Some Bio 230 Exam I Topics
current taxonomic divisions/ 3 domain system / Linnaeus / binomial nomenclature
Darwins's travels and how they contributed to formulation of natural selection
influences on Charles Darwin
natural selection vs. Lamarckism
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium problem/ factors that maintain Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
gene pool, gene frequencies, populations
genetic drift, founder effect, bottleneck effect
factors contributing to change in gene frequencies other than natural selection
role of mutation in natural selection
homology vs. analogy
molecular and other evidence for evolution
allopatric and sympatric speciation
anagenesis and cladogenesis
gradualism vs. punctuated equilibrium
continental drift
extinctions
prezygotic and postzygotic reproductive barriers
origin of species and role of development genes/ human evolution
allometric growth
homeotic genes
early earth, origins of life, RNA as genetic material, Urey and Miller
evolution of eukaryotic cells, including endosymbiosis
coacervates, proteinoid microspheres
Bacteria and Archaea
prokaryotic structures including cell wall types
prokaryotic metabolism/toxins/nutritional modes
Some Sample Multiple Choice Questions
1. The modern synthesis of the theory of evolution devised in the 20th century:
a. strictly minimized the role of natural selection as a mechanism of evolution.
b. incorporated what was known about genetics into evolutionary theory.
c. incorporated the role of chance and other factors into the whole theory of how gene frequencies may evolve in a population.
d. emphasized the role of the population, rather than the individual as the centerpiece of evolution.
e. a, b, and d
f. b, c and d
g. All of the above
2. The experiments of Urey and Miller provided evidence that:
a. it is likely that the building blocks of life came from meterorites that hit the earth
b. the reducing atmosphere of the early earth was conducive to the formation of abiotically-produced organic molecules.
c. today¹s atmosphere could just as easily allow macromolecules to evolve.
d. the abundant oxygen of early earth provided a nurturing environment for the earliest forms of life.
e. a, c, and d
f. b and d
g. all of above
3. Darwin¹s ideas about the mechanism of evolution differed from Lamarck¹s. Darwin¹s proposal differed because only he believed:
a. species are not fixed.
b. life on earth has a long evolutionary history.
c. evolution lead to adaptation.
d. inherent variations in the population are more important in evolution than variations acquired during individual lifetimes.
e. life on earth did not evolve abruptly but rather through a gradual process of minute changes.
4. Photoautotrophs use:
a. light as an energy source and can use water or hydrogen sulfide as a source of electrons for producing organic compounds.
b. light as an energy source and oxygen as an electron source.
c. inorganic substances for energy and CO2 as a carbon source.
d. light to generate ATP but need organic molecules for a carbon source.
e. light as an energy source and CO2 to reduce organic nutrients.
5. The largest unit in which gene flow is possible is a:
a. population.
b. species.
c. genus.
d. subspecies.
e. phylum.
Answers: 1(f), 2(b), 3(d), 4(a), 5(b)
Define the following:
vestigial structures, polyphyletic, descent with modification, microevolution ..adaptive radiation
Sample Essay Questions:
1. “Given enough time, birds will eventually develop angel wings on their back. This will eventually happen because it is a better design than losing one’s forelimbs in order to fly.” What is wrong with this statement?
2. Please explain the difference between gradualism and punctuated equilibrium regarding the rate of evolution of new species.
3. Describe the characteristics of various experimental protobionts and what these experiments imply in the quest to understand the first successful cells.