4/8 Weekly Quizizz HW: Evolution

Genetic drift is change in the allele frequency of a population due to...

• random chance

• natural selection

• non-random mating (sexual selection)

• artificial selection

Answer explanation

Genetic drift refers to changes in allele frequencies due to random chance events, rather than selective pressures like natural selection or mating preferences. This randomness can lead to significant shifts in small populations.

 Genetic Drift is more likely to happen in... 

• aquatic populations

• small populations

• terrestrial populations

• older populations

Answer explanation

Genetic drift occurs more frequently in small populations because random events can have a larger impact on allele frequencies, leading to greater fluctuations and potential loss of genetic diversity.

All of the genetic information found in a population.

• population

• genetic drift

• evolution

• gene pool

Answer explanation

The term 'gene pool' refers to all the genetic information present in a population. It encompasses the total set of genes and alleles, making it the correct choice for describing the genetic diversity within a population.

Which of the following is true?

• Gene pool frequencies do not change as a result of migration in or out of a population.

• Gene flow occurs only as a result of isolation of a small population.

• Gene flow can cause new alleles to enter a population's gene pool.

• Gene flow is due the the selection of the most favorable traits.

Answer explanation

Gene flow can introduce new alleles into a population's gene pool through migration, enhancing genetic diversity. The other statements are incorrect as they misrepresent the nature of gene flow.

The combined genetic information of all memebers of a particular population forms a:

• gene pool

• allele frequency

• phenotype

• population

Answer explanation

The combined genetic information of all members of a population is referred to as a gene pool. It encompasses all the alleles present, making it the correct choice over allele frequency, phenotype, or population.

Mechanism of evolution responsible for a random change in a population is known as:

• Speciation

• Selection

• Genetic Drift

• Variation

Answer explanation

Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population, often due to chance events. Unlike natural selection, which is non-random, genetic drift can lead to significant evolutionary changes over time.

What is a change in an organism that allows for it to survive in its environment?

• homologous

• vestigial

• variation

• adaptation

Answer explanation

An adaptation is a change in an organism that enhances its ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. This distinguishes it from homologous structures, vestigial traits, and variations, which do not specifically refer to survival changes.

What is this an example of?

• diversity of species

• variation

• vestigial structures

• DNA studies

Answer explanation

This is an example of variation, which refers to the differences in traits among individuals of the same species. It highlights how species can exhibit diverse characteristics, leading to adaptation and evolution.

A virus killed most of the seals in the North Sea (e.g. dropped the population from 8000 to 800).  In an effort to help preserve the species, scientists caught 20 of the remaining seals and used them to start a new population in the northwest Pacific Ocean.  Which of the following statements would accurately describe the new   population?  

• The new seal population is genetically less diverse than the original population 

• The new seal population is genetically more diverse than the original population

• There is equal genetic variety compared  to the original population 

• None of the answers

Answer explanation

The new seal population is genetically less diverse than the original because it was started from only 20 individuals, significantly reducing genetic variation compared to the original population of 8000 seals.

Gene Flow tends to ___________ genetic variation (diversity)

• Increase

• Decrease

• Stabilize

• Exaggerate 

Answer explanation

Gene flow, the transfer of genetic material between populations, introduces new alleles, thereby increasing genetic variation (diversity) within a population. This is why the correct answer is 'Increase'.