Free Evolution MCQs with Answers
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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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Read the Evolution notesFree MDCAT chapter notes with key terms814 questions · page 27 of 41
- A. Survival of the fittest
- B. Selection by nature
- C. Inheritance of acquired character
- D. Theory of special creation
Explanation: The theory of Lamarck defines that the traits acquired by any generation will be inherited by the next generation of the same species.
Correct answer: Inheritance of acquired character- A. Variation only
- B. Mutation only
- C. Similarity only
- D. Variation and mutation
Explanation: Natural selection is a process whereby species have traits that enable them to adapt to an environment, survive and reproduce, and then…
Correct answer: Variation and mutation- A. Fishes and Amphibians
- B. Amphibians and Reptiles
- C. Reptiles and Birds
- D. Birds and Mammals
Explanation: Archeopteryx, the fossil bird, was discovered from rocks in East Germany.Archaeopteryx, a genus of small, feathered dinosaurs from the…
Correct answer: Reptiles and Birds- A. Lamarck
- B. Linneaus
- C. Hardy- Weinberg
- D. Darwin
Explanation: Darwin proposed the theory of origin of species by means of natural selection. So, option D is the correct option.
Correct answer: Darwin- A. Prokaryotes
- B. Amphibians
- C. Reptiles
- D. Fishes
Explanation: Prokaryotes are the oldest known organisms.They are about 3.5 million years ago.
Correct answer: Prokaryotes- A. Prokaryotes
- B. Animals
- C. Eukaryotes
- D. Seed plants
Explanation: Eukaryotes are organisms that have cells with a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles.
Correct answer: Eukaryotes- A. Aristotle
- B. Lamarck
- C. Darwin
- D. Alfred
Explanation: Darwin held up the concept mentioned above via his theory of evolution linking all the organisms to one ancestor.
Correct answer: Darwin- A. p² + 2pq + q2= 1
- B. p + 2pq + q = 1
- C. p + 2pq + q - 0
- D. 2p + q² = 1
- E. 2p + 2q = 1
Explanation: The Hardy-Weinberg equation, p² + 2pq + q2= 1, is used to predict the genetic variation of a population at equilibrium.
Correct answer: p² + 2pq + q2= 1- A. Mutation
- B. Genetic Drift
- C. Non-Random mating
- D. Speciation
Explanation: Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population, especially in small…
Correct answer: Genetic Drift- A. Ear Muscles & Vermiform appendix
- B. Heart and Liver
- C. Ear Muscles & Liver
- D. Vermiform appendix & Heart
Explanation: The ear muscles, which assist in the movement of the outer ear, are considered vestigial in humans.
Correct answer: Ear Muscles & Vermiform appendix- A. Cloning
- B. Self-pollination
- C. Crossing over
- D. Asexual reproduction
Explanation: Crossing over produces new allele combinations during meiosis, greatly enhancing variation. Asexual methods do not increase variation.
Correct answer: Crossing over- A. It affects variations that are heritable
- B. It is selected by a breeder
- C. It can improve the adaptation of species
- D. It is regional in nature
Explanation: When traits are selected by a breeder, this process is known as artificial selection, not natural selection.
Correct answer: It is selected by a breeder- A. Hardy-Weinberg Equation
- B. Lamarck Equation
- C. Darwin Equation
- D. James Hutton Equation
Explanation: The Hardy-Weinberg equation is a mathematical model used in population genetics to describe the genetic equilibrium within a population.
Correct answer: Hardy-Weinberg Equation- A. Jean Baptist Lamarck
- B. Charles Darwin
- C. Thomas Malthus
- D. Alfred Wallace
Explanation: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) was a French naturalist known for his early ideas on evolution, articulated in Philosophie Zoologique…
Correct answer: Jean Baptist Lamarck- A. Amoeboid prokaryote
- B. Aerobic bacterium
- C. Spirochete
- D. Spirillum
Explanation: In the context of the endosymbiotic theory, spirochetes are interesting because some scientists hypothesize that certain spirochetes may…
Correct answer: Spirochete- A. Decent with modification
- B. Endosymbiont hypothesis
- C. Inheritance of acquired characters
- D. Use and disuse of organs
Explanation: "Descent with modification" is Darwin's principle that species evolve over generations, passing on traits with small changes…
Correct answer: Decent with modification537. The science of discovery, identification, and interpretation of fossils by Darwin was---- evidence.
- A. biogeography
- B. chronology
- C. homology
- D. paleontology
Explanation: Paleontology is the scientific study of ancient life through fossils. It involves examining preserved remains or traces of organisms from…
Correct answer: paleontology- A. Convergent evolution
- B. Divergent evolution
- C. No evolution
- D. Same origin
Explanation: Convergent evolution is the process by which unrelated or distantly related organisms develop similar traits or adaptations independently…
Correct answer: Convergent evolution- A. All living things
- B. All non-vertebrates
- C. All vertebrates
- D. Human, jellyfish, and mouse
Explanation: The embryological stages of vertebrates show similarity in anatomical features.These shared embryonic features are homologous structures…
Correct answer: All vertebrates- A. Inheritance of acquired characteristics
- B. Mutation
- C. Natural selection
- D. Survival of the fittest
Explanation: According to Lamarck, these acquired traits could be passed on to offspring.
Correct answer: Inheritance of acquired characteristics