100 Important MCQs on Evolution 12th Biology
Multiple Choice Questions on Biology Chapter: Evolution
1. Which scientist is famously known for proposing the theory of evolution by natural selection?
A) Charles Darwin
B) Gregor Mendel
C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D) Alfred Russel Wallace
Answer: A) Charles Darwin
Explanation: Charles Darwin is credited with proposing the theory of evolution by natural selection, which he outlined in his book “On the Origin of Species” published in 1859.
2. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?
A) Genetic drift
B) Mutation
C) Acquired characteristics
D) Gene flow
Answer: C) Acquired characteristics
Explanation: Acquired characteristics, as proposed by Lamarck, were later discredited as a mechanism of evolution. Evolutionary mechanisms include natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
3. Which term refers to the process by which species evolve from a common ancestor but become increasingly different over time due to different environmental pressures?
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: A) Divergent evolution
Explanation: Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time due to different environmental pressures or adaptations.
4. The evolution of the peppered moth in England, where the darker moth became more prevalent during industrialization due to camouflage advantages, is an example of:
A) Natural selection
B) Genetic drift
C) Artificial selection
D) Convergent evolution
Answer: A) Natural selection
Explanation: The peppered moth example illustrates natural selection, where the darker moth’s increased survival and reproduction rate in industrialized areas led to its prevalence due to better camouflage against pollution-darkened trees.
5. Which of the following is an example of homologous structures?
A) Bat wing and bird wing
B) Insect wing and bird wing
C) Human arm and insect leg
D) Human arm and bat wing
Answer: D) Human arm and bat wing
Explanation: Homologous structures are anatomical features shared by different species due to common ancestry, such as the similar bone structure seen in the human arm and bat wing.
6. The evolutionary principle that suggests that species change gradually over long periods of time is known as:
A) Gradualism
B) Punctuated equilibrium
C) Adaptive radiation
D) Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Answer: A) Gradualism
Explanation: Gradualism proposes that evolutionary changes occur slowly and gradually over long periods of time, as opposed to punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution occurs in bursts of rapid change followed by periods of stability.
7. The concept of “survival of the fittest” was coined by:
A) Charles Darwin
B) Alfred Russel Wallace
C) Herbert Spencer
D) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Answer: C) Herbert Spencer
Explanation: Although often associated with Charles Darwin, the term “survival of the fittest” was actually coined by Herbert Spencer, an English philosopher, in his work “Principles of Biology” published in 1864.
8. The process by which two unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures is called:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: B) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species develop similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures, such as the streamlined body shapes of sharks and dolphins for efficient swimming.
9. The wings of birds and insects are examples of:
A) Analogous structures
B) Homologous structures
C) Vestigial structures
D) Acquired structures
Answer: A) Analogous structures
Explanation: Analogous structures are similar in function and appearance but have different evolutionary origins, such as the wings of birds and insects, which evolved independently for flight.
10. Which of the following is NOT a type of natural selection?
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Disruptive selection
C) Directional selection
D) Artificial selection
Answer: D) Artificial selection
Explanation: Artificial selection involves selective breeding by humans, whereas the other options are types of natural selection that occur in natural environments.
11. The term “fitness” in evolutionary biology refers to:
A) Physical strength of an organism
B) Ability to survive and reproduce
C) Intelligence of an organism
D) Size of an organism
Answer: B) Ability to survive and reproduce
Explanation: Fitness in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment, passing on its genes to the next generation.
12. Which scientist is known for his experiments with pea plants, laying the foundation for the study of genetics and its role in evolution?
A) Charles Darwin
B) Gregor Mendel
C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D) Alfred Russel Wallace
Answer: B) Gregor Mendel
Explanation: Gregor Mendel is known as the father of modern genetics for his experiments with pea plants, which helped elucidate the principles of inheritance and laid the groundwork for understanding evolution.
13. The term “biogeography” refers to the study of:
A) Fossil record
B) Geological formations
C) Distribution of species
D) DNA sequences
Answer: C) Distribution of species
Explanation: Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time, providing insights into evolutionary processes and patterns.
