Biology 1108 – Exam Questions with
Correct Answers 2025-2026
Evolution CORRECT ANSWER
Descent with modifications; the idea that living species are descendants of ancestral specie
s that were different from the present day ones.
Natural Selection CORRECT ANSWER
A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reprod
uce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.
Evolutionary Adaptation CORRECT ANSWER
A genotype of inherited traits that enhance an individuals ability to survive and reproduce i
n a particular movement.
Homology CORRECT ANSWER Similarity in characteristics resulting from a shared
ancestry.
Vestigial Structures CORRECT ANSWER
A feature of an organism that is a historical remnant of a structure that served a function i
n the organism's ancestors. Ex. pelvis and leg bones in some snakes
Convergent Evolution (Analogous Structure) CORRECT ANSWER
The evolution of similar features in independent evolutionary lineages. In such examples in
which species share features because of convergent evolution, the resemblance is said to b
e analogous, not homologous. Analogous features share similar function but not common a
ncestry.
Biogeography CORRECT ANSWER
The scientific study of the past and present geographic distributions of species.
,Endemic CORRECT ANSWER
Referring to a species that is confined to a specific geographic area.
Microevolution CORRECT ANSWER
Evolutionary change below the species level; change in the allele frequencies in a populatio
n over generations.
Modern Synthesis CORRECT ANSWER
A consolidation of the results of various lines of investigation from the 1920s through the 1
950s that supported and reconciled the Darwinian theory of evolution and the Mendelian l
aws of inheritance in terms of natural selection acting on genetic variation
Genetic Drift CORRECT ANSWER
A process in which chance events cause unpredictable fluctuations in allele frequencies fro
m one generation to the next. Effects of genetic drift are more pronounced in small popula
tions.
Gene Flow CORRECT ANSWER
The transfer of alleles from one population to another, resulting from the movement of fert
ile individuals or their gametes.
Mutation (Point mutation and chromosomal changes) CORRECT ANSWER
A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA or in the DNA or RNA of a viru
s.
P.M. - A change in a single nucleotide pair (base pair) of a gene. Ex. Sickle cell anemia
C.C. - Deletion, insertion or rearrangement of already present loci. Frequently harmful.
Population CORRECT ANSWER
A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed, prod
ucing fertile offspring.
, Gene Pool CORRECT ANSWER
The aggregate of all copies of every type of allele at all loci in every individual in a populat
ion. The term is also used in a more restricted sense as the aggregate of alleles for just on
e or a few loci in a population.
H.W.E. & Association Assumptions CORRECT ANSWER
The state of a population in which frequencies of alleles and genotypes remain constant fr
om generation to generation, provided that only Mendelian segregation and recombination
of alleles are at work.
Founder Effect CORRECT ANSWER
A few individuals become isolated from larger population and establish a new population w
hose gene pool differs from the source population. Ex. the remarkably high deaf population
of Martha's Vineyard, which resulted in the development of Martha's Vineyard Sign Langu
age
Bottleneck Effect CORRECT ANSWER
Size of population is reduced by a sudden change in environment and the surviving gene p
ool differs from original population. Ex. Illinois Greater Prairie Chicken
Modes of Selection - Directional
Disruptive
Stabilizing CORRECT ANSWER Directional -
Common in environments that undergo fluctuations or where migration is common. Ex. Eu
ropean black bears - increase in size during glacial periods
Disruptive - Extreme traits favored. Ex. Cameroon black-bellied seed-cracker finches.
Stabilizing -
Moderate is favored. Ex. Gall forming insects. *If gall is too large, obvious to predators (bir
ds) if gall is too small, inhabitant is vulnerable to parasites.
Correct Answers 2025-2026
Evolution CORRECT ANSWER
Descent with modifications; the idea that living species are descendants of ancestral specie
s that were different from the present day ones.
Natural Selection CORRECT ANSWER
A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reprod
uce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.
Evolutionary Adaptation CORRECT ANSWER
A genotype of inherited traits that enhance an individuals ability to survive and reproduce i
n a particular movement.
Homology CORRECT ANSWER Similarity in characteristics resulting from a shared
ancestry.
Vestigial Structures CORRECT ANSWER
A feature of an organism that is a historical remnant of a structure that served a function i
n the organism's ancestors. Ex. pelvis and leg bones in some snakes
Convergent Evolution (Analogous Structure) CORRECT ANSWER
The evolution of similar features in independent evolutionary lineages. In such examples in
which species share features because of convergent evolution, the resemblance is said to b
e analogous, not homologous. Analogous features share similar function but not common a
ncestry.
Biogeography CORRECT ANSWER
The scientific study of the past and present geographic distributions of species.
,Endemic CORRECT ANSWER
Referring to a species that is confined to a specific geographic area.
Microevolution CORRECT ANSWER
Evolutionary change below the species level; change in the allele frequencies in a populatio
n over generations.
Modern Synthesis CORRECT ANSWER
A consolidation of the results of various lines of investigation from the 1920s through the 1
950s that supported and reconciled the Darwinian theory of evolution and the Mendelian l
aws of inheritance in terms of natural selection acting on genetic variation
Genetic Drift CORRECT ANSWER
A process in which chance events cause unpredictable fluctuations in allele frequencies fro
m one generation to the next. Effects of genetic drift are more pronounced in small popula
tions.
Gene Flow CORRECT ANSWER
The transfer of alleles from one population to another, resulting from the movement of fert
ile individuals or their gametes.
Mutation (Point mutation and chromosomal changes) CORRECT ANSWER
A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA or in the DNA or RNA of a viru
s.
P.M. - A change in a single nucleotide pair (base pair) of a gene. Ex. Sickle cell anemia
C.C. - Deletion, insertion or rearrangement of already present loci. Frequently harmful.
Population CORRECT ANSWER
A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed, prod
ucing fertile offspring.
, Gene Pool CORRECT ANSWER
The aggregate of all copies of every type of allele at all loci in every individual in a populat
ion. The term is also used in a more restricted sense as the aggregate of alleles for just on
e or a few loci in a population.
H.W.E. & Association Assumptions CORRECT ANSWER
The state of a population in which frequencies of alleles and genotypes remain constant fr
om generation to generation, provided that only Mendelian segregation and recombination
of alleles are at work.
Founder Effect CORRECT ANSWER
A few individuals become isolated from larger population and establish a new population w
hose gene pool differs from the source population. Ex. the remarkably high deaf population
of Martha's Vineyard, which resulted in the development of Martha's Vineyard Sign Langu
age
Bottleneck Effect CORRECT ANSWER
Size of population is reduced by a sudden change in environment and the surviving gene p
ool differs from original population. Ex. Illinois Greater Prairie Chicken
Modes of Selection - Directional
Disruptive
Stabilizing CORRECT ANSWER Directional -
Common in environments that undergo fluctuations or where migration is common. Ex. Eu
ropean black bears - increase in size during glacial periods
Disruptive - Extreme traits favored. Ex. Cameroon black-bellied seed-cracker finches.
Stabilizing -
Moderate is favored. Ex. Gall forming insects. *If gall is too large, obvious to predators (bir
ds) if gall is too small, inhabitant is vulnerable to parasites.
