Free Evolution MCQs with Answers

• A. Cuvier
• B. Lyell
• C. Malthus
• D. Margulis

Explanation: This idea is known as the endosymbiont hypothesis (Fig.24.la) and was first proposed by Lynn Margulis.

• A. Aerobic bacteria
• B. Cyanobacteria
• C. Spirochete
• D. None of the above

Explanation: Flagella (whiplike structures) may have arisen through the ingestion of prokaryotes similar to spiral-shaped bacteria called spirochetes.

• A. Aerobic bacteria
• B. Spirochete
• C. Cyanobacteria
• D. None of the above

Explanation: Ingestion of prokaryotes that resembled present-day cyanobacteria could have led to the endosymbiotic development of chloroplasts in plants.

• A. Darwin
• B. Lyell
• C. Lamarck
• D. Linnaeus

Explanation: The second idea Lamarck adopted, was called the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

• A. Iceland
• B. Galapagos
• C. Cape Verde
• D. None of the above

Explanation: A particularly puzzling case of geographical distribution was the fauna of the Galapagos islands.

• A. 1932
• B. 1934
• C. 1836
• D. 1939

Explanation: After returning to Great Britain in 1836, Darwin perceived the origin of new species and adaptations as closely related processes

• A. Wallace
• B. Lyell
• C. Linnaeus
• D. Lamarck

Explanation: Alfred Wallace, a young naturalist working in the East Indies developed a theory of natural selection essentially identical to Darwin's.

• A. Similar characters
• B. Same ancestor
• C. Different ancestors
• D. None of the above

Explanation: Darwin believed in perceived unity in life, with all organisms related through descent from some common ancestor that lived in the remote…

• A. Acquired characters
• B. Qualitative characters
• C. Quantitative characters
• D. None of the above

Explanation: An important turning point for evolutionary theory was the birth of population genetics, which emphasizes the extensive genetic variation…

• A. Taxonomy
• B. Population genetics
• C. Palaeontology
• D. All of the above

Explanation: It integrated discoveries and ideas from many different fields, including paleontology, taxonomy, biogeography, of course, population…

• A. Analogy
• B. Anatomy
• C. Homology
• D. Palaeontology

Explanation: Homologous organs are functionally diferent but structurally alike e.g. Fore limbs of man, bat, horse, whale etc.

• A. Analogous structure
• B. Homologous structure
• C. Vestigial structure
• D. None of the above

Explanation: For instance, the skeletons of whales and some snakes retain vestiges of the pelvis and leg bones of walking ancestors, (Fig.

• A. Foreleg of horse
• B. Wing of birds
• C. Wing of insects
• D. Flipper of whale

Explanation: Homologous organs are functionally different but structurally alike e.g. Fore limbs of man, bat, horse, whale etc.

• A. Ear muscles
• B. Eustachian tube
• C. Lungs
• D. Larynx

Explanation: In terrestrial vertebrates, these embryonic structures become modified for other functions, such as the eustachian tubes that connect the…

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. Cytochrome
• C. Albumin
• D. Keratin

Explanation: Cytochrome c, a respiratory protein is found in all aerobic species.

• A. Polygene
• B. Gene pool
• C. Gene interaction
• D. None of the above

Explanation: A gene pool refers to the combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.

• A. 320
• B. 600
• C. 800
• D. 100

Explanation: Of the 480 plants with pink lowers, 320 are homozygous (AA) and 160 are heterozygous (Aa).

• A. Kangaroo
• B. Elephant
• C. Armadillos
• D. Echidna

Explanation: Armadillos, the armored mammals that live only in America.

• A. Fish
• B. Prokaryotes
• C. Protozoans
• D. Algae

Explanation: The oldest known fossils are prokaryotes.

• A. Reptiles
• B. Fishes
• C. Amphioxus
• D. Amphibians

Explanation: Fossil fishes, are the earliest vertebrates, with amphibians next, followed by reptiles, then mammals and birds.