14. What is the name of the phenomenon that occurs when a small population separates from a larger population and establishes a new colony with reduced genetic variation?
A) Founder effect
B) Genetic bottleneck
C) Genetic drift
D) Migration
Answer: A) Founder effect
Explanation: The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals separates from a larger population and establishes a new colony with reduced genetic variation, often leading to differences in allele frequencies compared to the original population.
15. The concept of “use and disuse” as a mechanism for evolutionary change was proposed by:
A) Charles Darwin
B) Gregor Mendel
C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D) Alfred Russel Wallace
Answer: C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Explanation: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed the idea of “use and disuse,” suggesting that organisms can acquire new traits or lose existing ones based on their use or disuse during their lifetime. However, this idea has been largely discredited in modern evolutionary biology.
16. Which of the following is an example of vestigial structure in humans?
A) Appendix
B) Heart
C) Brain
D) Lungs
Answer: A) Appendix
Explanation: The human appendix is considered a vestigial structure, as it has lost its original function over evolutionary time and is now thought to
have little or no physiological significance in humans.
17. The process of speciation occurs when:
A) Two populations interbreed freely
B) Two populations become more similar over time
C) Two populations become reproductively isolated
D) Two populations migrate to the same location
Answer: C) Two populations become reproductively isolated
Explanation: Speciation occurs when two populations of a species become reproductively isolated from each other, preventing gene flow and leading to the evolution of distinct species over time.
18. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principle describes a population that:
A) Is undergoing genetic drift
B) Is not evolving
C) Is experiencing directional selection
D) Is experiencing gene flow
Answer: B) Is not evolving
Explanation: The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principle describes a hypothetical population that is not evolving, meaning that allele frequencies remain constant from generation to generation due to the absence of evolutionary forces such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
19. What is the term for the study of the genetic composition of populations and how they change over time?
A) Population genetics
B) Molecular biology
C) Phylogenetics
D) Comparative genomics
Answer: A) Population genetics
Explanation: Population genetics is the branch of biology that studies the genetic composition of populations and how allele frequencies change over time under the influence of various evolutionary forces.
20. The process by which species evolve together in response to changes in each other is called:
A) Convergent evolution
B) Divergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: C) Coevolution
Explanation: Coevolution occurs when two or more species evolve together in response to changes in each other, often resulting in specialized adaptations that benefit both species.
21. Which of the following is an example of genetic drift?
A) A sudden environmental change leading to the extinction of a species
B) Random mating within a population
C) The bottleneck effect reducing the genetic diversity of a population
D) Natural selection favoring individuals with certain traits
Answer: C) The bottleneck effect reducing the genetic diversity of a population
Explanation: Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population due to chance events. The bottleneck effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when a population undergoes a dramatic reduction in size, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.
22. The concept of “gene flow” refers to:
A) Movement of individuals between populations, leading to the transfer of alleles
B) Random changes in allele frequencies within a population
C) Differential reproductive success of individuals with certain traits
D) Gradual accumulation of small genetic changes over time
Answer: A) Movement of individuals between populations, leading to the transfer of alleles
Explanation: Gene flow occurs when individuals move between populations, leading to the transfer of alleles from one population to another. This can increase genetic diversity and reduce genetic differences between populations.
23. A sudden environmental change leading to the survival of only a few individuals in a population is an example of:
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Disruptive selection
C) Genetic drift
D) Natural selection
Answer: C) Genetic drift
Explanation: Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population due to chance events, such as a sudden environmental change leading to the survival of only a few individuals, which can result in a loss of genetic diversity.
24. Which of the following is an example of a prezygotic reproductive barrier?
A) Incompatibility of gametes
B) Infertility of offspring
C) Hybrid inviability
D) Reduced hybrid viability
Answer: A) Incompatibility of gametes
Explanation: Prezygotic reproductive barriers prevent mating or fertilization between different species, such as incompatibility of gametes, which occurs when gametes from different species are unable to fuse and form a zygote.
25. The process by which a single species gives rise to multiple new species over a relatively short period of time is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: D) Adaptive radiation
Explanation: Adaptive radiation occurs when a single ancestral species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches, leading to a rapid diversification of traits and forms.
