Variations In Living Organisms

Question 1

What is variation in living organisms?

Answer 1

Variation refers to the differences in physical, genetic, or behavioral traits among individuals of the same species.

Question 2

True or False: All variations in living organisms are genetic.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

What are the two main types of variation?

Answer 3

Genetic variation and environmental variation.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: Genetic variation is primarily caused by ________.

Answer 4

mutations

Question 5

Define genetic variation.

Answer 5

Genetic variation refers to the differences in the genetic makeup of individuals within a population.

Question 6

Which process leads to genetic variation during reproduction?

Answer 6

Meiosis

Question 7

What is the role of mutations in variation?

Answer 7

Mutations introduce new alleles into a population, contributing to genetic diversity.

Question 8

True or False: Environmental factors can influence phenotypic variation.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What is phenotypic variation?

Answer 9

Phenotypic variation refers to the observable differences in traits among individuals.

Question 10

Which type of variation can be influenced by climate, diet, and lifestyle?

Answer 10

Environmental variation

Question 11

What is the significance of variation in a population?

Answer 11

Variation increases the chances of survival and adaptation to changing environments.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The process of natural selection acts on ________ variation.

Answer 12

phenotypic

Question 13

What is a mutation?

Answer 13

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits.

Question 14

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of genetic variation? A) Single nucleotide polymorphisms B) Chromosomal mutations C) Environmental influences

Answer 14

C) Environmental influences

Question 15

How do alleles contribute to genetic variation?

Answer 15

Alleles are different forms of a gene that can result in different traits among individuals.

Question 16

True or False: All traits are influenced by both genetics and environment.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

Answer 17

The Hardy-Weinberg principle describes the genetic variation of a population that is not evolving.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The Hardy-Weinberg equation is p² + 2pq + q² = ________.

Answer 18

1

Question 19

What does ‘p’ represent in the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

Answer 19

The frequency of the dominant allele.

Question 20

What does ‘q’ represent in the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

Answer 20

The frequency of the recessive allele.

Question 21

What is directional selection?

Answer 21

Directional selection is a type of natural selection that favors one extreme phenotype over others.

Question 22

Give an example of stabilizing selection.

Answer 22

Stabilizing selection can be seen in human birth weights, where extreme weights are selected against.

Question 23

What is disruptive selection?

Answer 23

Disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range.

Question 24

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

Answer 24

True

Question 25

What is the founder effect?

Answer 25

The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Question 26

How can gene flow affect variation?

Answer 26

Gene flow introduces new alleles into a population, increasing genetic diversity.

Question 27

What is a phenotype?

Answer 27

A phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism.

Question 28

Fill in the blank: The observable traits of an organism are influenced by its ________ and environment.

Answer 28

genotype

Question 29

What is the difference between a genotype and a phenotype?

Answer 29

A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while a phenotype is the expression of that genetic makeup.

Question 30

True or False: Environmental variation can lead to changes in genotype.

Answer 30

False

Question 31

What are polygenic traits?

Answer 31

Polygenic traits are influenced by multiple genes, leading to a range of phenotypes.

Question 32

Give an example of a polygenic trait.

Answer 32

Human height is an example of a polygenic trait.

Question 33

What is a phenotype ratio?

Answer 33

The phenotype ratio is the relative frequency of different phenotypes in a population.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: The term ________ refers to the genetic makeup of an individual.

Answer 34

genotype

Question 35

What is the purpose of the AQA Biology A-Level curriculum regarding variations?

Answer 35

To understand the mechanisms and significance of variation in living organisms.

Question 36

What is a genetic marker?

Answer 36

A genetic marker is a specific DNA sequence that can be used to identify individuals or species.

Question 37

True or False: All individuals in a population are genetically identical.

Answer 37

False

Question 38

What is the impact of selective breeding on variation?

Answer 38

Selective breeding reduces genetic variation by favoring specific traits.

Question 39

What is a clone?

