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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: ________ / 40
Duration: 45 minutes
Total Marks: 40
Instructions:
- Answer all questions.
- Write your answers in the spaces provided.
- Marks are indicated in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
- This quiz covers the topic of Evolution and Diversity, focusing on natural selection, variation, and classification.
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 defines "variation" in a population?
A) The difference in appearance between species.
B) The differences in characteristics between individuals of the same species.
C) The changes in an organism during its lifetime due to environmental factors.
D) The mutation of DNA sequences only.
Answer: [ ] [1]
2. In a population of beetles, some are green and some are brown. Birds prey on the beetles. If the environment consists mainly of brown tree bark, which statement explains why the brown beetle population increases over time?
A) Green beetles mutate into brown beetles to survive.
B) Brown beetles reproduce more frequently than green beetles regardless of predation.
C) Brown beetles are better camouflaged, survive predation, and pass on their genes.
D) Green beetles choose to change their colour to brown.
Answer: [ ] [1]
3. Which of the following is an example of discontinuous variation?
A) Height of students in a class.
B) Weight of apples on a tree.
C) Blood group of humans (A, B, AB, O).
D) Leaf length of a plant species.
Answer: [ ] [1]
4. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a modern example of evolution by natural selection. What is the initial source of the variation that allows some bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment?
A) Exposure to the antibiotic.
B) Random mutation in the bacterial DNA.
C) The bacteria learning to resist the drug.
D) Hybridisation with other bacterial species.
Answer: [ ] [1]
5. Scientists classify organisms into groups. Which of the following sequences represents the correct hierarchy of classification from largest to smallest group?
A) Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
B) Kingdom → Class → Phylum → Order → Family → Genus → Species
C) Phylum → Kingdom → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
D) Kingdom → Phylum → Order → Class → Family → Genus → Species
Answer: [ ] [1]
Section B: Structured Questions (Questions 6–15)
6. The diagram below shows the forelimbs of a human, a bat, and a whale.
(Imagine a diagram showing the bone structure of a human arm, bat wing, and whale flipper, highlighting the similar arrangement of humerus, radius, ulna, and digits.)
(a) State the term used to describe structures that have a similar basic structure but different functions.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Explain how these structures provide evidence for evolution from a common ancestor.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
7. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection relies on four main observations. Complete the table below.
| Observation | Description |
|---|---|
| Overproduction | Organisms produce more offspring than can survive. |
| Variation | (a) _________________________________________________ [1] |
| Competition | (b) _________________________________________________ [1] |
| Survival of the fittest | Individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce. |
8. The peppered moth (Biston betularia) exists in two forms: light-coloured and dark-coloured. Before the Industrial Revolution in England, tree trunks were covered in light-coloured lichen.
(a) Which form of the moth was more common before the Industrial Revolution?
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) During the Industrial Revolution, soot from factories killed the lichen and blackened the tree trunks. Explain why the population of dark-coloured moths increased during this period.
_________________________________________________________________________ [3]
9. Variation can be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors, or both.
(a) State one characteristic in humans that is caused only by genetic factors.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) State one characteristic in humans that is caused by both genetic and environmental factors.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) Explain why genetic variation is important for the survival of a species when the environment changes.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
10. The table below shows the classification of the domestic dog and the grey wolf.
| Taxon | Domestic Dog | Grey Wolf |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae | Canidae |
| Genus | Canis | Canis |
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris | Canis lupus |
(a) State the genus of the domestic dog.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Explain why the domestic dog and the grey wolf are considered closely related.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) Suggest why scientists use the binomial system (Genus and Species) for naming organisms instead of common names.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
11. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a strain of bacteria resistant to many antibiotics.
(a) Describe how the use of antibiotics can lead to the evolution of resistant bacteria like MRSA.
_________________________________________________________________________ [3]
(b) Suggest one measure hospitals can take to reduce the spread of MRSA.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
12. Artificial selection is used by farmers to improve crop yields.
(a) Distinguish between natural selection and artificial selection.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
(b) Give one example of a trait in crops that farmers might select for.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
13. The graph below shows the distribution of heights in a population of adult males.
(Imagine a bell-shaped curve graph with Height on the x-axis and Number of Individuals on the y-axis.)
(a) Identify the type of variation shown in this graph.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Give one reason why this type of variation occurs.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
14. Fossils provide evidence for evolution.
(a) Define what a fossil is.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Explain one limitation of using fossils as evidence for evolution.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
15. Two species of birds live on the same island. One species has a large, strong beak for cracking hard seeds. The other has a thin, pointed beak for catching insects.
(a) Name the process by which these two species evolved from a common ancestor to occupy different niches.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Explain how this difference in beak shape reduces competition between the two species.
_________________________________________________________________________ [1]
Section C: Free Response Questions (Questions 16–20)
16. Explain the role of mutation in evolution.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
17. "Survival of the fittest" is a phrase often associated with Darwin. Explain what "fitness" means in a biological context.
