and different habitats on the
Galapagos Islands are important factors in the production of new species.
1. The statement is supported by the information given.
2. The statement is contradicted by the information given.
3. The statement is not supported by the
  information given.
4. No relevant information is given regarding the statement.
Natural selection:
1. causes mutations
2. directly acts to change genotype
3. acts on phenotype
4. causes sexual reproduction
According to Darwin's theory of evolution, differences between species may be the result of _______________________.
1. the disuse of body structures
2. the transmission of acquired characteristics
3. natural selection
4. mutagenic agents
In a large population, most individual’s genotypes are:
1. homozygous dominant
2. heterozygous
3. homozygous recessive
4. equal
Hemophilia, a genetic disease is expressed by a recessive allele. This disease may suddenly appear after several generations because it:
1. is carried in a heterozygote without being expressed.
2. is produced by new mutations in future generations.
3. is incompletely dominant
4. is turned on by hormones of the endocrine glands
Mutations are considered a basis for evolution because they:
1. result in variations among organisms
2. occur in body cells instead of egg or sperm
3. are unimportant unless the environment changes
4. survive only if beneficial
Variations in population are due to:
1. mutations
2. the amount of rainfall
3. the environment
4. the amount of producers or consumers
Two nucleotide sequences found in two different species are almost exactly the same. This suggests that these species
1. are evolving into the same species
2. contain identical DNA
3. may have similar evolutionary histories
4. have the same number of mutations
According to Charles Darwin, one factor that affects the evolution of a species is
1. variation due to genetic mutations
2. rapid fossil formation
3. survival of the fittest
4. exposure to environmental pollutants
When the mass extinction of the dinosaurs occurred, other groups of organisms survived. This was most likely due to:
1. large predators survived the extinction by becoming decomposers
2. lethal mutations allowed them to change.
3. the great flood
4. variations that made the survivors better able to adapt to the environmental change
The Z gene is dominant over the gene z. In which genotype would natural selection most likely act on a recessive gene, z ?
1. ZZ
2. Zz
3. zz
4. All would be equally acted upon.
Evolution occurs when
1. there is no mutation.
2. there is no genetic variation.
3. the composition of the gene pool changes.
4. a population is isolated.