Evolution MCQ Class 12

Evolution MCQ Class 12. MCQs for Class 12 Evolution: Test your knowledge on origin of life, Darwin’s theory, natural selection, and human evolution concepts.

Evolution MCQ Class 12 – Mock Online Test

Question 1: Approximately how old is the universe?

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Correct Answer: C. 20 billion years old. The universe is estimated to be around 20 billion years old.

Question 2: What is the name of the theory that explains the origin of the universe?

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Correct Answer: A. The Big Bang theory. The Big Bang theory attempts to explain the origin of the universe.

Question 3: Which of the following gases was NOT a major component of Earth’s early atmosphere?

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Correct Answer: A. Oxygen. There was no free oxygen in the early atmosphere.

Question 4: What process led to the formation of oceans on Earth?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. All of the above processes contributed to the formation of oceans.

Question 5: When did life first appear on Earth after its formation?

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Correct Answer: A. 500 million years. Life appeared 500 million years after Earth’s formation.

Question 6: What is the name of the theory that suggests life on Earth originated from outer space?

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Correct Answer: A. Panspermia. Panspermia is the theory that life came from outer space.

Question 7: Who disproved the theory of spontaneous generation?

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Correct Answer: B. Louis Pasteur. Louis Pasteur disproved the theory of spontaneous generation.

Question 8: What did Oparin and Haldane propose about the first form of life?

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Correct Answer: A. It came from pre-existing non-living organic molecules. Oparin and Haldane proposed that the first form of life came from pre-existing non-living organic molecules.

Question 9: What did the Miller-Urey experiment demonstrate?

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Correct Answer: B. Organic molecules could be formed from inorganic molecules. The Miller-Urey experiment demonstrated that organic molecules could be formed from inorganic molecules.

Question 10: What was the first non-cellular form of life?

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Correct Answer: D. Giant molecules. The first non-cellular forms of life were likely giant molecules.

Question 11: When did the first cellular form of life originate?

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Correct Answer: B. 2 billion years ago. The first cellular form of life probably originated around 2 billion years ago.

Question 12: What is the widely accepted theory for the origin of life on Earth?

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Correct Answer: C. Biogenesis. Biogenesis, the idea that life arose from non-living molecules through evolutionary forces, is widely accepted.

Question 13: What is the estimated age of the Earth?

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Correct Answer: A. 4.5 billion years. Earth is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old.

Question 14: What was the major source of water for the formation of oceans on Earth?

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Correct Answer: A. Rain. Rain filled the depressions on the early Earth to form oceans.

Question 15: What role did UV radiation play in the formation of Earth’s early atmosphere?

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Correct Answer: A. It broke down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. UV radiation broke down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

Question 16: What is the significance of the Miller-Urey experiment in the study of the origin of life?

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Correct Answer: A. It simulated the conditions of early Earth to show how organic molecules could form. The Miller-Urey experiment simulated the conditions of early Earth to show how organic molecules could form.

Question 17: What is the difference between cellular and non-cellular life forms?

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Correct Answer: C. Cellular life forms have a membrane-bound structure, while non-cellular life forms do not. Cellular life forms have a membrane-bound structure, while non-cellular life forms do not.

Question 18: What is the significance of the presence of organic compounds in meteorites?

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Correct Answer: B. It suggests that similar chemical processes are occurring elsewhere in space. The presence of organic compounds in meteorites suggests that similar chemical processes are occurring elsewhere in space.

Question 19: What does the theory of special creation suggest about the diversity of life?

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Correct Answer: B. It has remained the same since creation. The theory of special creation suggests that the diversity of life has remained the same since creation.

Question 20: What was the name of the ship Charles Darwin sailed on around the world?

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Correct Answer: A. HMS Beagle. Charles Darwin sailed on the HMS Beagle.

Question 21: What did Darwin’s observations during his voyage lead him to conclude about existing living forms?

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Correct Answer: A. They share similarities to varying degrees. Darwin concluded that existing living forms share similarities to varying degrees.

Question 22: What is the meaning of reproductive fitness in the context of natural selection?

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Correct Answer: C. The ability to produce fertile offspring. Reproductive fitness refers to the ability to produce fertile offspring.

Question 23: Who, besides Charles Darwin, is credited with independently conceiving the theory of natural selection?

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Correct Answer: A. Alfred Wallace. Alfred Wallace also independently conceived the theory of natural selection.

Question 24: What did Darwin propose about the age of the Earth?

