Biology Lab 1209: Evolution and Population Genetics Quiz

1. What is the term for the change in genetic material of a population of organisms through successive generations; emergence of new species?

Evolution

Natural selection

Adaptation

Mutation

Evolution is the process by which genetic material of a population changes over time, leading to the emergence of new species. Mutation involves changes in DNA sequence, adaptation refers to traits that help organisms survive in their environment, and natural selection is the mechanism by which evolution occurs.

Explanation

Evolution is the process by which genetic material of a population changes over time, leading to the emergence of new species. Mutation involves changes in DNA sequence, adaptation refers to traits that help organisms survive in their environment, and natural selection is the mechanism by which evolution occurs.

2. What is the term used to describe a group of inter-breeding organisms of a particular species that consist of all members of the same species living in one location?

Community

Genus

Ecosystem

Population

A population refers to a specific group of organisms of the same species in a particular location. A community consists of populations of different species living in the same area. An ecosystem includes all living organisms and their physical environment in a given area. A genus is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms.

Explanation

A population refers to a specific group of organisms of the same species in a particular location. A community consists of populations of different species living in the same area. An ecosystem includes all living organisms and their physical environment in a given area. A genus is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms.

3. What term describes the various alleles of all the genes in all the individuals for one population, in terms of allele frequencies?

Genetic reservoir

DNA repository

Allele spectrum

Gene pool

The term 'gene pool' specifically refers to the collection of all the different genes and their alleles in a population. It reflects the genetic diversity and potential for evolution within that population.

Explanation

The term 'gene pool' specifically refers to the collection of all the different genes and their alleles in a population. It reflects the genetic diversity and potential for evolution within that population.

4. What is used to determine the genetic diversity within a population?

Allele frequencies

Phenotype distribution

Chromosomal number variation

Genetic mutations

Allele frequencies refer to the proportion of different alleles in a population, reflecting the gene pool's genetic diversity. Phenotype distribution, genetic mutations, and chromosomal number variation do not directly measure the genetic diversity within a population.

Explanation

Allele frequencies refer to the proportion of different alleles in a population, reflecting the gene pool's genetic diversity. Phenotype distribution, genetic mutations, and chromosomal number variation do not directly measure the genetic diversity within a population.

5. What is the equation used to calculate allele frequencies in a population?

Mendelian genetics

Hardy-Weinberg equation

Punnett square

Chi-square test

The Hardy-Weinberg equation is a fundamental principle in population genetics used to predict genotype frequencies based on allele frequencies. It allows researchers to understand how genetic variation is maintained within a population over generations.

Explanation

The Hardy-Weinberg equation is a fundamental principle in population genetics used to predict genotype frequencies based on allele frequencies. It allows researchers to understand how genetic variation is maintained within a population over generations.

6. When there are no changes in allele frequency from one generation to the next, what is the term used to describe this state?

Genetic drift

Mutation

Genetic equilibrium

Natural selection

Genetic equilibrium refers to a state where there are no changes in allele frequencies, thus no evolution. Natural selection, mutation, and genetic drift are mechanisms that can lead to changes in allele frequencies over time, resulting in evolution.

Explanation

Genetic equilibrium refers to a state where there are no changes in allele frequencies, thus no evolution. Natural selection, mutation, and genetic drift are mechanisms that can lead to changes in allele frequencies over time, resulting in evolution.

7. What is a change in gene pool that occurs purely as a result of chance; always influences gene frequencies to some degree, no matter how large the population?

Genetic drift

Genetic mutation

Natural selection

Gene flow

Genetic drift is a random change in gene frequencies due to chance events, regardless of population size. Natural selection, genetic mutation, and gene flow are other evolutionary mechanisms, but they do not solely occur as a result of chance like genetic drift.

Explanation

Genetic drift is a random change in gene frequencies due to chance events, regardless of population size. Natural selection, genetic mutation, and gene flow are other evolutionary mechanisms, but they do not solely occur as a result of chance like genetic drift.

8. What is the state in a population where allele frequencies remain constant over generations due to no external forces acting upon it?

Natural selection

Genetic drift

Gene flow

Genetic equilibrium

Genetic equilibrium refers to a theoretical state in which the allele frequencies in a population remain constant over generations. This occurs in the absence of factors such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow, which can alter allele frequencies.

Explanation

Genetic equilibrium refers to a theoretical state in which the allele frequencies in a population remain constant over generations. This occurs in the absence of factors such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow, which can alter allele frequencies.

9. What are the requirements for genetic equilibrium?

Genetic equilibrium requirements

Population must constantly experience random gene changes.

Gene flow is necessary for genetic equilibrium.

Mutations must be ongoing and constantly changing the gene pool.

Mate choice must be non-random.

Genetic equilibrium is maintained when the population size is large enough to prevent random gene changes, there is no gene flow, mutations are not occurring, mating is random, and there is no natural selection.

Explanation

Genetic equilibrium is maintained when the population size is large enough to prevent random gene changes, there is no gene flow, mutations are not occurring, mating is random, and there is no natural selection.

10. Describes the capability of an individual of certain genotype to reproduce, and usually is equal to the proportion of the individual's genes in all the genes of the next generation.

Allele frequency

Reproductive success

Fitness level

Genetic diversity

The fitness level of an individual refers to its ability to reproduce and pass on its genes to the next generation, which is a key concept in evolutionary biology. Genetic diversity, reproductive success, and allele frequency are related concepts but do not directly describe the individual's capability to reproduce based on genotype.

Explanation

The fitness level of an individual refers to its ability to reproduce and pass on its genes to the next generation, which is a key concept in evolutionary biology. Genetic diversity, reproductive success, and allele frequency are related concepts but do not directly describe the individual's capability to reproduce based on genotype.

11. Which program simulates the evolution of random-mating populations with two alleles, arbitrary fitnesses of the three genotypes, an arbitrary mutation rate, an arbitrary rate of migration between the replicate populations, and finite population size?

GenePop

MutationMimic

PopG

EvoSim

PopG is the correct answer as it specifically focuses on simulating the evolution of random-mating populations with the specified conditions mentioned in the question.

Explanation

PopG is the correct answer as it specifically focuses on simulating the evolution of random-mating populations with the specified conditions mentioned in the question.