26. The biological species concept defines a species as a group of organisms that:
A) Share similar physical characteristics
B) Can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
C) Occupy the same geographical range
D) Have identical DNA sequences
Answer: B) Can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Explanation: According to the biological species concept, a species is defined as a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions, and are reproductively isolated from other groups.
27. Which type of selection favors individuals with intermediate phenotypes and acts against extreme phenotypes?
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Directional selection
C) Disruptive selection
D) Artificial selection
Answer: A) Stabilizing selection
Explanation: Stabilizing selection occurs when individuals with intermediate phenotypes have higher fitness compared to individuals with extreme phenotypes, leading to a reduction in phenotypic variation within a population.
28. The study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms is called:
A) Phylogenetics
B) Comparative genomics
C) Molecular biology
D) Population genetics
Answer: A) Phylogenetics
Explanation: Phylogenetics is the branch of biology that studies the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms, often depicted in phylogenetic trees.
29. The concept of “fitness landscape” in evolutionary biology refers to:
A) The distribution of species in a geographic region
B) The genetic composition of a population
C) The range of possible phenotypic combinations and their associated fitness values
D) The process of genetic drift in small populations
Answer: C) The range of possible phenotypic combinations and their associated fitness values
Explanation: Fitness landscape represents the range of possible phenotypic combinations and their associated fitness values in a population, illustrating how natural selection can shape the distribution of phenotypes over time.
30. Which type of reproductive isolation occurs after fertilization, leading to the failure of the hybrid zygote to develop or reproduce?
A) Prezygotic isolation
B) Postzygotic isolation
C) Behavioral isolation
D) Geographic isolation
Answer: B) Postzygotic isolation
Explanation: Postzygotic isolation occurs after fertilization, leading to the failure of the hybrid zygote to develop or reproduce, often due to genetic incompatibility or developmental abnormalities.
31. Which of the following is an example of allopatric speciation?
A) Two bird species with different mating calls
B) Two flower species with different colors
C) A river forming and separating a population of fish
D) Two insect species with different feeding habits
Answer: C) A river forming and separating a population of fish
Explanation: Allopatric speciation occurs when a physical barrier, such as a river or mountain range, separates a population, leading to reproductive isolation and the evolution of distinct species over time.
32. The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that:
A) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct
B) The most complex explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct
C) Evolutionary changes occur gradually over long periods of time
D) Organisms with similar phenotypes are more closely related
Answer: A) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct
Explanation: The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that the simplest explanation for a given set of data, requiring the fewest evolutionary changes, is the most likely to be correct.
33. What type of selection occurs when individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range have higher fitness than individuals with intermediate phenotypes?
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Directional selection
C) Disruptive selection
D) Sexual selection
Answer: C) Disruptive selection
Explanation: Disruptive selection occurs when individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range have higher fitness compared to individuals with intermediate phenotypes, leading to an increase in phenotypic variation within a population.
34. The process of gene duplication followed by subsequent divergence and evolution of the duplicated genes is known as:
A) Genetic drift
B) Gene flow
C) Adaptive radiation
D) Gene duplication
Answer: D) Gene duplication
Explanation: Gene duplication is the process by which a gene is duplicated, followed by subsequent divergence and evolution of the duplicated genes, contributing to genetic variation and evolutionary innovation.
35. Which of the following is an example of sympatric speciation?
A) Two bird species with different mating calls
B) Two flower species with different colors
C) A river forming and separating a population of fish
D) Two insect species with different feeding habits
Answer: A) Two bird species with different mating calls
Explanation: Sympatric speciation occurs when a new species evolves within the same geographic region as its parent species, often as a result of nonrandom mating or niche specialization, such as two bird species with different mating calls.
36. Which of the following is a postzygotic reproductive barrier?
A) Habitat isolation
B) Temporal isolation
C) Hybrid inviability
D) Behavioral isolation
Answer: C) Hybrid inviability
Explanation: Hybrid inviability is a postzygotic reproductive barrier that occurs when hybrid offspring have reduced viability or fail to develop properly, often due to genetic incompatibility between parental species.