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Correct Answer: C. It is billions of years old. Darwin proposed that the Earth is billions of years old.

Question 25: What is natural selection?

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Correct Answer: B. The process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce. Natural selection is the process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.

Question 26: What is the relationship between natural selection and evolution?

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Correct Answer: A. Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution. Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution.

Question 27: What is the main idea behind gradual evolution?

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Correct Answer: B. Evolution happens slowly over time. Gradual evolution proposes that evolution happens slowly over time.

Question 28: What is a common ancestor?

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Correct Answer: B. An organism from which two or more different species evolved. A common ancestor is an organism from which two or more different species evolved.

Question 29: What is the relationship between the geological history of Earth and the biological history of Earth?

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Correct Answer: A. They are closely correlated. The geological history of Earth is closely correlated with the biological history of Earth.

Question 30: What was the main challenge to the theory of special creation during the nineteenth century?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. All of the above challenged the theory of special creation.

Question 31: What did Darwin’s observations of variations within populations suggest about evolution?

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Correct Answer: B. Variations are the raw material for natural selection. Darwin suggested that variations within populations are the raw material for natural selection.

Question 32: What is the significance of extinctions in evolutionary history?

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Correct Answer: B. Extinctions provide opportunities for new life forms to arise. Extinctions provide opportunities for new life forms to arise.

Question 33: What is the role of environmental conditions in natural selection?

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Correct Answer: B. Environmental conditions determine which traits are favorable. Environmental conditions determine which traits are favorable in natural selection.

Question 34: What is the ultimate measure of fitness according to Darwin?

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Correct Answer: C. Reproductive success. Reproductive success is the ultimate measure of fitness according to Darwin.

Question 35: What are fossils?

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Correct Answer: B. Remains of hard parts of life-forms found in rocks. Fossils are the remains of hard parts of life-forms found in rocks.

Question 36: What does the arrangement of sediments in Earth’s crust indicate?

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Correct Answer: C. The arrangement of sediments one over the other during the long history of Earth. A cross-section of Earth’s crust indicates the arrangement of sediments one over the other during the long history of Earth.

Question 37: What is paleontological evidence?

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Correct Answer: A. Evidence from the study of fossils. Paleontological evidence refers to the evidence from the study of fossils.

Question 38: What is the method used to calculate the ages of fossils?

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Correct Answer: B. Radioactive dating. Radioactive dating is used to calculate the ages of fossils.

Question 39: Who proposed embryological support for evolution?

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Correct Answer: B. Ernst Haeckel. Embryological support for evolution was proposed by Ernst Haeckel.

Question 40: Why was Haeckel’s proposal of embryological support for evolution disapproved?

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Correct Answer: B. Embryos never pass through the adult stages of other animals. Karl Ernst von Baer disapproved Haeckel’s proposal because embryos never pass through the adult stages of other animals.

Question 41: What is comparative anatomy and morphology?

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Correct Answer: A. The study of the structure of organisms. Comparative anatomy and morphology studies the similarities and differences among organisms of today and those that existed years ago.

Question 42: What are homologous structures?

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Correct Answer: B. Structures that have different functions but similar anatomical structures. Homologous structures have different functions but similar anatomical structures.

Question 43: What are analogous structures?

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Correct Answer: A. Structures that have similar functions but different anatomical structures. Analogous structures have similar functions but different anatomical structures.

Question 44: What is the significance of similarities in proteins and genes among diverse organisms?

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Correct Answer: B. It provides clues to common ancestry. Similarities in proteins and genes among diverse organisms provide clues to common ancestry.

Question 45: What is artificial selection?

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Correct Answer: A. The process by which humans selectively breed organisms for desirable traits. Artificial selection is the process by which humans selectively breed organisms for desirable traits.

Question 46: What is industrial melanism?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Industrial melanism refers to all of the above phenomena.

Question 47: What is the significance of the peppered moth case in evolutionary studies?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The peppered moth case is significant for all of the above reasons.

Question 48: What is evolution by anthropogenic action?

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Correct Answer: C. Evolution caused by human activities. Evolution by anthropogenic action refers to evolution caused by human activities.

Question 49: What is the nature of evolution?

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Correct Answer: B. Stochastic. Evolution is a stochastic process, meaning it is based on chance events and mutations.

Question 50: What does the study of fossils indicate about life forms on Earth?

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Correct Answer: B. They have varied over time and are sometimes restricted to certain geological time-spans. The study of fossils shows that life forms have varied over time and that certain life forms are restricted to certain geological time-spans.

