01
True or false
1 point
True or false: Evolution is a change in inherited characteristics of a population across generations; an individual organism does not evolve.
Free Practice Quiz Question List
7 Evolution and Ecology Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 7 Evolution and Ecology, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
20 questions
02
Choose one
1 point
Which process moves alleles between populations when individuals or their reproductive cells migrate?
- A
A chance change in allele frequencies, especially in small populations
- B
Movement of alleles between populations through migration
- C
The formation of a heritable trait during an individual's lifetime
- D
The development of reproductive isolation without geographic separation
03
Written response
1 point
What is the term for chance-driven changes in allele frequencies, especially in small populations?
04
Fill in the blank
1 point
Natural selection does not produce useful traits because organisms need them; it acts on variation that is already in a population.
05
Fill in the blank
1 point
Speciation that begins when a geographic barrier separates populations and reduces gene flow is called speciation.
06
True or false
1 point
True or false: When two species coevolve, each exerts reciprocal selection on the other, but they need not benefit equally.
- A
True
- B
False
07
Written response
1 point
What is the term for the formation of new species when reproductive isolation develops without geographic separation?
08
Choose one
1 point
A heritable trait improves survival in one habitat, but the habitat later changes. Which conclusion about the trait is supported?
- A
A trait that is advantageous in one environment must remain advantageous in every environment
- B
A trait can be an adaptation only if it improves survival for every individual
- C
A heritable trait that is useful in one environment may become less useful when conditions change
- D
An adaptation is a change an individual makes during its lifetime
09
Choose one
1 point
In natural selection, what does an individual's relative fitness measure?
- A
The individual's contribution of surviving offspring to the next generation
- B
The individual's ability to survive regardless of reproduction
- C
The number of different habitats the individual can occupy
- D
The total number of alleles in the population
10
Choose all
1 point
Which processes are identified as contributing to evolutionary change apart from natural selection? Select all that apply.
- A
Mutation
- B
Natural selection
- C
Genetic drift
- D
Gene flow
11
Choose all
1 point
After a geographic barrier reduces gene flow between two populations, which processes can contribute to their divergence? Select all that apply.
- A
Mutation
- B
Natural selection
- C
Continued gene flow between the separated populations
- D
Genetic drift
12
Choose one
1 point
Which example best illustrates coevolution between two species?
- A
Two species use the same limited nesting sites, but neither affects the other's traits
- B
A flowering plant and its pollinator evolve traits that affect one another's feeding or reproduction
- C
A population's allele frequencies change only because of chance
- D
A species acquires a useful trait during an individual's lifetime
13
Choose one
1 point
Two organisms compete for a limited food supply. Which evolutionary effect is supported by the material?
- A
Individuals always evolve the trait they need to avoid competition
- B
Competition prevents natural selection from affecting resource use
- C
Competition for limited resources can favor traits that improve resource use
- D
Competition makes all individuals equally successful at obtaining resources
14
Open ended
1 point
Explain how a change in ecological conditions can influence evolution and how evolutionary change can, in turn, alter ecological relationships. Include one example involving a predator, prey, or competitor.
15
Choose one
1 point
A population’s genetic variation increases after a new allele appears and existing alleles are combined in new ways among offspring. Which processes can account for these two changes, respectively?
- A
Sexual reproduction creates new alleles, while mutation only rearranges existing ones.
- B
Mutation can introduce a new allele, while sexual reproduction can reshuffle existing alleles.
- C
Both mutation and sexual reproduction only reshuffle existing alleles.
- D
Neither mutation nor sexual reproduction can affect genetic variation.
16
Written response
1 point
What term describes an individual’s contribution of surviving offspring to the next generation?
17
Choose one
1 point
Which observation is evidence that evolution has occurred?
- A
One insect changes its coloration during its lifetime.
- B
A population’s average body size changes temporarily as individuals grow.
- C
An allele becomes more common in a population over several generations.
- D
A population moves to a new habitat without a change in inherited traits.
18
Choose one
1 point
Some individuals migrate from one population to another and reproduce there. What is a direct genetic consequence of this movement?
- A
Alleles carried by the migrants can enter the destination population.
- B
The destination population’s allele frequencies change only through random chance.
- C
The migrants cause new alleles to appear because the destination environment requires them.
- D
The two populations become reproductively isolated as soon as migration occurs.
19
True or false
1 point
If two species coevolve, both species must benefit equally from their relationship.
- A
True
- B
False
20
Written response
1 point
Two populations can no longer interbreed successfully or produce fertile offspring. What term describes this condition?