Question 1

Which of the following situations best exemplifies the type of scenario described in the 'Red Queen Hypothesis'?

Accepted Answer

The Red Queen Hypothesis suggests that species must constantly evolve in order to keep up with their changing biotic environment. This is exemplified by sexual reproduction, which allows for genetic variation and adaptation to new threats, therefore keeping a species from going extinct.

Question 2

In what way is malaria an 'anthropogenic' disease?

Accepted Answer

Malaria is an anthropogenic disease because the abundance of mosquitoes that carry the disease is facilitated by human interaction with the environment. Deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have all contributed to the increase in mosquito habitats, leading to more cases of malaria.

Question 3

Why did the moths of industrial England change colors?

Accepted Answer

Industrial soot covered the habitat of these moths, making light winged moths more easily visible to predators than darker ones. As a result, darker moths had a higher survival rate and their population increased, leading to a shift in the moth population towards darker colors.

Question 4

Lactose tolerance:

Accepted Answer

Lactose tolerance evolved along with the ability to herd dairy animals. This is because the consumption of milk and other dairy products provided a significant nutritional advantage, particularly in regions where plant-based foods were not easily accessible. As a result, over time, those populations that could digest lactose (the primary sugar found in milk) into adulthood had a selective advantage and were more likely to survive and pass on their genetic traits to future generations.

Question 5

Lactose TOLERANCE is the exception, not the norm. This is because:

Accepted Answer

Lactose tolerance only holds a selective advantage for populations with dairy herds. This is because having the ability to digest milk as an adult allows for a reliable source of nutrients from dairy products, providing a survival advantage in populations that rely on dairy herds as a food source.

Question 6

The term for the relationship between an allele that itself is harmful but ﻿can be kept in a population's gene pool because the hazard it entails is offset by protection it provides an organism from another problem is﻿﻿:﻿

Accepted Answer

This question is referring to the concept of balanced polymorphism, which occurs when a harmful allele is maintained in a population because it provides a selective advantage under certain conditions. The classic example of this is the sickle cell allele, which causes sickle cell anemia when homozygous but provides protection against malaria when heterozygous. Therefore, the answer is B) balanced polymorphism. The other answer choices are not accurate descriptions of this concept.

Question 7

Which of the following situations provides the best example of 'balanced polymorphism'?

Accepted Answer

Balanced polymorphism refers to the maintenance of two or more alleles in a population, with natural selection favoring the heterozygous condition. This occurs when the heterozygous condition confers a selective advantage over the homozygous condition for both alleles. In the case of sickle cell anemia, the heterozygous condition (having one sickle cell allele and one normal allele) confers protection against malaria, while the homozygous condition (having two sickle cell alleles) results in the deadly sickle cell anemia disease. The high rate of selection for the heterozygous condition keeps both alleles in balance in the population.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the relation between sickle cell anemia and malaria?

Accepted Answer

People who only have one allele for sickle cell anemia (called sickle cell trait) are less likely to contract severe forms of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. This is because the defective hemoglobin produced in sickle cell trait carriers makes it harder for the malaria parasite to survive and reproduce within red blood cells. Therefore, sickle cell trait carriers have a survival advantage in regions where malaria is endemic. However, having two alleles for sickle cell anemia (homozygosity) can lead to severe health complications and reduce  lifespan.

Question 9

Hemoglobin is:

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it throughout the body. It is essential for oxygen transport and plays a critical role in maintaining proper health and function.

Question 10

An individual who is heterozygous in regard to hemoglobin type 's' (which can lead to sickle shaped blood cells) and type 'a' (which supports a round shape) will probably:

Accepted Answer

Individuals who are heterozygous for the hemoglobin S and A alleles have sickle cell trait, which provides some protection against malaria while still maintaining healthy blood cells. They are also healthy enough to reproduce. This trait is found in populations with a history of malaria, such as parts of Africa, the Middle East, and India, not necessarily Alaska or the northernmost part of the Americas. Sickle cell anemia is only present in individuals who inherit two copies of the hemoglobin S allele.

Quiz 2: Genetic Adaptation

Which of the following situations best exemplifies the type of scenario described in the 'Red Queen Hypothesis'?

In what way is malaria an 'anthropogenic' disease?

Why did the moths of industrial England change colors?

Lactose tolerance:

Lactose TOLERANCE is the exception, not the norm. This is because:

The term for the relationship between an allele that itself is harmful but can be kept in a population's gene pool because the hazard it entails is offset by protection it provides an organism from another problem is:

Which of the following situations provides the best example of 'balanced polymorphism'?

Which of the following best describes the relation between sickle cell anemia and malaria?

Hemoglobin is:

An individual who is heterozygous in regard to hemoglobin type 's' (which can lead to sickle shaped blood cells) and type 'a' (which supports a round shape) will probably:

Quiz 2: Genetic Adaptation

Which of the following situations best exemplifies the type of scenario described in the 'Red Queen Hypothesis'?

In what way is malaria an 'anthropogenic' disease?

Why did the moths of industrial England change colors?

Lactose tolerance:

Lactose TOLERANCE is the exception, not the norm. This is because:

The term for the relationship between an allele that itself is harmful but ﻿can be kept in a population's gene pool because the hazard it entails is offset by protection it provides an organism from another problem is﻿﻿:﻿

Which of the following situations provides the best example of 'balanced polymorphism'?

Which of the following best describes the relation between sickle cell anemia and malaria?

Hemoglobin is:

An individual who is heterozygous in regard to hemoglobin type 's' (which can lead to sickle shaped blood cells) and type 'a' (which supports a round shape) will probably:

The term for the relationship between an allele that itself is harmful but can be kept in a population's gene pool because the hazard it entails is offset by protection it provides an organism from another problem is: