1. What does population genetics study?
A) Individual organisms
B) Entire ecosystems
C) Genetic variation within and between populations
D) Animal behavior
Answer: C) Genetic variation within and between populations
2. Which of the following is NOT a factor that can contribute to genetic variation in wildlife populations?
A) Mutation
B) Genetic drift
C) Natural selection
D) Uniformitarianism
Answer: D) Uniformitarianism
3. What term describes the proportion of a particular allele in a population?
A) Phenotype
B) Homozygosity
C) Genotype
D) Allele frequency
Answer: D) Allele frequency
4. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution that can alter allele frequencies in a population?
A) Gene flow
B) Genetic drift
C) Phenotypic plasticity
D) Natural selection
Answer: C) Phenotypic plasticity
5. What does the Hardy-Weinberg principle describe?
A) The effects of genetic drift on allele frequencies
B) The relationship between genotype frequencies and allele frequencies in a population
C) The process of mutation in populations
D) The role of natural selection in shaping populations
Answer: B) The relationship between genotype frequencies and allele frequencies in a population
6. In a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, what is the frequency of heterozygotes if the frequency of the dominant allele (A) is 0.6?
A) 0.24
B) 0.36
C) 0.48
D) 0.60
Answer: C) 0.48
7. Which of the following factors can lead to genetic drift?
A) Natural selection
B) Large population size
C) Gene flow
D) Founder effect
Answer: D) Founder effect
8. What is the term for a sudden reduction in population size resulting in a loss of genetic variation?
A) Genetic bottleneck
B) Gene flow
C) Genetic drift
D) Mutation
Answer: A) Genetic bottleneck
9. Which of the following is an example of gene flow?
A) Two populations of birds adapting to different food sources
B) A river splitting a population of fish into two isolated groups
C) Pollen from one flower fertilizing another flower of the same species
D) A mutation occurring in a population of insects
Answer: C) Pollen from one flower fertilizing another flower of the same species
10. What term describes the random changes in allele frequencies over time due to chance events?
A) Genetic bottleneck
B) Gene flow
C) Genetic drift
D) Natural selection
Answer: C) Genetic drift
11. What is the founder effect?
A) The movement of individuals between populations
B) The introduction of new alleles into a population
C) The loss of genetic variation due to a sudden reduction in population size
D) The establishment of a new population by a small number of individuals
Answer: D) The establishment of a new population by a small number of individuals
12. Which of the following statements about genetic drift is true?
A) It is more pronounced in large populations
B) It leads to an increase in genetic variation
C) It has a greater impact on allele frequencies in small populations
D) It occurs primarily through natural selection
Answer: C) It has a greater impact on allele frequencies in small populations
13. Inbreeding depression refers to:
A) The loss of genetic diversity due to mating between closely related individuals
B) The increase in genetic diversity due to mating between unrelated individuals
C) The improvement in fitness due to outbreeding
D) The spread of advantageous alleles within a population
Answer: A) The loss of genetic diversity due to mating between closely related individuals
14. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of inbreeding depression?
A) Reduced fertility
B) Increased homozygosity for harmful recessive alleles
C) Decreased susceptibility to diseases
D) Decreased fitness
Answer: C) Decreased susceptibility to diseases
15. What is hybrid vigor?
A) The increased fitness and vigor of hybrid offspring compared to purebred individuals
B) The decreased fertility of hybrid offspring compared to purebred individuals
C) The tendency for hybrid offspring to exhibit traits intermediate between the two parental species
D) The loss of genetic diversity due to hybridization
Answer: A) The increased fitness and vigor of hybrid offspring compared to purebred individuals
