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 21 of 41

  • A. Artificial selection
  • B. Adaptation
  • C. Variation
  • D. Natural selection

Explanation: Darwin suggested that populations of individual species become better adapted to their local environments through natural selection.

Correct answer: Natural selection
  • A. All were unique to individual islands
  • B. Some were distributed on two or more islands
  • C. Some were unique to individual islands
  • D. Majority were unique to individual islands

Explanation: During his voyage on the Beagle, Charles Darwin collected 13 species of finches from the Galapagos Islands.

Correct answer: Some were unique to individual islands
  • A. Convergent
  • B. Parallel
  • C. Divergent
  • D. Adaptive

Explanation: Analogous organs, like the wings of birds and bats, demonstrate convergent evolution because these structures serve similar functions but…

Correct answer: Convergent
  • A. Random mating
  • B. Many mutations
  • C. Frequent migrations
  • D. Selected mating
  • E. Random mutations

Explanation: Conditions for hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are as follows: No mutations (Crosses out E and B). No natural selection.

Correct answer: Random mating
  • A. Darker coloring of prepared moth near industrial areas
  • B. Increased production of antibiotics by the fungus penicillium species
  • C. Increased resistance of houseflies to the insecticide DDT
  • D. Increased resistance of lichens to the heavy metals on tree bark around mine workings

Explanation: Artificial selection is an evolutionary process in which humans consciously select for or against particular features in organisms.

Correct answer: Increased production of antibiotics by the fungus penicillium species
  • A. Organisms produce more off springs than the environment can support
  • B. Variation between individuals arises by gene mutation
  • C. Only those individuals best adapted by environment survive and reproduce
  • D. Individuals compete for scarce resources

Explanation: The idea that was not part of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is Option B: Variation between individuals arises…

Correct answer: Variation between individuals arises by gene mutation
  • A. Convergent evolution
  • B. Divergent evolution
  • C. Co-evolution
  • D. Artificial selection

Explanation: Due to different requirements or needs, some structures of the organisms have developed differently.

Correct answer: Divergent evolution
  • A. Gene pool of the trait in the population
  • B. Population density or total number of individuals in the population
  • C. Tolal number of heterozygotes
  • D. Total number of homozyotes

Explanation: The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to…

Correct answer: Gene pool of the trait in the population
  • A. Migration
  • B. Mutation
  • C. Selection
  • D. Genetic drift

Explanation: Mutation is the most important factor in bringing about the origin of a new species.

Correct answer: Mutation
  • A. New Zealand
  • B. New Guinea
  • C. Galapagos Islands
  • D. Australia

Explanation: Darwin finches (13 types) are found in the Galapagos islands, west of Ecuador.

Correct answer: Galapagos Islands
  • A. Darwin
  • B. Lamarck
  • C. Mendel
  • D. Wallace

Explanation: Lamarckism, also known as Lamarckian inheritance or neo-Lamarckism, is the notion that an organism can pass on to its offspring physical…

Correct answer: Lamarck
  • A. Vestigial Organs
  • B. Comparative embryology organs
  • C. Homologous organs
  • D. None of the given options

Explanation: Homologous organs are referred to as the organs/traits that are inherited by two different organisms but from the same ancestry.

Correct answer: Homologous organs
  • A. Migration
  • B. Genetic drift
  • C. Mutation
  • D. Non-random mating

Explanation: Genetic drift is the change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population due to random chance.

Correct answer: Genetic drift
  • A. Regenerated organs
  • B. Vestigial organs
  • C. Saltatory organs
  • D. Useless organs

Explanation: Vestigial organs are organs which are thought to be remnants of organs that once served some purpose but are now no longer functional or…

Correct answer: Vestigial organs
  • A. Hairs
  • B. Gill pouches
  • C. Scales
  • D. Fins

Explanation: Gill pouches were found to be present in the embryos of all vertebrates, even in air breathing reptiles and mammals.

Correct answer: Gill pouches
  • A. Cytochrome a
  • B. Cytochrome b
  • C. Cytochrome c
  • D. Cytochrome d

Explanation: Cytochrome c: This option is the correct answer. Cytochrome c is a highly conserved respiratory protein found in a wide range of…

Correct answer: Cytochrome c
  • A. Both artificial and natural selection
  • B. Artificial selection
  • C. None of these
  • D. Natural selection

Explanation: Although Darwin discussed artificial selection to support his ideas, his core theory was built around natural selection, where nature, not…

Correct answer: Natural selection
  • A. Comparative embroyology
  • B. Distinct differences
  • C. Vestigial organs
  • D. Analogous structures

Explanation: Comparative embryology is the study of the similarities and differences in the embryos of different species to understand their…

Correct answer: Comparative embroyology
  • A. Homologous structures have similar structure but different functions
  • B. Homologous structures have different structures but similar functions
  • C. Homologous structures have neither similar structures nor similar functions
  • D. Homologous structures have similar functions and similar external appearances

Explanation: Homologous structures are body parts that have a similar internal structure and origin but perform different functions, showing evidence…

Correct answer: Homologous structures have similar structure but different functions