Question 51: What is the significance of the discovery of the Coelacanth in 1938?

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Correct Answer: C. It was thought to be extinct, but its discovery provided evidence for the evolutionary history of amphibians. The Coelacanth was thought to be extinct, but its discovery provided evidence for the evolutionary history of amphibians.

Question 52: What is the key feature that distinguishes mammals from reptiles?

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Correct Answer: D. They are viviparous. Mammals are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young.

Question 53: What is the most widely accepted explanation for the extinction of dinosaurs?

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Correct Answer: C. A combination of factors including climatic changes. While an asteroid impact is a prominent theory, the truth about dinosaur extinction might be a combination of factors, including climatic changes.

Question 54: What is the significance of the brain capacities of early hominids like Homo habilis?

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Correct Answer: A. It shows a trend of increasing brain size in hominid evolution. The brain capacity of Homo habilis, between 650-800cc, supports the trend of increasing brain size observed in hominid evolution.

Question 55: What can be inferred from the observation that resistant organisms/cells are appearing in a time scale of months or years, and not centuries?

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Correct Answer: B. Evolution can be accelerated by human activities like excessive use of herbicides, pesticides, and antibiotics. Evolution can be accelerated by human activities like excessive use of herbicides, pesticides, and antibiotics.

Question 56: What is the most significant factor in the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. All of the above factors contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Question 57: What is adaptive radiation?

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Correct Answer: A. The evolution of different species in a given geographical area, starting from a point and radiating to other areas of geography (habitats). Adaptive radiation is the evolution of different species in a given geographical area, starting from a point and radiating to other areas of geography (habitats).

Question 58: What is the significance of Darwin’s finches in evolutionary biology?

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Correct Answer: C. They represent one of the best examples of adaptive radiation. Darwin’s finches represent one of the best examples of adaptive radiation.

Question 59: What is another example of adaptive radiation besides Darwin’s finches?

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Correct Answer: A. The Australian marsupials. The Australian marsupials are another example of adaptive radiation.

Question 60: What is convergent evolution?

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Correct Answer: A. When two or more species evolve similar traits in response to similar environments. Convergent evolution is when two or more species evolve similar traits in response to similar environments.

Question 61: What is the relationship between adaptive radiation and convergent evolution?

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Correct Answer: B. Convergent evolution is a type of adaptive radiation. Convergent evolution is a type of adaptive radiation that occurs when more than one adaptive radiation appears to have occurred in an isolated geographical area.

Question 62: What is the best example of convergent evolution in the context of adaptive radiation?

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Correct Answer: B. Australian marsupials and placental mammals. Australian marsupials and placental mammals are the best example of convergent evolution in the context of adaptive radiation.

Question 63: What is the significance of the fact that the marsupials of Australia are each different from the other?

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Correct Answer: C. It shows that they have evolved in response to different environments. The fact that the marsupials of Australia are each different from the other shows that they have evolved in response to different environments.

Question 64: What is the relationship between the placental mammals of Australia and the marsupials of Australia?

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Correct Answer: B. They have evolved similar traits in response to similar environments. The placental mammals of Australia and the marsupials of Australia have evolved similar traits in response to similar environments.

Question 65: What is the significance of the term ‘radiating’ in the definition of adaptive radiation?

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Correct Answer: B. It indicates that the species are spreading out from a central point. The term ‘radiating’ indicates that the species are spreading out from a central point.

Question 66: What is the main factor that drives adaptive radiation?

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Correct Answer: A. The availability of resources. The availability of different resources drives the evolution of different species in adaptive radiation.

Question 67: When did the first cellular forms of life appear on Earth?

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Correct Answer: C. 2 billion years ago. The first cellular forms of life appeared on Earth about 2 billion years ago.

Question 68: What is the key process that drives biological evolution?

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Correct Answer: A. Natural selection. Natural selection is the key process that drives biological evolution.

Question 69: What is the importance of heritable characteristics in evolution?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Heritable characteristics are important for all of the above reasons.

Question 70: What is the genetic basis of evolution?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. All of the above factors contribute to the genetic basis of evolution.

Question 71: What are the two key concepts of Darwinian Theory of Evolution?

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Correct Answer: B. Branching descent and natural selection. The two key concepts of Darwinian Theory of Evolution are branching descent and natural selection.

Question 72: Who proposed the theory of evolution driven by use and disuse of organs?

