Question 1

Transposable elements are DNA sequences that:

Accepted Answer

A)  are not coded to produce proteins. 
B)  contain numerous point mutations. 
C)  occur only on the X and Y chromosomes. 
D)  insert themselves into other parts of the genome.

Question 2

The evolution of the modern horse with a single hoof on each limb from a dog-sized ancestor with multiple digits is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  macroevolution. 
B)  stabilizing selection. 
C)  disruptive selection. 
D)  microevolution.

Question 3

The clinal decrease in type B blood from East Asia to Western Europe is probably the result of:

Accepted Answer

A)  founder effect. 
B)  stabilizing selection. 
C)  mutation. 
D)  gene flow.

Question 4

Why is the peppered moth an excellent example of directional selection?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is the peppered moth an excellent...

Question 5

A point mutation that does not result in a change to the amino acid coded for is said to be a:

Accepted Answer

A)  spontaneous mutation. 
B)  synonymous mutation. 
C)  selective mutation. 
D)  stabilizing mutation.

Question 6

Australian aborigines are an endogamous society. This means that marriage and reproduction take place within the group, leading to:

Accepted Answer

A)  increased genetic diversity through genetic drift. 
B)  migration without gene flow. 
C)  more genetic diversity than would be observed in an exogamous society. 
D)  decreased genetic diversity due to a lack of admixture.

Question 7

A random change in allele frequencies over time is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  genetic drift. 
B)  gene flow. 
C)  admixture. 
D)  gene migration.

Question 8

While conducting research with a small population in South America you note that an overwhelming majority of individuals exhibit signs of a specific genetic abnormality. This is most likely the result of:

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection. 
B)  founder effect. 
C)  extinction. 
D)  gene flow.

Question 9

A genetic study conducted over two generations found that the frequencies of genotypes in the first generation were AA: 0.36, Aa: 0.48, aa: 0.16. In the second generation, genotype frequencies remained the same. According to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, we can assume:

Accepted Answer

A)  negative assortative mating has maintained gene frequencies. 
B)  mutations have likely occurred, resulting in the same frequency. 
C)  mating in this population is random. 
D)  the population is small and we cannot detect change.

Question 10

The physical location of a gene within the genome is called the:

Accepted Answer

A)  chromosome. 
B)  nucleus. 
C)  address. 
D)  locus.

Question 11

What is a polymorphic trait? Provide two examples of polymorphic traits in modern humans, and give one example of a monomorphic trait.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a polymorphic trait? Provide two...

Question 12

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium assumes:

Accepted Answer

A)  strong selection pressure on the trait(s) being studied. 
B)  a significant mutation rate from generation to generation. 
C)  gene flow that is equal both into and out of the population. 
D)  no gene flow, mutation, or natural selection.

Question 13

The southern migration of which African people may have led to a significant increase in the incidence of malaria?

Accepted Answer

A)  Masai 
B)  Turkana 
C)  Efe 
D)  Bantu

Question 14

The absence of the A and B alleles in Native American populations is a result of:

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection. 
B)  gene flow. 
C)  founder effect. 
D)  mutation.

Question 15

The vector for transmitting the malarial parasite to humans is:

Accepted Answer

A)  dirty drinking water. 
B)  mosquitoes. 
C)  rats. 
D)  monkeys.

Question 16

The best-documented case of industrial melanism involves:

Accepted Answer

A)  Galápagos finches. 
B)  dung beetles. 
C)  monarch butterflies. 
D)  peppered moths.

Question 17

We know that Upper Paleolithic food foragers in Europe are ancestors to modern European populations because of:

Accepted Answer

A)  recent genetic research. 
B)  archaeological evidence. 
C)  evidence that both populations lived in the same area. 
D)  linguistic evidence.

Question 18

Why is the incidence of sickle-cell anemia an excellent example of a "balanced polymorphism," in which two or more alleles are maintained by natural selection in a population?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is the incidence of sickle-cell anemia...

Question 19

Which of the evolutionary forces is most likely to decrease variation between populations?

Accepted Answer

A)  gene flow 
B)  founder effect 
C)  mutation 
D)  natural selection

Question 20

Over a period of two generations, the frequency of green dung beetles in a population shifts from 75% to 71% while the frequency of brown dung beetles within this population shifts from 25% to 29%. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  minievolution. 
B)  microevolution. 
C)  millievolution. 
D)  nanoevolution.

Exam 4: Genes and Their Evolution: Population Genetics