Chapter 23 - Evolutionary Processes

Question 1

What is the process by which species change over time?

Answer 1

Evolution

Question 2

True or False: Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The theory of _______ explains the diversity of life through descent with modification.

Answer 3

evolution

Question 4

What is the term for the genetic variation within a population?

Answer 4

Genetic diversity

Question 5

Which scientist is known for formulating the theory of natural selection?

Answer 5

Charles Darwin

Question 6

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution? A) Mutation B) Genetic drift C) Photosynthesis D) Gene flow

Answer 6

C) Photosynthesis

Question 7

What is the term for a random change in allele frequencies in a population?

Answer 7

Genetic drift

Question 8

True or False: Mutations are always beneficial to an organism.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

What is the concept of ‘survival of the fittest’ associated with?

Answer 9

Natural selection

Question 10

Define ‘speciation’.

Answer 10

The process by which new species arise.

Question 11

Multiple choice: Which type of selection favors extreme phenotypes? A) Stabilizing selection B) Directional selection C) Disruptive selection

Answer 11

C) Disruptive selection

Question 12

Fill in the blank: _______ is the process through which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Answer 12

Natural selection

Question 13

What is the role of gene flow in evolution?

Answer 13

It introduces new alleles into a population.

Question 14

True or False: All mutations result in observable changes in phenotype.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What is adaptive radiation?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Multiple choice: Which of the following best describes artificial selection? A) Natural selection by predators B) Human-directed breeding C) Random mating

Answer 16

B) Human-directed breeding

Question 17

What is a common misconception about evolution?

Answer 17

That organisms evolve during their lifetime.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The _______ theory states that evolution occurs in spurts, rather than gradually.

Answer 18

punctuated equilibrium

Question 19

What is the significance of fossil records in evolution?

Answer 19

They provide evidence of past life forms and evolutionary changes.

Question 20

True or False: Homologous structures indicate a common ancestry.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is the difference between convergent and divergent evolution?

Answer 21

Convergent evolution is when unrelated species evolve similar traits; divergent evolution is when related species evolve different traits.

Question 22

Multiple choice: Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure? A) Human appendix B) Bird wings C) Giraffe neck

Answer 22

A) Human appendix

Question 23

What is the importance of reproductive isolation in speciation?

Answer 23

It prevents different species from interbreeding.

Question 24

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

Answer 24

Biogeography

Question 25

True or False: Evolution can occur without natural selection.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What is the term for when two species evolve in response to each other?

Answer 26

Co-evolution

Question 27

Multiple choice: Which process is primarily responsible for creating genetic variation? A) Natural selection B) Mutation C) Genetic drift

Answer 27

B) Mutation

Question 28

What role does environmental change play in evolution?

Answer 28

It can create new selective pressures that drive evolution.

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The _______ hypothesis suggests that evolution is a gradual process.

Answer 29

gradualism

Question 30

True or False: All evolutionary changes are beneficial for the organism.

Answer 30

False

Question 31

What is the significance of the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

Answer 31

It provides a model for understanding how allele frequencies remain constant in a population.

Question 32

Multiple choice: Which of the following factors does NOT affect allele frequencies? A) Mutation B) Migration C) Population size D) Weather conditions

Answer 32

D) Weather conditions

Question 33

What is a common method for studying evolutionary relationships among species?

Answer 33

Phylogenetic analysis

Question 34

Fill in the blank: _______ is the process of selecting organisms with desired traits for breeding.

Answer 34

Selective breeding

Question 35

True or False: All organisms have the same rate of evolutionary change.

Answer 35

False

Question 36

What is the role of epigenetics in evolution?

Answer 36

It can influence gene expression and may lead to heritable changes.

Question 37

Multiple choice: Which type of evolution occurs when a population is divided by a physical barrier? A) Allopatric B) Sympatric C) Parapatric

Answer 37

A) Allopatric

Question 38

What is the primary focus of evolutionary biology?

Answer 38

To understand the processes that drive the evolution of organisms.