General Biology II: Ecology & Evolution Exam 2026 — University-
Level Practice Test with 190 Original Multiple-Choice Questions,
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales Covering Ecosystems,
Population Ecology, Community Interactions, Biodiversity, Energy
Flow, Biogeochemical Cycles, Natural Selection, Genetics,
Speciation, Adaptation, Phylogenetics, Conservation Biology &
Evolutionary Processes
SECTION 1: EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AND HISTORY
Question 1
Which scientist is credited with independently developing the theory of natural selection
alongside Charles Darwin?
A. Gregor Mendel
B. Alfred Russel Wallace
C. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D. Georges Cuvier
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Alfred Russel Wallace independently formulated natural selection theory
through his work in the Malay Archipelago, prompting Darwin's publication.
Question 2
What was the primary contribution of Georges Cuvier to evolutionary thought?
,A. Theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics
B. Recognition of species extinction through fossil evidence
C. Development of binomial nomenclature
D. Proposal of uniformitarianism
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cuvier established extinction as fact through comparative anatomy of fossils,
though he opposed evolutionary change.
Question 3
The principle of uniformitarianism, fundamental to geological and evolutionary timescales,
was proposed by:
A. Charles Lyell
B. Thomas Malthus
C. Erasmus Darwin
D. Carolus Linnaeus
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Lyell's uniformitarianism argued geological processes operate at constant rates,
providing the vast timescale needed for evolution.
Question 4
,Which observation from Darwin's voyage on HMS Beagle most influenced his thinking about
species adaptation?
A. Fossil armadillos in South America resembling living armadillos
B. Tropical rainforest biodiversity in Brazil
C. Volcanic formations in the Galápagos Islands
D. Coral reef structures in the Pacific
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: South American fossils resembling extant species suggested gradual change
over time rather than separate creation events.
Question 5
Thomas Malthus influenced Darwin's theory by proposing that:
A. Species remain unchanged over geological time
B. Populations tend to grow faster than their resources
C. Acquired traits can be inherited by offspring
D. Organisms have an innate drive toward complexity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Malthus's principle of population growth exceeding resources provided Darwin
with the mechanism of competition for survival.
Question 6
, Which of the following best describes Lamarck's proposed mechanism of evolution?
A. Random mutation followed by natural selection
B. Use and disuse of organs with inheritance of acquired characteristics
C. Catastrophic extinction events followed by new creation
D. Genetic drift in small populations
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Lamarck proposed that organisms acquire traits through use or disuse during
their lifetime and pass these to offspring.
Question 7
The modern synthesis of evolutionary theory integrated Darwin's natural selection with:
A. Lamarckian inheritance
B. Mendelian genetics and population genetics
C. Catastrophism and creationism
D. Vitalism and spontaneous generation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The modern synthesis combined natural selection with Mendelian inheritance
and population genetics to explain evolutionary mechanisms.
Question 8
Level Practice Test with 190 Original Multiple-Choice Questions,
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales Covering Ecosystems,
Population Ecology, Community Interactions, Biodiversity, Energy
Flow, Biogeochemical Cycles, Natural Selection, Genetics,
Speciation, Adaptation, Phylogenetics, Conservation Biology &
Evolutionary Processes
SECTION 1: EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AND HISTORY
Question 1
Which scientist is credited with independently developing the theory of natural selection
alongside Charles Darwin?
A. Gregor Mendel
B. Alfred Russel Wallace
C. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D. Georges Cuvier
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Alfred Russel Wallace independently formulated natural selection theory
through his work in the Malay Archipelago, prompting Darwin's publication.
Question 2
What was the primary contribution of Georges Cuvier to evolutionary thought?
,A. Theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics
B. Recognition of species extinction through fossil evidence
C. Development of binomial nomenclature
D. Proposal of uniformitarianism
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cuvier established extinction as fact through comparative anatomy of fossils,
though he opposed evolutionary change.
Question 3
The principle of uniformitarianism, fundamental to geological and evolutionary timescales,
was proposed by:
A. Charles Lyell
B. Thomas Malthus
C. Erasmus Darwin
D. Carolus Linnaeus
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Lyell's uniformitarianism argued geological processes operate at constant rates,
providing the vast timescale needed for evolution.
Question 4
,Which observation from Darwin's voyage on HMS Beagle most influenced his thinking about
species adaptation?
A. Fossil armadillos in South America resembling living armadillos
B. Tropical rainforest biodiversity in Brazil
C. Volcanic formations in the Galápagos Islands
D. Coral reef structures in the Pacific
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: South American fossils resembling extant species suggested gradual change
over time rather than separate creation events.
Question 5
Thomas Malthus influenced Darwin's theory by proposing that:
A. Species remain unchanged over geological time
B. Populations tend to grow faster than their resources
C. Acquired traits can be inherited by offspring
D. Organisms have an innate drive toward complexity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Malthus's principle of population growth exceeding resources provided Darwin
with the mechanism of competition for survival.
Question 6
, Which of the following best describes Lamarck's proposed mechanism of evolution?
A. Random mutation followed by natural selection
B. Use and disuse of organs with inheritance of acquired characteristics
C. Catastrophic extinction events followed by new creation
D. Genetic drift in small populations
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Lamarck proposed that organisms acquire traits through use or disuse during
their lifetime and pass these to offspring.
Question 7
The modern synthesis of evolutionary theory integrated Darwin's natural selection with:
A. Lamarckian inheritance
B. Mendelian genetics and population genetics
C. Catastrophism and creationism
D. Vitalism and spontaneous generation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The modern synthesis combined natural selection with Mendelian inheritance
and population genetics to explain evolutionary mechanisms.
Question 8
