Evolution MCQs set 2 for BSN Nursing Entry Test Biology — 20 solved questions.
Q1. In a population of peas, a genetic variation affects flower color. What is the term for the different forms of this gene?
Answer: Alleles
Explanation: Alleles are different forms of a gene, unlike genotypes or phenotypes.
Q2. In a population of humans, a genetic disorder is more common in a particular ethnic group. What is the term for this phenomenon?
Answer: Genetic predisposition
Explanation: Genetic predisposition explains higher incidence of a disorder in a group, not genetic drift.
Q3. A fossil record shows a sudden appearance of complex life forms. What theory explains this pattern?
Answer: Cambrian explosion
Explanation: Cambrian explosion theory explains sudden appearance of complex life, unlike gradualism.
Q4. In a species of plants, a genetic variation affects leaf shape. What is the term for the study of the relationship between genes and traits?
Answer: Genetics
Explanation: Genetics studies the relationship between genes and traits, unlike genomics.
Q5. In a population of bacteria, a genetic mutation leads to antibiotic resistance. What is the term for the process by which this trait is lost over time?
Answer: Purifying selection
Explanation: Purifying selection acts against deleterious mutations, including lost antibiotic resistance.
Q6. In a population of humans, a genetic disorder is more common in a particular age group. What is the term for this phenomenon?
Answer: Age-related disease
Explanation: Age-related disease explains higher incidence in a particular age group, not genetic predisposition.
Q7. A fossil record shows a pattern of co-evolution between two species. What is the term for this phenomenon?
Answer: Co-evolution
Explanation: Co-evolution explains the pattern of reciprocal evolution between two species.
Q8. In a species of plants, a genetic variation affects flower scent. What is the term for the study of the relationship between genes and environmental factors?
Answer: Ecogenetics
Explanation: Ecogenetics studies the relationship between genes and environmental factors, unlike genomics.
Q9. A fossil record shows a pattern of evolutionary stasis in a particular species. What is the term for this phenomenon?
Answer: Stasis
Explanation: Stasis explains the lack of evolutionary change in a species over time.
Q10. In a species of plants, a genetic variation affects root depth. What is the term for the study of the relationship between genes and developmental processes?
Answer: Evodevo
Explanation: Evodevo studies the relationship between genes and developmental processes, unlike genomics.
Q11. Humans have a high frequency of the sickle cell allele in areas with high malaria prevalence. What is the likely reason?
Answer: Natural selection
Explanation: Natural selection favors sickle cell trait
Q12. The Galapagos finches are an example of what type of evolutionary adaptation?
Answer: Adaptive radiation
Explanation: Adaptive radiation is the evolution of multiple species from one, finches are a classic example.
Q13. The peppered moth is an example of what type of evolutionary change?
Answer: Natural selection
Explanation: Natural selection drove the change in moth color, others are random or genetic changes.
Q14. What is the term for the movement of genes from one population to another?
Answer: Gene flow
Explanation: Gene flow is the movement of genes, others are changes within a population.
Q15. The process by which a population becomes fixed for a particular allele is known as
Answer: Genetic drift
Explanation: Genetic drift leads to fixation, others introduce new genes or select for existing ones.
Q16. The fossil record shows that horses have evolved from small, multi-toed forest dwellers to large, single-toed grassland dwellers. What type of evolution is this an example of?
Answer: Anagenesis
Explanation: Anagenesis is the evolution of a single species over time, horse evolution is a classic example.
Q17. The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of what type of evolutionary change?
Answer: Natural selection
Explanation: Natural selection favors resistant bacteria, others are random or genetic changes.
Q18. What is the term for the evolution of a new species from an existing one, resulting in a distinct species?
Answer: Speciation
Explanation: Speciation is the formation of a new species, others are types of evolutionary change.
Q19. The similarity between the forelimbs of vertebrates is an example of what type of homology?
Answer: Homologous
Explanation: Homologous structures have a common ancestor, others are similar but unrelated.
Q20. The concept of 'survival of the fittest' was first introduced by
Answer: Herbert Spencer
Explanation: Herbert Spencer coined the phrase 'survival of the fittest', Darwin popularized it.