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160 Cards in this Set
- Front
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Also known as Lamarckism; the theory, now discounted, that individuals genetically pass on to their offspring physical and behavioral changes developed during the individuals' own lifetime.
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inheritance of acquired characteristics
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the movement of alleles from one population to another
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Gene flow
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a breeder selects for the desired characteristics
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artificial selection
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environmental conditions determine which individuals in a population produce the most offspring
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natural selection
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For natural selection to occur and to result in evolutionary change, three conditions must be met:
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Variation must exist among individuals in a population
Variation among individuals must result in differences in the number of offspring surviving in the next generation Variation must be genetically inherited |
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Five agents of evolutionary change
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mutation, gene flow, nonrandom mating, genetic drift in small populations, and the pressures of natural selection
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Alleles often affect multiple aspects of a phenotype
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pleiotropy
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the phenomenon in which an allele for one gene may have different effects, depending on alleles present at other genes
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epistasis
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The study of the properties of genes in populations.
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population genetics
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The presence in a population of more than one allele of a gene at a frequency greater than that of newly arising mutations.
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polymorphism
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Genetic change in a population of organisms
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evolution
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A mathematical description of the fact that allele and genotype frequencies remain constant in a random-mating population in the absence of inbreeding, selection, or other evolutionary forces; usually stated: if the frequency of allele a is p and the frequency of allele b is q, then the genotype frequencies after one generation of random mating will always be p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1.
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Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
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A measure of the occurrence of an allele in a population, expressed as proportion of the entire population, for example, an occurrence of 0.84 (84%).
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allele frequency
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A type of nonrandom mating in which phenotypically similar individuals mate more frequently.
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assortative mating
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A type of nonrandom mating in which phenotypically different individuals mate more frequently.
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disassortative mating
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Random fluctuation in allele frequencies over time by chance.
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genetic drift
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The effect by which rare alleles and combinations of alleles may be enhanced in new populations.
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founder effect
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A loss of genetic variability that occurs when a population is reduced drastically in size.
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bottleneck effect
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The process by which some organisms leave more offspring than competing ones, and their genetic traits tend to appear in greater proportions among members of succeeding generations than the traits of those individuals that leave fewer offspring.
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selection
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The genetic contribution of an individual to succeeding generations.
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fitness
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A type of selection that depends on how frequently or infrequently a phenotype occurs in a population.
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frequency-dependent selection
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The situation in which selection alternately favors one phenotype at one time, and a different phenotype at a another time, for example, during drought conditions versus during wet conditions.
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oscillating selection
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The situation in which individuals heterozygous for a trait have a selective advantage over those who are homozygous; an example is sickle cell anemia.
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heterozygote advantage
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A form of selection in which selection acts to eliminate rather than favor the intermediate type. 2 phenotypically distinct groups
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disruptive selection
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A form of selection in which selection acts to eliminate one extreme from an array of phenotypes.
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directional selection
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A form of selection in which selection acts to eliminate both extremes from a range of phenotypes.
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stabilizing selection
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structures with different appearances and functions that all derived from the same body part in a common ancestor.
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homologous structures
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Phrase used to describe the evolutionary process in which initially light-colored organisms become dark as a result of natural selection.
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industrial melanism
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A morphological feature that has no apparent current function and is thought to be an evolutionary relic
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vestigial structure
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The study of the geographic distribution of species.
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biogeography
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The independent development of similar structures in organisms that are not directly related; often found in organisms living in similar environments.
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convergent evolution
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An alternative hypothesis proposes that the distinctions among species are maintained by natural selection.
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ecological species concept
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The differentiation of populations within a common geographic area into species.
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sympatric speciation
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A geographically defined population or group of populations within a single species that has distinctive characteristics.
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subspecies
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The concept that defines species as groups of populations that have the potential to interbreed and that are reproductively isolated from other groups
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biological species concept (BSC)
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Any barrier that prevents genetic exchange between species.
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reproductive isolating mechanism
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A type of reproductive isolation in which the formation of a zygote is prevented; these mechanisms may range from physical separation in different habitats to gametic in which gametes are incapable of fusing.
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prezygotic isolating mechanism
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A type of reproductive isolation in which zygotes are produced but are unable to develop into reproducing adults; these mechanisms may range from inviability of zygotes or embryos to adults that are sterile.
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postzygotic isolating mechanism
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Chemical substance released by one organism that influences the behavior or physiological processes of another organism of the same species.
