Evolution and Natural Selection: A Comprehensive Quiz

What did Charles Darwin propose in his theory of evolution?

• Organisms spontaneously generate

• Species do not change over time

• All species are descended from common ancestors

• The Earth is less than 10,000 years old

Which mechanism did Darwin propose as the primary means of evolutionary change?

• Genetic drift

• Natural selection

• Gene flow

• Mutation

What is an adaptation in the context of natural selection?

• A random mutation in an organism's DNA

• A trait that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce

• The process by which species become more similar over time

• A decrease in a population's genetic variation

Which of the following is considered direct evidence for evolution?

• The fossil record

• The theory of relativity

• The law of thermodynamics

• Mathematical models

How does genetic variation occur in a population?

• Through natural selection only

• By acquiring traits during an organism's lifetime

• Through mutations, sexual reproduction, and gene flow

• It doesn't; genetic makeup of populations remains constant

What is the significance of the fossil record in studying evolution?

• It provides direct evidence of past life forms and their evolution over time

• It shows that organisms do not change over time

• It disproves the theory of natural selection

• It is unrelated to the study of evolution

Which of the following best describes natural selection?

• The process by which individuals with beneficial traits produce more offspring

• A mechanism that allows individuals to adapt to their environment within their lifetimes

• The random distribution of traits in a population

• A theory that states organisms do not evolve

What role does mutation play in evolution?

• It decreases genetic variation within a population

• It is the only source of new alleles in a population

• It prevents populations from adapting to changing environments

• It stabilizes the genetic makeup of species

Why is genetic variation important for natural selection?

• It ensures that all individuals in a population are identical

• It decreases the survival and reproduction of a population

• It provides a range of traits that can be selected for or against in changing environments

• It has no impact on natural selection

What evidence supports the theory of evolution by natural selection?

• The constant size of populations over time

• The similarity of DNA sequences in different species

• The lack of fossil records

• The absence of genetic variation in natural populations