Biology · Science General

Evolution and Biological Adaptation

1,288 Questions

Evolution and biological adaptation focus on natural selection, speciation events, and how organisms adjust to environmental changes over time. These foundational biology concepts appear frequently in general science sections of civil services and school board examinations. Use these questions to study evolutionary theories, ancestral traits, and the fossil record.

Natural selection mechanismsSpeciation event examplesBiological adaptation traitsPanspermia hypothesis conceptsFossil record analysisMate selection theories

Evolution and Biological Adaptation Questions

Multiple choice zoology variation examples of natural selection selection natural selection

Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given.
Fitness is an important concept in natural selection. Fitness is most properly a property of

  1. an individual

  2. a genotype

  3. a species

  4. a phenotype
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Natural selection, the process that results in the adaptation of an organism to its environment by means of selectively reproducing changes in its genotype or genetic constitution.

So correct answer is B, a genotype

Multiple choice zoology variation examples of natural selection selection natural selection

The peppered moth used to be a light colour with black spots. When the atmosphere in London became filled with soot because of the Industrial Revolution, the white trees became darker and light coloured moths were eaten by birds more readily. Within months, moths became darker and lighter moths were rare. After the Industrial revolution, light coloured moths were found in greater numbers. The given example can be related to 

  1. Adaptive radiation

  2. Natural selection

  3. Convergent evolution

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The given example is of natural selection. According to the theory of natural selection, nature supports the survival of the fittest. It means, only those individuals will survive who adapt themselves to the change in the environment. In the given case, moths changed their colour to adapt themselves according to the change in the environment. They were selected by the nature as fittest. So, the correct option is B.

Multiple choice zoology variation examples of natural selection selection natural selection

Which of the following traits accounts for natural selection?

  1. Skeletal Adaptations

  2. Coloration

  3. Physiological traits

  4. All of the bove
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Natural selection is the one of the most accepted theory of evolution of species. According to this theory, nature supports the survival of the fittest who adapts according to the change in the environment. It was given by Darwin. He also said that a population will show change in genetic traits over many generations, that help it remain best suited to the environment. For example, skeletal adaptations of long neck in giraffe, change in colouration in peppered moth, physiological changes in humans to digest the cow's milk (lactose tolerance). So, the correct option is D.
Multiple choice zoology variation examples of natural selection selection natural selection

Which of the following statement is incorrect ?

  1. The biogenetic law stating 'Ontogeny repeats phylogeny ' was given by Von Baer.

  2. Auricular muscles in human beings are vestigial

  3. Tooth buds and gill clefts found in bird embryos are temporary embryonic structrues.

  4. Spiny and scaly anteaters show adaptive convergene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The biogenetic law stating 'Ontogeny repeats phylogeny ' was given by Ernst Haeckel. Auricular muscles, wisdom teeth, appendix, tailbone, body hair are some vestigial organs in human beings. Embryos of some animals develop temporary non-functional embryonic structures which disappear before hatching. Tooth buds are examples of temporary embryonic structures found in bird embryos. Gill clefts are temporary embryonic structures found in embryos of land vertebrates. Spiny anteater and scaly anteater show adaptive convergence. These are not closely related but are adapted for the diet of ants, termites and other insects.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice biology cell-the basic unit of life number and shape of cells unicellular and multicellular organisms cell parameters diversity and classification in animals

Which amongst the following is more complex in body plan, from evolution point of view?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Human

  3. Both have same complexity

  4. Data insufficient
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

If the appearance of complexity is concurrent with evolution then, human beings are more evolved and complex than bacteria. Humans are the multicellular organism with the well-developed brain. Bacteria is the primitive unicellular organism.

Multiple choice zoology classification of living beings hierarchy of classification different types of classifications introduction to classification of living organisms

Phenetic classification of organisms is based on?