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pheromone
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takes place when populations are geographically isolated
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Allopatric speciation
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occurs without geographic separation
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Sympatric speciation
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In speciation, the process by which partial reproductive isolation between populations is increased by selection against mating between members of the two populations, eventually resulting in complete reproductive isolation.
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reinforcement
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Condition in which one or more entire sets of chromosomes is added to the diploid genome.
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polyploidy
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A polyploid organism that contains a duplicated genome of the same species; may result from a meiotic error.
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autopolyploid
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A polyploid organism that contains the genomes of two or more different species.
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allopolyploid
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The evolution of several divergent forms from a primitive and unspecialized ancestor
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adaptive radiation
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A newly evolved trait in a species that allows members to use resources or other aspects of the environment that were previously inaccessible.
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key innovation
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A process in which natural selection favors individuals in a species that use resources not used by other species. This results in evolutionary change leading to species dissimilar in resource use.
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character displacement
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The view that species change very slowly in ways that may be imperceptible from one generation to the next but that accumulate and lead to major changes over thousands or millions of years.
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gradualism
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A period of time during which little evolutionary change occurs
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stasis
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A hypothesis about the mechanism of evolutionary change proposing that long periods of little or no change are punctuated by periods of rapid evolution.
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punctuated equilibrium
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A relatively sudden, sharp decline in the number of species
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mass extinction
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similarity among species that is inherited from the most recent common ancestor of an entire group
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derived
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similarity that arose prior to the common ancestor of the group
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ancestral
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The reconstruction and study of evolutionary relationships.
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systematics
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The evolutionary history of an organism, including which species are closely related and in what order related species evolved; often represented in the form of an evolutionary tree.
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phylogeny
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A taxonomic technique used for creating hierarchies of organisms that represent true phylogenetic relationship and descent.
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cladistics
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In cladistics, character states that are shared by species and that are different from the ancestral character state.
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shared derived character
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In cladistics, one of two or more distinguishable forms of a character, such as the presence or absence of teeth in amniote vertebrates.
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character state
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In cladistics, to determine whether character states are ancestral or derived.
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polarize
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A taxonomic group composed of an ancestor and all its descendents.
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clade
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In systematics, a derived character that is shared by clade members.
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synapomorphy
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In cladistics, a shared character state that has not been inherited from a common ancestor exhibiting that state; may result from convergent evolution or evolutionary reversal. The wings of birds and of bats, which are convergent structures, are examples.
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homoplasy
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Principle stating that scientists should favor the hypothesis that requires the fewest assumptions.
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principle of parsimony
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In evolutionary theory, the method in which the rate of evolution of a molecule is constant through time.
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molecular clock method
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refers to how we place species and higher groups—genus, family, class, and so forth—into the taxonomic hierarchy
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classification
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features are derived from the same ancestral source
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homologous
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features aren't derived from the same ancestral source
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homoplastic
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In phylogenetic classification, a group that includes the most recent common ancestor of the group and all its descendants.
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monophyletic
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In phylogenetic classification, a group that includes the most recent common ancestor of the group, but not all its descendants.
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paraphyletic
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In phylogenetic classification, a group that does not include the most recent common ancestor of all members of the group.
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polyphyletic
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The concept that defines species on the basis of their phylogenetic relationships.
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phylogenetic species concept (PSC)
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Darwin proposed that natural selection occurs in an environment by:
>favoring heritable features that make the organism better suited to survive and reproduce. >producing a constant number of offspring while in that environment. >surviving for a fixed amount of time. >resisting the environment and keeping the environment from changing. >favoring those individuals with the most favorable acquired characteristics. |
favoring heritable features that make the organism better suited to survive and reproduce.
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The genetic contribution of an individual to succeeding generations, compared with that of other individuals in the population, is known as:
>variation. >microevolution. >macroevolution. >fitness. >adaptive makeup. |
fitness
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Features that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction by an organism in a particular environment are called
>genes. >fitness. >mutations. >adaptations. >selection. |
adaptations
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A locus with more variation than can be explained by mutation is referred to as:
>dominant. >polynomial. >polymorphic. >heterozygous. >somatic. |
polymorphic
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The gene pool includes:
>all of the fitness within a population. >all of the individuals within a population. >all of the mutations within a population. >all of the adaptations within a population. >all of the alleles of genes within a population. |
all of the alleles of genes within a population.
