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biology mcqs
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Evolution: MCQ Test

Test your knowledge of evolutionary biology, from the origin of life to the evolution of man, based on comprehensive biological principles.

First, read the main notes on Evolution, then try to answer the questions below without looking back!

Review Questions

Here are some questions to test your understanding. Select your answer and click “Check Answer” to see if you were correct.

Test Your Knowledge

Showing questions 1 - 20 of 34

1. What is the approximate age of the universe according to the Big Bang theory?

4.5 billion years old
13.8 billion years old
4000 years old
2000 million years old

The universe is estimated to be almost 13.8 billion years old according to the Big Bang theory, which explains its origin.

2. Which gases were released from the molten mass covering the early Earth's surface, leading to the formation of its atmosphere?

Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon dioxide, Water vapour
Hydrogen, Helium, Methane, Ammonia
Water vapour, Methane, Carbon dioxide, Ammonia
Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen, Methane, Water vapour

On early Earth, water vapour, methane, carbondioxide, and ammonia were released from the molten mass and covered the surface.

3. Which theory proposed that units of life called spores were transferred to different planets, including Earth?

Spontaneous Generation
Abiogenesis
Panspermia
Chemical Evolution

Early Greek thinkers proposed that units of life called spores were transferred to different planets. This idea is known as 'Panspermia' and is still favoured by some astronomers.

4. Who experimentally disproved the theory of spontaneous generation?

Oparin and Haldane
S.L. Miller
Louis Pasteur
Charles Darwin

Louis Pasteur, through careful experimentation using pre-sterilised flasks, demonstrated that life comes only from pre-existing life, thereby dismissing the spontaneous generation theory.

5. What were the conditions on early Earth that Oparin and Haldane proposed for chemical evolution?

Low temperature, volcanic storms, oxidizing atmosphere, O2, N2
High temperature, calm conditions, reducing atmosphere, CO2, H2O
High temperature, volcanic storms, reducing atmosphere, CH4, NH3
Moderate temperature, no storms, oxidizing atmosphere, H2O, O2

Oparin and Haldane proposed that the conditions on early Earth were characterised by high temperature, volcanic storms, and a reducing atmosphere containing CH4 (methane), NH3 (ammonia), etc.

6. What significant organic molecules were observed by S.L. Miller in his experiment simulating early Earth conditions?

Sugars and Fats only
Amino acids, Sugars, Nitrogen bases, Pigment, and Fats
Proteins and RNA only
DNA and Carbohydrates

S.L. Miller created similar conditions in a laboratory and observed the formation of amino acids. In similar experiments, others observed the formation of sugars, nitrogen bases, pigment, and fats.

7. When did the first cellular forms of life possibly originate on Earth?

3 billion years ago
4 billion years ago
2000 million years ago
500 million years ago

The first cellular form of life possibly did not originate until about 2000 million years ago (2 billion years ago).

8. Which of the following is NOT a connotation of the theory of special creation?

All living organisms were created as such.
Diversity has always been the same and will be in the future.
Earth is about 4000 years old.
Life arose slowly through evolutionary forces from non-living molecules.

The theory of special creation implies that all species were created as such, diversity was constant, and Earth is about 4000 years old. The idea that life arose slowly from non-living molecules is abiogenesis, accepted by the majority, and contradicts special creation.

9. Charles Darwin made his observations for his theory of evolution during a sea voyage on which ship?

HMS Endeavour
HMS Beagle
The Santa María
The Mayflower

Charles Darwin based his conclusions on observations made during a sea voyage in a sail ship called H.M.S. Beagle, which went round the world.

10. According to Darwin, what does 'fitness' ultimately refer to?

Physical strength and size
Ability to gather food efficiently
Reproductive fitness
Long lifespan

The fitness, according to Darwin, refers ultimately and only to reproductive fitness, meaning those who are better fit in an environment leave more progeny than others.

11. Which type of evidence for evolution involves the study of remains of hard parts of life-forms found in rocks?

Embryological evidence
Comparative anatomy
Biochemical evidence
Paleontological evidence

Fossils, which are remains of hard parts of life-forms found in rocks, provide paleontological evidence for evolution.

12. What term describes structures that are anatomically similar due to common ancestry but perform different functions due to adaptations to different needs?

Analogous organs
Homologous organs
Vestigial organs
Convergent structures

Homologous organs are those with similar anatomical structure but developed along different directions due to adaptations to different needs, indicating common ancestry (divergent evolution). Examples include the forelimbs of whales, bats, cheetah, and humans.

13. Which of the following pairs is an example of analogous structures?

Vertebrate hearts and brains
Thorn of Bougainvillea and tendril of Cucurbita
Wings of butterfly and wings of birds
Forelimbs of human and cheetah

Analogous structures perform similar functions but are not anatomically similar; they are a result of convergent evolution. The wings of a butterfly and a bird are a classic example.

14. What phenomenon was observed in the population of moths in England after industrialisation?

Increase in white-winged moths due to cleaner environment.
Decrease in dark-winged moths due to predators.
Increase in dark-winged moths as they could camouflage against dark tree trunks.
No change in moth population proportions.

After industrialisation, tree trunks became dark due to industrial smoke. The dark-winged moths survived better due to camouflage, while white-winged moths were spotted by predators, leading to an increase in the proportion of dark-winged moths.

15. What does the observation of resistant varieties of microbes appearing in months or years due to antibiotic use exemplify?

Spontaneous generation
Natural selection by anthropogenic action
Lamarckism
Genetic equilibrium

The rapid appearance of resistant organisms/cells due to excess use of herbicides, pesticides, or antibiotics is an example of selection of resistant varieties, which is a form of evolution by anthropogenic (human) action.

16. Which concept describes the process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area starting from a point and radiating to other habitats?

Convergent evolution
Genetic drift
Adaptive radiation
Stabilising selection

Adaptive radiation is the process where different species evolve in a given geographical area, starting from a common point and radiating into various habitats. Darwin's Finches are a prime example.

17. What were the two key concepts of Darwinian Theory of Evolution?

Use and Disuse, and Saltation
Panspermia, and Spontaneous Generation
Branching Descent, and Natural Selection
Genetic Drift, and Gene Flow

Branching descent and natural selection are the two key concepts of Darwinian Theory of Evolution.

18. Which scientist proposed that evolution occurred due to the use and disuse of organs, giving the example of giraffes' long necks?

Charles Darwin
Alfred Wallace
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Hugo deVries

Lamarck, a French naturalist, proposed that evolution was driven by the use and disuse of organs, exemplified by the elongation of giraffes' necks. This conjecture is no longer believed.

19. According to Hugo deVries, what causes evolution?

Minor variations that are heritable
Gradual changes over long periods
Mutations, which are large differences arising suddenly
Natural selection of advantageous traits

Hugo deVries believed that mutations, which are large differences arising suddenly in a population, cause evolution. He termed this 'saltation' (single step large mutation).

20. Which principle states that allele frequencies in a population are stable and constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences?

Darwin's principle of natural selection
Mendel's law of segregation
Hardy-Weinberg principle
Lamarck's principle of acquired characteristics

The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele frequencies in a population are stable and constant from generation to generation, representing genetic equilibrium.

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Molecular Basis of Inheritance: MCQ Test

Human Health and Disease: MCQ Test

biology

class 11
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chemistry

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biology mcqs

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