Question 1

Which of the following best describes the principle of natural selection as proposed by Darwin and Wallace?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with heritable traits that increase survival and reproduction will leave more offspring, causing those traits to become more common in the population.

Question 2

A population of beetles has two color morphs: green and brown. If birds preferentially eat green beetles, what evolutionary process is most likely occurring?

Accepted Answer

Directional selection

Question 3

Which equation is used to calculate allele frequencies in a population under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection must be occurring

Question 5

A scientist observes that two populations of frogs can no longer interbreed due to differences in their mating calls. What type of speciation is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Sympatric speciation

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why prokaryotes are considered more diverse than eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes occupy a wider range of metabolic niches and environments.

Question 7

Which process is responsible for the transfer of genetic material between bacteria, contributing to antibiotic resistance?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 8

A population of plants is exposed to a new herbicide. After several generations, most plants are resistant. Which evolutionary mechanism best explains this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

Organisms that share a more recent common ancestor are more closely related.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of homologous structures?

Accepted Answer

The flippers of a whale and the arms of a human

Question 11

Which formula would you use to estimate the net primary productivity (NPP) in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

$$NPP = GPP - R$$

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

They break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Question 13

A population of mice has the following genotype frequencies: 0.36 AA, 0.48 Aa, and 0.16 aa. What is the frequency of the 'A' allele?

Accepted Answer

$$0.36 + (0.48/2) = 0.60$$

Question 14

Which of the following is a direct consequence of genetic drift in small populations?

Accepted Answer

Random loss of alleles

Question 15

Which of the following statements about fungi is correct?

Accepted Answer

Fungi obtain nutrients by absorption.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why tetrapods evolved limbs?

Accepted Answer

To allow movement and support on land.

Question 17

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent factor affecting population growth?

Accepted Answer

A contagious disease spreading more rapidly in crowded populations

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the process of adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

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

General Biology I (BIO204) Syllabus and Study Guide

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