1. Which molecule is most commonly compared to study evolutionary relationships?
A. DNA
B. Lipids
C. Carbohydrates
D. Water
Answer: A. DNA
2. What is the primary basis for molecular evidence in evolution?
A. Fossil structure
B. Similarities in DNA sequences
C. Behavioral patterns
D. Bone morphology
Answer: B. Similarities in DNA sequences
3. The similarity of hemoglobin sequences among vertebrates demonstrates what type of evidence?
A. Fossil
B. Embryological
C. Molecular
D. Morphological
Answer: C. Molecular
4. Which of the following supports common ancestry at the molecular level?
A. Identical bone structures
B. Shared amino acid sequences in proteins
C. Fossil age comparisons
D. Identical habitats
Answer: B. Shared amino acid sequences in proteins
5. What is a molecular clock used for in evolution?
A. Measuring the age of fossils
B. Determining mutation rates to estimate divergence times
C. Tracking ecological changes
D. Studying embryonic development
Answer: B. Determining mutation rates to estimate divergence times
6. Which molecule is commonly used to study ancient evolutionary relationships?
A. RNA
B. Hemoglobin
C. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
D. Keratin
Answer: C. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
7. The conservation of Hox genes across species indicates what?
A. Independent evolution
B. Adaptive radiation
C. Common ancestry
D. Random mutations
Answer: C. Common ancestry
8. Why are mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences often used in evolutionary studies?
A. They mutate very slowly
B. They are inherited only from the father
C. They provide high mutation rates for short-term studies
D. They do not code for proteins
Answer: C. They provide high mutation rates for short-term studies
9. What is the significance of cytochrome c in evolutionary biology?
A. It is unique to humans
B. It varies greatly among species
C. It shows conserved sequences across diverse species
D. It has no evolutionary relevance
Answer: C. It shows conserved sequences across diverse species
10. What do orthologous genes suggest about evolution?
A. Independent evolution in different species
B. Divergence from a common ancestor
C. Parallel evolution
D. No relation between species
Answer: B. Divergence from a common ancestor
11. Which type of protein comparison is frequently used for molecular evolutionary studies?
A. Lipoproteins
B. Enzymes like cytochrome c oxidase
C. Structural proteins
D. Antibodies
Answer: B. Enzymes like cytochrome c oxidase
12. The term “homologous genes” refers to genes that…
A. Serve the same function in unrelated species
B. Are derived from a common ancestor
C. Are structurally different but functionally similar
D. Are found only in a single species
Answer: B. Are derived from a common ancestor
13. Why is DNA hybridization useful in evolutionary studies?
A. It reveals fossil ages
B. It compares the degree of similarity between DNA sequences
C. It estimates protein folding patterns
D. It identifies behavioral traits
Answer: B. It compares the degree of similarity between DNA sequences
14. What do pseudogenes indicate about evolution?
A. They are fully functional genes
B. They have no evolutionary significance
C. They are remnants of once-functional genes
D. They are unique to humans
Answer: C. They are remnants of once-functional genes
15. Molecular evidence often aligns with which other type of evolutionary evidence?
A. Geological evidence
B. Behavioral evidence
C. Fossil evidence
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Fossil evidence
16. What is horizontal gene transfer?
A. Transfer of genes between unrelated species
B. Gene transfer within an individual
C. Gene transfer only during reproduction
D. Transfer of mitochondrial DNA
Answer: A. Transfer of genes between unrelated species
17. The study of shared proteins between humans and chimpanzees supports what conclusion?
A. Random mutation in humans
B. A shared common ancestor
C. Evolutionary divergence from rodents
D. Unique evolution in primates
Answer: B. A shared common ancestor
18. Why are molecular markers important in evolutionary biology?
A. They aid in physical trait analysis
B. They help track genetic changes over time
C. They are unrelated to DNA sequences
D. They are visible without technology
Answer: B. They help track genetic changes over time
19. What does the genetic code’s universality imply?
A. Independent origin of species
B. A shared evolutionary origin of life
C. Lack of genetic variation
D. Evolution is random and untraceable
Answer: B. A shared evolutionary origin of life
20. What is a paralogous gene?
A. A gene duplicated within a species
B. A gene inherited from an ancestor
C. A gene unique to mitochondria
D. A gene that functions in only one species
Answer: A. A gene duplicated within a species
21. The presence of vestigial DNA sequences in the genome supports which concept?
A. Natural selection eliminates all non-functional DNA
B. Historical ancestry leaves genetic remnants
C. Genetic drift is irrelevant
D. Evolutionary theory is invalidated
Answer: B. Historical ancestry leaves genetic remnants
22. Which method is used to estimate evolutionary distances between species?
A. Karyotyping
B. DNA sequencing and alignment
C. Physical trait comparison
D. Behavioral studies
Answer: B. DNA sequencing and alignment
23. What role does comparative genomics play in evolution?
A. Identifies behavioral differences
B. Finds structural differences in species
C. Reveals genetic similarities and differences
D. Tracks fossils for molecular analysis
Answer: C. Reveals genetic similarities and differences
24. How does the presence of conserved non-coding DNA regions support evolution?
A. They lack functional relevance
B. They are random and unpredictable
C. They indicate shared evolutionary constraints
D. They only exist in complex organisms
Answer: C. They indicate shared evolutionary constraints
25. Mitochondrial Eve refers to…
A. A single ancestral human fossil
B. The common maternal ancestor of all humans
C. An extinct mitochondrial species
D. The first woman with genetic mutations
Answer: B. The common maternal ancestor of all humans
26. What does genetic polymorphism reveal about populations?
A. They have identical genetic makeup
B. They lack diversity
C. They exhibit variation within and between populations
D. They evolve independently of genes
Answer: C. They exhibit variation within and between populations
27. Gene duplication events often lead to…
A. Reduced genetic variation
B. The development of new functions in paralogs
C. The elimination of original functions
D. Random mutations without impact
Answer: B. The development of new functions in paralogs
28. Comparing genomes of bacteria and humans shows…
A. No similarities
B. Shared fundamental genes for basic functions
C. A linear evolutionary trajectory
D. Independent origins of life
Answer: B. Shared fundamental genes for basic functions
29. Which evidence supports evolution at the molecular level?
A. Fossil structures
B. Shared DNA sequences
C. Similar ecological roles
D. Behavioral mimicry
Answer: B. Shared DNA sequences
30. Transposable elements in genomes provide evidence of…
A. Structural changes in proteins
B. Historical genetic events and shared ancestry
C. Evolutionary stasis
D. No relevance to evolution
Answer: B. Historical genetic events and shared ancestry
