0

Theory of natural selection - class-XI

Description: theory of natural selection
Number of Questions: 40
Created by:
Tags: origin of life and organic evolution biology evolution and biodiversity selection and evolution
Attempted 0/40 Correct 0 Score 0

Who attempted to solve the mechanism of organic evolution for the first time?

  1. Haeckel

  2. De Vries

  3. Lamarck

  4. Darwin


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ernest Haeckel is the scientist who had contributed much to genetic evolutionary studies. He is the one who described: "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny".

Which species found in abundance?

  1. Species Evenness

  2. Species Dominance

  3. Species Diversity

  4. Species Richness


Correct Option: B

An experiment to prove that organic compounds were the basis of life, was performed by

  1. Oparin

  2. Miller

  3. Melvin

  4. Fox


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Organic compounds essential for life can be produced by simple inorganic constituents that were the conclusion first derived by Miller and Urey on the basis of their experiment. They took the gases thought to be present in the primitive atmosphere in a sealed flask and exposed them to electric spark. Later on analysis of flask, many organic compounds could be recovered.

The first organisms were

  1. Primitive eukaryotes

  2. Aerobic bacteria

  3. Prokaryotic chemoautotrophs

  4. Photosynthetic


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The first organisms that appeared on earth resembled single-celled life forms called archaea that can live in extreme environments such as hot springs and deep-sea vents. They were prokaryotic heterotrophs and used inorganic chemicals from the environment for carbon fixation and this process is called chemoautotrophy. They were anaerobic in nature because free oxygen was absent during primitive environment on earth.

Thus the correct answer is option C.

The earliest living organisms were

  1. Multicellular

  2. Eukaryotes

  3. Prokaryotes

  4. Photosynthesizes


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The earliest living organisms were prokaryotes which later on evolved to give rise to eukaryotes and photosynthesizing organisms.

Nucleoprotein gave most probably the first sign of 

  1. Life

  2. Amino acid

  3. Soil

  4. Sugar


Correct Option: A
Explanation:
  • The giant nucleoprotein molecules were formed by the union of nucleic acid and protein molecules. These nucleoprotein particles were described as free-living genes. Nucleoproteins gave most probably the first sign of life.
  • Hence Nucleoprotein gave most probably the first sign of life.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Life'.

The evidence of evolution is based on

  1. Paleontology

  2. Embryology

  3. Anatomically

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D

Origin of life is due to

  1. Spontaneous generation

  2. God's will

  3. Effect of sun rays on mud

  4. Chemical evolution


Correct Option: D
Explanation:
Chemical evolution describes chemical changes on the primitive Earth that gave rise to the first forms of life. The first living things on Earth were prokaryotes with a type of cell similar to present-day bacteria. Prokaryote fossils have been found in 3.4-million-year-old rock in the southern part of Africa, and in even older rocks in Australia, including some that appear to be photosynthetic. All forms of life are theorized to have evolved from the original prokaryotes, probably 3.5-4.0 billion years ago.
The chemical and physical conditions of the primitive Earth are invoked to explain the origin of life, which was preceded by chemical evolution of organic chemicals. Astronomers believe that 20-30 billion years ago, all matter was concentrated in a single mass, and that it blew apart with a "big bang." In time, a disk-shaped cloud of dust condensed and formed the Sun, and the peripheral matter formed its planets. Heat produced by compaction, radiation, and impacting meteorites melted Earth. Then, as the planet cooled, Earth's layers formed. The first atmosphere was made up of hot hydrogen gas, too light to be held by Earth's gravity. Water vapor, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane replaced the hydrogen atmosphere. As Earth cooled, water vapor condensed and torrential rains filled up its basins, thereby forming the seas. Also present were lightning, volcanic activity, and ultraviolet radiation. It was in this setting that life began
So, the correct answer is 'Chemical evolution'

Which scientist gave the 'Theory of Continuity of Germplasm'?

  1. Weismann

  2. Mendel

  3. Lamarck

  4. Darwin


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Evolution brings about several modifications to acclimatize with the changing environment. August Weismann (1834-1914) was a neo-Darwinian biologist who proposed the germplasm theory in his book Das Keimplasma. He said that variations are of two types. Some are congenital i.e., organisms are born with them. Others are acquired during the lifetime of a particular plant or animal. It was with this latter type of variations, the acquired characters, that Weismann was very much concerned. He gradually developed his 'Theory of Germplasm' to explain that acquired characters could not be inherited.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Which of the following does not provide most evident proof of evolution? 

