Genetic Variation And Natural Selection Quiz!

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  • 1/15 Questions

    What is inherited variation?

    • The genes we get from our parents
    • The genes we get from our siblings
    • Our genes determined by a Punnett Square
    • How we are affected by the environment
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About This Quiz

Explore the fundamentals of genetic variation and natural selection in this engaging quiz! Assess your understanding of continuous and discontinuous variation, their examples, and factors affecting variation. Ideal for learners interested in genetics and evolutionary biology.

Genetic Variation And Natural Selection Quiz! - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What are the two ways in which variation is affected?

    • Mutation only

    • Inheritance only

    • Environmental factors only

    • Inheritance and environmental factors

    Correct Answer
    A. Inheritance and environmental factors
    Explanation
    Variation is affected by both inheritance and environmental factors. Inheritance refers to the passing down of genetic information from parents to offspring, which can result in variations in traits and characteristics. Environmental factors, on the other hand, include external influences such as climate, diet, and lifestyle, which can also contribute to variations in individuals. Therefore, both inheritance and environmental factors play a role in shaping variation within a population.

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  • 3. 

    Who first theorized evolution?

    • Charles Darwin

    • George Washington

    • Gregor Mendell

    • Thomas Rutherford

    Correct Answer
    A. Charles Darwin
    Explanation
    Charles Darwin is the correct answer because he is widely recognized as the first person to propose the theory of evolution. In his book "On the Origin of Species," Darwin presented the concept of natural selection as a mechanism for the development of different species over time. His groundbreaking work revolutionized the understanding of biology and had a profound impact on scientific thought.

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  • 4. 

    What are some examples of continuous variation?

    • A person's height

    • A person's blood type

    • A person's eye colour

    • A person's culture

    Correct Answer
    A. A person's height
    Explanation
    Continuous variation refers to a type of variation in which there is a wide range of possible values within a given trait. In the context of the question, a person's height is an example of continuous variation because it can vary continuously from very short to very tall, with many intermediate heights in between. In contrast, traits like blood type, eye color, and culture do not exhibit continuous variation as they are discrete traits with a limited number of distinct possibilities.

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  • 5. 

    How are inherited characteristics affected by the environment?

    • Diet

    • Culture

    • Sun exposure

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above
    Explanation
    Inherited characteristics can be affected by the environment through various factors such as diet, culture, and sun exposure. Diet plays a crucial role in determining an individual's health, which can influence their inherited traits. Culture, on the other hand, can shape behaviors and lifestyle choices that may impact certain inherited characteristics. Lastly, sun exposure can affect physical traits such as skin color or the likelihood of developing certain conditions. Therefore, all of these factors can contribute to the influence of the environment on inherited characteristics.

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  • 6. 

    What is the continuous variation?

    • A type of variation that is solely based on someone's genetic make-up

    • A type of variation that includes a range of characteristics, from one extreme to the other

    • A type of variation that has limited possible values

    • A type of variation that includes a person's blood type

    Correct Answer
    A. A type of variation that includes a range of characteristics, from one extreme to the other
    Explanation
    Continuous variation refers to a type of variation that includes a range of characteristics, from one extreme to the other. This means that there is a continuous spectrum of possible values for a particular trait or characteristic, with no distinct categories or limited options. It is not solely based on someone's genetic make-up, as environmental factors can also influence continuous variation. Blood type, on the other hand, is a discrete variation with limited possible values (A, B, AB, or O).

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  • 7. 

    What are the two types of variation?

    • Heredity and natural selection

    • Inherited and Environmental

    • Variation and mutation

    • Continuous and discontinuous

    Correct Answer
    A. Continuous and discontinuous
    Explanation
    The two types of variation are continuous and discontinuous. Continuous variation refers to traits that can take on a range of values and can be measured on a continuous scale, such as height or weight. Discontinuous variation, on the other hand, refers to traits that fall into distinct categories and cannot be measured on a continuous scale, such as blood type or eye color. These two types of variation play a crucial role in understanding the diversity and adaptation of species.

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  • 8. 

    What is the definition of discontinued variation?

    • A type of variation that has limited possible values

    • A type of variation that has multiple possible values, from one extreme to the other

    • A type of variation that determines what an organism looks like

    • A type of variation that is solely dependent on the environment

    Correct Answer
    A. A type of variation that has limited possible values
    Explanation
    Discontinued variation refers to a type of variation that has limited possible values. This means that the variation can only occur within a specific range or set of options, rather than encompassing a wide spectrum of possibilities. In this case, the variation is not continuous or continuous across a range of extremes, but rather confined to a finite number of potential values.

