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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- A. Wallace
- B. Lamarck
- C. Lyell
- D. Darwin
Explanation: The correct option is D. Darwin was the first to propose an objective definition of instincts in terms of animal behaviour.
Correct answer: Darwin- A. Birds
- B. Lions
- C. Panther
- D. Bears
Explanation: Option (a) states that birds are modern-day descendants of theropod dinosaurs. This statement is correct.
Correct answer: Birds- A. Vital Organs
- B. Homologous Organs
- C. Vestigial Organs
- D. Analogous Organs
Explanation: Homologous organs are created in divergent evolution. Homologous organs refer to the organs with similar structures but having different…
Correct answer: Homologous Organs- A. Analogous organs
- B. Homologous organs
- C. Autologous organs
- D. Anuclogous organs
Explanation: Organs that have the same internal structure but perform different functions are called homologous organs.Homologous organs result from…
Correct answer: Homologous organs- A. Fossil record
- B. Common ancestor organisms
- C. Vestigial structures
- D. None of these
Explanation: The correct answer is that none of the options provided are not evidence of evolution.
Correct answer: None of these- A. The significance of minute variations
- B. Presence of vestigeal or useless organs
- C. The presence of over specialized organs
- D. All of the above
Explanation: 'Darwin's theory' was based on variations, struggle, natural selection, and differential reproduction.
Correct answer: All of the above- A. Taxonomic
- B. Phylogenetic
- C. Homologous
- D. Analogous
Explanation: The correct answer is " analogous." The wings of birds and beetles are considered analogous because they both serve the function of flight…
Correct answer: Analogous- A. Organisms ranged from simple to complex
- B. One type of organism gives rise to another type of organism
- C. Both A & B
- D. All living things were specially created by nature
Explanation: The correct answer is Both A & B. Aristotle recognized a natural order from simple to complex organisms, and while he did not propose a…
Correct answer: Both A & B489. Which of the following is good evidence of an evolutionary pathway leading from reptiles to birds?
- A. Mammals
- B. Fishes
- C. Archaeopteryx
- D. Arthropods
Explanation: Archaeopteryx is thought to be earliest bird whose fossils have been found from rocks 150 million years old.
Correct answer: Archaeopteryx- A. Insects
- B. Pisces
- C. Amphibians
- D. Reptiles
Explanation: With the exception of feathers, archaeopteryx showed resemblance to the dinosaurs (giant reptiles of past).
Correct answer: Reptiles- A. Vestigial organ
- B. Domestication
- C. Mutation
- D. Homology
Explanation: Domestication means artificial selection in breeding provides evidence for evolution.Example: Vast diversity has been achieved in domestic…
Correct answer: Domestication- A. Nitrogen
- B. Potassium
- C. Sulphur
- D. Calcium
Explanation: Carnivorous plants live in environments where there is deficiency of nitrogen, in order to supplement their diet with nitrogen, they trap…
Correct answer: Nitrogen- A. "Survival in the struggle for existence is random"
- B. The fit individuals leave more off springs into their environment
- C. The unequal ability of individuals to survive and reproduce will lead to a gradual
- D. Accumulation over the generations thus leading to the evolution of a new species
Explanation: Survival in the struggle for existence is random: This statement is not correct for Darwin's theory of natural selection.
Correct answer: "Survival in the struggle for existence is random"- A. Natural selection
- B. Evolution
- C. Genetic drift
- D. Artificial selection
Explanation: When humans purposefully apply selection pressure to populations, such as in breeding programs for plants or animals, it is known as…
Correct answer: Artificial selection- A. The genes were selectively advantageous.
- B. The genes were dominant.
- C. The genes were sex-linked.
- D. The population increased.
Explanation: The correct answer is that the frequency of a mutant gene in a population is likely to increase if the gene is selectively advantageous.
Correct answer: The genes were selectively advantageous.- A. Snake's legs
- B. Natural selection
- C. Muscle atrophy
- D. Movement of ear
Explanation: Natural selection: Correct, as the main point of Darwinism is the theory of natural selection, which explains how traits that are…
Correct answer: Natural selection- A. 2.5 billion years ago
- B. 3.5 billion years ago
- C. 4.5 billion years ago
- D. 5.5 billion years ago
Explanation: Prokaryotes are believed to take origin around 3.5 billion years ago
Correct answer: 3.5 billion years ago- A. Vestigial organs
- B. Homologous organs
- C. Analogous organs
- D. Embryonic organs
Explanation: The type of organs that are supposed to be functional in ancestral species rather than in present-day species are Vestigial…
Correct answer: Vestigial organs- A. Equus
- B. Python
- C. Archaeopteryx
- D. Dawn horse
Explanation: The correct answer is Archaeopteryx, which is a significant fossil in the study of evolution as it exhibits both avian and non-avian…
Correct answer: Archaeopteryx- A. All were unique to individual islands
- B. All finches were red-beaked
- C. Some were unique to individual islands, and some were present on many islands
- D. The majority were unique to individual islands
Explanation: Among the birds Darwin collected on the Galapagos were 13 types of finches that, although quite similar, seemed to be different species.
Correct answer: Some were unique to individual islands, and some were present on many islands