  1. Fossils

  2. Morphology

  3. Embryo

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:
A. Fossils are the remains of plants and animals or their traces which are preserved by natural causes.
B. Morphology is the study of shape or structure of a particular thing.
C. Embryo is the juvenile stage of development of an organism.
D. Vestigial organs are the organs which once performed important functions in the body, but got reduced during the course of evolution and became rudimentary or non functional.
Most evident proof of evolution is provided by fossils and not by morphology, embryo or vestigial organs.
So, the correct answers are 'Morphology, Embryo, Vestigial organs'.
Relative method and carbon dating are the methods to know about evolution.
  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Evolution is the gradual change in the traits in order to adjust to the changing environmental conditions. Relative dating helps in evolution to detect the relative order of past events in comparison to other organisms. Similarly, carbon dating is used to know the age of the fossils on the basis of which evolutionary relationship is determined. It also helped to study the origin of life. So, the given statement is true.

The gases used in the spark-discharged apparatus were

  1. O$ _2$, CO$ _2$ and NH$ _3$

  2. NH$ _3$, CH$ _4$ and O$ _2$

  3. H$ _2$, CH$ _4$ and NH$ _3$

  4. CO$ _2$, NH$ _3$ and CH$ _4$


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

  • The Miller-Urey experiment was an experiment that simulated hypothetical conditions present on the early Earth in order to test what kind of environment would be needed to allow life to begin. The experiment is considered to be the classic experiment on the origin of life. 
  • It was conducted in 1953 by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey at the University of Chicago. The experiment used water (H2O), methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen (H2) - materials which were believed to represent the major components of the early Earth's atmosphere. The chemicals were all sealed and circulated inside a sterile array of glass tubes and flasks connected together in a loop, with one flask half-full of liquid water and another flask containing a pair of electrodes. 
  • The liquid water was heated to add water vapor to the chemical mixture and the resulting gases were circulated around the apparatus, simulating the Earth's atmosphere. The flask with heated water represents water on the Earth's surface and the recycled water vapor is just as water evaporates from lakes and seas, before going into the atmosphere and forming into the rain. Sparks were fired between the electrodes to simulate lightning storms (believed to be common on the early earth) through the water vapors, and then the vapors were cooled again so that the water could condense (simulating the oceans) and trickle back into the first water flask in a continuous cycle. 
  • At the end of one week of continuous operation, Miller and Urey observed, by analyzing the cooled water, that as much as 10-15% of the carbon within the system was now in the form of organic compounds. Two percent of the carbon had formed amino acids, including 13 of the 22 that are used to make proteins in living cells, with glycine as the most abundant. 

Thus, option C is correct and other options are wrong.

Sources which provides evidence of evolution are

  1. Fossils

  2. Homologous organs

  3. Analogous organs

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: C

The ratio of $CH _4, NH _3$ and $H _2$ used by Miller in his spark discharge apparatus was 

  1. 2 : 1 : 2

  2. 1 : 1 : 2

  3. 1 : 2 : 2

  4. 2 : 1 : 1


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A- The Miller-Urey experiment or Miller experiment was an experiment that instigated the condition which were thought to be present in early earth or primitive earth. Hecreated electric discharge in a closed flask containing a mixture of ammonia(NH3), methane(CH4), hydrogen(H2) and water vapour(H2O) at 800 degree celcius and observed formation of amino acids The ratio of CH4,NH3 and H2 was 2:1:2.

The pioneers of organic evolution are 

  1. Karl Landsteiner, Hugo de Vries, Malthus, Darwin

  2. Darwin, Hugo de Vries, Huxley, Lamarck

  3. Darwin, Hugo de Vries, Karl Landsteiner, Lamarck

  4. Malthus, Hugo de Vries, Karl Landsteiner, Lamarck


Correct Option: B

The swan neck flask experiments were conducted by 

  1. Richter

  2. Pasteur

  3. Redi

  4. Spallanzani


Correct Option: B

The direct evidence of evolution are

  1. Pheomea

  2. Stegodon

  3. Moeritherium

  4. African elephant


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Moeritherium is extinct mammals. They are one of the first group of mammals that were present in the prehistoric era. They are also said to be distant relatives of modern-day elephants. Some of their features show remarkable similarities to modern-day elephants. So, they are said to direct evidence of the evolution of modern elephants and animals, 

So, option C "Moeritherium".

