Evolution Quiz 1

Which scientist is most closely associated with the theory of natural selection?

• Gregor Mendel

• Charles Darwin

• Louis Pasteur

• James Watson

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What is genetic drift?

• A process where organisms choose their mates based on traits

• A random change in allele frequencies in a population

• The movement of genes from one population to another

• The process by which organisms become better suited to their environment

Which of the following is an example of a mutation mechanism (cause of mutation)?

• Crossing over during meiosis

• Natural selection

• Genetic drift

• Migration

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Which of the following is considered direct evidence for evolution?

• Fossil records

• Weather patterns

• Plate tectonics

• Photosynthesis

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Which adaptation strategy allows a species to survive in a cold environment?

• Developing thicker fur

• Producing more offspring

• Migrating to warmer areas

• Eating less food

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Given a population of beetles where green color is dominant and brown is recessive, explain how natural selection could lead to more brown beetles if the environment changes to brown soil.

• Green beetles will be more visible to predators, so brown beetles survive and reproduce more.

• Brown beetles will migrate away.

• Green beetles will stop reproducing.

• The color of beetles will not affect their survival.

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A small group of birds is separated from the main population by a storm and settles on a new island. Over generations, their traits differ from the original population. Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely responsible?

• Mutation

• Genetic drift (founder effect)

• Natural selection

• Artificial selection

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If a mutation occurs in a gene that controls flower color, how might this affect the plant population over time?

• The mutation could introduce a new flower color, which may become more common if it offers an advantage.

• The mutation will immediately disappear.

• All plants will have the same color.

• The mutation will have no effect.

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A scientist finds similar bone structures in the limbs of whales, bats, and humans. What does this suggest about their evolutionary history?

• They evolved from a common ancestor.

• They have no evolutionary relationship.

• They all live in the same environment.

• They developed these structures by chance.

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A population of insects is exposed to a new pesticide. After several generations, most insects are resistant to the pesticide. Using your understanding of adaptation and natural selection, explain how this resistance likely developed.

• Some insects had a mutation that made them resistant, and they survived to reproduce, passing the trait to offspring.

• All insects learned to avoid the pesticide.

• The pesticide changed the DNA of all insects.

• The insects stopped eating.

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