Evolution Practice Exam

Evolution Practice Exam Evolution: Multiple Choice Questions 1. What is the primary mechanism of evolution, as proposed by Charles Darwin? A) Mutation B) Natural selection C) Genetic drift D) Gene flow 2. Which of the following best describes "natural selection"? A) Organisms change due to the environment, and the changes are passed on to offspring B) Organisms with advantageous traits survive longer and reproduce more than those without these traits C) All organisms in a population evolve equally over time D) The environment itself determines which organisms will evolve 3. What is genetic variation in a population? A) The number of offspring each individual has B) The differences in physical traits and alleles among individuals in a population C) The rate at which organisms reproduce D) The environmental changes that affect a population 4. Which of the following is a source of genetic variation in populations? A) Mutations B) Sexual reproduction C) Gene flow D) All of the above 5. The Galápagos finches are often used as an example of: A) Artificial selection B) Adaptive radiation C) Stabilizing selection D) Directional selection 6. What is a fossil? A) A living organism preserved in ice B) A trace of an organism's existence from the past, usually found in rock C) A genetic mutation passed down to offspring D) A form of genetic material that produces new traits 7. Which of the following is evidence supporting the theory of evolution? A) The fossil record B) Comparative anatomy C) Embryological similarities D) All of the above 8. What is the main difference between homologous and analogous structures? A) Homologous structures come from a common ancestor, while analogous structures do not B) Homologous structures have different functions, while analogous structures have similar functions C) Homologous structures are only found in humans, while analogous structures are found in all animals D) There is no real difference between them 9. Which of the following best describes the term "speciation"? A) The extinction of a species B) The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution C) The adaptation of a species to a particular environment D) The selection of traits that increase survival and reproduction 10. Which of the following is an example of artificial selection? A) The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria B) The breeding of dogs for specific traits like size or coat color C) The variation in finch beak sizes on the Galápagos Islands D) The increase in giraffe neck length over generations 11. What is meant by "survival of the fittest"? A) Only the strongest individuals survive B) Organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce C) All organisms are equally fit for survival D) The fittest organisms are those that live the longest 12. Which of the following is an example of genetic drift? A) A natural disaster that randomly eliminates individuals from a population B) A population growing larger due to increased reproduction C) The migration of individuals into a population D) The development of new traits due to mutations 13. What is an example of convergent evolution? A) The different beak shapes of finches on the Galápagos Islands B) The development of wings in bats and birds  analogous structure C) The emergence of new species after a geographic barrier forms D) The evolution of long necks in giraffes and camels 14. What is the significance of the "tree of life" model in evolution? A) It shows how all organisms are related through a common ancestor B) It explains why some species become extinct C) It describes the process of natural selection D) It shows the age of Earth and the species that lived on it