The best explanation for origin of life comes from 

  1. Pangenesis

  2. Spontaneous generation

  3. Panspermia

  4. Chemical evolution theory


Correct Option: D

Appearance of ancestral characters in the new borne, such as tail, multiple mammae, etc., are known as

  1. Homologous

  2. Analogous

  3. Atavism

  4. Vestigial


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
  • In biology, an atavism is a modification of a biological structure whereby an ancestral trait reappears after having been lost through the evolutionary change in previous generations. For example, the Appearance of ancestral characters in the new borne, such as the tail, multiple mammae, etc in humans, Extra toes of the modern horse, Reappearance of prothoracic wings in insects, etc.
  • Hence Appearance of ancestral characters in the new borne, such as the tail, multiple mammae, etc., are known as an atavism.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Atavism'.

Reasons for origin of new species include

  1. Mutation

  2. Continental drift

  3. Natural calamities

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:
  • There are different reasons for the origin of s=new species from older ones. 
  • One of these reasons is the development of random and sudden mutations. Mutations are nothing but changes that occur in DNA sequences. Certain environmental factors cause mutations. Thus, change in DNA sequence leads to the generation of a species with some altered character.
  • Continental drift describes the relative change in geographical locations of the continents. This theory was first established by Abraham Ortelius saying that there must have been drift in the location of continents. This theory also explains the reason behind similar-looking animals on different continents.
  • Natural calamities like earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, hurricanes, etc cause large scale destruction of life and biodiversity. They also lead to the development of some characters in living organisms that are altered or modified forms of their original character. 
  • So, they too lead to change inn current species character and form new species.
  • So, all the given options are correct.

Which of the following could not be considered as an evidence of evolution?

  1. The structural homology between the forearms of bats and humans

  2. The DNA sequence of the cytochrome-$c$ gene for bats and birds

  3. The dorsal nerve cord of crayfish and birds

  4. Fossils of dinosaurs

  5. A wasp embedded in amber


Correct Option: C

Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given.
In the case of the English peppered moth, which of the following occurred ?

  1. Bird predation was probably an important factor in natural selection

  2. Soot incorporated into the moths resulted in industrial melanism

  3. Dark moths were unknown before pollution

  4. Natural selection produced new genes adapted to the darkened landscape


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In Industrial melanism, refers to the evolution of dark body colors in animal species that live in habitats blackened by industrial soot. The phenomenon has been documented in numerous species that hide from predators by blending in with their backgrounds. Birds play an important factor in natural selection.

So correct answer is A, Bird predation was probably an important factor in natural selection.

The endosymbiont theory explains all of the following except

  1. The similar size that mitochondria and chloroplasts share

  2. The presence of ribosomes in mitochondria

  3. The presence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

  4. The presence of a membrane composed of a lipid bilayer in chloroplasts

  5. The presence of membrane proteins on prokaryote cell membrane


Correct Option: E
Explanation:
Endosymbiotic theory is a evolutionary theory which explains how eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic organisms.
Evidences of endosymbiotic theory are:
1. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are double membrane bound cell organelles. The inner membrane probably evolved from the plasma membrane of engulfed bacterium and outer membrane from the plasma membrane or endoplasmic reticulum of the host cell.
2. Almost similar size of mitochondria and chloroplast and bacteria and their ribosomes.
3. Cristae of mitochondria resemble the folded membranes is groups of bacteria.
4. Mitochondrion and chloroplast both have circular DNA similar to those of bacterial DNA.
Hence, endosymbiotic theory doesn't explain the presence of membrane proteins on prokaryote cell membrane.
So, the correct answer is 'The presence of membrane proteins on prokaryote cell membrane'.

The study of homologous structures in mature organisms provides evidence for the evolutionary relationships among certain groups of organisms. Which field of study includes this evidence of evolution?

