Evolution Exam 2 - PCB 4674
FSU
Questions and Answers
Verified Solutions Latest Update
,Evolution Exam 2 - PCB 4674 FSU
Verified Questions and Answers Latest Version
1. Which of the following is the best definition of an adaptation in an
evolutionary context?
A. A trait that increases the fitness of an individual relative to those without the trait
B. A change in an individual’s phenotype during its lifetime to suit the environment
C. The process by which populations become more similar over time
D. A mutation that occurs in response to an environmental challenge
Answer: A
Rationale: Adaptations are inherited traits that enhance an organism’s ability to survive
and reproduce in a specific environment compared to individuals lacking that trait.
2. In a phylogenetic tree, what does a ‘node’ represent?
A. The extinction of a species
B. The most recent common ancestor of the descendant lineages
C. The movement of a species to a new habitat
D. A transitional fossil found in the rock record
Answer: B
Rationale: Nodes on a phylogenetic tree represent branching points where an ancestral
lineage split into two or more descendant lineages, representing their common ancestor.
, 3. Which mode of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a phenotypic
distribution?
A. Directional selection
B. Stabilizing selection
C. Frequency-dependent selection
D. Disruptive selection
Answer: D
Rationale: Disruptive selection occurs when environmental conditions favor individuals at
both extremes of the phenotypic range over those with intermediate phenotypes.
4. What is the primary difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?
A. The presence or absence of geographic isolation
B. The number of mutations required
C. The speed at which reproductive isolation occurs
D. The type of selection acting on the population
Answer: A
Rationale: Allopatric speciation involves geographic barriers that physically isolate
populations, while sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographic area.
5. According to the Biological Species Concept, species are defined by:
A. Reproductive isolation
B. Ecological niche
C. Morphological similarity
D. DNA sequence identity
Answer: A
Rationale: The Biological Species Concept defines a species as a group of populations
whose members have the potential to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.
FSU
Questions and Answers
Verified Solutions Latest Update
,Evolution Exam 2 - PCB 4674 FSU
Verified Questions and Answers Latest Version
1. Which of the following is the best definition of an adaptation in an
evolutionary context?
A. A trait that increases the fitness of an individual relative to those without the trait
B. A change in an individual’s phenotype during its lifetime to suit the environment
C. The process by which populations become more similar over time
D. A mutation that occurs in response to an environmental challenge
Answer: A
Rationale: Adaptations are inherited traits that enhance an organism’s ability to survive
and reproduce in a specific environment compared to individuals lacking that trait.
2. In a phylogenetic tree, what does a ‘node’ represent?
A. The extinction of a species
B. The most recent common ancestor of the descendant lineages
C. The movement of a species to a new habitat
D. A transitional fossil found in the rock record
Answer: B
Rationale: Nodes on a phylogenetic tree represent branching points where an ancestral
lineage split into two or more descendant lineages, representing their common ancestor.
, 3. Which mode of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a phenotypic
distribution?
A. Directional selection
B. Stabilizing selection
C. Frequency-dependent selection
D. Disruptive selection
Answer: D
Rationale: Disruptive selection occurs when environmental conditions favor individuals at
both extremes of the phenotypic range over those with intermediate phenotypes.
4. What is the primary difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?
A. The presence or absence of geographic isolation
B. The number of mutations required
C. The speed at which reproductive isolation occurs
D. The type of selection acting on the population
Answer: A
Rationale: Allopatric speciation involves geographic barriers that physically isolate
populations, while sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographic area.
5. According to the Biological Species Concept, species are defined by:
A. Reproductive isolation
B. Ecological niche
C. Morphological similarity
D. DNA sequence identity
Answer: A
Rationale: The Biological Species Concept defines a species as a group of populations
whose members have the potential to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.
