UT Arlington BIOL 1442 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Ecology &
Evolution Q&A | Biology
1. Which of the following best defines evolution?
A) A change in the physical characteristics of an individual organism over its
lifetime
B) A change in the genetic composition of a population over successive
generations
C) The process by which organisms become more complex over time
D) The migration of organisms from one geographic location to another
Correct Answer: A change in the genetic composition of a population over
successive generations
Rationale: Evolution is defined as a change in the allele frequencies of a
population over time. This change occurs across generations and is the
fundamental process that drives the diversity of life on Earth.
2. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was influenced
by his observations on which of the following?
A) The Galápagos finches and their distinct beak shapes
B) The fossil record of dinosaurs
C) The genetic code of bacteria
D) The migration of whales
Correct Answer: The Galápagos finches and their distinct beak shapes
Rationale: Darwin's observations of finches on the Galápagos Islands, where
different species had beak shapes adapted to different food sources, were
crucial in developing his theory of natural selection.
3. Structures that evolved from the same common ancestor but may have
different functions due to divergent evolution are known as:
A) Analogous structures
B) Vestigial structures
,C) Homologous structures
D) Fossilized structures
Correct Answer: Homologous structures
Rationale: Homologous structures share a common developmental origin and
evolutionary ancestry, even if they serve different functions in different
organisms (e.g., the forelimbs of mammals).
4. Structures that did NOT evolve from the same common ancestor but have
the same function due to convergent evolution are known as:
A) Homologous structures
B) Analogous structures
C) Vestigial structures
D) Inherited structures
Correct Answer: Analogous structures
Rationale: Analogous structures are similar in function but differ in
evolutionary origin. They arise through convergent evolution, where
unrelated species evolve similar traits in response to similar environmental
pressures.
5. Evolution toward similar characteristics in unrelated species is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Correct Answer: Convergent evolution
Rationale: Convergent evolution occurs when distantly related organisms
evolve similar traits independently, often because they inhabit similar
environments and face similar selective pressures.
,6. In a population that is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of the
dominant allele (p) is 0.7. What is the frequency of the recessive allele (q)?
A) 0.3
B) 0.49
C) 0.7
D) 0.21
Correct Answer: 0.3
Rationale: In the Hardy-Weinberg equation, p + q = 1. Therefore, if p = 0.7,
then q = 1 - 0.7 = 0.3.
7. A population of 100 individuals has 50 individuals that are homozygous
dominant (AA), 40 that are heterozygous (Aa), and 10 that are homozygous
recessive (aa). What is the frequency of the 'a' allele?
A) 0.1
B) 0.2
C) 0.3
D) 0.4
Correct Answer: 0.3
Rationale: The total number of alleles is 200. The 'a' allele is present in
heterozygous individuals (40 individuals × 1 allele = 40) and in homozygous
recessive individuals (10 individuals × 2 alleles = 20). Total 'a' alleles = 40 +
20 = 60. Frequency = 60/200 = 0.3.
8. The founder effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when:
A) A small group of individuals colonizes a new area, establishing a new
population
B) A large population experiences a drastic reduction in size
C) Individuals migrate between populations
D) Mutations create new alleles
, Correct Answer: A small group of individuals colonizes a new area,
establishing a new population
Rationale: The founder effect occurs when a small number of individuals
become isolated from a larger population and establish a new population.
The genetic makeup of the new population may not be representative of the
original population.
9. The bottleneck effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when:
A) A small group of individuals colonizes a new area
B) A population is drastically reduced in size by a random event (e.g., natural
disaster)
C) Individuals migrate between populations
D) Mutations create new alleles
Correct Answer: A population is drastically reduced in size by a random event
(e.g., natural disaster)
Rationale: The bottleneck effect occurs when a population undergoes a
drastic reduction in size, often due to a random event. This can lead to a loss
of genetic diversity.
10. The movement of alleles between populations is known as:
A) Genetic drift
B) Gene flow
C) Mutation
D) Natural selection
Correct Answer: Gene flow
Rationale: Gene flow is the transfer of alleles from one population to another
through the movement of individuals or gametes.
