Question 1

Which of the following best describes genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

A change in allele frequencies due to random events, especially in small populations.

Question 2

Which reproductive barrier is illustrated when two closely related frog species breed at different times of the year?

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation

Question 3

Which process is responsible for the transfer of genetic material between bacteria via a pilus?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 4

A population of birds is split by a mountain range, and over time, the two groups evolve into separate species. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a domain of life?

Accepted Answer

Protista

Question 6

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 7

Which of the following is a postzygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid infertility

Question 8

Which group includes organisms that are autotrophic, have chloroplasts, and are part of the Archaeplastida?

Accepted Answer

Green algae

Question 9

Which evolutionary process increases genetic variation by introducing new alleles into a population?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Question 10

A scientist observes that two species of insects have similar wing structures but are not closely related. This similarity is best explained by:

Accepted Answer

Analogous structures due to convergent evolution

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the bottleneck effect?

Accepted Answer

A sharp reduction in population size due to environmental events, leading to loss of genetic diversity.

Question 12

Which of the following is a characteristic of obligate anaerobes?

Accepted Answer

They cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.

Question 13

Which process is responsible for the uptake of naked DNA fragments by a bacterial cell from its environment?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a prezygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical isolation

Question 15

Which group of protists is characterized by the presence of a feeding groove and includes Euglenoids?

Accepted Answer

Excavata

Question 16

Which of the following is true about endosymbiosis?

Accepted Answer

It explains the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

The rapid evolution of many diverse species from a common ancestor in response to new environmental opportunities.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about phylogenetic trees?

Accepted Answer

They represent hypotheses about evolutionary relationships among taxa.

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible consequence of gene flow between two populations?

Accepted Answer

Increased genetic similarity between the populations.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct description of a plasmid?

Accepted Answer

A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that can replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA.

Core Concepts and Terms for General Biology: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Microbial Diversity

Study Guide - Practice Questions