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Correct Answer: B. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. Lamarck proposed the theory of evolution driven by use and disuse of organs.

Question 73: Why is Lamarck’s theory of evolution no longer accepted?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Lamarck’s theory is no longer accepted for all of the above reasons.

Question 74: What is the relationship between evolution and natural selection?

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Correct Answer: B. Natural selection is a process, and evolution is the result of that process. Natural selection is a process, and evolution is the result of that process.

Question 75: What is the role of natural selection in evolution?

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Correct Answer: B. Natural selection determines which traits are favorable. Natural selection determines which traits are favorable and allows organisms with those traits to survive and reproduce.

Question 76: What is the significance of the fact that natural resources are limited?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The fact that natural resources are limited is significant for all of the above reasons.

Question 77: What is the role of variation in natural selection?

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Correct Answer: B. Variation provides the raw material for natural selection. Variation provides the raw material for natural selection.

Question 78: What is the outcome of natural selection?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. All of the above are potential outcomes of natural selection.

Question 79: What is the main idea behind branching descent?

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Correct Answer: A. All living organisms share a common ancestor. Branching descent proposes that all living organisms share a common ancestor.

Question 80: What is the primary source of variation in a population?

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Correct Answer: B. Mutation. Mutations are the primary source of variation in a population.

Question 81: What is speciation?

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Correct Answer: A. The process by which new species arise. Speciation is the process by which new species arise.

Question 82: What is the difference between Darwinian variations and mutations?

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Correct Answer: A. Darwinian variations are small and directional, while mutations are random and directionless. Darwinian variations are small and directional, while mutations are random and directionless.

Question 83: What is saltation?

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Correct Answer: C. The process of speciation caused by mutations. Saltation is the process of speciation caused by mutations.

Question 84: What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

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Correct Answer: C. A principle that states that allele frequencies in a population are stable and constant from generation to generation. The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele frequencies in a population are stable and constant from generation to generation.

Question 85: What is genetic equilibrium?

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Correct Answer: A. The state in which allele frequencies in a population are stable and constant. Genetic equilibrium is the state in which allele frequencies in a population are stable and constant.

Question 86: What is the sum total of all allelic frequencies in a population?

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Correct Answer: C. 1. The sum total of all allelic frequencies in a population is 1.

Question 87: What does it mean if the frequency of alleles in a population differs from the expected values based on the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

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Correct Answer: B. The population is evolving. If the frequency of alleles in a population differs from the expected values, it indicates that the population is evolving.

Question 88: What are the factors that can affect Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. All of the above factors can affect Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Question 89: What is gene flow?

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Correct Answer: A. The movement of genes from one population to another. Gene flow is the movement of genes from one population to another.

Question 90: What is genetic drift?

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Correct Answer: B. The random change in allele frequencies in a population. Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies in a population.

Question 91: What is the founder effect?

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Correct Answer: A. The change in allele frequencies due to the migration of a small group of individuals from a larger population. The founder effect is the change in allele frequencies due to the migration of a small group of individuals from a larger population.

Question 92: What were the first forms of life on Earth?

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Correct Answer: A. Single-celled. The first forms of life on Earth were single-celled.

Question 93: What was the major event that led to the evolution of aerobic respiration?

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Correct Answer: A. The evolution of photosynthesis. The evolution of photosynthesis led to the evolution of aerobic respiration.

Question 94: What is the significance of the evolution of photosynthesis?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The evolution of photosynthesis is significant for all of the above reasons.

Question 95: What are the two early primates that are considered to be the ancestors of humans?

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Correct Answer: A. Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus. Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus are considered to be the ancestors of humans.

Question 96: What is the estimated age of Dryopithecus?

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Correct Answer: A. 15 million years ago. Dryopithecus is estimated to have lived about 15 million years ago.

Question 97: What is the significance of the discovery of Ramapithecus fossils?

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Correct Answer: C. They suggest that Ramapithecus was more man-like than Dryopithecus. The discovery of Ramapithecus fossils suggests that it was more man-like than Dryopithecus.

Question 98: What are hominids?

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Correct Answer: A. The ancestors of humans. Hominids are the ancestors of humans.

Question 99: What is the significance of the increasing brain capacity in hominid evolution?

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Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The increasing brain capacity in hominid evolution is significant for all of the above reasons.

Question 100: What is the scientific name for modern humans?

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Correct Answer: C. Homo sapiens. The scientific name for modern humans is Homo sapiens.

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