11. Which of the following is the source of new alleles in a population?
A) Genetic drift
Evolution Q&A | Biology
1. Which of the following best defines evolution?
A) A change in the physical characteristics of an individual organism over its
lifetime
B) A change in the genetic composition of a population over successive
generations
C) The process by which organisms become more complex over time
D) The migration of organisms from one geographic location to another
Correct Answer: A change in the genetic composition of a population over
successive generations
Rationale: Evolution is defined as a change in the allele frequencies of a
population over time. This change occurs across generations and is the
fundamental process that drives the diversity of life on Earth.
2. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was influenced
by his observations on which of the following?
A) The Galápagos finches and their distinct beak shapes
B) The fossil record of dinosaurs
C) The genetic code of bacteria
D) The migration of whales
Correct Answer: The Galápagos finches and their distinct beak shapes
Rationale: Darwin's observations of finches on the Galápagos Islands, where
different species had beak shapes adapted to different food sources, were
crucial in developing his theory of natural selection.
3. Structures that evolved from the same common ancestor but may have
different functions due to divergent evolution are known as:
A) Analogous structures
B) Vestigial structures
,C) Homologous structures
D) Fossilized structures
Correct Answer: Homologous structures
Rationale: Homologous structures share a common developmental origin and
evolutionary ancestry, even if they serve different functions in different
organisms (e.g., the forelimbs of mammals).
4. Structures that did NOT evolve from the same common ancestor but have
the same function due to convergent evolution are known as:
A) Homologous structures
B) Analogous structures
C) Vestigial structures
D) Inherited structures
Correct Answer: Analogous structures
Rationale: Analogous structures are similar in function but differ in
evolutionary origin. They arise through convergent evolution, where
unrelated species evolve similar traits in response to similar environmental
pressures.
5. Evolution toward similar characteristics in unrelated species is known as:
A) Divergent evolution
B) Convergent evolution
C) Coevolution
D) Adaptive radiation
Correct Answer: Convergent evolution
Rationale: Convergent evolution occurs when distantly related organisms
evolve similar traits independently, often because they inhabit similar
environments and face similar selective pressures.
,6. In a population that is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of the
dominant allele (p) is 0.7. What is the frequency of the recessive allele (q)?
A) 0.3
B) 0.49
C) 0.7
D) 0.21
Correct Answer: 0.3
Rationale: In the Hardy-Weinberg equation, p + q = 1. Therefore, if p = 0.7,
then q = 1 - 0.7 = 0.3.
7. A population of 100 individuals has 50 individuals that are homozygous
dominant (AA), 40 that are heterozygous (Aa), and 10 that are homozygous
recessive (aa). What is the frequency of the 'a' allele?
A) 0.1
B) 0.2
C) 0.3
D) 0.4
Correct Answer: 0.3
Rationale: The total number of alleles is 200. The 'a' allele is present in
heterozygous individuals (40 individuals × 1 allele = 40) and in homozygous
recessive individuals (10 individuals × 2 alleles = 20). Total 'a' alleles = 40 +
20 = 60. Frequency = 60/200 = 0.3.
8. The founder effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when:
A) A small group of individuals colonizes a new area, establishing a new
population
B) A large population experiences a drastic reduction in size
C) Individuals migrate between populations
D) Mutations create new alleles
, Correct Answer: A small group of individuals colonizes a new area,
establishing a new population
Rationale: The founder effect occurs when a small number of individuals
become isolated from a larger population and establish a new population.
The genetic makeup of the new population may not be representative of the
original population.
9. The bottleneck effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when:
A) A small group of individuals colonizes a new area
B) A population is drastically reduced in size by a random event (e.g., natural
disaster)
C) Individuals migrate between populations
D) Mutations create new alleles
Correct Answer: A population is drastically reduced in size by a random event
(e.g., natural disaster)
Rationale: The bottleneck effect occurs when a population undergoes a
drastic reduction in size, often due to a random event. This can lead to a loss
of genetic diversity.
10. The movement of alleles between populations is known as:
A) Genetic drift
B) Gene flow
C) Mutation
D) Natural selection
Correct Answer: Gene flow
Rationale: Gene flow is the transfer of alleles from one population to another
through the movement of individuals or gametes.
11. Which of the following is the source of new alleles in a population?
A) Genetic drift