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A restriction in genetic variability caused by a drastic reduction in population size is called a:
>founder effect. >Hardy-Weinberg effect. >bottleneck effect. >polymorphic effect. >adaptive effect. |
bottleneck effect.
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Migration and hybridization between individuals of adjacent populations causes gene ______.
>blending >flow >mutation >dominance |
flow
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The phenomenon in which rare alleles become more common in new populations is called:
>founder effect. >gene flow. >genetic drift. >assortative mating. >mutation. |
founder effect.
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In small populations, frequencies of certain alleles may change by chance alone. Such random change in the frequency of alleles is called:
>mutation. >migration. >genetic drift. >nonrandom mating. >selection. |
genetic drift.
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The type of non-random mating that causes the frequencies of particular genotypes to differ greatly from those predicted by the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is called:
>mutation. >assisted mating. >genetic drift. >assortative mating. >selection. |
assortative mating.
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When selection acts to eliminate one extreme from an array of phenotypes it is called:
>natural selection. >stabilizing selection. >disruptive selection. >directional selection. >artificial selection. |
directional selection.
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In some instances environmental change causes a situation where one phenotype is favored for a period of time, and then a different phenotype is favored. This oscillating selection causes:
>the maintenance of genetic variation in the population. >elimination of rarer genotypes because of uneven selection. >an increase in point mutations. >high population increase to maintain phenotypic variation. >extinction of the population. |
the maintenance of genetic variation in the population.
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In disruptive selection, over time:
>a population goes extinct. >the most extreme outliers of a population are eliminated (e.g., the largest beaks and smallest beaks are eliminated). >the population is strongly selected for in one direction (e.g., larger beak size). >the population is strongly selected for in two directions (e.g., larger beak size and smaller beak size). >a population increases its variation (e.g., a wide selection of all beak sizes). |
the population is strongly selected for in two directions (e.g., larger beak size and smaller beak size).
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The midrange of an array of phenotypes is favored.
>directional selection >stabilizing selection >disruptive selection >guppies with pike cichlids and killifish >guppies with killifish |
stabilizing selection
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In negative frequency-dependent selection, such as in the study done on the water boatman insect, the incidence of predation leads to an:
>elimination of a rare genotype. >even distribution of genotype frequencies. >increase in a rare genotype. >increase in variation within the population. >increase in a rare genotype and an increase in variation within the population. |
increase in a rare genotype.
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According to Darwin, the different species of finches of the Galapagos Islands were a group of ______ related species evolving from ______ species.
>closely; several >distantly; one >closely; one >distantly; several |
closely; one
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Darwin's finches have adapted to feed in different ways in response to:
>the available food supply. >the available nest building material supplies. >the availability of potential mating partners. >the presence of ectoparasites on their feathers. >the need to improve their feather preening abilities. |
the available food supply.
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According to Tutt, why did dark peppered moths (Biston betularia) become more common in industrialized regions?
>They were less visible to predators >They were more tolerant of toxic pollutants >Soot from factories settled on the moths making them darker >They were less likely to be detected by prey |
They were less visible to predators
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What is the likely cause of the change in frequency of melanic moths in Michigan and at Caldy Common in England?
>Air pollution has decreased in both regions >Air pollution has increased in both regions >Predatory birds have decreased in both regions >Predatory birds have increased in both regions |
Air pollution has decreased in both regions
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Which of the following is NOT true about artificial selection?
>Artificial selection shows that evolutionary change can occur over a short time >Artificial selection shows that natural selection is capable of producing major evolutionary change >Artificial selection occurs when humans selectively breed individuals of a species with desirable traits >Artificial selection results in only minor changes within a species |
Artificial selection results in only minor changes within a species
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The shape of the beaks of Darwin's finches and industrial melanism are often cited as examples of the process of _______________ leading to evolutionary change.
>artificial selection >coevolution >intelligent design >founder effect >natural selection |
natural selection
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Natural selection has favored the dark form of the peppered moth in areas subject to severe air pollution, perhaps because on darkened trees moth-eating birds see them less easily. As pollution abated, the light forms were favored because:
>they were less visible after the lichens returned. >of migration from more polluted areas. of mutation. >they were preyed on more. >of a bottleneck effect. |
they were less visible after the lichens returned.
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In comparing artificial and natural selection, which of the following statements is true?
>Artificial selection is slower than natural selection. >Artificial selection is reversible; natural selection is not. >Artificial selection can produce maladaptive structures, natural selection cannot. >Artificial selection cannot produce changes as large as changes produced by natural selection. >In artificial selection, the magnitude of the selection pressure can be varied; in natural selection, it cannot. |
Artificial selection can produce maladaptive structures, natural selection cannot.
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Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?
>an educated guess about natural phenomena based on observations >an explanation that fits current evidence and has withstood rigorous testing >a generalization about a group of observations that is applicable under a given set of conditions >an explanation for many observations that has not yet been tested |
an explanation that fits current evidence and has withstood rigorous testing
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Today, the fossil record:
>can be dated only with one layer in relation to older layers below and younger layers above, no actual dates can be estimated. >can be dated reasonably well only with uranium-238. >can be dated reasonably well using a variety of radioactive isotopes with known half-lives. >can be dated precisely, to within a single year, using radioactive isotopes. >can be dated precisely, to within a single year, using DNA hybridization. |
can be dated reasonably well using a variety of radioactive isotopes with known half-lives.
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Which one of the following features of Archaeopteryx clearly demonstrates that it was on the evolutionary line leading from dinosaurs to birds?
>egg-laying ability >teeth >feathers >bony tail >claws on forelimbs |
feathers
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In the case of the toothed whales, the fossil record
>shows they evolved from fish. >shows they evolved from swimming dinosaurs. >shows they evolved from a land mammal with hooves. >has fragmentary evidence that cannot be explained. >has no evidence about how they evolved. |
shows they evolved from a land mammal with hooves.
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Which of the following features of ancient horses is not an adaptation for living on open grasslands?
>multiple toes >complex patterns of ridges on molar and premolars >lengthening of limbs >increase in body size >high-speed locomotion |
multiple toes
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Structures that are derived from the same body part in a common ancestor but may have different appearances and functions are called
>analogous structures. >homologous structures. >vestigial structures. >embryonic structures. >homozygous structures. |
homologous structures.
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Many organisms possess structures that have no apparent function, but they resemble structures of presumed ancestors. This is the study of:
>the fossil record. >the molecular record. >homology. >development. >vestigial structures. |
vestigial structures.
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During growth in the mother's uterus, human embryos and fetuses exhibit characteristics of other vertebrates, suggesting that humans are related to the other forms. This represents which of the following lines of evolutionary evidence?
>fossil record >homology >convergent evolution >biogeography >development |
development
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The evolution of similar forms in different lineages when exposed to the same selective pressures is:
>called divergence. >called convergence. >referred to as successive homologies. >referred to as descent. >also known as natural selection. |
called convergence.
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Evolution is said to violate the second law of thermodynamics. Which of the following statements best describes why this is not true?
>Evolution does not always produce more complex forms; sometimes less complex forms arise. >Because evolution is a random process, it does not require an input of energy. >Earth is not a closed system; it constantly receives an input of energy from the sun. >Living organisms are not subject to the second law. >The disorder generated by extinction balances the order created by evolution. |
Earth is not a closed system; it constantly receives an input of energy from the sun.
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The type of speciation that results in the formation of separate species as a result of geographic isolation is called ____________ speciation.
>gradual >sympatric >allopatric >sexual >adaptive |
allopatric
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The model proposed by Eldredge and Gould for the formation of species, that says evolution occurs in spurts, is called the ___________ model.
>gradualism >punctuated equilibrium >adaptation >natural selection common descent |
punctuated equilibrium
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Which of the following statements describe the assumptions of the gradualism model?
>Evolution occurs in spurts, between which there are long periods in where there is little evolutionary change. >Evolution proceeds incrementally, with incremental change in a given evolutionary line. >There is variability in the rates of evolution. >Speciation is essential to evolution. >Periods of stasis occur. |
Evolution proceeds incrementally, with incremental change in a given evolutionary line.
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If populations within the same area split into species, the process is known as
>sympatric speciation. >allopatric speciation. >racial speciation. >ecotypical speciation. >reproductive speciation. |
sympatric speciation.
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Adaptive radiation is likely to produce several to many:
>key innovations. >species clusters. >sterile hybrids. >reproductive isolating mechanisms >races. |
species clusters.
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Very rapid speciation occurred when cichlid fishes were isolated in Lake Victoria. Widespread extinction was dramatically seen when:
>artificial selection stopped. >predatory fish were added. >hybridization stopped. >fishing was prohibited. >insect larvae stocks were depleted. |
predatory fish were added.
