BIOL 320 Final Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
What is Evolution? - Correct answer-Small changes in the genes (alleles) of a
population of organisms from one generation to the next. Such changes can
accumulate with each successive generation.
What is it about the biology and evolution of HIV that makes it such a difficult
virus to develop treatments for? - Correct answer-Its high mutation rate leads HIV
to evolve resistance to retroviral drugs rapidly, and any drugs that disrupt viral
replication may disrupt host DNA replication as well.
In the Florida Panther example from class, the goal of introducing the 8 female
panthers from Texas was to reduce ________ and increase _______.
Did this work? - Correct answer-inbreeding
genetic variation
yes
Are all species related? - Correct answer-Yes, all currently living species on Earth
share a common ancestor.
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,Natural selection acts at the _______ level, but the repercussions are observed at
the _______ level. - Correct answer-Individual
Population
The process of evolution both explains the great amount of _______ we observe in
the natural world, and well as the underlying _______ we see among all living
forms. - Correct answer-diversity
similarity
Complete the following statement by Theodosius Dobzhansky" "Nothing in
_______ makes sense except in the light of _______." - Correct answer-biology
evolution
Which of the following represent synapomorphies?
A. Wings in birds and bats
B. Nuclear envelope in the cells of Animals, Plants and Fungi.
C. Camera eyes in vertebrates and mollusks.
D. Answer A and C are both correct.
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, E. Answers A, B and C are all correct. - Correct answer-B. Nuclear envelope in the
cells of Animals, Plants and Fungi.
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was the first naturalist to propose a mechanism of
evolutionary change. Although his mechanism may seem silly given our modern
understanding of genetics, Lamark was correct is his idea that... - Correct answer-
variation is introduced in the evolutionary process in part by means of inheritance
Which of the following are false regarding Natural Selection?
Natural Selection is not forward looking.
Natural Selection often leads to perfection.
Evolution by Natural Selection is a cumulative process.
Natural Selection acts on individuals, not for the good of the species.
New Traits can evolve, even though natural selection acts on existing traits. -
Correct answer-Natural Selection often leads to perfection.
Homology refers to similarity between different species that results from... -
Correct answer-inheritance of traits from a common ancestor.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
and Answers
What is Evolution? - Correct answer-Small changes in the genes (alleles) of a
population of organisms from one generation to the next. Such changes can
accumulate with each successive generation.
What is it about the biology and evolution of HIV that makes it such a difficult
virus to develop treatments for? - Correct answer-Its high mutation rate leads HIV
to evolve resistance to retroviral drugs rapidly, and any drugs that disrupt viral
replication may disrupt host DNA replication as well.
In the Florida Panther example from class, the goal of introducing the 8 female
panthers from Texas was to reduce ________ and increase _______.
Did this work? - Correct answer-inbreeding
genetic variation
yes
Are all species related? - Correct answer-Yes, all currently living species on Earth
share a common ancestor.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Natural selection acts at the _______ level, but the repercussions are observed at
the _______ level. - Correct answer-Individual
Population
The process of evolution both explains the great amount of _______ we observe in
the natural world, and well as the underlying _______ we see among all living
forms. - Correct answer-diversity
similarity
Complete the following statement by Theodosius Dobzhansky" "Nothing in
_______ makes sense except in the light of _______." - Correct answer-biology
evolution
Which of the following represent synapomorphies?
A. Wings in birds and bats
B. Nuclear envelope in the cells of Animals, Plants and Fungi.
C. Camera eyes in vertebrates and mollusks.
D. Answer A and C are both correct.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, E. Answers A, B and C are all correct. - Correct answer-B. Nuclear envelope in the
cells of Animals, Plants and Fungi.
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was the first naturalist to propose a mechanism of
evolutionary change. Although his mechanism may seem silly given our modern
understanding of genetics, Lamark was correct is his idea that... - Correct answer-
variation is introduced in the evolutionary process in part by means of inheritance
Which of the following are false regarding Natural Selection?
Natural Selection is not forward looking.
Natural Selection often leads to perfection.
Evolution by Natural Selection is a cumulative process.
Natural Selection acts on individuals, not for the good of the species.
New Traits can evolve, even though natural selection acts on existing traits. -
Correct answer-Natural Selection often leads to perfection.
Homology refers to similarity between different species that results from... -
Correct answer-inheritance of traits from a common ancestor.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
