Free Evolution MCQs with Answers

814 Evolution MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Evolution describes heritable change in populations over generations through variation, natural selection and adaptation. Lamarckism explains inheritance of acquired characteristics, while Darwinism explains selection of favourable inherited variations; these historical explanations must not be confused with the modern genetic account of evolutionary change.

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814 questions · page 19 of 41

  • A. Pigeons
  • B. Ravens
  • C. Finches
  • D. Parrots

Explanation: On the Galapagos Islands, among the birds, the finches (commonly known as Darwin's finches) caught much attention from Charles Darwin in…

Correct answer: Finches
  • A. Elephant tusks and human incisors
  • B. Teleost erythrocyte and mammalian erythrocyte
  • C. Insect wing and bat wing
  • D. Mole forelimb and bird wing
  • E. None of the above

Explanation: Option A: Elephant tusks and human incisors are homologous structures, meaning they have the same evolutionary origin but different…

Correct answer: Insect wing and bat wing
  • A. Species
  • B. Population
  • C. Survival
  • D. Environment

Explanation: The correct answer is Environment. The environment exerts selection pressures that influence the success of certain variations over…

Correct answer: Environment
  • A. No, it will not affect the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
  • B. Yes, it will affect the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
  • C. It will help to balance the equilibrium
  • D. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium doesn't apply here

Explanation: The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium assumes several conditions, one of which is random mating among individuals.

Correct answer: Yes, it will affect the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
  • A. Giraffe
  • B. Galapagos finches
  • C. Snake
  • D. All of these

Explanation: Galapagos is an island where Darwin observed almost 13 types of finchis with distinct traits.

Correct answer: Galapagos finches
  • A. Frequency of the dominant allele
  • B. Frequency of the recessive allele
  • C. Frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype
  • D. Number of both alleles

Explanation: In Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the equation p² + 2pq + q² = 1 is used to describe the distribution of genotypes in a population.

Correct answer: Frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype
  • A. Change of allele and gene frequency in a population
  • B. Stability of allele and gene quantity in a population
  • C. Change of allele and gene number in a population
  • D. Stability of allele and gene frequency in a population

Explanation: Genetic equilibrium refers to a condition where the allele and gene frequencies in a population remain constant over time, indicating no…

Correct answer: Stability of allele and gene frequency in a population
  • A. Metamorphic rocks
  • B. Soil
  • C. Volcanic mountains
  • D. Sedimentary rocks

Explanation: Option D: Sedimentary rocks are the most common source of fossils because they form through the deposition of materials like sand, mud…

Correct answer: Sedimentary rocks
  • A. Special creation
  • B. Natural selection
  • C. Catastrophism
  • D. Inheritance of acquired characters

Explanation: Carolus Linnaeus, regarded as the father of taxonomy, held the belief of special creation.

Correct answer: Special creation
  • A. Community
  • B. Family
  • C. Race
  • D. Population

Explanation: A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in a specific geographic area and can interbreed.

Correct answer: Population
  • A. Inbreeding
  • B. Outbreeding
  • C. Breeding
  • D. Assortative Mating

Explanation: Outbreeding is the process of mating between unrelated or distantly related individuals, which helps increase genetic variability and…

Correct answer: Outbreeding
  • A. Hardy-Weinberg
  • B. Malthus
  • C. Alfred Wallace
  • D. Lyell

Explanation: The correct answer is Alfred Wallace. Wallace independently formulated a theory of natural selection similar to Darwin's, resulting in a…

Correct answer: Alfred Wallace
  • A. Teeth
  • B. Nails
  • C. Body hair
  • D. Coccyx

Explanation: The correct answer is d) Coccyx. The coccyx is a vestigial structure in humans, whereas teeth, nails, and body hair are not vestigial and…

Correct answer: Coccyx
  • A. Polymorphism
  • B. Gene linkage
  • C. Specialisation
  • D. Replication

Explanation: The correct answer is Specialisation. Specialisation refers to the adaptation of organisms or species to perform specific roles or…

Correct answer: Specialisation
  • A. Eyes-cleaning
  • B. Brain-thinking
  • C. Feet-locomotion
  • D. Bones-supporting

Explanation: The nictitating membrane is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye for…

Correct answer: Eyes-cleaning
  • A. Adaptations
  • B. Polymorphism
  • C. Niches
  • D. Specialization

Explanation: Option A: An adaptation is any heritable trait that helps an organism, such as a plant or animal, survive and reproduce in its…

Correct answer: Niches
  • A. Mendel
  • B. Wallace
  • C. Lamarck
  • D. Lynn Margulis

Explanation: Wallace knew Darwin was working on similar research. In 1858, he sent Darwin a letter outlining his ideas about evolution.

Correct answer: Wallace
  • A. The organism's ability to compete effectively for resources within its species
  • B. The organism's success in attracting mates
  • C. The organism's overall health and well-being
  • D. The ability of an organism to pass its genes to the next generation

Explanation: In evolutionary biology, 'fitness' is defined by an organism's ability to survive and reproduce, thereby ensuring its genetic traits are…

Correct answer: The ability of an organism to pass its genes to the next generation
  • A. Gene
  • B. Individual
  • C. Group
  • D. All of these

Explanation: Natural selection operates at the individual level because individuals possess traits that can either enhance or hinder their survival and…

Correct answer: Individual
  • A. Iron
  • B. Zircon
  • C. Diamond
  • D. Cadmium

Explanation: Zircon is the correct answer because it is the oldest known mineral, dating back to about 4.4 billion years.

Correct answer: Zircon