Question 1

In a hypothetical world, every 50 years people over 6 feet tall are eliminated from the population. Based on your knowledge of natural selection, you would predict that the average height of the human population will

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favors traits that increase an individual's survival and reproductive success. In this hypothetical world, being over 6 feet tall is a disadvantage, as individuals with this trait are eliminated from the population. Over time, the average height of the population will decrease as shorter individuals will have a greater chance of surviving and passing on their genes. Gradual decline is the best choice because it takes a long time for evolutionary changes to occur, and the elimination of taller individuals only happens every 50 years.

Question 2

Two species that belong to the same genus must also belong to the same

Accepted Answer

All species within the same genus share a hierarchical classification, meaning they belong to the same kingdom, phylum, class, and order.

Question 3

Which of these provides evidence of the common ancestry of all life?

Accepted Answer

The universality of the genetic code suggests that all living organisms share a common ancestry, as the same genetic code is used to code for proteins and traits across diverse species.

Question 4

Charles Darwin proposed a mechanism for descent with modification which stated that organisms of a particular species are adapted to their environment when they possess

Accepted Answer

According to Charles Darwin's mechanism for descent with modification, organisms of a particular species are adapted to their environment when they possess inheritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. Inheritable traits are those that can be passed on from one generation to the next, and it is through the accumulation of favorable inheritable traits that populations evolve over time. Non-inheritable traits do not contribute to evolution since they do not get passed on to the offspring. Therefore, only inheritable traits can lead to the development of adaptations that increase fitness in a given environment.

Question 5

Which branch of biology is concerned with the naming and classifying of organisms?

Accepted Answer

Taxonomy is the branch of biology that deals with the naming and classifying of organisms based on their characteristics and evolutionary history. It involves categorizing organisms into groups such as species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, and kingdom. Informatics, genomics, and evolutionary biology all play a role in taxonomy but are not the main focus of this field. Schematic biology is not a recognized branch of biology.

Question 6

Which of these is reflective of the hierarchical organization of life from most to least inclusive?

Accepted Answer

The correct order of hierarchical organization of life is kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. The given options list this order in different sequences. Option C is the correct sequence starting from the most inclusive category (kingdom) to the least inclusive (species).

Question 7

Which of these individuals is most likely to be successful in an evolutionary sense?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary success is measured by an individual's ability to pass on its genes to future generations. The organism in choice B leaves behind 10 offspring, all of whom survive to reproduce, ensuring that its genes are carried on to the next generation. Reproductive sterility (choice A) and low mating success (choices C and E) decrease the chances of passing on one's genes. Living a long life (choice D) may provide more opportunities to reproduce, but if an organism only leaves behind two offspring, it is not as successful in passing on its genes as the organism in choice B.

Question 8

Species that are in the same __________ are more closely related than species that are only in the same __________.

Accepted Answer

Species in the same family are more closely related than those in the same order, as family is a more specific taxonomic rank than order.

Question 9

All of the following statements are part of Charles Darwin's concept of natural selection except

Accepted Answer

The concept of inheritance of characteristics as genes on chromosomes was not fully developed until after Darwin's time. Therefore, it was not part of his concept of natural selection.

Question 10

When blood glucose level rises, the pancreas secretes insulin, and as a result blood glucose level declines. When blood glucose level is low, the pancreas secretes glucagon, and as a result blood glucose level rises. Such regulation of blood glucose level is the result of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of negative feedback, where the body's response reduces the deviation from the desired set point. In this case, when blood glucose levels rise, insulin is secreted to decrease the levels, and when they fall, glucagon is secreted to increase them. This maintains a relatively stable blood glucose level.

Question 11

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells generally have which of the following features in common?

Accepted Answer

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes.

Question 12

Evolution is biology's core theme that ties together all the other themes. This is because evolution explains

Accepted Answer

Evolution explains the unity and diversity of life, how organisms become adapted to their environment through the differential reproductive success of varying individuals, and why distantly related organisms sometimes resemble each other. It also explains why some organisms have traits in common. Therefore, all the options are correct, leading to the choice of E as the answer.

Question 13

A water sample from a hot thermal vent contained a single-celled organism that had a cell wall but lacked a nucleus. What is its most likely classification?

Accepted Answer

The organism lacks a nucleus, indicating that it is a prokaryote. Prokaryotes are classified into two domains - Bacteria and Archaea. The fact that the organism was found in a hot thermal vent supports the likelihood that it belongs to the Archaea domain, as many Archaea have adapted to extreme environments such as high temperatures.

Question 14

The method of scientific inquiry that describes natural structures and processes as accurately as possible through careful observation and the analysis of data is known as

Accepted Answer

Discovery science is the method of scientific inquiry that describes natural structures and processes as accurately as possible through careful observation and the analysis of data, without necessarily formulating and testing hypotheses. Hypothesis-based science, experimental science, quantitative science, and qualitative science involve more structured and controlled approaches to scientific inquiry.

Question 15

Life is diverse. How many species are estimated to be presently on the earth?

Accepted Answer

The estimated number of species presently on Earth is around 1.8 million. While the other answer choices are all multiples of ten from this estimate, they are not accurate estimates.

Question 16

Prokaryotes are classified as belonging to two different domains. What are the domains?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes are classified into the domains Bacteria and Archaea.

Question 17

A filamentous organism has been isolated from decomposing organic matter. This organism has a cell wall but no chloroplasts. How would you classify this organism?

Accepted Answer

The filamentous structure and lack of chloroplasts suggest that this organism is a fungus. Fungi belong to the domain Eukarya, as they have complex cells with nuclei and membrane-bound organelles. Within the Eukarya domain, fungi are classified as their own kingdom, separate from plants and animals.

Question 18

Collecting data based on observation is an example of __________; analyzing this data to reach a conclusion is an example of __________ reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Collecting data based on observation is a characteristic of discovery science. Analyzing this data to reach a conclusion is an example of inductive reasoning because it involves using specific observations to make generalizations or hypotheses. Deductive reasoning involves starting with a general principle and using it to make specific predictions, whereas hypothesis-based science involves using hypotheses to guide experiments and data collection. Therefore, the best choice would be C, discovery science for collecting data based on observation, and inductive reasoning for analyzing this data to reach a conclusion.

Question 19

Which of the following is (are)True of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection requires genetic variation in a population so that some individuals are better adapted to their environment than others. These individuals will have differential reproductive success, meaning they are more likely to survive and pass on their advantageous traits to their offspring. Over time, this can result in descent with modification, as the population evolves to better suit its environment. Therefore, all three options (A, B, and C) are true of natural selection.

Question 20

Through time, the lineage that led to modern whales shows a change from four-limbed land animals to aquatic animals with two limbs that function as flippers. This change is best explained by

Accepted Answer

The change from four-limbed land animals to aquatic animals with two limbs that function as flippers can be best explained by natural selection, as it involves adaptations that allowed for better survival and reproduction in an aquatic environment.

Quiz 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life