Multiple Choice Questions

variation in alleles of genes, occurs both within and among populations; it provides the genetic material for natural selection; brought about by mutation and/or genetic recombination
  • genetic drift
  • natural selection
  • mutation
  • genetic variation
the best scientific explanation for both the unity and diversity of life; proposed by Charles Darwin
  • Variations
  • Endosymbiotic Theory
  • Theory of Evolution
  • Survival of the Fittest
structures that have different mature forms in different organisms but develop from the same embryonic tissues
  • analogous structures
  • homologous structures
  • convergent evolution
  • biogeography
is the transfer of alleles or genes from one population to another
  • genetic drift
  • mutation
  • gene flow
  • natural selection
process by which unrelated organisms independently evolve similarities when adapting to similar environments
  • natural selection
  • convergent evolution
  • homologous structures
  • homology
is a trait or an organ that appears similar in two unrelated organisms
  • analogous structures
  • homologous structures
  • convergent evolution
  • vestigial structure
similar structure among different species from a common ancestor
  • convergent evolution
  • homology
  • natural selection
  • genetic drift
the process of change in the genetic composition of a population due to chance or random events rather than by natural selection, resulting in changes in allele frequencies over time
  • gene flow
  • natural selection
  • mutation
  • genetic drift
the condition of the constant state of being of organism on earth
  • punctuated equilibrium
  • stasis
  • evolution
  • genetic variation
is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes that results in recombinant chromosomes
  • crossing over (gene shuffling)
  • common ancestry (common ancestor)
  • punctuated equilibrium
  • convergent evolution
the differences within a species
  • variations
  • species
  • theory of evolution
  • survival of the fittest
hypothesis proposed in the 1920's separately by scientists Oparin & Haldane about how the first simple organic molecules (amino acids) were formed; inorganic elements such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane, and water + a primative Earth environment without oxygen + a primer such as heat or lightening to trigger the reaction = first organic molecules called amino acids (the building blocks of proteins)
  • "Primordial Soup" Hypothesis
  • vestigial structure
  • theory Of Evolution
  • endosymbiotic theory
similarities in the development of embryos between different species that share a common ancestor
  • molecular homology
  • adaptation
  • convergent evolution
  • developmental homology
similar DNA (amino acid sequences) among different species from a common ancestor
  • developmental homology
  • molecular homology
  • anatomical homology
  • convergent evolution
is the set of all genes, or genetic information, in any population, usually of a particular species.
  • gene flow
  • mutation
  • gene pool
  • genetic drift
formation of new species
  • speciation
  • natural selection
  • genetic drift
  • mutation
characteristics passed on via genetic material vs. characteristics that are NOT passed on genetically
  • charles darwin
  • homologous structures
  • inherited vs. acquired traits
  • adaptation
a form of natural selection in which a single curve splits into two; occurs when individuals at the upper and lower ends of a distribution curve have higher fitness than individuals near the middle
  • stabilizing selection
  • directional selection
  • genetic drift
  • disruptive selection
an RNA segment that has the ability to self-replicate and synthesize proteins without additional enzymes
  • catalytic RNA
  • natural Resistance
  • genetic Recombination
  • adaptation
how different things are vs. how similar things are
  • charles darwin
  • law of superposition
  • differences vs. similarities
  • diversity vs. unity
number of times an allele occurs in a gene pool compared with the number of times other alleles occur
  • decent with modification
  • disruptive selection
  • directional selection
  • relative allele frequency
a group of organisms share common descent if they have a common ancestor thus all living organisms on Earth are descended from a common ancestor.
