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Secondary 3 Biology Evolution Diversity Quiz
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Questions
Secondary 3 Biology Quiz - Evolution Diversity
Name: __________________________
Class: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Score: _________ / 30
Duration: 45 minutes
Total Marks: 30
Instructions:
- Answer all questions.
- Write your answers in the spaces provided.
- The number of marks for each question is indicated in brackets [ ] at the end of the question or part question.
- Use precise biological terminology where appropriate.
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (Questions 1–5)
Choose the correct answer and write the letter in the box provided.
1. Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?
A. Organisms change their characteristics during their lifetime to suit the environment.
B. Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
C. All individuals in a population have an equal chance of survival.
D. Environmental changes cause mutations that help organisms survive.
Answer: [ ] [1]
2. The diagram below shows the forelimbs of a human, a bat, and a whale.
(Diagram description: Three skeletal structures showing similar bone arrangements—humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, phalanges—but different shapes and sizes adapted for grasping, flying, and swimming respectively.)
What does the similarity in bone structure suggest about these three species?
A. They live in similar environments.
B. They share a common ancestor.
C. They evolved at the same time.
D. They have identical DNA sequences.
Answer: [ ] [1]
3. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of evolution by natural selection. Which sequence correctly describes this process?
- Resistant bacteria survive and reproduce.
- A population of bacteria contains genetic variation.
- Antibiotics are applied, killing non-resistant bacteria.
- The proportion of resistant bacteria in the population increases.
A. 2 → 3 → 1 → 4
B. 3 → 2 → 1 → 4
C. 2 → 1 → 3 → 4
D. 1 → 3 → 2 → 4
Answer: [ ] [1]
4. Fossils of Archaeopteryx show features of both reptiles (teeth, long bony tail) and birds (feathers, wings). What is the significance of this fossil?
A. It proves that birds evolved directly from modern reptiles.
B. It provides evidence for a transitional form between two groups.
C. It shows that feathers evolved before wings.
D. It indicates that reptiles and birds lived in the same habitat.
Answer: [ ] [1]
5. Two populations of the same species of bird are separated by a high mountain range. Over thousands of years, they become unable to interbreed. What is the most likely reason for this?
A. Genetic drift and different selection pressures in the two environments.
B. The birds chose different mates based on colour.
C. The mountain range caused mutations in their DNA.
D. One population migrated to a different continent.
Answer: [ ] [1]
Section B: Structured Questions (Questions 6–15)
6. Define the term variation in the context of a population.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
7. State two sources of genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms.
-
- ______________________________________________________________________ [2]
8. The peppered moth (Biston betularia) exists in two forms: light-coloured and dark-coloured. In industrial areas with soot-covered trees, the dark-coloured form became more common.
(a) Explain why the dark-coloured form had a survival advantage in industrial areas.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Explain how this led to an increase in the frequency of the dark allele in the population.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
9. The graph below shows the change in beak depth of a species of finch on an island during a period of drought.
(Graph description: X-axis is Time (years), Y-axis is Average Beak Depth (mm). The line shows a sharp increase in beak depth during the drought years, then stabilises at a higher level.)
(a) Suggest why birds with deeper beaks survived better during the drought.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Name the type of selection occurring in this scenario.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
10. Compare continuous variation and discontinuous variation by completing the table below.
| Feature | Continuous Variation | Discontinuous Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Example of trait | (a) __________________ | (b) __________________ |
| Number of distinct categories | (c) __________________ | (d) __________________ |
| Influence of environment | (e) __________________ | (f) __________________ |
[3]
11. Scientists compare the amino acid sequences of the protein cytochrome c in different species.
(a) Explain why similarities in amino acid sequences provide evidence for evolution.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Species A and Species B have 98% identical cytochrome c sequences. Species A and Species C have 85% identical sequences. Which species is more closely related to Species A? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
12. Describe the role of geographical isolation in the formation of new species (speciation).
_________________________________________________________________________ [3]
13. A farmer uses a pesticide to kill insects on his crops. After several years, the pesticide becomes less effective.
(a) Explain why the pesticide did not kill all the insects initially.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Explain why the farmer should not increase the dose of the pesticide indefinitely to solve the problem.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
14. The diagram shows a cladogram representing the evolutionary relationships between four organisms: W, X, Y, and Z.
(Diagram description: A branching tree. W branches off first. Then X branches off. Y and Z share the most recent common node.)
(a) Which two organisms are most closely related?
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) What does the node (branching point) between Y and Z represent?
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
15. State two pieces of evidence, other than fossils, that support the theory of evolution.
-
- ______________________________________________________________________ [2]
Section C: Free Response Questions (Questions 16–20)
16. Explain the difference between artificial selection and natural selection.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
17. Why is genetic variation important for the survival of a species when the environment changes?
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
18. Describe how the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a concern for human health.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
19. Explain why evolution is considered a theory and not just a hypothesis.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
20. A population of rabbits is introduced to an island with no predators. Initially, the population grows rapidly. After a few years, the growth rate slows down.
(a) Suggest two factors that might limit the population growth.
-
- ______________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Explain how natural selection might act on this rabbit population over time.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
End of Quiz
Answers
Secondary 3 Biology Quiz - Evolution Diversity (Answer Key)
Total Marks: 30
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions
1. B
Reasoning: Natural selection acts on existing variation; individuals with traits better suited to the environment survive and pass on genes. A is Lamarckian (incorrect). C is incorrect as survival is differential. D is incorrect as environment selects, it does not cause specific beneficial mutations. [1]
2. B
Reasoning: Homologous structures (similar bone arrangement) indicate common ancestry, even if functions differ. [1]
3. A
Reasoning: Variation exists first (2). Selection pressure (antibiotics) is applied (3). Resistant individuals survive/reproduce (1). Allele frequency changes in next generation (4). [1]
4. B
Reasoning: Archaeopteryx shows intermediate characteristics, linking reptiles and birds, supporting the idea of gradual evolutionary change. [1]
5. A
Reasoning: Geographical isolation prevents gene flow. Different environments exert different selection pressures, leading to divergence in alleles until reproductive isolation occurs. [1]
Section B: Structured Questions
6. Definition of variation:
Differences in characteristics/traits between individuals of the same species. [1]
7. Sources of genetic variation (Any 2):
- Mutation (change in DNA sequence).
- Random fertilisation (combination of gametes).
- Crossing over (during meiosis).
- Independent assortment (during meiosis).
[1] for each correct point. Max [2].
8. Peppered Moth:
(a) Dark moths were better camouflaged against soot-covered trees, making them less visible to predators (birds). [1]
(b) Dark moths survived predation more often than light moths. They reproduced and passed the dark allele to offspring. Over generations, the frequency of the dark allele increased in the population. [2] (1 for survival/reproduction link, 1 for allele frequency change).
9. Finch Beaks:
(a) During drought, small soft seeds were scarce. Birds with deeper/stronger beaks could crack open the remaining hard/large seeds. [1]
(b) Directional selection. [1]
10. Continuous vs Discontinuous Variation:
(a) Example Continuous: Height / Mass / Skin colour. [0.5]
(b) Example Discontinuous: Blood group / Eye colour (specific categories) / Tongue rolling. [0.5]
(c) Continuous: Infinite/Many categories (range). [0.5]
(d) Discontinuous: Few/Distinct categories. [0.5]
(e) Continuous: Significant environmental influence. [0.5]
(f) Discontinuous: Little/No environmental influence (mostly genetic). [0.5]
Total [3].
11. Molecular Evidence:
(a) Similar amino acid sequences imply similar DNA base sequences. This suggests the species shared a recent common ancestor. [1]
(b) Species B. [1] Because it has a higher percentage similarity (98% vs 85%), indicating less time has passed since they diverged from a common ancestor. [1]
12. Geographical Isolation and Speciation:
- A physical barrier (e.g., mountain, ocean) separates a population. [1]
- Gene flow between the two groups stops. [1]
- Different selection pressures/mutations occur in each group, leading to genetic divergence. Eventually, they become reproductively isolated (cannot interbreed). [1]
13. Pesticide Resistance:
(a) There was natural genetic variation in the insect population; some individuals already possessed alleles for resistance before the pesticide was used. [1]
(b) Increasing the dose selects for even stronger resistance. It does not eliminate the resistant alleles and may harm the environment/non-target species. The resistant population will continue to grow. [1]
14. Cladogram:
(a) Y and Z. [1]
(b) The most recent common ancestor of Y and Z. [1]
15. Other Evidence for Evolution (Any 2):
- Comparative anatomy (homologous structures).
- Molecular biology (DNA/protein sequence comparison).
- Embryology (similarities in early developmental stages).
- Biogeography (distribution of species).
[1] for each. Max [2].
Section C: Free Response Questions
16. Artificial vs Natural Selection:
- Natural Selection: Environment determines which traits are advantageous. Process is slow. Goal is survival/reproduction. [1]
- Artificial Selection: Humans choose which traits are desirable (e.g., crop yield, tameness). Process is rapid. Goal is human benefit. [1]
17. Importance of Genetic Variation:
If the environment changes (e.g., new disease, climate change), a population with high variation is more likely to contain individuals with traits that allow them to survive. [1] If all individuals were identical, a single change could wipe out the entire species. Variation ensures the survival of the species. [1]
18. Antibiotic Resistance Concern:
Resistant bacteria cause infections that cannot be treated with standard antibiotics. [1] This leads to longer illnesses, higher medical costs, and increased risk of death. It may require the use of stronger, more toxic, or more expensive drugs. [1]
19. Evolution as a Theory:
In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation. [1] Evolution is supported by vast amounts of evidence from fossils, genetics, anatomy, and biogeography, making it the foundational framework of biology, not just a guess. [1]
20. Rabbit Population:
(a) Limiting factors (Any 2):
- Food shortage / Competition for food.
- Space / Territory.
- Disease / Parasites.
- Accumulation of waste.
[1] for two correct factors.
(b) Natural Selection on Rabbits:
Individuals better adapted to the limited resources (e.g., more efficient at finding food, resistant to disease) will survive and reproduce. [1] Their alleles will be passed on, changing the genetic makeup of the population over time to suit the island environment. [1]