Genetics and Evolution questions

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Genetics and Evolution question collection

Review Genetics and Evolution questions for Biology, with correct answers shown and coverage across inherited and environmental variation; genes, DNA and chromosomes; adaptation and natural selection.

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Question 1

What is heredity?
  1. The passing of genetic information from one generation to the next
  2. The process of changing genes during one lifetime
  3. The movement of oxygen into the blood
  4. The breakdown of glucose in respiration

Question 2

Which cell structure contains chromosomes?
  1. Nucleus
  2. Cytoplasm
  3. Cell membrane
  4. Ribosome

Question 3

How is a gene best described?
  1. As a section of DNA that influences a characteristic
  2. As a whole chromosome pair
  3. As a type of cell membrane protein
  4. As a process that causes mutation in all cells

Question 4

What is the relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes?
  1. Genes are sections of DNA, and DNA is packaged into chromosomes
  2. Chromosomes are made of genes, and genes are made of DNA molecules from food
  3. DNA is made of chromosomes, and genes contain cell walls
  4. Genes are whole cells, and chromosomes are organelles

Question 5

Most human body cells contain how many chromosomes?
  1. \(46\)
  2. \(23\)
  3. \(92\)
  4. \(12\)

Question 6

Why can children from the same parents still look different from each other?
  1. They inherit different combinations of alleles and experience different environments
  2. Each child receives exactly the same genes and environment
  3. Only diet affects appearance; genes do not
  4. Genes are copied from one sibling to the next

Question 7

Which is an example of continuous variation?
  1. Height
  2. Blood group
  3. Biological sex
  4. Tongue rolling ability

Question 8

Which is an example of discontinuous variation?
  1. Blood group
  2. Body mass
  3. Foot length
  4. Arm span

Question 9

Which statement best describes variation within a species?
  1. Individuals of the same species are not all identical
  2. All individuals in a species always have the same phenotype
  3. Variation only exists between different species
  4. Variation is caused only by age

Question 10

Which is most influenced by environmental factors as well as genes?
  1. Body mass
  2. ABO blood group
  3. Chromosome number in body cells
  4. Whether DNA has a double helix structure

Question 11

Identical twins have very similar DNA. If one twin later has larger muscle mass, what is this most likely due to?
  1. Different environmental factors such as exercise and diet
  2. One twin having a different chromosome number from birth
  3. One twin having no genes for muscle growth
  4. A different species being formed after birth

Question 12

What is natural selection?
  1. Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce
  2. All individuals survive equally and pass on all traits at the same rate
  3. Organisms choose traits they need during life and pass them on
  4. Only the largest organisms reproduce

Question 13

In a colder climate, rabbits with thicker fur survive better. Over many generations, what is most likely?
  1. Thicker fur becomes more common in the population
  2. All rabbits lose fur to reduce heat loss
  3. Fur thickness has no effect on survival
  4. Rabbits stop reproducing until climate warms

Question 14

Why can environmental change increase extinction risk for some species?
  1. Some individuals may be less well adapted to survive and reproduce
  2. All species instantly gain useful adaptations
  3. Environmental change stops all competition
  4. Genes are no longer inherited

Question 15

What does adaptation mean in biology?
  1. A feature that improves survival or reproduction in a particular environment
  2. Any change in behaviour that happens in one day
  3. A trait that always improves fitness in every environment
  4. A random movement of organisms to a new habitat

Question 16

Which statement about evolution is correct?
  1. Evolution is change in inherited characteristics of populations over generations
  2. Evolution is growth of a single organism during its lifetime
  3. Evolution happens only in fossils and not in living populations
  4. Evolution means species choose useful genes when needed

Question 17

How does antibiotic resistance in bacteria illustrate natural selection?
  1. Resistant bacteria survive treatment and pass resistance genes to offspring
  2. Antibiotics cause all bacteria to become equally resistant instantly
  3. Only non-resistant bacteria reproduce after treatment
  4. Resistance develops because bacteria choose to resist antibiotics

Question 18

What is the main purpose of a gene bank?
  1. To preserve genetic material and maintain biodiversity
  2. To store food for endangered animals
  3. To increase mutation rate in crops
  4. To remove genetic variation from populations

Question 19

Which group contributed key evidence and modelling for the DNA double helix?
  1. Watson and Crick using data from Franklin and Wilkins
  2. Darwin and Wallace using fossil layers only
  3. Mendel and Pasteur using enzyme experiments
  4. Hooke and Jenner using vaccination trials

Question 20

Why does maintaining biodiversity matter for future generations?
  1. It helps keep ecosystems resilient and preserves useful genetic resources
  2. It guarantees no species will ever go extinct
  3. It means all habitats become identical
  4. It removes the need for conservation work

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Review Genetics and Evolution questions for Biology, with correct answers shown and coverage across inherited and environmental variation; genes, DNA and chromosomes; adaptation and natural selection.

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