  • common ancestry (common ancestor)
  • homologous structures
  • species
  • natural selection
process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called natural selection
  • natural selection
  • survival of the fittest
  • adaptation
  • evolution
process by which a single species or small group of species evolves into several different forms that live in different ways; rapid growth in the diversity of a group of organisms
  • adaptive radiation (divergent evolution)
  • convergent evolution
  • natural selection
  • disruptive selection
substances containing carbon found in living things; the four main classes are carbohydrates, proteins (chain of amino acids), lipids, and nucleic acids
  • organic molecule
  • holoenzyme
  • genetic variation
  • natural selection
the evolution of two or more interdependent species, each adapting to changes in the other (Ex: between insects and the flowers that they pollinate)
  • speciation
  • genetic drift
  • natural selection
  • coevolution
situation in which allele frequencies remain constant
  • genetic equilibrium
  • natural selection
  • evolution
  • genetic drift
the geological record of organisms on earth that have been preserved in the rock in a chronological order (oldest on bottom layers and youngest on top layers)
  • convergent evolution
  • fossil record
  • homology
  • biogeography
the differences between two or more species (1.7 million species on Earth discovered and named so far)
  • diversity
  • variations
  • diversity among species
  • decent with modification
disappearance of a species from all parts of its geographical range
  • natural selection
  • speciation
  • adaptation
  • extinction
inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival
  • evolution
  • mutation
  • adaptation
  • natural selection
contraversial hypothesis proposed in the 1980's by a variety of scientists that RNA, not DNA, was the first genetic material because catalytic RNA can self-replicate without additional enzymes; this is only one of several alternative hypothesis on the evolution and formation of long complex biomolecules for self-replicating life (you can research and analyze others on your own, but will not be tested on them in this course)
  • Endosymbiotic Theory
  • RNA World Hypothesis
  • Hypothesis
  • Theory Of Evolution
a random change in the DNA that can possibly produce a beneficial effect and increase an organisms chance for reproductive success; and therefor passing on the mutated gene and producing variation in a species
  • gene flow
  • natural selection
  • genetic drift
  • mutation
characteristic that appears in recent parts of a lineage, but not in its older members
  • derived characteristics
  • adaptation
  • analogous structures
  • homologous structures
when speciation occurs over long periods of time rather than by sudden major changes
  • gradualism
  • natural selection
  • punctuated equilibrium
  • convergent evolution
a well-tested, well-established, and highly reliable explanation, but may be subject to change as new areas of science and technologies are developed
  • adaptation
  • evolution
  • hypothesis
  • theory
to be paired for reproducing, or mate, with a closely related individual
  • gene pool
  • mutation
  • speciation
  • interbreed
a form of natural selection in which the entire curve moves; occurs when individuals at one end of a distribution curve have higher fitness than individuals in the middle or at the other end of the curve
  • disruptive selection
  • directional selection
  • stabilizing selection
  • genetic drift
mating that is associated with maintaining genetic equilibrium and therefore a lack of natural selection and speciation
  • natural selection
  • gene flow
  • random mating
  • genetic drift
group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
  • gene pool
  • mutation
  • adaptation
  • species
process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest
  • genetic drift
  • natural selection
  • mutation
  • gene flow
was an English naturalist that established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection
  • Species
  • Adaptation
  • Charles Darwin
  • Natural Selection
change in a kind of organism over time; process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms (decent with modification)
  • natural selection
  • evolution
  • adaptation
  • mutation
ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment
  • fitness
  • evolution
  • adaptation
  • natural selection
concidered to be the classic experiment on the origin of life; this experiment performed in the 1950's tested and confirmed Oparin & Haldane's "Primordial Soup" hypothesis that conditions on the primitive Earth favored chemical reactions that synthesized organic molecules from inorganic precursors
  • Theory Of Evolution
  • Convergent Evolution
  • Analogous Structures
  • Miller-Urey Experiment
the fact or quality of being diverse; difference
  • diversity
  • evolution
  • fitness
  • adaptation
the differences in a single species (Ex: tall vs. short in humans)
  • evolution
  • variations
  • diversity in species
  • diversity among species
trait controlled by a single gene (ex: attached or unattached earlobes)
  • polygenic trait
  • single-gene trait
  • mutation
  • genetic equilibrium
a general law stating that in any sequence of sediments or rocks that has not been overturned, the youngest sediments or rocks are at the top of the sequence and the oldest are at the bottom
  • Analogous Structures
  • Theory of Evolution
  • Law of Superposition
  • Biogeography
a form of natural selection by which the center of the curve remains in its current position; occurs when individuals near the center of a distribution curve have higher fitness than individuals at either end
  • genetic drift
  • disruptive selection
  • directional selection
  • stabilizing selection
pattern of evolution in which long stable periods are interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change
  • genetic drift
  • punctuated equilibrium
  • gradualism
  • convergent evolution
form of reproductive isolation in which two populations have differences in courtship rituals or other types of behavior that prevent them from interbreeding.
  • genetic drift
  • geographic isolation
  • temporal isolation
  • behavioral isolation
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Multiple Choice Questions
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