Answer 39

A clone is an organism that is genetically identical to another organism.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The study of heredity is known as ________.

Answer 40

genetics

Question 41

What does the term 'adaptive radiation' refer to?

Answer 41

Adaptive radiation refers to the rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor.

Question 42

What is the role of the environment in natural selection?

Answer 42

The environment determines which traits are advantageous for survival and reproduction.

Question 43

True or False: Genetic diversity is important for the survival of a species.

Answer 43

True

Question 44

What is speciation?

Answer 44

Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing species.

Question 45

Fill in the blank: The ________ hypothesis explains how species evolve through gradual changes.

Answer 45

gradualism

Question 46

What is the difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?

Answer 46

Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically isolated, while sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographic area.

Question 47

What is a homologous structure?

Answer 47

A homologous structure is an anatomical feature that is similar in different species due to shared ancestry.

Question 48

Fill in the blank: Darwin's theory of evolution is based on the concept of ________ selection.

Answer 48

natural

Question 49

What does 'survival of the fittest' mean?

Answer 49

It refers to the idea that individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Question 50

What is a phenotype frequency?

Answer 50

Phenotype frequency is the proportion of a particular phenotype in a population.

Question 51

True or False: Phenotypic variation is solely due to genetic differences.

Answer 51

False

Question 52

What is the significance of genetic diversity in ecosystems?

Answer 52

Genetic diversity enhances ecosystem resilience and adaptability to changing conditions.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: The study of how traits are passed from parents to offspring is called ________.

Answer 53

inheritance

Question 54

What is the function of the gene pool?

Answer 54

The gene pool contains all the alleles for every gene in a population.

Question 55

What is the difference between a dominant and a recessive allele?

Answer 55

A dominant allele masks the effect of a recessive allele in heterozygous individuals.

Question 56

True or False: A recessive trait can be expressed in a heterozygous individual.

Answer 56

False

Question 57

What is the purpose of a Punnett square?

Answer 57

A Punnett square is used to predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from genetic crosses.

Question 58

Fill in the blank: The observable characteristics of an organism are determined by its ________.

Answer 58

genotype

Question 59

What is a trait?

Answer 59

A trait is a specific characteristic or feature of an organism.

Question 60

What is the role of chromosomes in genetic variation?

Answer 60

Chromosomes carry genes, and variations in chromosome number or structure can lead to genetic differences.

Question 61

True or False: All individuals in a species have the same number of chromosomes.

Answer 61

False

Question 62

What is a fitness landscape?

Answer 62

A fitness landscape is a representation of how different genotypes or phenotypes perform in terms of fitness.

Question 63

Fill in the blank: The term ________ refers to the genetic contribution of an individual to the next generation.

Answer 63

fitness

Question 64

What is the effect of inbreeding on genetic variation?

Answer 64

Inbreeding often reduces genetic variation and can increase the likelihood of genetic disorders.

Question 65

True or False: Gene therapy can be used to introduce new genetic material into an organism.

Answer 65

True

Question 66

What is a transgenic organism?

Answer 66

A transgenic organism is one that has been genetically modified to contain genes from another species.

Question 67

Fill in the blank: The process of selecting organisms with desirable traits for breeding is called ________ breeding.

Answer 67

selective

Question 68

What is the significance of the Galápagos Islands in the study of variation?

Answer 68

The Galápagos Islands provided key evidence for Darwin's theory of evolution due to the unique species found there.

Question 69

True or False: Artificial selection is the same as natural selection.

Answer 69

False

Question 70

What is the concept of adaptive traits?

Answer 70

Adaptive traits are characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Question 71

Fill in the blank: The ________ effect can lead to a loss of genetic variation in small populations.

Answer 71

bottleneck

Question 72

What is the main focus of evolutionary biology?

Answer 72

The main focus of evolutionary biology is to study the processes that drive the evolution of species.

Question 73

True or False: Variation is only important in evolutionary contexts.

Answer 73

False