Biodiversity and Evolution Quiz

What is the most common way to measure biodiversity in a location?

• Biomass

• Genetic variation

• Number of different species

• Population density

Which of the following best defines instrumental value in biodiversity?

• Value based on moral philosophy

• Inherent value independent of human use

• Benefits biodiversity provides through goods, services, or information

• The total number of genes in a population

What term describes all the genes of an organism?

• Phenotype

• Chromosome

• Allele

• Genotype

Which statement about mutations is true?

• They always improve an organism’s survival

• They only occur due to radiation

• They are the only source of new alleles

• They are not passed to future generations

Which factor determines the phenotype of an organism?

• Only the environment

• Only the genotype

• Both genotype and environment

• Random mutation

What is the bottleneck effect in population genetics?

• A rapid increase in alleles

• Random loss of alleles due to sudden population decrease

• The evolution of new species

• The mixing of genes between two species

In Darwin’s theory of natural selection, which of the following is most likely to increase in a population?

• Traits that decrease survival

• Traits linked to camouflage

• Traits linked to random chance

• Traits passed only through cloning

What is fitness in the context of evolution?

• How fast an animal can run

• The ability to adapt to all environments

• An organism’s ability to survive and reproduce

• A trait that arises from mutation

What is the species-area relationship used for?

• Estimating the spread of diseases

• Measuring atmospheric CO2

• Estimating species loss due to habitat destruction

• Predicting genetic mutation rates

Which event is considered the greatest mass extinction in Earth’s history?

• The Ice Age

• The end of the Paleozoic Era

• The extinction of the dinosaurs

• The Industrial Revolution