UMN BIOL 1009 FINAL EXAM REVIEW 2026/2027 | UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA | COMPLETE BIOLOGY TEST BANK & STUDY GUIDE | HIGH-YIELD
QUESTIONS | VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS| LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. Describe the role of nonsynonymous substitutions in the process of evolution.
Nonsynonymous substitutions are always harmful to the organism.
Nonsynonymous substitutions can lead to changes in protein
function, which may provide new traits that enhance survival and
reproduction.
Nonsynonymous substitutions have no effect on protein function and
therefore do not influence evolution.
Nonsynonymous substitutions only occur in non-coding regions of
DNA.
2. Describe the role of taxa in the classification of living organisms.
Taxa only refer to the most complex organisms in an ecosystem.
Taxa serve as categories that help organize and classify organisms
based on shared characteristics.
Taxa are random groupings of organisms without any scientific basis.
Taxa are used exclusively for naming species without any hierarchical
structure.
3. In the field of population genetics and evolutionary biology what does the
term "fitness" refer to?
the ability to escape predators
how well an organism is adapted to an environment
the ability to use energy efficiently
the ability to survive and reproduce
,4. Food chains and food webs are models in science which visually show us the
different relationships within an ecosystem. The primary difference between
the food chain and the food web is:
a food web is a complex system of food chains
a food web shows how energy is used
a food chain is a combination of different food webs
a food chain shows how energy is stored
5. If two species produce hybrid offspring that are viable but have reduced
fertility, which type of isolating mechanism is at play, and how might this
affect future hybridization?
Prezygotic isolating mechanisms; they may encourage future
hybridization.
Postzygotic isolating mechanisms; they will have no effect on future
hybridization.
Postzygotic isolating mechanisms; they may discourage future
hybridization due to reduced fertility.
Prezygotic isolating mechanisms; they prevent hybridization from
occurring.
6. Describe the significance of having two types of sperm in biological
hermaphrodite flatworms.
The two types of sperm serve to attract mates from different species.
Having two types of sperm allows for different reproductive
strategies and increases genetic diversity.
Having two types of sperm is a result of environmental adaptation.
, Two types of sperm are necessary for the flatworm's survival in aquatic
environments.
7. In your own words, explain how artificial selection differs from natural
selection in terms of their beneficiaries.
Both artificial and natural selection benefit only humans.
Artificial selection occurs only in plants, while natural selection occurs
in animals.
Natural selection is random, while artificial selection is intentional.
Artificial selection is aimed at benefiting humans, whereas natural
selection benefits the survival of all organisms in an ecosystem.
8. Describe the significance of clades in understanding evolutionary
relationships among organisms.
Clades are used to determine the age of fossils.
Clades categorize organisms based solely on their habitat.
Clades help illustrate the evolutionary relationships and common
ancestry among different species.
Clades focus on the physical traits of organisms rather than their
genetic lineage.
9. What happens to the gene pool during the founder effect?
It is not reflective of the original population.
It is identical to the original population.
It becomes more diverse than the original population.
It remains unchanged from the original population.
, 10. Why does it matter how organisms are classified?
It can help explain why some species have certain adaptations and
others do not.
It can help conservationists in determining which populations are in
most need of protection.
All of the answers are true.
None of the answers are true.
It can help scientists to understand evolutionary relationships.
11. What term describes species that are each other's closest relatives?
Sister species
Ancestor species
Parent species
Cousin species
12. What is the term used to describe the formation of new species from
existing ones?
Natural selection
Adaptation
Evolution
Speciation
13. Describe how mutations contribute to the process of natural selection in
evolution.
Mutations stabilize existing traits without introducing new variations.
MINNESOTA | COMPLETE BIOLOGY TEST BANK & STUDY GUIDE | HIGH-YIELD
QUESTIONS | VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS| LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. Describe the role of nonsynonymous substitutions in the process of evolution.
Nonsynonymous substitutions are always harmful to the organism.
Nonsynonymous substitutions can lead to changes in protein
function, which may provide new traits that enhance survival and
reproduction.
Nonsynonymous substitutions have no effect on protein function and
therefore do not influence evolution.
Nonsynonymous substitutions only occur in non-coding regions of
DNA.
2. Describe the role of taxa in the classification of living organisms.
Taxa only refer to the most complex organisms in an ecosystem.
Taxa serve as categories that help organize and classify organisms
based on shared characteristics.
Taxa are random groupings of organisms without any scientific basis.
Taxa are used exclusively for naming species without any hierarchical
structure.
3. In the field of population genetics and evolutionary biology what does the
term "fitness" refer to?
the ability to escape predators
how well an organism is adapted to an environment
the ability to use energy efficiently
the ability to survive and reproduce
,4. Food chains and food webs are models in science which visually show us the
different relationships within an ecosystem. The primary difference between
the food chain and the food web is:
a food web is a complex system of food chains
a food web shows how energy is used
a food chain is a combination of different food webs
a food chain shows how energy is stored
5. If two species produce hybrid offspring that are viable but have reduced
fertility, which type of isolating mechanism is at play, and how might this
affect future hybridization?
Prezygotic isolating mechanisms; they may encourage future
hybridization.
Postzygotic isolating mechanisms; they will have no effect on future
hybridization.
Postzygotic isolating mechanisms; they may discourage future
hybridization due to reduced fertility.
Prezygotic isolating mechanisms; they prevent hybridization from
occurring.
6. Describe the significance of having two types of sperm in biological
hermaphrodite flatworms.
The two types of sperm serve to attract mates from different species.
Having two types of sperm allows for different reproductive
strategies and increases genetic diversity.
Having two types of sperm is a result of environmental adaptation.
, Two types of sperm are necessary for the flatworm's survival in aquatic
environments.
7. In your own words, explain how artificial selection differs from natural
selection in terms of their beneficiaries.
Both artificial and natural selection benefit only humans.
Artificial selection occurs only in plants, while natural selection occurs
in animals.
Natural selection is random, while artificial selection is intentional.
Artificial selection is aimed at benefiting humans, whereas natural
selection benefits the survival of all organisms in an ecosystem.
8. Describe the significance of clades in understanding evolutionary
relationships among organisms.
Clades are used to determine the age of fossils.
Clades categorize organisms based solely on their habitat.
Clades help illustrate the evolutionary relationships and common
ancestry among different species.
Clades focus on the physical traits of organisms rather than their
genetic lineage.
9. What happens to the gene pool during the founder effect?
It is not reflective of the original population.
It is identical to the original population.
It becomes more diverse than the original population.
It remains unchanged from the original population.
, 10. Why does it matter how organisms are classified?
It can help explain why some species have certain adaptations and
others do not.
It can help conservationists in determining which populations are in
most need of protection.
All of the answers are true.
None of the answers are true.
It can help scientists to understand evolutionary relationships.
11. What term describes species that are each other's closest relatives?
Sister species
Ancestor species
Parent species
Cousin species
12. What is the term used to describe the formation of new species from
existing ones?
Natural selection
Adaptation
Evolution
Speciation
13. Describe how mutations contribute to the process of natural selection in
evolution.
Mutations stabilize existing traits without introducing new variations.