16. Which of the following is NOT a method used in wildlife population genetics studies?
A) Microsatellite analysis
B) DNA sequencing
C) Radio telemetry
D) SNP genotyping
Answer: C) Radio telemetry
17. SNP stands for:
A) Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
B) Simple Nucleotide Polymerase
C) Structured Nucleotide Pair
D) Segmented Nucleotide Protein
Answer: A) Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
18. Which of the following is a key consideration in wildlife conservation genetics?
A) Maximizing genetic diversity within populations
B) Minimizing gene flow between populations
C) Maintaining genetic uniformity within populations
D) Increasing inbreeding within populations
Answer: A) Maximizing genetic diversity within populations
19. Genetic rescue refers to:
A) Introducing new alleles into a population to increase genetic diversity
B) Preventing the spread of disease through vaccination
C) Eliminating harmful alleles from a population through selective breeding
D) Restoring habitat to support wildlife populations
Answer: A) Introducing new alleles into a population to increase genetic diversity
20. What is the minimum viable population size?
A) The smallest number of individuals required to maintain genetic diversity and prevent extinction
B) The largest number of individuals a habitat can support sustainably
C) The number of individuals required for successful reproduction in a given year
D) The threshold at which a population is considered endangered
Answer: A) The smallest number of individuals required to maintain genetic diversity and prevent extinction
21. What is the primary unit of study in population genetics?
a) Individual
b) Species
c) Population
d) Ecosystem
Answer: c) Population
22. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?
a) Mutation
b) Genetic drift
c) Immigration
d) Artificial selection
Answer: c) Immigration
23. Which term refers to the total set of genes in a population?
a) Genome
b) Allele frequency
c) Genotype
d) Phenotype
Answer: a) Genome
24. What does the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describe?
a) The change in allele frequencies over time
b) The stability of allele frequencies in a population
c) The mutation rate within a population
d) The process of genetic drift
Answer: b) The stability of allele frequencies in a population
25. Genetic drift has a greater effect on:
a) Large populations
b) Small populations
c) Stable populations
d) Populations with high immigration rates
Answer: b) Small populations
26. Which of the following is an example of a genetic bottleneck?
a) A population experiencing rapid growth
b) A population divided by a geographical barrier
c) A severe reduction in population size due to a natural disaster
d) Introduction of new alleles into a population
Answer: c) A severe reduction in population size due to a natural disaster
27. What is the term for the movement of individuals between populations?
a) Emigration
b) Immigration
c) Gene flow
d) Genetic drift
Answer: c) Gene flow
28. Which factor can increase genetic diversity within a population?
a) Genetic drift
b) Mutation
c) Genetic bottlenecks
d) Founder effect
Answer: b) Mutation
29. The founder effect occurs when:
a) A few individuals colonize a new habitat
b) A large population undergoes a drastic reduction in size
c) Genetic drift leads to the loss of genetic variation
d) Gene flow increases between populations
Answer: a) A few individuals colonize a new habitat
30. Inbreeding depression is a result of:
a) Increased heterozygosity
b) Outbreeding
c) Decreased genetic diversity
d) Genetic recombination
Answer: c) Decreased genetic diversity
31. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of inbreeding depression?
a) Reduced fertility
b) Increased susceptibility to diseases
c) Higher fitness
d) Decreased survival rates
Answer: c) Higher fitness
32. Which genetic marker is commonly used in population genetics studies?
a) Microsatellites
b) Mitochondrial DNA
c) Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
33. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from:
a) Both parents
b) Only the mother
c) Only the father
d) Both grandparents
Answer: b) Only the mother
34. Which type of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a trait’s distribution?
a) Stabilizing selection
b) Directional selection
c) Disruptive selection
d) Balancing selection
Answer: c) Disruptive selection
35. Which term describes the situation when individuals preferentially mate with partners that have similar phenotypic traits?