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Species formation among alpine buttercups in New Zealand was promoted by:
>mechanical isolation. >gametic isolation. >periodic isolation by glaciation. >temporal isolation. >geographical isolation. |
periodic isolation by glaciation.
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The production of new species through hybridization is especially important in
>finches. >fruit flies. >humans. >plants. >mules. |
plants.
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The production of new species through hybridization is sometimes made easier in plants by:
>adaptation. >meiosis. >parthenogenesis. >hybrid sterility. >polyploidy. |
polyploidy
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Which of the following would BEST characterize the pattern of speciation on Earth?
>Decreasing since the Cambrian period caused by five mass extinctions >Increasing after the Cambrian period to a maximum 200 million years ago with a steady decline since that time >Increasing after the Cambrian period interspersed with sharp declines in species >Increasing steadily to the Cambrian period and decreasing after the Ordovician mass extinction |
Increasing after the Cambrian period interspersed with sharp declines in species
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According to the phylogeny depicted in the figure, which of the following is most closely related to humans?
>Gibbon >Orangutan >Gorilla >Chimpanzee |
Chimpanzee
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Characteristics between the branch points of a cladogram that are shared by all organisms above the branch point and are not present in any below it are called:
>homologous characters. >homoplastic characters. >ancestral characters. >derived characters. >novel characters. |
derived characters.
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Characteristics that have arisen in organisms as a result of common evolutionary descent are said to be ______________ characteristics.
>homologous >homoplastic >adaptive >derived >ancestral |
ancestral
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A phylogenetically based taxonomy is important not only in creating a logical way to name organisms, but also in learning about ________ of organisms using information in related species.
>physiology >behavior >development >physiology, behavior, and development |
physiology, behavior, and development
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Character states shared by the ancestor or outgroup of a clade are called:
>derived traits. >homoplasies. >synapomorphies. >plesiomorphies. >symplesiomorphies. |
symplesiomorphies.
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Birds, snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles are all thought to share a common ancestor and several homologous traits. Assuming that this is true, these groups of animals would best represent
>a polyphyletic group. >a monophyletic group. >homoplastic convergence. >several clades. >a species cluster. |
a monophyletic group.
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A group is considered paraphyletic if:
>all members of the group share a common ancestor. >not all descendants of the common ancestor are included. >the common ancestor of the group is not included in the group. >the group does not contain the most recent common ancestor. >it is the most parsimonious grouping. |
not all descendants of the common ancestor are included.
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A group is considered polyphyletic if:
>all members of the group share a common ancestor. >not all descendants of the common ancestor are included. >all members share homoplastic traits. >the group does not contain the most recent common ancestor. >it is the most parsimonious grouping. |
the group does not contain the most recent common ancestor.
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Which one of the following statements about molecular clocks is false?
>All molecular clocks tick at the same rate. >Molecular clocks can be calibrated using fossil evidence. >The rate of a molecular clock for a given DNA character might vary depending on how constrained the character is by natural selection. >Ultimately, all molecular clocks depend on the rate of DNA mutation and DNA repair mechanisms. |
All molecular clocks tick at the same rate.
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Homoplasies can result from:
>convergent evolution. >evolutionary reversals. >both convergent evolution and evolutionary reversals. >divergent evolution. >adaptive radiations. |
both convergent evolution and evolutionary reversals.
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Parental care in dinosaurs, crocodiles, and birds is an example of:
>homoplasy caused by convergence. >homoplasy caused by common descent. >homoplasy caused by evolutionary reversal. >homology caused by convergence. >homology caused by common descent. |
homology caused by common descent.
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The evolution of saber teeth in a number of groups of extinct carnivorous mammals is an example of:
>homoplasy caused by convergence. >homoplasy caused by common descent. >homoplasy caused by evolutionary reversal. >homology caused by convergence. >homology caused by common descent. |
homoplasy caused by convergence.
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Which one of the following statements about the evolution of complex characters, such as powered flight, is false?
>Phylogenetic analysis using cladistics can help reveal the sequence leading to the evolution of a complex character. >Usually a single mutation in a key gene controlling development leads to the simultaneous appearance of the complex character. >Often the initial stage in the evolution of a complex character was an adaptation to some unrelated selection pressure. >All of the intermediate stages in the evolution of a complex character contributed to the fitness of the species. >Long periods of time are required for the evolution of complex characters. |
Usually a single mutation in a key gene controlling development leads to the simultaneous appearance of the complex character.