  1. Comparative cytology

  2. Biochemistry

  3. Geology

  4. Comparative anatomy


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Comparative cytology is the field of study involving looking at similarities in different organism's cells. 

Biochemistry compares DNA and proteins made from DNA. 
Geology is the study of the Earth. 
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species. It is closely related to evolutionary biology and phylogeny (the evolution of species). The study of homologous structures in mature organisms provides evidence for the evolutionary relationships among certain groups of organisms, which comes under comparative anatomy. 
Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

Organic evolution is the process by which complex organisms gave rise to simple inorganic materials in course of time

  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Organic evolution is the process by which changes in the genetic composition of populations of organisms occur in response to environmental changes.

So, the given statement is false

What's the difference between genetic drift and change due to natural selection?

  1. Genetic drift does not require the presence of variation.

  2. Genetic drift does not involve competition between members of a species.

  3. Genetic drift never occurs in nature, natural selection does.

  4. There is no difference.


Correct Option: B

State whether the following statements are true or false .
Osmosis is concerned with the movement of water only and cannot directly affect the movement of dissolved substances into the roots and through the plant.

  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Osmosis is the movement of solvent from its higher concentration to its lower concentration across a semipermeable membrane. It does not affect the solute particles and does not facilitate their movements. Thus osmosis does not affect the movement of dissolved substances into roots and through the plant.


So the correct answer is 'True'

State whether the following statements are true or false .
In a fully turgid cell, the wall pressure would be zero.

  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In a fully turgid cell, water diffuses into the cell causing the cytoplasm to build up pressure against the wall. This pressure is called turgor pressure.

Wall pressure is the pressure exerted on the contents of a plant cell by the cell wall that in equal in force and opposite in direction to turgor pressure.
Therefore the wall pressure in a fully turgid cell will be maximum.
So, the given statement is false.

State whether the following statements are true or false .
DPD of pure water is zero.

  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

DPD or diffusion pressure deficit is the difference in the diffusion pressure of a solution and a pure solvent when both are subjected to the same atmospheric pressure. Since pure solvent has no dissolved solutes in it, therefore it will have maximum diffusion pressure and zero DPD.

So, the given statement is true.

Evolution of diversified species due to environmental changes is called as

  1. Divergent evolution

  2. Convergent evolution

  3. Evolutionary inertia

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:
Divergent evolution is the accumulation of differences between groups which can lead to the formation of new species, usually a result of diffusion of the same species to different and isolated environments which blocks the gene flow among the distinct populations allowing differentiated fixation of characteristics through genetic drift and natural selection. Primarily diffusion, the basis of molecular division, can be seen in some higher-level characters of structure and function that are readily observable in organisms. For example, the vertebrate limb is one example of divergent evolution. The limb in many different species has a common origin, but has diverged somewhat in overall structure and function.

Theory of ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny was proposed by 

  1. Mendel

  2. Haeckel

  3. Erasmus Darwin

  4. Weismann


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Ernst Haeckel formulated his theory as "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny". “Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny” was a commonly used phrase to explain the evidence supporting evolution. Ontogeny is “the complete developmental history of the individual organism,” and phylogeny is defined as “the complete evolutionary history of a group of organisms,”. Thus, this phrase means that the evolutionary history of a group of organisms is repeated during the developmental history of an individual organism of that group. This idea is also known as recapitulation. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Which one of these is likely to have been absent in free form at the time of origin of life? 

  1. Oxygen

  2. Hydrogen

  3. Ammonia

  4. Methane


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The primitive atmosphere of earth was reducing atmosphere with no oxygen but was rich in water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen. Owing to immense long lasting rainstorms, a tremendous amount of lightening was generated. Lightening provided energy for chemical reactions between hydrogen and nitrogen and carbon to form ammonia and methane. So, the correct answer is option A.  

An important evidence in favour of organic evolution is the occurrence of 

  1. Homologous and analogous organs

  2. Homologous and vestigial organs

  3. Analogous and vestigial organs

  4. Homologous organs only


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

An imperative proof for natural advancement is the event of homologous and minimal organs. Homologous organs are those which have the regular inception and are based on a similar central example yet they perform diverse capacities and have distinctive appearances, e.g. whale's flipper, bat's wings, feline's paws, steed's front legs, fledgeling's wings, bull's front legs, and human hands.

