BIOL2400: MIDTERMS & EXAM
PRACTICE Q'S AND CORRECT ANSWERS||
GRADED A+|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
You have sequenced a section of a gene from four species of acorn barnacles and
intend to use it to build a phylogeny using maximum parsimony. The sequences are as
follows:
Base number: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Species I A G C G G A T
Species II A C C T G A C
Species III G C C T G A T
Species IV T C C G G A C
Which DNA bases (1-7) are parsimony informative? -CORRECTANSWER Bases 4 and
7
A phenotype is:
A complex trait involving the interaction between the genotype and the environment
The physical appearance of an organism resulting from input from the environment only
A measurable characteristic such as a morphological character, developmental or
physiological process or behavior
A feature of an organism that can never change during its lifetime
Both 1 and 3
Both 3 and 4 -CORRECTANSWER Both 1 and 3
,Which is NOT part of the theory of Natural Selection:
Individuals within species are variable. Some phenotypic variation among individuals is
inheritable by their offspring.
Offspring inherit all favorable traits from their parents, always resulting in more fit
individuals within a population.
In every generation, more offspring are produced than can survive therefore, only some
will breed.
The survival and reproduction of individuals is not random: Individuals with the most
favorable variations will survive and reproduce the most are thus "naturally selected->
"Survival of the Fittest". -CORRECTANSWER Offspring inherit all favorable traits from
their parents, always resulting in more fit individuals within a population.
True or False: Darwin determined there to be Dominant and Recessive traits -
CORRECTANSWER False
What is Evolution?
Is the result of individuals adapting to new environments.
Is Natural selection.
Is the process by which populations change over time due to changes in allele
frequencies between generations.
An idea based on poor evidence of how species change over time.
, Is the process by which individuals get the adaptations they need to be successful. -
CORRECTANSWER Is the process by which populations change over time due to
changes in allele frequencies between generations.
Similarity in character states can be due to ____.
1. Sharing a common ancestor.
2. Homoplasy
3. Convergent evolution and evolutionary reversal of characters.
4. 1, 2 and 3.
5. None of the above -CORRECTANSWER 4. 1, 2 and 3.
Adaptations are:
Inherited traits that result in individuals to being favoured by natural selection in certain
environments.
Traits that evolve in response to an animal's need in its current environment.
Traits that ensure the survival of a species.
Evolved traits that perfectly perform a required function.
All of the above. -CORRECTANSWER Inherited traits that result in individuals to being
favoured by natural selection in certain environments.
Malthus's "Essay on the principle of population" helped Darwin realise:
Population growth exceeds available resources, causing competition for the resources
necessary for survival.
PRACTICE Q'S AND CORRECT ANSWERS||
GRADED A+|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
You have sequenced a section of a gene from four species of acorn barnacles and
intend to use it to build a phylogeny using maximum parsimony. The sequences are as
follows:
Base number: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Species I A G C G G A T
Species II A C C T G A C
Species III G C C T G A T
Species IV T C C G G A C
Which DNA bases (1-7) are parsimony informative? -CORRECTANSWER Bases 4 and
7
A phenotype is:
A complex trait involving the interaction between the genotype and the environment
The physical appearance of an organism resulting from input from the environment only
A measurable characteristic such as a morphological character, developmental or
physiological process or behavior
A feature of an organism that can never change during its lifetime
Both 1 and 3
Both 3 and 4 -CORRECTANSWER Both 1 and 3
,Which is NOT part of the theory of Natural Selection:
Individuals within species are variable. Some phenotypic variation among individuals is
inheritable by their offspring.
Offspring inherit all favorable traits from their parents, always resulting in more fit
individuals within a population.
In every generation, more offspring are produced than can survive therefore, only some
will breed.
The survival and reproduction of individuals is not random: Individuals with the most
favorable variations will survive and reproduce the most are thus "naturally selected->
"Survival of the Fittest". -CORRECTANSWER Offspring inherit all favorable traits from
their parents, always resulting in more fit individuals within a population.
True or False: Darwin determined there to be Dominant and Recessive traits -
CORRECTANSWER False
What is Evolution?
Is the result of individuals adapting to new environments.
Is Natural selection.
Is the process by which populations change over time due to changes in allele
frequencies between generations.
An idea based on poor evidence of how species change over time.
, Is the process by which individuals get the adaptations they need to be successful. -
CORRECTANSWER Is the process by which populations change over time due to
changes in allele frequencies between generations.
Similarity in character states can be due to ____.
1. Sharing a common ancestor.
2. Homoplasy
3. Convergent evolution and evolutionary reversal of characters.
4. 1, 2 and 3.
5. None of the above -CORRECTANSWER 4. 1, 2 and 3.
Adaptations are:
Inherited traits that result in individuals to being favoured by natural selection in certain
environments.
Traits that evolve in response to an animal's need in its current environment.
Traits that ensure the survival of a species.
Evolved traits that perfectly perform a required function.
All of the above. -CORRECTANSWER Inherited traits that result in individuals to being
favoured by natural selection in certain environments.
Malthus's "Essay on the principle of population" helped Darwin realise:
Population growth exceeds available resources, causing competition for the resources
necessary for survival.