37. The process of mass extinction events followed by rapid diversification of surviving species is known as:
A) Adaptive radiation
B) Punctuated equilibrium
C) Genetic drift
D) Convergent evolution
Answer: A) Adaptive radiation
Explanation: Adaptive radiation occurs when a single ancestral species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches, often following mass extinction events and leading to rapid diversification of surviving species.
38. The study of the genetic basis of adaptation and evolutionary change is known as:
A) Comparative genomics
B) Molecular biology
C) Population genetics
D) Evolutionary genetics
Answer: D) Evolutionary genetics
Explanation: Evolutionary genetics is the study of the genetic basis of adaptation and evolutionary change, focusing on how genetic variation within populations leads to evolutionary processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow.
39. Which of the following is an example of temporal isolation?
A) Two bird species with different mating calls
B) Two flower species with different colors
C) A river forming and separating a population of fish
D) Two insect species that mate at different times of the year
Answer: D) Two insect species that mate at different times of the year
Explanation: Temporal isolation occurs when two species mate or flower at different times, preventing them from interbreeding, such as two insect species that mate at different times of the year.
40. The process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: B) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures, such as the streamlined body shapes of sharks and dolphins for efficient swimming.
41. What is the name of the principle that states that allele frequencies in a population will remain constant unless one or more factors cause those frequencies to change?
A) Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
B) Punctuated equilibrium
C) Genetic equilibrium
D) Evolutionary equilibrium
Answer: A) Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Explanation: The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principle states that allele frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation unless one or more factors such as mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, nonrandom mating, or natural selection cause those frequencies to change.
42. The concept of “common descent” in evolutionary biology refers to:
A) The idea that species share a common ancestor
B) The process by which new species arise
C) The evolution of similar traits in unrelated species
D) The distribution of species in a geographic region
Answer: A) The idea that species share a common ancestor
Explanation: Common descent is the concept in evolutionary biology that suggests all living organisms share a common ancestor, forming a single tree of life that represents the evolutionary relationships among species.
43. Which of the following is an example of behavioral isolation?
A) Two bird species with different mating calls
B) Two flower species with different colors
C) A river forming and separating a population of fish
D) Two insect species that mate at different times of the year
Answer: A) Two bird species with different mating calls
Explanation: Behavioral isolation occurs when two species have different mating behaviors or rituals that prevent them from interbreeding, such as two bird species with different mating calls.
44. Which type of selection favors individuals with traits at one extreme of the phenotypic range?
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Directional selection
C) Disruptive selection
D) Sexual selection
Answer: B) Directional selection
Explanation: Directional selection occurs when individuals with traits at one extreme of the phenotypic range have higher fitness compared to individuals with other traits, leading to a shift in the frequency of the trait over time.
45. The principle that states that certain evolutionary changes can occur rapidly in small populations followed by long periods of stasis is known as:
A) Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
B) Punctuated equilibrium
C) Genetic equilibrium
D) Evolutionary equilibrium
Answer: B) Punctuated equilibrium
Explanation: Punctuated equilibrium is a theory in evolutionary biology that
suggests evolutionary changes can occur rapidly in small populations followed by long periods of stasis, where little or no change occurs.
46. The process by which organisms develop similar traits independently as a result of adapting to similar environments is known as:
A) Convergent evolution
B) Divergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: A) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated organisms develop similar traits independently as a result of adapting to similar environments or ecological niches, such as the streamlined body shapes of sharks and dolphins for efficient swimming.
47. Which of the following is an example of allopatric speciation?
A) Two bird species with different mating calls
B) Two flower species with different colors
C) A river forming and separating a population of fish
D) Two insect species with different feeding habits
Answer: C) A river forming and separating a population of fish
Explanation: Allopatric speciation occurs when a physical barrier, such as a river or mountain range, separates a population, leading to reproductive isolation and the evolution of distinct species over time.
