AP Biology : Identify evolutionary change mechanisms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

 Which of the following best defines apparent competition?

Possible Answers:

Direct competition between individuals through aggression 

Indirect competition between two species hunted by the same predator

Members of the same species compete for the same resource

Indirect competition through a limiting resource 

Correct answer:

Indirect competition between two species hunted by the same predator

Explanation:

Apparent competition is defined as indirect competition between two species being hunted by the same predator.

Example Question #22 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following is not an example of intraspecific competition?

Possible Answers:

Flamingoes fighting for mates

Organisms of one species of grass competing for sunlight

Two species of grass competing for sunlight

Two male red deer fighting for mates

Correct answer:

Two species of grass competing for sunlight

Explanation:

Intraspecific competition is a type of competition that occurs between individuals of the same species. All of the given examples feature intraspecific competition except “two species of grass competing for sunlight,” because it describes competition between two species instead of within the same species.

Example Question #23 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following best describes the difference between intraspecific and interspecific competition?

Possible Answers:

Interspecific competition is a type of competition within the same species and intraspecific competition is a type of competition between different species

Interspecific competition is a type of competition between different species and intraspecific competition is a type of competition within the same species

Intraspecific competition encompasses interspecific competition

Intraspecific competition is only indirect while interspecific competition cannot be indirect

Correct answer:

Interspecific competition is a type of competition between different species and intraspecific competition is a type of competition within the same species

Explanation:

Intraspecific competition occurs between members of the same species while interspecific competition occurs between different species.

Example Question #282 : Evolution And Genetics

Which of the following is not a mechanism of evolution?

Possible Answers:

Sexual reproduction

Gene flow

Genetic drift

Mutation

Correct answer:

Sexual reproduction

Explanation:

The mechanisms of evolution include gene flow, mutation, genetic drift, and natural selection. All of these mechanisms change allele frequencies in groups of reproducing organisms.

Example Question #24 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following is an example of exploitative competition?

Possible Answers:

Flour beetles eating the eggs of a competitor species of flour beetle

Lions chasing hyenas away from their prey

Two species of grass competing for sunlight

Caterpillars physically intimidating other caterpillars of the same species to guard leaf surface area

Correct answer:

Two species of grass competing for sunlight

Explanation:

Exploitative competition is an indirect type of competition through a limiting resource. There was only one scenario in the listed options that illustrated an example of exploitive competition: the indirect competition that takes place in response to a limiting resource as seen in grass species competing for sunlight.

Example Question #25 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following statements best describes co-evolution?

Possible Answers:

Beneficial interactions between species

The dying out of a species

Process in which a species diverges into two distinct species

Interactions between species

Correct answer:

Interactions between species

Explanation:

Co-evolution describes interactions among different species. These interactions can be both negative and positive, leading to cooperation or competition. In co-evolution, species develop together.

Example Question #26 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following is not true regarding extinction?

Possible Answers:

Extinction is the dying out of a species

Extinction is well-understood in the scientific realm

The majority of extinctions are minor

Throughout history there have been both mass and minor extinctions 

Correct answer:

Extinction is well-understood in the scientific realm

Explanation:

Extinction may be defined as the disappearance of a species. Throughout history, there have been minor and major extinctions, with minor extinctions composing the majority of all extinctions. The process of extinction is not well understood due to our reliance on the fossil record and complicated roles of competition and evolution.

Example Question #27 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following is not true regarding adaptation?

Possible Answers:

It is produced by natural selection

They result in the divergence of species

It makes an organism better suited to live in a given habitat

They increase the chance of survival and reproduction

 

Correct answer:

They result in the divergence of species

Explanation:

Adaptation can be defined as the gradual outcome of evolution that makes an organism or group of organisms better suited to live in a given habitat. Adaptation is a result of natural selection and increases the chance of survival and reproduction. This outcome can result from either a loss of an ancestral feature or the development of a new trait.

Example Question #1923 : Ap Biology

Which of the following is a potential outcome of the evolutionary process?

Possible Answers:

Adaptation

Extinction

Speciation

All of these

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Evolution impacts the allele frequencies within a population through mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection. These mechanisms of evolution result in adaptation, cooperation, speciation, extinction, and co-evolution.

Example Question #28 : Identify Evolutionary Change Mechanisms

Which of the following is true in regard to cooperation?

Possible Answers:

One species evolves independently 

Kin selection directly opposes cooperation

Cooperation involves beneficial interactions between species

It involves only conflict between species

Correct answer:

Cooperation involves beneficial interactions between species

Explanation:

Cooperation is an outcome of evolution that features beneficial interactions between species, leading to the species evolving together. Cooperation is thought to have evolved from kin selection—where organisms work together to raise another’s kin for the benefit of the population.

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