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Which one of the following statements about the evolution of HIV is false?
>All strains of HIV are included within clades of SIV strains. >Each strain of HIV is more closely related to a strain of SIV than to other HIV strains. >Humans acquired different subtypes of HIV from different primate hosts. >AIDS appeared first in Africa, probably prior to 1940. >Because of the low mutation rate of the HIV virus, it is possible to use phylogenetics to determine the source of infection for specific individuals. |
Because of the low mutation rate of the HIV virus, it is possible to use phylogenetics to determine the source of infection for specific individuals.
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refers to an inherited trait reverting back to an earlier form over the course of many generations.
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Evolutionary reversal
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Genotypes are said to be in ___________ equilibrium if there is random mating and no other forces tend to alter the proportions of alleles from one generation to the next.
A. steady state B. homeostatic C. Hardy-Weinberg D. Medelian |
C. Hardy-Weinberg
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Features that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction by an organism in a particular environment are called
A. genes. B. fitness. C. mutations. D. adaptations. |
D. adaptations.
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A restriction in genetic variability caused by a drastic reduction in population size is called a
A. Hardy-Weinberg effect. B. bottleneck effect. C. polymorphic effect. D. adaptive effect. |
B. bottleneck effect.
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The frequency of a particular allele within a population can be changed, over time, by
A. large population size. B. selection. C. inheritance of acquired characteristics. D. random mating. |
B. selection.
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For a gene with two alternative alleles, a (frequency p) and a (frequency q), the term in the algebraic form of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the heterozygote genotype frequency is
A. p2. B. q2. C. 2pq. D. (p+q)2. |
C. 2pq.
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. When selection acts to eliminate one extreme from an array of phenotypes it is called
A. natural selection. B. stabilizing selection. C. disruptive selection. D. directional selection. |
D. directional selection.
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In small populations, frequencies of certain alleles may change by chance alone. Such random change in the frequency of alleles is called
A. mutation. B. migration. C. genetic drift. D. nonrandom mating |
C. genetic drift.
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In order for natural selection to occur within a population, certain conditions must be met. One such condition is
A. phenotypic differences resulting from environmental conditions. B. frequent mutations that are inherited. C. low rates of immigration. D. phenotypic variations that are genetic. |
D. phenotypic variations that are genetic.
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The total of all the alleles of all the genes in a population can be thought of as
A. an allele mixture. B. a gene pool. C. a genetic melting pot. D. variant genes. |
B. a gene pool.
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In a large population of randomly reproducing rabbits, a recessive allele r comprises 80% of the alleles for a gene, while a dominant allele R comprises the remaining 20%. What percentage of the rabbits would you expect to have the recessive phenotype?
A. 4% B. 32% C. 64% D. 80% |
C. 64%
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Which one of the following features of Archaeopteryx clearly demonstrates that it was on the evolutionary line leading from dinosaurs to birds?
A. egg-laying ability B. teeth C. feathers D. bony tail |
C. feathers
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Industrial melanism involving the peppered moths (Biston sp.) is cited as an example of natural selection that has been observed in the last one hundred years. Recall that the peppered moth exhibits two distinct morphological types with dark and light colored wings. Which of the following statements about changes in these two types of moths as a result of industrial melanism is true?
A. The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests. B. The dark forms are distasteful to birds and are thus safe in polluted forests. C. The light forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests. D. Birds prey more on the dark forms in polluted forests |
A. The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
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In comparing artificial and natural selection, which of the following statements is true?
A. Artificial selection is slower than natural selection. B. Artificial selection is reversible; natural selection is not. C. Artificial selection can produce maladaptive structures, natural selection cannot. D. Artificial selection cannot produce changes as large as changes produced by natural selection |
C. Artificial selection can produce maladaptive structures, natural selection cannot.
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Today, the fossil record
A. can be dated only with one layer in relation to older layers below and younger layers above, no actual dates can be estimated. B. can be dated reasonably well only with uranium-238. C. can be dated reasonably well using a variety of radioactive isotopes with known half-lives. D. can be dated precisely, to within a single year, using radioactive isotopes. |
C. can be dated reasonably well using a variety of radioactive isotopes with known half-lives.
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Which of the following features of ancient horses is not an adaptation for living on open grasslands?
