AP Biology : Evolution and Genetics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Perform Chi Squared Test

Which is not a possible critical value of a chi square test?

Possible Answers:

1.8

180

0

-1.8

Correct answer:

-1.8

Explanation:

Critical values cannot be negative. The chi squared formula  will not result in a negative value as the numerator is squared.

Example Question #2 : Perform Chi Squared Test

If the chi square value is larger than the critical value at a given level of significance, what can be stated?

Possible Answers:

The null hypothesis is rejected

The null hypothesis fails to be rejected

The null hypothesis is accepted

The alternative hypothesis is rejected

Correct answer:

The null hypothesis is rejected

Explanation:

If the chi square value is large, this indicates a large difference between the observed and expected values. This will subsequently result in a small p-value when using the critical value table. When the p-value is equal to or smaller than the significance level (alpha), the null hypothesis is rejected.

Example Question #1 : Understand Epistasis

Epistasis controls the fur color of labradors, with the B locus controlling color (Black is dominant to brown), and E locus determining expression of B locus. This is a case of recessive masking epistasis. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

bbEe results in black fur

BbEe results in black fur

bbee results in brown fur

BBee results in black fur

Correct answer:

BbEe results in black fur

Explanation:

Epistasis describes the interaction of genes, where the epistatic locus masks the effects of a gene at another locus. In this example, locus E is epistatic. As this is stated to be recessive masking epistasis, when the E locus is homozygous recessive (ee), this locus will mask the effect of the B locus (color). Thus, any combination of B/b with ee will result in yellow fur. When the E locus is heterozygous (Ee) or homozygous dominant (EE), the effect of the B locus will not be masked. Thus, BbEe will result in black fur (as black B is dominant to brown b), and the E locus does not mask the B locus here, as the E locus is heterozygous in this individual (Ee).

Example Question #1 : Understand Epistasis

When two genes interact, and one gene masks the expression of a second gene, the first gene is __ to the second or ___ gene

Possible Answers:

recessive, dominant

hypostatic, epistatic

dominant, recessive

epistatic, hypostatic

Correct answer:

epistatic, hypostatic

Explanation:

Epistasis describes the interaction of genes, where the epistatic gene masks the effects of another gene, called the hypostatic gene.

Example Question #3 : Understand Epistasis

Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Epistasis describes the interaction of two genes producing a new phenotype

The hypostatic locus masks the effects of the epistatic locus

Epistasis describes the interaction of two alleles

The epistatic locus can suppress the effect of the hypostatic locus

Correct answer:

The epistatic locus can suppress the effect of the hypostatic locus

Explanation:

Epistasis describes the interaction of genes, where the gene at the epistatic locus masks the effects of another gene at the hypostatic locus.

Example Question #4 : Understand Epistasis

In a case of recessive epistasis, A is epistatic to B, and B is dominant to b, which genotype will give the dominant phenotype?

Possible Answers:

AAbb

AaBb

aaBB

aabb

Correct answer:

AaBb

Explanation:

As this is recessive epistasis, only the genotype aa will mask gene B (Aa will not mask B). BB or Bb will give the dominant phenotype as B is dominant to b. Thus, AaBb will yield the dominant phenotype.

Example Question #81 : Inheritance

Epistasis controls the color of squash, with the B locus controlling color (yellow is dominant to green), and E locus determining expression of B locus. This is a case of dominant epistasis. Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

bbEe results in green squash

Bbee results in yellow squash

bbee results in yellow squash

bbEe results in yellow squash

Correct answer:

Bbee results in yellow squash

Explanation:

Epistasis describes the interaction of genes, where the epistatic locus masks the effects of a gene at another locus. In this example, locus E is epistatic. As this is stated to be dominant epistasis, when the E locus is either Ee or EE this locus will mask the effect of the B locus (color). Thus, any combination of B/b with Ee or EE will result in white squash. When the E locus is homozygous recessive (ee), the effect of the B locus will not be masked. Thus, BbEe will result in yellow squash as ee will not mask the color, and B (yellow) is dominant.

Example Question #1 : Understand Epistasis

Snapdragons’ color is controlled by recessive epistasis, with the B locus controlling color and the A locus determining expression of B locus. B (red) is dominant to b (yellow) Which of the following is false?

Possible Answers:

bbaa results in yellow snapdragon

BbAA results in red snapdragon

bbAA results in yellow snapdragon

bbAa results in yellow snapdragon

Correct answer:

bbaa results in yellow snapdragon

Explanation:

Epistasis describes the interaction of genes, where the epistatic locus masks the effects of a gene at another locus. In this example, locus A is epistatic. As this is stated to be recessive epistasis, when the A locus is aa this locus will mask the effect of the B locus (color). Thus, any combination of B/b with aa will result in white snapdragon. Thus, bbaa will result in white snapdragon, as the epistatic locus will mask the effect of the B locus.

Example Question #1 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

What conclusion did Darwin draw from the finches he observed at the Galapagos Islands?

Possible Answers:

Organisms will evolve in order to fill unoccupied niches in their environment.

The larger organisms have a large advantage in nature and will out-compete the smaller organisms.

Birds reserve a herd mentality, and will aspire to remain similar in appearance to one another.

Finches will all live in the same area of a tree, regardless of species type.

Correct answer:

Organisms will evolve in order to fill unoccupied niches in their environment.

Explanation:

Darwin observed that the finches found on the Galapagos had adapted different sized beaks to eat different diets. By doing this, the birds had evolved to eat diets that would be inedible by other finches. This concept of a "niche" means that different species will exploit and use their environment in different ways.

Example Question #2 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following was not part of Darwin's theory of evolution?

Possible Answers:

Organisms of the same species display a variety of different traits

None of these - Darwin did not develop a theory of evolution

The inheritance of traits in discrete units called alleles

Organisms that are best adapted to their environments are most likely to survive and reproduce

Over time, traits that are beneficial to an organism in a given environment are likely to accumulate in a population

Correct answer:

The inheritance of traits in discrete units called alleles

Explanation:

The inheritance of traits through discrete units called alleles was not a part of Darwin's theory of evolution. A monk named Gregor Mendel developed the theory of inheritance through alleles. Darwin's theory did not propose a method of inheritance, and Darwin was unaware of Mendel’s work. The works of Darwin and Mendel were later combined by scientists to create the modern theory of evolution.

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