Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'typological thinking' in the context of evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

It is the idea that all members of a species are identical and unchanging.

Question 2

A population of beetles has two alleles for shell color: green (G) and brown (B). If the frequency of G is 0.7 and B is 0.3, what is the expected frequency of heterozygotes under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

0.42

Question 3

Which of the following mechanisms of evolution is most likely responsible for a sudden increase in the frequency of a rare allele in a small population after a natural disaster?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 4

Which statement best explains why correlation does not imply causation in scientific studies?

Accepted Answer

Two variables may change together due to a third, unmeasured factor.

Question 5

During meiosis, which process is responsible for the independent assortment of alleles?

Accepted Answer

Random orientation of homologous chromosomes during metaphase I

Question 6

Which equation represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a gene with two alleles, A and a?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

A scientist observes that a population of finches has developed larger beaks over several generations due to a change in available food sources. Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely responsible for this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Accepting hypotheses without testing

Question 9

In a population, the frequency of allele A is 0.4 and allele a is 0.6. If the population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the expected frequency of homozygous recessive individuals?

Accepted Answer

$$q^2$$ = $$(0.6)^2 = 0.36$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Selection based on traits that increase an individual's chances of attracting mates

Question 11

Which process can introduce new alleles into a population, increasing genetic variation?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Question 12

A population of rabbits is isolated from other populations. Over time, the allele frequencies change due to random events. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 13

Which of the following is a real-world example of gene flow?

Accepted Answer

Pollen from one population of flowers fertilizing another population

Question 14

Which statement about the central dogma of molecular biology is correct?

Accepted Answer

It describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Question 15

Which of the following is a key difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis results in four genetically unique cells, while mitosis produces two identical cells.

Question 16

Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely to maintain genetic variation in a population?

Accepted Answer

Balancing selection

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why the Hardy-Weinberg principle is considered a null model in population genetics?

Accepted Answer

It predicts allele and genotype frequencies in the absence of evolutionary forces.

Question 18

A population of fish is exposed to a pollutant that kills individuals with a certain genotype. Over time, the frequency of that genotype decreases. Which evolutionary mechanism is at work?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of non-random mating?

Accepted Answer

Peacocks with larger tails are more likely to mate

Question 20

Which scientist independently developed the theory of natural selection alongside Charles Darwin?

Accepted Answer

Alfred Russel Wallace

General Biology: Study Guide on Evolution, Genetics, and Scientific Process

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards