1. What is molecular ecology primarily concerned with?
A) Studying interactions between organisms and their environment at the molecular level
B) Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying ecological processes
C) Analyzing the genetic diversity and population structure of organisms in their natural habitats
D) Understanding the molecular basis of ecosystem dynamics
Answer: C) Analyzing the genetic diversity and population structure of organisms in their natural habitats
2. Which of the following techniques is commonly used in molecular ecology to study genetic variation within populations?
A) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
B) ELISA assay
C) Gel electrophoresis
D) Flow cytometry
Answer: A) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
3. What term describes the total collection of genes and their variants within a population?
A) Phenotype
B) Genotype
C) Allele
D) Gene pool
Answer: D) Gene pool
4. Which of the following statements about genetic diversity in natural populations is true?
A) Genetic diversity has no influence on population dynamics or ecological interactions.
B) Higher genetic diversity decreases a population’s adaptability to environmental changes.
C) Genetic diversity enhances a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments.
D) Genetic diversity remains constant over time in stable populations.
Answer: C) Genetic diversity enhances a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments.
5. What term describes the loss of genetic diversity when a population experiences a drastic reduction in size?
A) Genetic drift
B) Genetic bottleneck
C) Gene flow
D) Mutation
Answer: B) Genetic bottleneck
6. Which of the following factors can contribute to genetic bottlenecks in natural populations?
A) Habitat restoration efforts
B) Habitat fragmentation
C) High levels of gene flow
D) Stable environmental conditions
Answer: B) Habitat fragmentation
7. What term describes the movement of genes between populations as a result of individual dispersal?
A) Genetic drift
B) Genetic bottleneck
C) Gene flow
D) Mutation
Answer: C) Gene flow
8. Which of the following statements about gene flow in natural populations is true?
A) Gene flow decreases genetic diversity within populations.
B) Gene flow leads to increased genetic differentiation between populations.
C) Gene flow facilitates the exchange of genetic material between populations.
D) Gene flow only occurs between geographically isolated populations.
Answer: C) Gene flow facilitates the exchange of genetic material between populations.
9. What term describes the random change in allele frequencies within a population over time?
A) Genetic drift
B) Genetic bottleneck
C) Gene flow
D) Mutation
Answer: A) Genetic drift
10. Which of the following factors can contribute to genetic drift in natural populations?
A) Large population size
B) High levels of gene flow
C) Random sampling of individuals for reproduction
D) Predictable environmental conditions
Answer: C) Random sampling of individuals for reproduction
11. What term describes the phenomenon where alleles become fixed in a population due to genetic drift or natural selection?
A) Genetic drift
B) Genetic bottleneck
C) Gene flow
D) Genetic fixation
Answer: D) Genetic fixation
12. Which of the following statements about genetic adaptation in natural populations is true?
A) Genetic adaptation occurs rapidly within a few generations.
B) Genetic adaptation is solely driven by mutation.
C) Genetic adaptation involves the spread of advantageous alleles through natural selection.
D) Genetic adaptation leads to a decrease in genetic diversity within populations.
Answer: C) Genetic adaptation involves the spread of advantageous alleles through natural selection.
13. What term describes the loss of genetic diversity when a small number of individuals establish a new population in a new area?
A) Genetic drift
B) Founder effect
C) Gene flow
D) Genetic bottleneck
Answer: B) Founder effect
14. Which of the following is an example of a molecular technique used in molecular ecology to study genetic variation?
A) DNA fingerprinting
B) ELISA assay
C) Microarray analysis
D) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Answer: A) DNA fingerprinting
15. What term describes the process of restoring or maintaining genetic diversity within a population?
A) Genetic drift
B) Genetic rescue
C) Genetic bottleneck
D) Genetic conservation
Answer: D) Genetic conservation
16. Which of the following statements about genetic diversity in natural populations is true?
A) Genetic diversity is irrelevant for the long-term survival of populations.
B) Higher genetic diversity reduces a population’s adaptability to environmental changes.
C) Genetic diversity enhances a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments.
D) Genetic diversity has no impact on the fitness of individuals within a population.
Answer: C) Genetic diversity enhances a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments.