Discussion on Various Aspects of Evolution

Discussion on Various Aspects of Evolution

1. Populations are distinguished from other populations by their:

a. collective phenotypes.
b. collective genotypes
c. gene frequencies
d. gene pools
e. all of the above

2. The Hardy-Weinberg formula allows geneticists to determine a population’s gene frequencies from direct observation of its ___________.

a. gene pool
b. collective genotype
c. collective phenotype
d. DNA
e. all of the above

3. If the incidence of sickle cell anemia (a recessive trait) in a population is .09, what is the frequency of the gene for the trait?

a. .09
b. .3
c. .91
d. .18
e. .0009
4. The unit upon which evolution acts most directly is a(n):

a. individual.
b. population.
c. race.
d. species.
e. cell.
5. Which of the following is NOT an instance of evolutionary change?

a. mutation
b. gene flow
c. natural selection
d. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
e. genetic drift

6. The high frequency of the sickling trait in west Africa is explained by:

a. the selective advantages that accrue to the heterozygotes because of resistance to malaria.
b. genetic drift.
c. gene flow.
d. inbreeding.

7. A mutation is:

a. a random change in gene frequencies from one generation to the next.
b. a change in an allele due to alterations in the DNA molecule.
c. a change in gene frequencies due to exchange of genes between different populations.
d. a product of natural selection.
e. all of the above

8. Genetic drift is:

a. a random change in gene frequencies from one generation to the next.
b. a change in an allele due to alterations in the DNA molecule.
c. a change in gene frequencies due to exchange of genes between different populations.
d. a product of natural selection.
e. all of the above

9. The presence of a high tryglicerates among French Canadians in Quebec because of a high incidence in the early population of the provinces is an example of:

a. genetic drift.
b. gene flow.
c. natural selection.
d. the founder effect.
e. mutation.

10. The presence of a high incidence of sickle cell anemia in West Africa because of malaria resistance among individuals who are heterozygous for the trait is an example of:

a. genetic drift.
b. gene flow.
c. natural selection.
d. the founder effect.
e. mutation.

Solution Preview

1. Populations are distinguished from other populations by their:

a. collective phenotypes.
b. collective genotypes
c. gene frequencies
d. gene pools
e. all of the above
Ans d (Population is a group of species living a particular habitat. Hence, each population represents specific gene pool in a particular habitat)

2. The Hardy-Weinberg formula allows geneticists to determine a population’s gene frequencies from direct observation of its ___________.

a. gene pool
b. collective genotype
c. collective phenotype
d. DNA
e. all of the above
Ans c ( recessive phenotype gives the value of q2. Later p can be calculated by 1-q)

3. If the incidence of sickle cell anemia (a recessive trait) in a population is .09, what is the frequency of the gene for the trait?

a. .09
b. …