Chapter 25 Quiz

Question 1

What is the term given to a group of individuals belonging to the same species that live in a defined geographic area that actually or potentially interbreed?

Answer 1

population

Question 2

What term is given to the total genetic information carried by all members of a population?

Answer 2

gene pool

Question 3

A number of mechanisms operate to maintain genetic diversity in a population. Why is such diversity favored?

Answer 3

Genetic diversity may better adapt a population to inevitable changes in the environment.

Question 4

For a given locus, in a population with two alternative alleles, the allele frequencies p + q = 1.0.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

In directional selection, both phenotypic extremes are equally selected against.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

Natural selection occurs when there is nonrandom elimination of genotypes from a population due to differences in viability or reproductive success.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Genetic drift is primarily associated with relatively small breeding populations.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Evolution is dependent on genetic diversity in the evolving population.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Which method is often used to analyze proteins and nucleic acids by physical separation when estimating genetic variation in populations?

Answer 9

Electrophoresis

Question 10

In small isolated populations, gene frequencies can fluctuate considerably. The term that applies to this circumstance is ________.

Answer 10

Genetic drift

Question 11

Which general term is used to group various biological and behavioral properties of organisms that act to prevent or reduce interbreeding?

Answer 11

reproductive isolating mechanisms