BIOLOGY 1307 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y) are placed in genus Loxodonta,
and a third species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Thus, which statement should
be true? - ANSWER-Species X and Y share a greater number of homologies with
each other than either does with species Z.
TRUE or FALSE: Evolution can be observed and tested. - ANSWER-True
On a phylogenetic tree the point where two or more taxa from a common ancestor
diverage is known as a: - ANSWER-Branch Point
A population is: - ANSWER-A group of individuals of the same species living in the
same place at the same time.
A _____________ group pertains to a taxon derived from a single ancestral species
that gave rise to no other species in any other taxa. - ANSWER-Monophyletic
The most important feature that permits a gene to act as a molecular clock is: -
ANSWER-Having a reliable average rate of mutation.
Which of the following statements would Darwin have disagreed with? - ANSWER-
Descent with modification occurs through inheritance of acquired characteristics.
Based on this tree, which statement is NOT correct? - ANSWER-Lizards are more
closely related to salamanders than to humans.
Who was the first person to propose the idea of mobile genetic elements after
observing variegations in corn kernal color? - ANSWER-Barbara McClintock
Which of the these naturalists synthesized a concept of natural selection
independently of Darwin? - ANSWER-Alfred Wallace
One of the characteristics of a retrotransposon is that: - ANSWER-They code for an
enzyme that synthesizes DNA using an RNA template.
The ultimate goal of the ___________ was to determine the complete nucleotide
sequence of each human chromosome. - ANSWER-The human genome project.
Which of the following disciplines has found eveidence for evolution based on the
native distributions (locations) of living species? - ANSWER-Biogeography
Which of the following statements regarding natural selection is FALSE? - ANSWER-
Natural selection starts with the creation of new alleles that are directed toward
improving an organism's fitness.
AND ANSWERS
Currently, two extant elephant species (X and Y) are placed in genus Loxodonta,
and a third species (Z) is placed in the genus Elephas. Thus, which statement should
be true? - ANSWER-Species X and Y share a greater number of homologies with
each other than either does with species Z.
TRUE or FALSE: Evolution can be observed and tested. - ANSWER-True
On a phylogenetic tree the point where two or more taxa from a common ancestor
diverage is known as a: - ANSWER-Branch Point
A population is: - ANSWER-A group of individuals of the same species living in the
same place at the same time.
A _____________ group pertains to a taxon derived from a single ancestral species
that gave rise to no other species in any other taxa. - ANSWER-Monophyletic
The most important feature that permits a gene to act as a molecular clock is: -
ANSWER-Having a reliable average rate of mutation.
Which of the following statements would Darwin have disagreed with? - ANSWER-
Descent with modification occurs through inheritance of acquired characteristics.
Based on this tree, which statement is NOT correct? - ANSWER-Lizards are more
closely related to salamanders than to humans.
Who was the first person to propose the idea of mobile genetic elements after
observing variegations in corn kernal color? - ANSWER-Barbara McClintock
Which of the these naturalists synthesized a concept of natural selection
independently of Darwin? - ANSWER-Alfred Wallace
One of the characteristics of a retrotransposon is that: - ANSWER-They code for an
enzyme that synthesizes DNA using an RNA template.
The ultimate goal of the ___________ was to determine the complete nucleotide
sequence of each human chromosome. - ANSWER-The human genome project.
Which of the following disciplines has found eveidence for evolution based on the
native distributions (locations) of living species? - ANSWER-Biogeography
Which of the following statements regarding natural selection is FALSE? - ANSWER-
Natural selection starts with the creation of new alleles that are directed toward
improving an organism's fitness.