A. multiple toes B. complex patterns of ridges on molar and premolars C. lengthening of limbs D. increase in body size |
A. multiple toes
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The type of speciation that geographically isolates populations and results in the divergence of distinct species is called ____________ speciation.
A. gradual B. sympatric C. allopatric D. sexual |
C. allopatric
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You see a sign on a door that reads "Homologous Structures Inside." You go in and find
A. structures of animals that appear to have evolved from different parts of their bodies. B. structures of animals that have difference appearances and functions but seem to have evolved from the same body part in a common ancestor. C. structures of animals that have the same appearances and functions but obviously no common ancestor. D. structures of animals that have different appearances and functions but different ancestors. |
B. structures of animals that have difference appearances and functions but seem to have evolved from the same body part in a common ancestor.
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Which of the following would be an example of a vestigial structure?
A. The common body form of sharks and dolphins B. The structure of an invertebrates eye when compared to a vertebrate eye C. The common pattern of bones in the forelimbs of mammals D. The non-functional remains of the pelvic girdle found in modern whales |
D. The non-functional remains of the pelvic girdle found in modern whales
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The observation that different geographical areas sometimes exhibit plant and animal communities of similar appearance, even though the individual plants and animals are not closely related, is called
A. homology. B. convergent evolution. C. divergent evolution. D. adaptation. |
B. convergent evolution.
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A biologist seeing a sign describing evolution as "just a theory" would think that
A. evolution is a theory that is supported with a tremendous amount of evidence. B. evolution is just a collection of facts without a central theme and this is not a theory. C. evolution is what Darwin proposed to account for all the changes he observed in the finches so it is a hypothesis, not a theory. D. evolution occurred in the past, but it is not occurring in the present, so it cannot be a theory. |
A. evolution is a theory that is supported with a tremendous amount of evidence.
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A type of isolating mechanism that leads to reproductive isolation after a hybrid zygote has formed is called _____________ isolating mechanism.
A. hybridization B. postzygotic C. prezygotic D. adaptive |
B. postzygotic
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A biological species is defined as
A. a group of organisms that look very similar B. an actual or potentially interbreeding natural population which is reproductively isolated from other such groups C. a group of organisms with the identical genotype D. a population of organisms, natural or artificial, that is geographically isolated from other populations |
B. an actual or potentially interbreeding natural population which is reproductively isolated from other such groups
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Which of the following statements describe the assumptions of the gradualism model?
A. Evolution occurs in spurts, between which there are long periods in where there is little evolutionary change. B. Evolution proceeds incrementally, with incremental change in a given evolutionary line. C. There is variability in the rates of evolution. D. Periods of stasis occur. |
B. Evolution proceeds incrementally, with incremental change in a given evolutionary line.
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All of the following are examples of prezygotic isolating mechanisms except
A. ecological isolation. B. temporal isolation. C. mechanical incompatibility. D. hybrid sterility. |
D. hybrid sterility.
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Very rapid speciation occurred when cichlid fishes were isolated in Lake Victoria. Widespread extinction was dramatically seen when
A. artificial selection stopped. B. predatory fish were added. C. hybridization stopped. D. insect larvae stocks were depleted. |
B. predatory fish were added.
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The production of new species through hybridization is sometimes made easier in plants by
A. adaptation. B. meiosis. C. parthenogenesis. D. polyploidy. |
D. polyploidy.
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Which one of the following statements about mass extinctions is false?
A. The five major mass extinctions were all followed by a rebound in species diversity. B. By definition, in mass extinctions all major groups are affected equally. C. Major changes in the direction of evolution have often occurred after mass extinctions. D. The five major mass extinctions were caused mainly by geological events and, perhaps, collision with asteroids. |
B. By definition, in mass extinctions all major groups are affected equally.
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Derived character states shared by clade members are called
A. ancestral traits. B. homoplasies. C. synapomorphies. D. symplesiomorphies |
C. synapomorphies.
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A group is considered paraphyletic if
A. all members of the group share a common ancestor. B. not all descendants of the common ancestor are included. C. the common ancestor of the group is not included in the group. D. the group does not contain the most recent common ancestor. |
B. not all descendants of the common ancestor are included.
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Parental care in dinosaurs, crocodiles, and birds is an example of
A. homoplasy caused by convergence. B. homoplasy caused by common descent. C. homology caused by convergence. D. homology caused by common descent. |
D. homology caused by common descent.
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