_________________________________________________________________________ [2]
18. Describe how the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of evolution occurring over a short period.
_________________________________________________________________________ [3]
19. Compare continuous and discontinuous variation. Include one example for each in your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________ [3]
20. Discuss the importance of maintaining biodiversity in an ecosystem.
_________________________________________________________________________ [3]
End of Quiz
Answers
Secondary 3 Biology Quiz - Evolution Diversity (Answer Key)
Total Marks: 40
Section A: Multiple Choice Answers
1. B
Explanation: Variation refers to differences between individuals of the same species. A refers to diversity between species. C refers to acquired characteristics (not heritable). D is too narrow; variation includes recombination, not just mutation.
2. C
Explanation: This is the core mechanism of natural selection. A is incorrect (Lamarckian view). B is incorrect (reproduction rate isn't the primary driver here; survival is). D is incorrect (organisms do not choose to change phenotype).
3. C
Explanation: Discontinuous variation has distinct categories with no intermediates (e.g., blood groups). Height, weight, and leaf length are continuous variations.
4. B
Explanation: Mutations are random and occur before exposure to the antibiotic. The antibiotic selects for the existing resistant mutants. A, C, and D are incorrect mechanisms.
5. A
Explanation: The correct hierarchy is Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Section B: Structured Answers
6.
(a) Homologous structures [1]
(b) They share a similar bone structure/layout [1], suggesting they inherited this structure from a common ancestor [1], but adapted for different functions (grasping, flying, swimming) due to different environmental pressures. [1] (Max 2 marks)
7.
(a) Individuals within a population show differences in characteristics. [1]
(b) Individuals compete for limited resources (food, space, mates). [1]
8.
(a) Light-coloured moths [1]
(b)
- Tree trunks became blackened by soot, making light moths visible to predators and dark moths camouflaged. [1]
- Dark moths were less likely to be eaten by birds (higher survival rate). [1]
- Dark moths survived to reproduce and passed the allele for dark colour to their offspring. [1]
(Note: Must mention survival, reproduction, and inheritance of alleles.)
9.
(a) Blood group / Eye colour (if simplified) / Presence of attached earlobes [1] (Must be purely genetic)
(b) Height / Weight / Skin colour [1]
(c) Genetic variation ensures that some individuals may possess traits that allow them to survive new environmental conditions (e.g., disease, climate change) [1]. If all individuals were identical, a single change could wipe out the entire population. [1]
10.
(a) Canis [1]
(b) They share the same Genus (Canis) and many higher taxonomic groups, indicating a recent common ancestor. [1]
(c) Common names vary by language/region and can be ambiguous (e.g., "starfish" is not a fish). Binomial names are universal and precise. [1]
11.
(a)
- Random mutations occur in bacteria, some conferring resistance to antibiotics. [1]
- When antibiotics are used, non-resistant bacteria die, but resistant bacteria survive. [1]
- Resistant bacteria reproduce and pass the resistance gene to offspring, increasing the proportion of resistant bacteria in the population. [1]
(b) Sterilise equipment / Wash hands regularly / Isolate infected patients / Use antibiotics only when necessary. [1] (Any one valid measure)
12.
(a) Natural selection is driven by environmental pressures and survival [1], whereas artificial selection is driven by human choice for desired traits. [1]
(b) Higher yield / Disease resistance / Drought tolerance / Larger fruit size. [1]
13.
(a) Continuous variation [1]
(b) It is controlled by many genes (polygenic) and/or influenced by environmental factors. [1]
14.
(a) The preserved remains or traces of an organism from the past. [1]
(b) Fossil record is incomplete (not all organisms fossilise) [1] OR Soft tissues rarely fossilise [1] OR It is difficult to determine exact colour/behaviour from fossils.
15.
(a) Adaptive radiation (or Speciation) [1]
(b) They feed on different food sources (seeds vs. insects), so they do not compete for the same food resource. [1]
Section C: Free Response Answers
16.
Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence [1]. They create new alleles/variants of genes, which introduces new genetic variation into a population. This variation is the raw material upon which natural selection acts. [1]
17.
In biology, "fitness" does not mean physical strength. It refers to an organism's ability to survive in its specific environment [1] and successfully reproduce to pass its genes to the next generation. [1]
18.
Bacteria reproduce very rapidly (short generation time) [1]. When exposed to antibiotics, the selection pressure is strong, killing non-resistant strains quickly [1]. The resistant survivors reproduce exponentially, leading to a dominant resistant population in a short time (years/decades) compared to larger organisms (millions of years). [1]
19.
Continuous Variation:
- Shows a range of values with no distinct categories.
- Usually controlled by many genes and environment.
- Example: Height, Weight. [1.5 marks for description + example]
Discontinuous Variation: - Shows distinct categories with no intermediates.
- Controlled by one or a few genes, little environmental influence.
- Example: Blood group, Tongue rolling. [1.5 marks for description + example]
20.
- Biodiversity ensures ecosystem stability/resilience. If one species declines, others can fill its niche. [1]
- It provides resources for humans (medicine, food, materials). [1]
- It maintains ecological balance (e.g., pollination, nutrient cycling). [1]
(Accept other valid ecological or economic reasons.)