Deck 4: Genetics and Evolution

Question 1

The observable appearance of a pea plant is called its

A) stereotype.
B) phenotype.
C) prototype.
D) genotype.

Answer 1

phenotype.

Question 2

The third principle of natural selection is ____________.

A) biodiversity and heritability
B) natural selection
C) particular environment
D) differential reproductive success

Answer 2

differential reproductive success

Question 3

Messenger RNA is a type of ____________.

A) DNA
B) thymine
C) uracil
D) RNA

Answer 3

DNA

Question 4

______________ is the exchange of sections of chromosomes between one chromosome and another.

A) Segregation
B) Speciation
C) Mutation
D) Crossing-over

Question 5

Natural selection proceeds ___________________.

A) never
B) only when individuals within a population vary
C) when Darwin says it does
D) always very rapidly

Question 6

If the two genes, or alleles, for a trait are the same, the organism is

A) homozygous.
B) heterozygous.
C) an allele.
D) a genotype.

Question 7

The genes of higher organisms are located on ropelike bodies called ____________.

A) genes
B) chromosomes
C) RNA
D) DNA

Question 8

Mendel's units of heredity were what we now call ____________.

A) genes
B) meiosis
C) DNA
D) mitosis

Question 9

If we think of the history of the universe in terms of 12 months, the history of human-like primates would have taken up _____________.

A) only about one half hour
B) only about three and a half hours
C) only about two and a half hours
D) only about one and a half hours

Question 10

Which is NOT a type of natural selection?

A) normalizing selection
B) directional selection
C) balancing selection
D) selective selection

Question 11

The main process that increases the frequency of adaptive traits through time is called

A) catastrophism.
B) natural selection.
C) creationism.
D) mutual adjustment.

Question 12

Each member of a gene pair or group is called _____________.

A) a gene
B) homozygous
C) heterozygous
D) an allele

Question 13

______________ is a population that consists of organisms able to interbreed and produce fertile and viable offspring.

A) Species
B) Gene
C) DNA
D) RNA

Question 14

______________ is a change in the DNA sequence that can produce an altered gene.

A) RNA
B) Species
C) Segregation
D) Mutation

Question 15

The genetic makeup of a pea plant is called its

A) genotype.
B) stereotype.
C) phenotype.
D) prototype.

Question 16

______________ is the development of a new species.

A) Mutation
B) Segregation
C) Crossing-over
D) Speciation

Question 17

In 1859, Charles Darwin published ____________.

A) The Origin of Species
B) The Descent of Man
C) The Voyage of the Beagle
D) Fauna of the Galapagos Island

Question 18

_____________ involve the application of evolutionary principles to the behavior of animals.

A) Sociobiology and behavioral ecology
B) Biology and chemistry
C) Anatomy and physiology
D) Zoology and botany

Question 19

Gregor Mendel was a pioneer in the field of ____________.

A) speciation
B) rocket science
C) chemistry
D) genetics

Question 20

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution suggests that _____________.

A) different species develop one from another
B) inheritance plays no role in evolution
C) acquired characteristics are predominant in evolution
D) evolution is a myth

Question 21

Briefly summarize speciation as it relates to Darwinian evolution.

Question 22

A major problem of the sociobiological approach for anthropology is

A) that sociobiologists have been proven wrong.
B) that sociobiology is more a natural science than a social science.
C) the emphasis is on genes, rather than experience and learning as a determinant of human behavior.
D) it encompasses social customs.

Question 23

What is messenger RNA? How does it differ from DNA in the role it performs?

Question 24

Natural selection can only occur when individuals within a population vary because

A) variations are shuffled through populations and the larger the population the more possible variations.
B) a small isolated population reduces the variation.
C) genetic change requires a large amount of genetic input.
D) all the above.

Question 25

Creationists are convinced their ideas about macroevolution are correct because

A) they have scientific proof of their ideas.
B) God created all living things and that evolution cannot create new kinds of living things.
C) they are among the original thinkers.
D) they look at nature as only being useful for a Darwinian thinker.

Question 26

Why do many people see a conflict between religion and evolution? Do you see that same conflict?

Question 27

What are the major sources of variability? How does each operate to produce modification in a population?

Question 28

What is genetic engineering? Why do some people fear the consequences of genetic engineering?

Question 29

Many researchers feel natural selection can operate on behavioral characteristics as well as physical traits. This concept is known as

A) sociobiology.
B) behavioral ecology.
C) evolutionary psychology.
D) all of the above.

Question 30

In the 1930s and 1940s, scientists developed a synthetic theory of evolution. What are its major characteristics and how did this approach improve on earlier ones?

Question 31

Charles Darwin was not the first person to discuss evolutionary processes, but he is famous because

A) he was the first to provide a comprehensive, well documented explanation of natural selection.
B) he studied apes extensively.
C) he studied genetics.
D) he was able to see that environment played no role in evolution.

Question 32

Darwin knew variations were transmitted through heredity, but he did not understand the mode of inheritance because

A) he didn't understand generational change over time.
B) he confined himself to laboratory work.
C) he was never really concerned with inheritance.
D) Mendal's genetic experiments weren't know to him.

Question 33

The founder effect is interesting to study because

A) in small isolated populations, the presence or absence of certain genes becomes prevalent.
B) it happens a lot, especially in large populations.
C) it gives us a great deal of information about certain populations.
D) a and c are both correct.

Question 34

When gene flow occurs, it's effect is the opposite of genetic drift, because

A) it requires smaller populations to work.
B) it is very difficult to measure.
C) it decreases the genetic differences between populations.
D) it rarely happens in 21st Century cultures.

Question 35

Discuss the basic principles of natural selection.

Question 36

Paleontologists disagree about the pace of speciation because

A) both gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are possible.
B) they really are not sure how fast speciation occurred millions of years ago.
C) there are good examples of both.
D) all of the above.

Question 37

What is sociobiology? How does it explain the evolution of behavioral traits?

Question 38

Genetic mutations are not always bad because

A) DNA codes require that planned mutations occur.
B) they actually happen a lot, and often have minimal effect.
C) they hardly ever happen.
D) actually, all mutations are bad.

Question 39

In what circumstances can natural selection be observed? What do these observations tell us about evolution?

Question 40

If two genes, or alleles, for a trait are the same, the organism is ________ for the trait.

A) heterozygous
B) homozygous
C) monozygous
D) bizygous

Question 41

Why is the sociobiological approach so controversial?