Evolution: MCQ Test

21. What is the algebraic representation of the Hardy-Weinberg equation for allele frequencies in a diploid population?

• p + q = 1
• p^2 + q^2 = 1
• p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1
• (p+q)^2 = p^2 + q^2

22. Which of the following is NOT one of the five factors known to affect Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

• Gene migration
• Genetic recombination
• Sexual reproduction (random mating)
• Mutation

23. What is the 'founder effect' in the context of genetic drift?

• The increase in population size due to abundant resources.
• The establishment of a new population by a small number of individuals whose gene frequency is different from the original population.
• The process where a dominant allele becomes fixed in a population.
• The selective advantage gained by the first organisms to colonize a new habitat.

24. Approximately how many years ago did the first cellular forms of life appear on Earth?

• 4.5 billion years ago
• 3 billion years ago
• 2000 million years ago
• 500 million years ago

25. When did invertebrates become formed and active on Earth?

• 350 mya
• 320 mya
• 500 mya
• 200 mya

26. Which group of animals were the ancestors of modern-day frogs and salamanders, evolving from fish with stout fins?

• Reptiles
• Mammals
• Amphibians
• Birds

27. What characteristic allowed reptiles to be more successful on land compared to amphibians?

• Gills for water respiration
• Viviparous reproduction
• Thick-shelled eggs that do not dry up in the sun
• Ability to fly

28. Approximately when did dinosaurs suddenly disappear from the Earth?

• 200 mya
• 65 mya
• 15 mya
• 10,000 years ago

29. What was a key characteristic of the first mammals, distinguishing them from many reptiles?

• They were oviparous (egg-laying).
• They were less intelligent in sensing danger.
• They were viviparous and protected their unborn young inside the mother’s body.
• They were larger in size than dinosaurs.

30. What is believed to be the reason for the survival of pouched mammals in Australia, despite continental drift?

• Superior hunting skills
• Lack of competition from any other mammal
• Adaptation to extremely cold climates
• Ability to fly long distances

31. What were the two types of primates existing about 15 million years ago (mya) that are considered ancestors of man?

• Homo habilis and Homo erectus
• Australopithecines and Neanderthal man
• Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus
• Homo sapiens and Cro-Magnon man

32. What was the approximate brain capacity of Homo habilis, the first human-like being?

• 900cc
• 1400cc
• 650-800cc
• Less than 400cc

33. Which early human species lived between 1,00,000 and 40,000 years back, had a brain size of 1400cc, used hides to protect their bodies, and buried their dead?

• Homo erectus
• Australopithecines
• Neanderthal man
• Homo sapiens

34. When did modern Homo sapiens arise, and where did they originate?

• 1.5 mya in Java
• 2 mya in East African grasslands
• 75,000-10,000 years ago in Africa
• 18,000 years ago in Bhimbetka