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  • 9. 

    Some inherited characteristics include:

    • Eye-colour, behavior and resistance to viruses

    • Eye-colour, weight and height

    • Culture and diet

    • IQ

    Correct Answer
    A. Eye-colour, behavior and resistance to viruses
    Explanation
    Inherited characteristics are traits that are passed down from parents to offspring through genes. Eye color is a classic example of an inherited characteristic, as it is determined by specific genes. Behavior can also be influenced by genetics, as certain traits or tendencies may be inherited. Resistance to viruses can also have a genetic component, as some individuals may have inherited a stronger immune system or specific genetic variations that make them less susceptible to certain viruses. Weight, height, culture, and IQ can also be influenced by genetics to some extent, but they are not specifically mentioned in the given options.

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  • 10. 

    Which of the following does variation in a species NOT account for?

    • Adaptation

    • Evolution

    • Ambiguity

    • Uniqueness

    Correct Answer
    A. Ambiguity
    Explanation
    Variation in a species refers to the differences that exist among individuals within a population. It accounts for adaptation, as individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. It also contributes to evolution, as these advantageous traits can be passed on to future generations. Variation also leads to uniqueness, as no two individuals are exactly the same. However, variation does not account for ambiguity, which refers to something being unclear or open to interpretation. Ambiguity is not directly related to the genetic differences among individuals in a species.

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  • 11. 

    What is natural selection?

    • Survival of the fittest

    • Those with favourable traits surviving

    • Those with favourable traits reproducing more successfully

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above
    Explanation
    Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual accumulation of these traits in a population over time. "Survival of the fittest" refers to the idea that individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes. Similarly, those individuals with favorable traits reproducing more successfully means that they are more likely to have offspring and pass on their advantageous traits. Therefore, all of the given options correctly describe different aspects of natural selection.

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  • 12. 

    What drives evolution?

    • The harsh pressure to adapt to a changing environment

    • Mutation

    • Heredity

    • The variation within a species

    Correct Answer
    A. The harsh pressure to adapt to a changing environment
    Explanation
    Evolution is driven by the harsh pressure to adapt to a changing environment. This pressure comes from factors such as competition for resources, predation, and changes in climate or habitat. Organisms that are better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of survival and reproduction, passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. Over time, this process leads to the gradual change and diversification of species, as those with less beneficial traits are less likely to survive and reproduce. Mutation, heredity, and the variation within a species are all important factors in evolution, but they are ultimately driven by the need to adapt to a changing environment.

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  • 13. 

    What best describes 'the survival of the fittest'?

    • The ability to fight competitors

    • Favourable genes being passed on to the offspring

    • Only the fit survive

    • Favourable genes being phased out in a species

    Correct Answer
    A. Favourable genes being passed on to the offspring
    Explanation
    The term "the survival of the fittest" refers to the idea that individuals with favorable genes are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those genes on to their offspring. This concept, coined by Charles Darwin, suggests that natural selection favors individuals who are better adapted to their environment and have traits that increase their chances of survival and reproductive success. Therefore, the correct answer is "Favorable genes being passed on to the offspring."

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  • 14. 

    Whoa re our closest ancestors from which we've evolved?

    • Lemurs

    • Gorillas

    • Chimpanzees

    • Apes

    Correct Answer
    A. Chimpanzees
    Explanation
    Chimpanzees are our closest ancestors from which we have evolved. This is supported by scientific evidence, including genetic studies, which have shown that humans share a common ancestor with chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are genetically similar to humans, sharing approximately 98% of our DNA. They also exhibit similar social behaviors and cognitive abilities, making them our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom.

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  • 15. 

    What are some examples of discontinuous variation?

    • A person's culture

    • A person's weight

    • An individual zebra fish's size

    • A puppy's coat markings

    Correct Answer
    A. A puppy's coat markings
    Explanation
    Discontinuous variation refers to traits that have distinct categories with no intermediate values. Examples include coat markings in puppies, where they can have different patterns such as spots, stripes, or solid colors. This trait does not have a gradual range of possibilities but rather distinct and separate options.

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  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 24, 2017
    Quiz Created by
    Meaghan
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