a) Genetic drift
b) Assortative mating
c) Gene flow
d) Inbreeding
Answer: b) Assortative mating
36. In which scenario is genetic diversity likely to be reduced?
a) Large population size
b) High gene flow
c) Genetic bottleneck
d) High mutation rates
Answer: c) Genetic bottleneck
37. Which process can introduce new genetic variation into a population?
a) Genetic drift
b) Natural selection
c) Gene flow
d) Inbreeding
Answer: c) Gene flow
38. What is the main goal of wildlife conservation genetics?
a) To maintain genetic diversity
b) To increase population size
c) To promote genetic uniformity
d) To decrease mutation rates
Answer: a) To maintain genetic diversity
39. What does the term “effective population size” refer to?
a) The number of individuals in a population
b) The number of breeding individuals in a population
c) The size of a population’s habitat
d) The total genetic diversity of a population
Answer: b) The number of breeding individuals in a population
40. What role does genetic recombination play in evolution?
a) It reduces genetic diversity
b) It increases genetic diversity
c) It has no effect on genetic diversity
d) It eliminates deleterious alleles
Answer: b) It increases genetic diversity
41. Which factor can lead to an increase in genetic diversity within a population?
a) Inbreeding
b) Genetic drift
c) Mutation
d) Genetic bottleneck
Answer: c) Mutation
42. What does the term “gene pool” refer to?
a) The total number of alleles in a population
b) The number of individuals in a population
c) The frequency of alleles in a population
d) The total genetic variation in a population
Answer: a) The total number of alleles in a population
43. Which of the following is an example of natural selection?
a) A disease reducing the number of individuals in a population
b) A population evolving to better adapt to its environment
c) A new allele introduced through gene flow
d) A population experiencing a genetic bottleneck
Answer: b) A population evolving to better adapt to its environment
44. What does the term “phenotypic plasticity” refer to?
a) The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions
b) The inheritance of traits from one generation to the next
c) The random changes in allele frequencies due to genetic drift
d) The movement of alleles between populations
Answer: a) The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions
45. What is the main purpose of conservation genetics in managing endangered species?
a) To ensure species survival by maintaining genetic diversity
b) To increase the population size as quickly as possible
c) To prevent the introduction of new alleles into the population
d) To select for specific traits in the population
Answer: a) To ensure species survival by maintaining genetic diversity
46. What can be a consequence of introducing individuals from different populations into a new habitat?
a) Decreased genetic diversity
b) Increased risk of inbreeding
c) Increased genetic diversity
d) Increased genetic drift
Answer: c) Increased genetic diversity
47. The process by which new alleles are introduced into a population from an external source is called:
a) Gene flow
b) Genetic drift
c) Mutation
d) Natural selection
Answer: a) Gene flow
48. In a population with high genetic diversity, individuals are likely to:
a) Have similar phenotypes
b) Exhibit a wide range of phenotypes
c) Be less adapted to environmental changes
d) Experience higher levels of inbreeding
Answer: b) Exhibit a wide range of phenotypes
49. Which factor can contribute to the loss of genetic variation in a population?
a) High gene flow
b) Large population size
c) Genetic bottleneck
d) High mutation rates
Answer: c) Genetic bottleneck
50. What is one way to measure genetic diversity in a population?
a) Counting the number of individuals
b) Assessing allele frequencies
c) Measuring population size
d) Recording phenotypic traits
Answer: b) Assessing allele frequencies
51. Which concept describes the situation where natural selection favors intermediate phenotypes over extreme ones?
a) Disruptive selection
b) Stabilizing selection
c) Directional selection
d) Balancing selection
Answer: b) Stabilizing selection
52. The term “extinction vortex” refers to:
a) The gradual decrease in genetic diversity leading to population decline
b) The sudden loss of individuals due to environmental changes
c) The introduction of new alleles into a population
d) The increase in population size through immigration
Answer: a) The gradual decrease in genetic diversity leading to population decline
53. In the context of wildlife genetics, what does “genetic erosion” mean?
a) The loss of genetic diversity due to factors such as habitat destruction
b) The increase in genetic diversity through mutation
c) The movement of alleles between populations
d) The process of natural selection
Answer: a) The loss of genetic diversity due to factors such as habitat destruction