  1. Observable characteristics of exiting organisms

  2. The ancestral lineage of existing organism

  3. Dendrogram based on DNA characteristics

  4. Sexual characteristics
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • Phenetics is an attempt to classify organisms based on overall similarity, usually by morphology or other observable traits, regardless of their phylogeny or evolutionary relation.
  • It includes various forms of clustering and ordination. Phenetic classification of organisms is based on measurable similarities and differences rather than genetic makeup and evolutionary descent. 
Thus, the correct answer is option A.
Multiple choice botany classification of living beings hierarchy of classification different types of classifications introduction to classification of living organisms

Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given.
All of the following are true regarding systematics except that:

  1. it is the study of the diversity of organisms at all levels of organisation

  2. it is the specific study of identification, naming, and classification of organisms

  3. it relies on data from the fossil record, homology, and molecular data

  4. it utilises protein, DNA and RNA comparisons to determine relatedness of individuals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms and their relationships through time, which includes taxonomy but is broader. Taxonomy is the specific study of identification, naming, and classification.

Multiple choice biology origin and evolution of life fossilization geological time scale, extinctions and fossils concepts of evolution

Which statement is correct?

  1. Lamarck theory - Struggle for existence

  2. Darwin theory - Use and disuse of organ

  3. Biogentic law - Recapitulation theory

  4. Lamarck theory - Theory of continuity of germplasm
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Biogenetic Law, proposed by Ernst Haeckel, is synonymous with the Recapitulation Theory, which states that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.

Multiple choice origin of universe universe and organic evolution biology

Assertion : Formation of new species is called speciation.

Reason : The deme has a common gene pool.

  1. If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion

  2. If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion

  3. If the assertion is true but the reason is false

  4. If both the assertion and reason are false

  5. If the assertion is false but reason is true
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phenomenon of development of a new species from pre - existing one is called speciation. A species is a collection of demes. The deme is a groups of populations with a common gene pool.

Multiple choice zoology frog introduction to reproduction reproductive system in frog frog - digestive system, circulatory system, excretory system and reproductive system

Recapitulation theory is explained by all statements except

  1. Retrogressive evolution in Herdmania

  2. Development of frog from a tailed tadpole

  3. Presence of flagellated sperms in Ginkgo

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Recapitulation theory, also known as Biogenetic law, was given by Ernst Haeckel which states 'Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny'. This means that embryo during its development, goes through the evolutionary stages of its ancestors.
  • The larva of Herdmania shows retrogressive metamorphosis in which the larva looses the characters of chordates and attains the form of a invertebrate.
  • The tadpole larva of Frog shows fish like characters like gills, gill slits and lateral line organs. This indicates that amphibians evolved from fish like ancestors.
  • Gingko is a primitive gymnosperm. Presence of flagellated sperms in Gingko like in Pteridophytes suggest that gymnosperms have evolved from Pteridophytes.
Hence, statement B can not be explain Recapitulation theory.
So, the correct answer is 'Development of frog from a tailed tadpole'.
Multiple choice biology biology : an introduction introduction to organization of life signs of life what is living?

Which of the following can be considered as parameter of old age?

  1. Slowing of metabolism

  2. End of reproductive phase

  3. Juvenile stage

  4. Enlargement of thymus
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

  • Age is one of the most important factor for changes in energy metabolism. The basal metabolic rate decreases almost linearly with age. 
  • The volume of skeletal musculature decreases and the percentage of fat tissue increases with age. 
  • It is shown that a decrease in muscle mass relative to the total body may be wholly responsible for the age-related decrease in basal metabolic rate.

So, the correct answer is 'Slowing of metabolism'.

Multiple choice biology biology : an introduction introduction to organization of life signs of life what is living?

Which of the following improves the capacity of an organism to survive in a particular environment?

  1. Growth

  2. Reproduction

  3. Repair

  4. Adaptation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Adaptation is the ability of an organism to modify or change according to the conditions of the environment. This ability allows the organism to change some of the structures permanently and evolve to form a more sustainable organism. This property improves the chances of survival of the organism in a particular area. 

Thus, the correct answer is option D. 

Multiple choice biology concept of life theories of the origin of life origin of life the origin of cells and cell division

Extra-terrestrial origin of life was proposed by theory of ____________.

  1. Catastrophism

  2. Spontaneous generation

  3. Special creation

  4. Panspermia
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The theory of Panspermia suggests that life exists throughout the universe and is distributed by space dust, meteoroids, asteroids, or comets. It posits that life on Earth originated from these extraterrestrial sources.