Evolutionary Biology of animals MCQs

1. Which scientist is credited with proposing the theory of natural selection? A) Charles Darwin B) Gregor Mendel C) Alfred Russel Wallace D) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck Answer: A) Charles Darwin 2. The process by which organisms develop adaptations to better suit their environment is known as: A) Speciation B) Adaptive radiation C) Convergent evolution D) Natural selection Answer: D) Natural selection 3. Which of the following is NOT considered evidence for evolution? A) Fossil records B) Comparative anatomy C) Geographic distribution of species D) Mendelian genetics Answer: D) Mendelian genetics 4. Analogous structures in different species: A) Share a common evolutionary origin B) Perform similar functions but have different evolutionary origins C) Perform different functions but have a common evolutionary origin D) Are vestigial structures Answer: B) Perform similar functions but have different evolutionary origins 5. The study of the embryonic development of organisms as evidence for evolution is called: A) Embryology B) Ontogeny C) Phylogeny D) Morphology Answer: A) Embryology 6. The wings of birds and the wings of bats are an example of: A) Homologous structures B) Analogous structures C) Vestigial structures D) Convergent evolution Answer: B) Analogous structures 7. Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution? A) The forelimbs of mammals B) The wings of birds and insects C) The eyes of vertebrates and cephalopods D) The beaks of finches in the Galapagos Islands Answer: B) The wings of birds and insects 8. The process by which two or more species evolve adaptations in response to each other is known as: A) Coevolution B) Convergent evolution C) Adaptive radiation D) Speciation Answer: A) Coevolution 9. The study of the distribution of organisms and their geographic ranges is known as: A) Biogeography B) Paleontology C) Phylogenetics D) Comparative anatomy Answer: A) Biogeography 10. The development of similar physical characteristics in unrelated organisms due to similar environmental pressures is called: A) Parallel evolution B) Homology C) Divergent evolution D) Adaptive radiation Answer: A) Parallel evolution 11. Which of the following is an example of artificial selection? A) Breeding programs for purebred dogs B) Camouflage in prey species C) Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria D) Mimicry in butterflies Answer: A) Breeding programs for purebred dogs 12. The forelimbs of a human, cat, whale, and bat all contain the same basic skeletal elements, suggesting: A) Convergent evolution B) Analogous structures C) Homologous structures D) Vestigial structures Answer: C) Homologous structures 13. The study of the relationship between the structure and function of living organisms is known as: A) Physiology B) Anatomy C) Morphology D) Ethology Answer: C) Morphology 14. Adaptive radiation occurs when: A) A population remains relatively unchanged over time B) A single species diversifies into several different forms C) Two species converge to fill the same ecological niche D) Species become extinct due to environmental pressures Answer: B) A single species diversifies into several different forms 15. Lamarck’s theory of evolution proposed that: A) Evolution occurs through natural selection B) Traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime can be passed on to offspring C) Evolution is driven by random mutations D) Organisms evolve according to their needs Answer: B) Traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime can be passed on to offspring 16. The process of natural selection acts on: A) Individuals B) Populations C) Species D) Communities Answer: A) Individuals 17. A population of birds with different beak sizes evolving in response to different food sources is an example of: A) Stabilizing selection B) Directional selection C) Disruptive selection D) Artificial selection Answer: C) Disruptive selection 18. Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure in humans? A) Appendix B) Lungs C) Heart D) Brain Answer: A) Appendix 19. The study of the evolutionary history of species and the relationships between them is known as: A) Ecology B) Phylogenetics C) Ontogeny D) Taxonomy Answer: B) Phylogenetics 20. Molecular biology provides evidence for evolution through the study of: A) DNA sequences B) Morphological traits C) Fossil records D) Comparative anatomy Answer: A) DNA sequences