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 24 of 41

  • A. A sterile mule that can pull over 800 pounds
  • B. A childless human male who lives to be over one hundred years old
  • C. A dog who cannot give birth due to a hip abnormality, but is healthy in all other respects
  • D. A prairie dog that, though smaller than the average member of her species, has twice as many healthy young offspring in each litter

Explanation: A prairie dog that, though smaller than the average member of her species, has twice as many healthy young offspring in each litter, A…

Correct answer: A prairie dog that, though smaller than the average member of her species, has twice as many healthy young offspring in each litter
  • A. 300˚C
  • B. 150˚C
  • C. 120˚C
  • D. 200˚C

Explanation: Archaea is a domain of single-celled organisms. These microorganisms lack cell nuclei and are therefore prokaryotes.

Correct answer: 120˚C
  • A. Genetics
  • B. Paleontology
  • C. Taxonomy
  • D. All of these

Explanation: Option D: All of these are correct because Neo-Darwinism is an integrative theory that synthesises insights from diverse scientific…

Correct answer: All of these
  • A. Non-vestigial organs
  • B. Homologous organs
  • C. Analogous organs
  • D. Vestigial organs

Explanation: Option D is correct because vestigial organs are structures that were once useful in an organism's ancestors but have since become reduced…

Correct answer: Vestigial organs
  • A. Divergent evolution
  • B. Coevolution
  • C. Parallel evolution
  • D. Convergent evolution

Explanation: Analogous organs are a hallmark of convergent evolution. These organs arise when distantly related species independently develop similar…

Correct answer: Convergent evolution
  • A. Wing of an insect, wing of a bird
  • B. Leg of a dog, leg of a spider
  • C. The arm of a human, the wing of a bat
  • D. All of these

Explanation: The correct answer is Option C: The arm of a human and the wing of a bat are homologous organs.

Correct answer: The arm of a human, the wing of a bat
  • A. 100
  • B. 50
  • C. 40
  • D. Zero

Explanation: Reproductive fitness reflects the ability of individuals to pass on their genes to subsequent generations..

Correct answer: Zero
  • A. Teeth of domestic dog:Teeth of a wolf
  • B. Wings of Geospiza magnirostris:Wings of Geospiza fortis
  • C. Wing of Hawkmoths:The wing of hawks
  • D. All of these options are correct

Explanation: Convergent evolution involves the independent development of similar structures in organisms that are not directly related.

Correct answer: Wing of Hawkmoths:The wing of hawks
  • A. They have the same organs
  • B. They have common ancestors
  • C. They have similar appearance
  • D. All of the above

Explanation: The correct answer is that similar proteins and genes indicate a common ancestor.

Correct answer: They have common ancestors
  • A. Comparative embryology
  • B. Distinct differences
  • C. Vestigial organs
  • D. Analogous structures

Explanation: The embryos of turtles, mice, and humans illustrate the concept of comparative embryology, which studies the similarities and differences…

Correct answer: Comparative embryology
  • A. Wallace
  • B. Darwin
  • C. Lamarck
  • D. Margulis

Explanation: Descent with modification is one of the fundamental ideas behind Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Correct answer: Darwin

472. Selection is:

  • A. None of these
  • B. Natural
  • C. Both
  • D. Artificial

Explanation: There are two types of selection: natural and artificial. According to Charles Darwin, evolution happens by natural selection.

Correct answer: Both
  • A. Darwin
  • B. Aristotle
  • C. Mendel
  • D. Lamarck

Explanation: The use and disuse theory states that the parts of an organism that it uses the most develop over time.

Correct answer: Lamarck
  • A. Lamarck
  • B. Darwin
  • C. Malthus
  • D. None of these

Explanation: Lamarck gave the idea of use and disuse of organs which is that if an organism greatly uses one organ and stops using another then the…

Correct answer: Lamarck
  • A. Mutation
  • B. Migration
  • C. None of these
  • D. Natural selection

Explanation: Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is primarily based on the concept of natural selection.

Correct answer: Natural selection
  • A. Convergent evolution
  • B. Differentiating features
  • C. Common descendants
  • D. Divergent evolution

Explanation: Homologous organs are those organs of different animals which have similar structures but different functions.

Correct answer: Divergent evolution
  • A. 1930s
  • B. 1920s
  • C. 1910s
  • D. 1940s

Explanation: The modern hypothesis of Neo Darwinism was published in the 1940s, more specifically in 1942, by Julian Huxley in his book "Evolution: The…

Correct answer: 1940s
  • A. Qualitative traits
  • B. Inherited traits
  • C. Quantitative traits
  • D. None of these

Explanation: Population genetics is concerned with the study of how gene frequencies in a population change over time, particularly focusing on…

Correct answer: Quantitative traits
  • A. Neo-Darwinism
  • B. Theory of special creation
  • C. None of these
  • D. Lamarckism

Explanation: Neo-Darwinism is a theory that explains the genetics behind evolution. The theory of special creation is an attempt to explain the origin…

Correct answer: Neo-Darwinism
  • A. America
  • B. Asia
  • C. Africa
  • D. Australia

Explanation: Armadillos are placental mammals that primarily live in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America.

Correct answer: America