48. The process by which a new species arises within the same geographic region as its parent species is known as:
A) Allopatric speciation
B) Sympatric speciation
C) Parapatric speciation
D) Peripatric speciation
Answer: B) Sympatric speciation
Explanation: Sympatric speciation occurs when a new species arises within the same geographic region as its parent species, often as a result of nonrandom mating or niche specialization.
49. Which of the following is a prezygotic reproductive barrier?
A) Hybrid inviability
B) Reduced hybrid viability
C) Habitat isolation
D) Hybrid breakdown
Answer: C) Habitat isolation
Explanation: Prezygotic reproductive barriers prevent mating or fertilization between different species, such as habitat isolation, which occurs when species occupy different habitats within the same area and rarely encounter each other.
50. The process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: B) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures, such as the streamlined body shapes of sharks and dolphins for efficient swimming.
51. The principle of “survival of the fittest” is associated with:
A) Charles Darwin
B) Gregor Mendel
C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D) Alfred Russel Wallace
Answer: A) Charles Darwin
Explanation: The term “survival of the fittest” is often associated with Charles Darwin, who used it to describe the process of natural selection in evolutionary theory.
52. Which of the following statements about mutations is true?
A) Mutations are always harmful to organisms.
B) Mutations always result in visible changes in phenotype.
C) Mutations are the ultimate source of genetic variation.
D) Mutations occur only in response to environmental changes.
Answer: C) Mutations are the ultimate source of genetic variation.
Explanation: Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence of an organism and are the ultimate source of genetic variation, providing raw material for evolution by natural selection and other evolutionary mechanisms.
53. The concept of “survival of the fittest” is associated with:
A) Charles Darwin
B) Gregor Mendel
C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D) Alfred Russel Wallace
Answer: A) Charles Darwin
Explanation: The term “survival of the fittest” is often associated with Charles Darwin, who used it to describe the process of natural selection in evolutionary theory.
54. Which of the following is an example of an adaptation?
A) A bird’s ability to fly
B) A plant’s ability to photosynthesize
C) A mammal’s ability to produce milk
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Adaptations are traits or characteristics that increase an organism’s fitness and survival in its environment. Flying in birds, photosynthesis in plants, and milk production in mammals are all examples of adaptations.
55. Which of the following is NOT a type of selection?
A) Stabilizing selection
B) Directional selection
C) Disruptive selection
D) Genetic selection
Answer: D) Genetic selection
Explanation: “Genetic selection” is not a recognized type of selection. The correct term is “natural selection,” which includes stabilizing, directional, and disruptive selection as its different forms.
56. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?
A) Natural selection
B) Mutation
C) Immigration
D) Genetic drift
Answer: C) Immigration
Explanation: Immigration, the movement of individuals into a population, is not a mechanism of evolution. The mechanisms of evolution include natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow.
57. The genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as its:
A) Phenotype
B) Genotype
C) Allele
D) Trait
Answer: B) Genotype
Explanation: The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, consisting of the combination of alleles inherited from its parents.
58. Which of the following is an example of divergent evolution?
A) Homologous structures in different species
B) Analogous structures in different species
C) Convergent evolution in unrelated species
D) Adaptive radiation in a single species
Answer: A) Homologous structures in different species
Explanation: Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time due to different environmental pressures or adaptations, leading to the development of homologous structures.
59. Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure in humans?
A) Eyes
B) Lungs
C) Appendix
D) Heart
Answer: C) Appendix
Explanation: The human appendix is considered a vestigial structure, as it has lost its original function over evolutionary time and is now thought to have little or no physiological significance in humans.
60. The term “fitness” in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s:
A) Strength and agility
B) Ability to survive and reproduce
C) Speed and endurance
D) Size and physical appearance
Answer: B) Ability to survive and reproduce
Explanation: Fitness in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment, passing on its genes to the next generation.
61. Which of the following is a form of prezygotic reproductive barrier?
A) Hybrid infertility
B) Reduced hybrid viability
C) Temporal isolation
D) Hybrid breakdown
Answer: C) Temporal isolation
Explanation: Prezygotic reproductive barriers prevent mating or fertilization between different species, such as
temporal isolation, which occurs when species mate or flower at different times, preventing them from interbreeding.