So, the correct option is 'Homologous and vestigial organs'.

How many years ago and in which environment life originate on the earth?

  1. 3.5 million years and reducing environment

  2. 3.5 billion years and reducing environment

  3. 4.5 million years and reducing environment

  4. 4.5 billion years and reducing environment


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The scientists have found that simple unicellular organisms (resembling modern Cyanobacteria) were present on this earth about 3600 million years ago. It is believed therefore that life must have originated on this earth about 3.5 billion years ago.
It must be clear that the earth's atmosphere at that time was quite different from as it exists today. The earth's atmosphere at that time was reducing, and oxidizing (as it is today). The primitive atmosphere of earth had hydrogen, nitrogen, water vapours, carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia abundance. Oxygen was not available in free state in sufficient quantities.

Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given.
As a mechanism of microevolution, natural selection can be most closely equated with

  1. assortative mating

  2. genetic drift

  3. differential reproductive success

  4. gene flow


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Microevolution is the change in allele frequencies that occurs over time within a population. This change is due to four different processes: mutation, selection (natural and artificial), gene flow and genetic drift. As the natural selection a process in which organisms with certain inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than are individuals with other traits. So natural selection is a differential reproductive success as it acquires useful

traits. 
So, the correct answer is differential reproductive success.

The simple organic compounds that may have first evolved in the direction of origin of life on earth may have been

  1. Protein and amino acid

  2. Protein and nucleic acid

  3. Urea and nucleic acid

  4. Urea and amino acid


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Nucleic acids were formed in a primitive hot soup of sea by the formation of pyrimidine-sugar –phosphate and purine-sugar-phosphate. RNA has the ability of self replication and to catalyze other chemical reactions. Thus, RNA served as an enzyme as well as genetic material in first life forms. Amino acids were formed by condensation, polymerization and redox reactions of hydrocarbons, ammonia and water in Primitive Ocean under influence of energy from UV rays, radiations and lightening. RNA catalyzed polymerization of these amino acids formed polypeptides. The nucleic acid came before proteins. Urea was synthesized as excretory material much later during the evolution of land animals as ammonia is very toxic and requires more water to serve as excretory material. Thus, the correct answer is option B.

Zosterophyllum evolved from:

  1. Psilophyton.

  2. Rhynia type plants.

  3. Tracheophyta ancestors.

  4. Chlorophyte ancestors.


Correct Option: C

Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given.
............ sometimes occurs in situations where individuals of two previously isolated demes come back into sympatry.

  1. heterosis

  2. character displacement

  3. truncation selection

  4. frequency-dependent selection


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Character displacement is the term used to describe an evolutionary change that occurs when two similar species inhabit the same environment. This due to the geographical isolation.

So correct option is B, character displacement.

State whether the following statements are true or false .
Transpiration takes place only through stomata in terrestrial plants.

  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Transpiration can vary according to the type of structure involved. It is of four types:

1. Stomatal transpiration: Occurs through stomata. It is responsible for 50-97% of total transpiration.
2. Cuticular transpiration: Occurs through cuticle (a waxy layer that covers the epidermis of leaves and stems). Contributes 3-10% of the total transpiration.
3. Lenticular transpiration: Occurs through lenticels (aerating pores in the cork of woody stems). insignificant contribution to water loss.
4. Bark transpiration: Occurs through the bark of woody stem. Contributes to 1% of total transpiration.
So, the given statement is false.

State whether the following statements are true or false.
DPD always has a positive value whereas water potential a negative value.

  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: A
Explanation:
Diffusion pressure deficit (DPD) : It is the decrease in diffusion pressure of water in a solution over its pure state. It is always positive as the decrement of pressure cannot be negative.
The diffusion pressure of pure water is maximum and it continues to decrease as more and more solute is added into it.
Water potential is the potential energy of water compared to the potential energy of pure water. The potential energy of pure water is highest and it is assumed aa zero due to the absence of any impurity. Therefore, the potential energy of other water will be less than zero hence, expressed in negative in relation to pure water.
So the correct answer is 'True'
- Hide questions