Biology

Genetics and Evolutionary Biology

1,123 Questions

Genetics and evolutionary biology explain how traits are passed from parents to offspring and how species change over time. Key concepts include genetic drift, inbreeding, and heredity. This topic is fundamental for the biology section of many competitive tests.

Heredity and traitsGenetic variations and driftInbreeding conceptsEvolutionary mechanisms

Genetics and Evolutionary Biology Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is true of individuals who are well adapted for a particular environment?

  1. They are at a disadvantage in other environments

  2. They are the best fit for all other environments

  3. They will mutate to become fit in other environments

  4. They may or may not be equally fit in another environment

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Adaptations are specific to the environment in which they evolved. An organism that is highly fit in one environment may not possess the traits necessary to survive or thrive in a different, contrasting environment.

Multiple choice

The primary source for new, unique genes in a population is

  1. mutation

  2. artificial selection

  3. crossing-over

  4. natural selection
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mutations are random changes in the DNA sequence. They are the ultimate source of new genetic variation in a population, providing the raw material upon which natural selection acts.

Multiple choice biology inherited changes linkage and crossing over linkage and recombination genetics: inheritance

The primary biological importance of sex in organisms is that it

  1. Is essential for organismic reproduction

  2. Is essential for cellular reproduction

  3. Causes new mutations to occur in offspring

  4. Promotes genetic variability in offspring
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The primary biological advantage of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction is the generation of genetic diversity through recombination and independent assortment, which aids in adaptation.

Multiple choice zoology meaning of life level of biological organization in animals introduction to tissues basics of ecology

Plant species having a wide range of genetical distribution evolve into a local population known as

  1. Ecotype

  2. Biome

  3. Ecosystem

  4. Population
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The different populations of the same organism present in particular geographical areas are called as local populations or demes. A local population adapted genetically to its particular environment is called as ecotype. There may be several ecotypes of the same organism, which show variations amongst them.

Multiple choice zoology meaning of life level of biological organization in animals introduction to tissues basics of ecology

Plant species having a wide range of genetical distribution evolve into a local population known as

  1. Ecotype

  2. Blame

  3. Ecosystem

  4. Population

  5. Ephemerals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An ecotype is a genetically distinct geographic variety, population, or race within a species, which is genotypically adapted to specific environmental conditions.

Multiple choice zoology meaning of life level of biological organization in animals introduction to tissues basics of ecology

Plant species having a wide range of genetic distribution evolve into local population are known as

  1. Ecotype

  2. Population

  3. Ecosystem

  4. Biome
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An ecotype is known as the population of a species that survives as a distinct group through environmental selection and isolation and that is comparable with certain species.

So, the correct option is 'Ecotype'.

Multiple choice zoology meaning of life level of biological organization in animals introduction to tissues basics of ecology

The largest unit in which gene flow is possible is?

  1. Organism

  2. Population

  3. Species

  4. Genes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Gene flow is the passing over of genes from one population to another population. There are a various factors that affect the gene flow. The largest unit of population in which gene flow is readily possible is biological species. In species, successful interbreeding is possible which results in the successful reproduction and hence the gene flow. 

Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

A very small population of a species faces a greater threat of extinction than a larger population. Which of the following is suitable genetic explanation?

  1. Fewer individuals in a species impose extensive inbreeding among them.

  2. This limits the appearance of variations and puts the species at a disadvantage, if there are changes in the environment.

  3. Since, the individuals fail to cope up with the environmental changes, they may become extinct.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Smaller population faces more risk of extinction than larger population. Smaller population faces more random fluctuation, which may result in greater death rate than birth rate and that ultimately leads to their extinction. Moreover, in smaller population, more inbreeding occurs between the individuals of a population, that leads to decrease in population's potential by letting the expression of harmful mutations through heterozygosity. In smaller population, amount of accumulated variation is lesser than in larger population. Variation help in survival of population under changed environmental conditions.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common approach used in genetic algorithms to maintain population diversity?

  1. Elitism

  2. Mutation

  3. Crossover

  4. Selection
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Elitism is a technique used in genetic algorithms to preserve the best solutions found so far. It involves copying a certain number of the best individuals from the current population to the next generation without any modification. This helps maintain population diversity and prevents the loss of good solutions.

Multiple choice

What is a mutation?

  1. A permanent change in the DNA sequence.

  2. A temporary change in the DNA sequence.

  3. A change in the RNA sequence.

  4. A change in the protein sequence.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that can alter the genetic information and potentially lead to changes in the structure, function, or expression of proteins.

Multiple choice

What is the role of forest genetics research?

  1. To study the genetic diversity of forest trees

  2. To develop methods for tree breeding

  3. To improve the resistance of trees to pests and diseases

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Forest genetics research aims to study the genetic diversity of forest trees, develop methods for tree breeding, and improve the resistance of trees to pests and diseases.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the loss of genetic diversity within a population?

  1. Genetic erosion

  2. Genetic drift

  3. Inbreeding

  4. Genetic bottleneck
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Genetic erosion is the term for the loss of genetic diversity within a population, which can reduce the population's ability to adapt to changes in the environment and increase its susceptibility to disease.