BIO 108 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
What was the name of Darwin's ship? - ANS HMS Beagle
What was the full name of the publication that Darwin published? - ANS On the Origin of
Species by Means of Natural Selection
What is the basic idea of natural selection? - ANS Organisms with traits better suited to their
environment are more likely to survive and reproduce
What is the result of natural selection? - ANS Adaptation; populations become better suited
to their environment
Darwin based his theory of natural selection on two key observations. What are they? -
ANS Variation exists within populations; organisms produce more offspring than can survive
What is unequal reproductive success? - ANS Some individuals reproduce more than others
due to advantageous traits
What is a fossil? How are fossils formed? - ANS Preserved remains, traces, or imprints of
organisms; formed in sedimentary rock over time
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
, Where are fossils found? - ANS Sedimentary rock layers
What type of scientist studies fossils? - ANS Paleontologist
What is biogeography? - ANS Study of species distribution across Earth and how they evolved
based on location
What is comparative anatomy? - ANS Study of similarities and differences in anatomical
structures among species
What is comparative embryology? - ANS Study of similarities in embryonic development
among species
Name 3 examples of natural selection in action. - ANS Peppered moth color change,
antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Darwin's finches' beak size changes
What is a mutation? - ANS A change in DNA sequence that can create genetic variation
What is sexual recombination? - ANS Mixing of genetic material during sexual reproduction,
creating variation
What is directional selection? - ANS Natural selection favoring one extreme phenotype;
population curve shifts toward that extreme
What is disruptive selection? - ANS Favors both extremes and selects against the
intermediate; population curve develops two peaks
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
What was the name of Darwin's ship? - ANS HMS Beagle
What was the full name of the publication that Darwin published? - ANS On the Origin of
Species by Means of Natural Selection
What is the basic idea of natural selection? - ANS Organisms with traits better suited to their
environment are more likely to survive and reproduce
What is the result of natural selection? - ANS Adaptation; populations become better suited
to their environment
Darwin based his theory of natural selection on two key observations. What are they? -
ANS Variation exists within populations; organisms produce more offspring than can survive
What is unequal reproductive success? - ANS Some individuals reproduce more than others
due to advantageous traits
What is a fossil? How are fossils formed? - ANS Preserved remains, traces, or imprints of
organisms; formed in sedimentary rock over time
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
, Where are fossils found? - ANS Sedimentary rock layers
What type of scientist studies fossils? - ANS Paleontologist
What is biogeography? - ANS Study of species distribution across Earth and how they evolved
based on location
What is comparative anatomy? - ANS Study of similarities and differences in anatomical
structures among species
What is comparative embryology? - ANS Study of similarities in embryonic development
among species
Name 3 examples of natural selection in action. - ANS Peppered moth color change,
antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Darwin's finches' beak size changes
What is a mutation? - ANS A change in DNA sequence that can create genetic variation
What is sexual recombination? - ANS Mixing of genetic material during sexual reproduction,
creating variation
What is directional selection? - ANS Natural selection favoring one extreme phenotype;
population curve shifts toward that extreme
What is disruptive selection? - ANS Favors both extremes and selects against the
intermediate; population curve develops two peaks
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