54. Which of the following can be an indicator of a population’s health and viability?
a) High levels of inbreeding
b) Low genetic diversity
c) High genetic diversity
d) Small population size
Answer: c) High genetic diversity
55. What type of selection favors the average phenotype in a population?
a) Disruptive selection
b) Stabilizing selection
c) Directional selection
d) Balancing selection
Answer: b) Stabilizing selection
56. How does a population with low genetic diversity typically respond to environmental changes?
a) It adapts quickly
b) It remains unaffected
c) It is more vulnerable to extinction
d) It experiences increased gene flow
Answer: c) It is more vulnerable to extinction
57. Which of the following is an example of a conservation strategy to increase genetic diversity?
a) Habitat destruction
b) Restricting gene flow
c) Establishing wildlife corridors
d) Increasing inbreeding
Answer: c) Establishing wildlife corridors
58. Which of the following is a goal of captive breeding programs?
a) To reduce genetic diversity
b) To maintain or increase genetic diversity in endangered species
c) To eliminate all genetic variation
d) To prevent genetic recombination
Answer: b) To maintain or increase genetic diversity in endangered species
59. What is a common method for assessing genetic diversity in wildlife populations?
a) Counting individuals
b) Measuring physical traits
c) Genetic marker analysis
d) Observing behavior
Answer: c) Genetic marker analysis
60. The concept of “evolutionary significant units” (ESUs) refers to:
a) Subpopulations that are genetically distinct and important for conservation
b) Populations with similar phenotypes
c) Species that are likely to become extinct
d) Individuals with the highest fitness levels
Answer: a) Subpopulations that are genetically distinct and important for conservation
61. Which process can lead to an increase in genetic variation within a population?
a) Genetic drift
b) Inbreeding
c) Gene flow
d) Bottlenecks
Answer: c) Gene flow
62. What is one major challenge in managing genetic diversity in small populations?
a) High gene flow
b) High mutation rates
c) Genetic drift
d) High genetic diversity
Answer: c) Genetic drift
63. Which of the following terms describes the loss of genetic variation due to a drastic reduction in population size?
a) Genetic drift
b) Genetic bottleneck
c) Founder effect
d) Gene flow
Answer: b) Genetic bottleneck
64. In the context of conservation genetics, what does “genetic swamping” refer to?
a) The reduction of genetic diversity due to habitat loss
b) The loss of unique genetic traits due to interbreeding with a more common population
c) The increase in genetic variation due to migration
d) The process of maintaining genetic diversity through selective breeding
Answer: b) The loss of unique genetic traits due to interbreeding with a more common population
65. Which genetic concept refers to the proportion of individuals in a population that carry a particular allele?
a) Allele frequency
b) Genotype frequency
c) Phenotype frequency
d) Gene pool
Answer: a) Allele frequency
66. The introduction of new individuals into a population can help to:
a) Decrease genetic diversity
b) Increase genetic diversity
c) Increase inbreeding
d) Decrease allele frequencies
Answer: b) Increase genetic diversity
67. Which of the following is a key factor in the success of wildlife reintroduction programs?
a) High levels of genetic uniformity
b) High levels of inbreeding
c) Maintaining or increasing genetic diversity
d) Limiting gene flow
Answer: c) Maintaining or increasing genetic diversity
68. Which term describes the process by which individuals from different populations interbreed and produce offspring with higher fitness?
a) Hybrid vigor
b) Inbreeding depression
c) Genetic bottleneck
d) Gene flow
Answer: a) Hybrid vigor
69. In the context of conservation, what does “genetic drift” refer to?
a) The gradual change in allele frequencies due to random events
b) The movement of alleles between populations
c) The selection of traits that increase fitness
d) The introduction of new genetic material from outside populations
Answer: a) The gradual change in allele frequencies due to random events
70. What is a primary goal of using molecular markers in wildlife conservation?
a) To measure the physical traits of individuals
b) To assess genetic diversity and population structure
c) To increase the size of the population
d) To select individuals for breeding
Answer: b) To assess genetic diversity and population structure