62. The process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: B) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures, such as the streamlined body shapes of sharks and dolphins for efficient swimming.
63. Which of the following statements about natural selection is true?
A) It leads to random changes in allele frequencies.
B) It always results in the extinction of less fit individuals.
C) It acts on phenotypes but not genotypes.
D) It leads to the adaptation of populations to their environment.
Answer: D) It leads to the adaptation of populations to their environment.
Explanation: Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully, leading to the adaptation of populations to their environment over time.
64. The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that:
A) The most complex explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
B) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
C) Evolutionary changes occur gradually over long periods of time.
D) Organisms with similar phenotypes are more closely related.
Answer: B) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
Explanation: The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that the simplest explanation for a given set of data, requiring the fewest evolutionary changes, is the most likely to be correct.
65. Which of the following is an example of sexual selection?
A) Brightly colored feathers in male birds for attracting mates
B) Camouflage in prey species to avoid predation
C) Thick fur in cold climates for insulation
D) Long necks in giraffes for reaching high leaves
Answer: A) Brightly colored feathers in male birds for attracting mates
Explanation: Sexual selection is a type of natural selection that acts on traits related to mating success, such as the bright feathers of male birds used to attract mates.
66. The process by which a single species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: D) Adaptive radiation
Explanation: Adaptive radiation occurs when a single ancestral species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches, leading to a rapid diversification of traits and forms.
67. Which of the following is an example of directional selection?
A) Birds with average-sized beaks having higher fitness than those with small or large beaks.
B) Birds with small and large beaks having higher fitness than those with average-sized beaks.
C) Birds with small beaks having higher fitness than those with large beaks.
D) Birds with large beaks having higher fitness than those with small beaks.
Answer: D) Birds with large beaks having higher fitness than those with small beaks.
Explanation: Directional selection occurs when individuals with an extreme phenotype have higher fitness than those with an intermediate phenotype, causing the allele frequency to shift in one direction over time.
68. The concept of “common descent” in evolutionary biology refers to:
A) The idea that species share a common ancestor.
B) The process by which new species arise.
C) The evolution of similar traits in unrelated species.
D) The distribution of species in a geographic region.
Answer: A) The idea that species share a common ancestor.
Explanation: Common descent is the concept in evolutionary biology that suggests all living organisms share a common ancestor, forming a single tree of life that represents the evolutionary relationships among species.
69. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?
A) Natural selection
B) Mutation
C) Immigration
D) Genetic drift
Answer: C) Immigration
Explanation: Immigration, the movement of individuals into a population, is not a mechanism of evolution. The mechanisms of evolution include natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow.
70. The genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as its:
A) Phenotype
B) Genotype
C) Allele
D) Trait
Answer: B) Genotype
Explanation: The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, consisting of the combination of alleles inherited from its parents.
71. Which of the following is an example of divergent evolution?
A) Homologous structures in different species
B) Analogous structures in different species
C) Convergent evolution in unrelated species
D) Adaptive radiation in a single species
Answer: A) Homologous structures in different species
Explanation: Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time due to different environmental pressures or adaptations, leading to the development of homologous structures.
72. Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure in humans?
A) Eyes
B) Lungs
C) Appendix
D) Heart
Answer: C) Appendix
Explanation: The human appendix is considered a vestigial structure, as it has lost its original function over evolutionary time and is now thought to have little or no physiological significance in humans.
73. The term “fitness” in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s:
A) Strength and agility
B) Ability to survive and reproduce
C) Speed and endurance
D) Size and physical appearance
Answer: B) Ability to survive and reproduce
Explanation: Fitness in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment, passing on its genes to the next generation.
74. Which of the following is a form of prezygotic reproductive barrier?
A) Hybrid inviability
B) Reduced hybrid viability
C) Temporal isolation
D) Hybrid breakdown
Answer: C) Temporal isolation
Explanation: Prezygotic reproductive barriers prevent mating or fertilization between different species, such as temporal isolation, which occurs when species mate or flower at different times, preventing them from interbreeding.
75. The process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: B) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures, such as the streamlined body shapes of sharks and dolphins for efficient swimming.
76. Which of the following statements about natural selection is true?
A) It leads to random changes in allele frequencies.
B) It always results in the extinction of less fit individuals.
C) It acts on phenotypes but not genotypes.
D) It leads
to the adaptation of populations to their environment.
Answer: D) It leads to the adaptation of populations to their environment.
Explanation: Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully, leading to the adaptation of populations to their environment over time.
77. The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that:
A) The most complex explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
B) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
C) Evolutionary changes occur gradually over long periods of time.
D) Organisms with similar phenotypes are more closely related.
Answer: B) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
Explanation: The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that the simplest explanation for a given set of data, requiring the fewest evolutionary changes, is the most likely to be correct.
78. Which of the following is an example of sexual selection?
A) Brightly colored feathers in male birds for attracting mates
B) Camouflage in prey species to avoid predation
C) Thick fur in cold climates for insulation
D) Long necks in giraffes for reaching high leaves
Answer: A) Brightly colored feathers in male birds for attracting mates
Explanation: Sexual selection is a type of natural selection that acts on traits related to mating success, such as the bright feathers of male birds used to attract mates.
79. The process by which a single species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: D) Adaptive radiation
Explanation: Adaptive radiation occurs when a single ancestral species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches, leading to a rapid diversification of traits and forms.
80. Which of the following is an example of directional selection?
A) Birds with average-sized beaks having higher fitness than those with small or large beaks.
B) Birds with small and large beaks having higher fitness than those with average-sized beaks.
C) Birds with small beaks having higher fitness than those with large beaks.
D) Birds with large beaks having higher fitness than those with small beaks.
Answer: D) Birds with large beaks having higher fitness than those with small beaks.
Explanation: Directional selection occurs when individuals with an extreme phenotype have higher fitness than those with an intermediate phenotype, causing the allele frequency to shift in one direction over time.
81. The concept of “common descent” in evolutionary biology refers to:
A) The idea that species share a common ancestor.
B) The process by which new species arise.
C) The evolution of similar traits in unrelated species.
D) The distribution of species in a geographic region.
Answer: A) The idea that species share a common ancestor.
Explanation: Common descent is the concept in evolutionary biology that suggests all living organisms share a common ancestor, forming a single tree of life that represents the evolutionary relationships among species.
82. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?
A) Natural selection
B) Mutation
C) Immigration
D) Genetic drift
Answer: C) Immigration
Explanation: Immigration, the movement of individuals into a population, is not a mechanism of evolution. The mechanisms of evolution include natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow.
83. The genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as its:
A) Phenotype
B) Genotype
C) Allele
D) Trait
Answer: B) Genotype
Explanation: The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, consisting of the combination of alleles inherited from its parents.
84. Which of the following is an example of divergent evolution?
A) Homologous structures in different species
B) Analogous structures in different species
C) Convergent evolution in unrelated species
D) Adaptive radiation in a single species
Answer: A) Homologous structures in different species
Explanation: Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time due to different environmental pressures or adaptations, leading to the development of homologous structures.
85. Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure in humans?
A) Eyes
B) Lungs
C) Appendix
D) Heart
Answer: C) Appendix
Explanation: The human appendix is considered a vestigial structure, as it has lost its original function over evolutionary time and is now thought to have little or no physiological significance in humans.
86. The term “fitness” in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s:
A) Strength and agility
B) Ability to survive and reproduce
C) Speed and endurance
D) Size and physical appearance
Answer: B) Ability to survive and reproduce
Explanation: Fitness in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment, passing on its genes to the next generation.
87. Which of the following is a form of prezygotic reproductive barrier?
A) Hybrid inviability
B) Reduced hybrid viability
C) Temporal isolation
D) Hybrid breakdown
Answer: C) Temporal isolation
Explanation: Prezygotic reproductive barriers prevent mating or fertilization between different species, such as temporal isolation, which occurs when species mate or flower at different times, preventing them from interbreeding.
88. The process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: B) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures, such as the streamlined body shapes of sharks and dolphins for efficient swimming.
