Evolution Biology STAAR EOC Review Quiz

Which of the following best describes natural selection?

• The process by which individuals with inherited characteristics well-suited to the environment leave more offspring than do other individuals.

• The random change in allele frequency in a population over time.

• The development of new species from existing species.

• The transfer of genetic information from one generation to the next without any change.

What is the primary mechanism of evolution?

• Genetic drift

• Natural selection

• Isolation

• Mutation

Genetic drift has the greatest effects in which type of population?

• Large populations with high genetic variation

• Small populations

• Large populations with low genetic variation

• Populations that are geographically isolated

What does the fossil record provide evidence for?

• The immutability of species

• The existence of unicellular life forms only

• The common ancestry of life

• The effectiveness of artificial selection

Which of the following is a result of geographic isolation?

• Increased genetic drift

• Decreased natural selection

• Speciation

• Decreased mutation rate

In the context of STAAR EOC Biology, which concept is essential for understanding the diversity of life on Earth?

• Thermodynamics

• Evolution

• Cellular respiration

• Photosynthesis

Which of the following best defines evolution?

• The process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms.

• A change in the allele frequencies of a population over a single generation.

• The development of new technologies.

• The process by which individuals acquire traits through use or disuse.

What role does mutation play in evolution?

• It decreases genetic variation.

• It has no role in evolution.

• It is the only source of new alleles.

• It stabilizes the genetic makeup of populations.

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?

• The beak of a finch

• The wings of a bird

• The human appendix

• The tail of a monkey

How does genetic drift differ from natural selection?

• Genetic drift involves the survival of the fittest, while natural selection is random.

• Genetic drift results in adaptive changes, while natural selection does not.

• Genetic drift occurs only in large populations, while natural selection occurs in any size population.

• Genetic drift is a random process, while natural selection is not.