Q11. What term describes the process by which species evolve into several different forms to fill different ecological niches?
a) Convergent evolution
b) Divergent evolution
c) Adaptive radiation
d) Punctuated equilibrium
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Correct Answer: c) Adaptive radiation
Explanation: Adaptive radiation is the rapid diversification of ancestral species into several different forms, each adapted to a specific ecological niche. This process often occurs when organisms colonize new environments with diverse ecological opportunities.
Q12. Which type of genetic drift occurs when a small subset of a population establishes a new population with limited genetic variation?
a) Founder effect
b) Bottleneck effect
c) Gene flow
d) Mutation drift
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Correct Answer: a) Founder effect
Explanation: The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population in a new geographic area, leading to a loss of genetic variation compared to the original population due to the limited genetic diversity of the founding individuals.
Q13. Which scientist proposed the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, now discredited?
a) Charles Darwin
b) Gregor Mendel
c) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
d) Thomas Malthus
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Correct Answer: c) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Explanation: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, suggesting that traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime could be passed on to offspring. However, this theory has been discredited by modern genetics and evolutionary biology.
Q14. What term describes the process by which two separate species evolve similar traits independently due to similar environmental pressures?
a) Convergent evolution
b) Divergent evolution
c) Parallel evolution
d) Coevolution
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Correct Answer: a) Convergent evolution
Explanation: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species independently evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures, such as similar habitats or ecological roles. This results in analogous structures that serve similar functions but have different evolutionary origins.
Q15. Which evolutionary process involves the exchange of genetic material between different populations of the same species?
a) Mutation
b) Genetic drift
c) Gene flow
d) Recombination
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Correct Answer: c) Gene flow
Explanation: Gene flow is the movement of genes between different populations of the same species through the exchange of individuals. This process can introduce new genetic variation into populations and reduce genetic differences between populations over time.
Q16. Which evolutionary process involves the exchange of genetic material between different populations of the same species?
a) Mutation
b) Genetic drift
c) Gene flow
d) Recombination
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Correct Answer: c) Gene flow
Explanation: Gene flow is the movement of genes between different populations of the same species through the exchange of individuals. This process can introduce new genetic variation into populations and reduce genetic differences between populations over time.
Q17. What is the driving force behind evolution?
a) Genetic drift
b) Mutation
c) Natural selection
d) Genetic recombination
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Correct Answer: c) Natural selection
Explanation: Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. Over time, this results in the accumulation of beneficial traits within a population, driving evolutionary change.
Q18. Which scientist is known for proposing the theory of evolution by natural selection?
a) Charles Darwin
b) Gregor Mendel
c) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
d) Alfred Russel Wallace
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Correct Answer: a) Charles Darwin
Explanation: Charles Darwin, an English naturalist, proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection in his book “On the Origin of Species” published in 1859. His work revolutionized the understanding of how species evolve over time.
Q19. What term describes the process by which species evolve from a common ancestor but develop different traits due to different environmental pressures?
a) Convergent evolution
b) Divergent evolution
c) Parallel evolution
d) Coevolution
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Correct Answer: b) Divergent evolution
Explanation: Divergent evolution occurs when closely related species evolve different traits in response to different environmental pressures, despite originating from a common ancestor. This leads to the formation of distinct species with unique characteristics.
Q20. Which anatomical structures are evidence of a common evolutionary origin?
a) Analogous structures
b) Homologous structures
c) Vestigial structures
d) Adaptive structures
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Correct Answer: b) Homologous structures
Explanation: Homologous structures are anatomical features that are similar in structure but may have different functions. These similarities suggest a common evolutionary origin and are evidence of shared ancestry among different species.