Science Evolution Quiz Questions

13 Questions | Attempts: 114
Share

SettingsSettingsSettings
Evolution Quizzes & Trivia

Evolution is a change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. Let's take this quiz now!


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 
    What is the evidence that the ground finches of Isla Daphne Major (Galapagos Islands) have evolved through natural selection? 
  • 2. 
    Which of the following is evidence of Darwin's theory of common descent? 
    • A. 

      There are patterns in the fossil record that suggest other species have diverged from a single ancestor species

    • B. 

      There are biogeographic patterns in the distribution of species, for instance distinct bird species on an island tend to resemble one another, suggesting a common ancestor.

    • C. 

      There are common stages in the early embryological development of organisms representing several distinct vertebrate groups.

    • D. 

      Anatomical structures, such as forelimbs, in different groups appear to be modified versions of structures that might have been present in a common ancestor .

    • E. 

      All of the above.

  • 3. 
    The variation natural selection operates on is due to random mutations. What does this imply about natural selection?
    • A. 

      Natural selection is also a random process

    • B. 

      Natural selection is nevertheless a directed process- the likelihood one variant will be favored in a given environment over another is predictable, even if the origin is not.

    • C. 

      There is no possibility God could be involved in this process.

    • D. 

      A, B and C.

    • E. 

      E. None of the above.

  • 4. 
    Which of the following are difficult to explain in terms of natural selection?
    • A. 

      Male peacocks evolve tail feathers that would appear to make them more rather than less vulnerable to predators.

    • B. 

      Male deer evolve antlers that are not used to defend themselves against predators.

    • C. 

      A bird issues a warning cry that puts it at greater risk of being noticed by a predator

    • D. 

      Some traits appear to have no adaptive value

    • E. 

      All of the above

  • 5. 
     Darwin’s primary contribution to biological theory was the idea that:
    • A. 

      an important mechanism of biological evolution is natural selection

    • B. 

      New alleles arise through mutation

    • C. 

      Evolution is the change in gene frequencies over time

    • D. 

      Genes are the units of inheritance

    • E. 

      characteristics acquired during an individual’s lifetime can be passed to its offspring

  • 6. 
    The effects of natural selection may be countered by
    • A. 

      Gene Flow

    • B. 

      Genetic Drift

    • C. 

      Mutation

    • D. 

      Inbreeding

  • 7. 
    In relation to natural selection, evolution is the
    • A. 

      Process

    • B. 

      Outcome

    • C. 

      Mechanism

    • D. 

      Purpose

  • 8. 
    In  [Blank]  , James [Blank] , proposed that the Earth was shaped by [Blank], forces. 
  • 9. 
      Who wrote the Principles of Geology that inspired Darwin while he was on the Beagle?
    • A. 

      George Case

    • B. 

      James Hutton

    • C. 

      George Cuvier

    • D. 

      Charles Lyell

  • 10. 
    In [Blank] Carl [Blank]  created the [Blank] naming system
  • 11. 
    The age of the earth is less than 20,000 years. 
    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

  • 12. 
    Lamarck is best known for his Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

Back to Top Back to top
×

Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.

We have other quizzes matching your interest.