89. Which of the following statements about natural selection is true?
A) It leads to random changes in allele frequencies.
B) It always results in the extinction of less fit individuals.
C) It acts on phenotypes but not genotypes.
D) It leads to the adaptation of populations to their environment.
Answer: D) It leads to the adaptation of populations to their environment.
Explanation: Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully, leading to the adaptation of populations to their environment over time.
90. The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that:
A) The most complex explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
B) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
C) Evolutionary changes occur gradually over long periods of time.
D) Organisms with similar phenotypes are more closely related.
Answer: B) The simplest explanation for a given set of data is the most likely to be correct.
Explanation: The principle of parsimony in phylogenetics states that the simplest explanation for a given set of data, requiring the fewest evolutionary changes, is the most likely to be correct.
91. Which of the following is an example of sexual selection?
A) Brightly colored feathers in male birds for attracting mates
B) Camouflage in prey species to avoid predation
C) Thick fur in cold climates for insulation
D) Long necks in giraffes for reaching high leaves
Answer: A) Brightly colored feathers in male birds for attracting mates
Explanation: Sexual selection is a type of natural selection that acts on traits related to mating success, such as the bright feathers of male birds used to attract mates.
92. The process by which a single species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Answer: D) Adaptive radiation
Explanation: Adaptive radiation occurs when a single ancestral species gives rise to multiple new species that adapt to different ecological niches, leading to a rapid diversification of traits and forms.
93. Which of the following is an example of directional selection?
A) Birds with average-sized beaks having higher fitness than those with small or large beaks.
B) Birds with small and large beaks having higher fitness than those with average-sized beaks.
C) Birds with small beaks having higher fitness than those with large beaks.
D) Birds with large beaks having higher fitness than those with small beaks.
Answer: D) Birds with large beaks having higher fitness than those with small beaks.
Explanation: Directional selection occurs when individuals with an extreme phenotype have higher fitness than those with an intermediate phenotype, causing the allele frequency to shift in one direction over time.
94. The concept of “common descent” in evolutionary biology refers to:
A) The idea that species share a common ancestor.
B) The process by which new species arise.
C) The evolution of similar traits in unrelated species.
D) The distribution of species in a geographic region.
Answer: A) The idea that species share a common ancestor.
Explanation: Common descent is the concept in evolutionary biology that suggests all living organisms share a common ancestor, forming a single tree of life that represents the evolutionary relationships among species.
95. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?
A) Natural selection
B) Mutation
C) Immigration
D) Genetic drift
Answer: C) Immigration
Explanation: Immigration, the movement of individuals into a population, is not a mechanism of evolution. The mechanisms of evolution include natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow.
96. The genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as its:
A) Phenotype
B) Genotype
C) Allele
D) Trait
Answer: B) Genotype
Explanation: The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, consisting of the combination of alleles inherited from its parents.
97. Which of the following is an example of divergent evolution?
A) Homologous structures in different species
B) Analogous structures in different species
C) Convergent evolution in unrelated species
D) Adaptive radiation in a single species
Answer: A) Homologous structures in different species
Explanation: Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time due to different environmental pressures or adaptations, leading to the development of homologous structures.
98. Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure in humans?
A) Eyes
B) Lungs
C) Appendix
D) Heart
Answer: C) Appendix
Explanation: The human appendix is considered a vestigial structure, as it has lost its original function over evolutionary time and is now thought to have little or no physiological significance in humans.
99. The term “fitness” in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s:
A) Strength and agility
B) Ability to survive and reproduce
C) Speed and endurance
D) Size and physical appearance
Answer: B) Ability to survive and reproduce
Explanation: Fitness in evolutionary biology refers to an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment, passing on its genes to the next generation.
100. Which of the following is a form of prezygotic reproductive barrier?
A) Hybrid inviability
B) Reduced hybrid viability
C) Temporal isolation
D) Hybrid breakdown
Answer: C) Temporal isolation
Explanation: Prezygotic reproductive barriers prevent mating or fertilization between different species, such as temporal isolation, which occurs when species mate or flower at different times, preventing them from interbreeding.
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