Practice questions

CHAPTER 30 EVOLUTION

1.

(a)

Explain how natural selection produces changes within a species.

............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................... (4 marks)

(b)

Malaria is caused by a parasite that attacks red blood cells. The allele for
normal haemoglobin in red cells is HbA. People with the HbA allele are highly
susceptible to malaria.
In West African countries about 20% of people are heterozygous for a
different allele, HbC. People who are homozygous for HbC suffer from mild
anaemia; however, they rarely suffer from malaria.
Malaria is very common in West Africa, where the HbC allele is increasing in
frequency. Suggest an explanation for this.
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................... (2 marks)
Total 6 marks

2.

(a)

What is the meaning of reproductive isolation?

............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................. (1 mark)

HarperCollinsPublishers Limited 2008

Collins Advanced Science Biology

(b)

Explain how geographical isolation can lead to the formation of new species.
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................... (6 marks)
Total 7 marks

3.

Warfarin is a pesticide which inhibits blood clotting. Some rats have the allele WR
which gives them resistance to warfarin. Rats have three possible genotypes:
WRWR

Resistant to warfarin

WRWS

Resistant to warfarin

W W
(a)

Susceptible to warfarin.

A population of 240 rats was reared in a laboratory. In this population 56 rats

had the genotype WRWR, 176 had the genotype WRWS and eight rats had the
genotype WSWS. Calculate the frequency of the WR allele in this population.
Show your working.
............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................... (2 marks)

(b)

In a population of wild rats, 51% were resistant to warfarin.

(i)

Use the Hardy-Weinberg equation to estimate the percentage of rats

in this population which would be heterozygous for warfarin
resistance. Show your working.
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
............................................................................................% (3 marks)

HarperCollinsPublishers Limited 2008

Collins Advanced Science Biology

(ii)

If all the susceptible rats in this population were killed by warfarin,

more susceptible rats would appear in the next generation. Use a
genetic diagram to explain how this would happen.

(2 marks)
(iii)

Give two assumptions that must be made when using the HardyWeinberg equation.
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................ (2 marks)
Total 9 marks

4.

Huntingtons disease is an inherited condition that affects nerve cells in the brain. It is
caused by a dominant allele. Symptoms do not usually appear until the person is at
least 30 years old. The condition is very rare in most populations. However, in one
isolated population in South America, 48% of the population are heterozygous for the
Huntingtons disease allele.
(a)

Use the Hardy-Weinberg equation to estimate what percentage of this

population is heterozygous for the Huntingtons diallele. Show your working.
............................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................... % (3 marks)

(b)

Suggest an explanation for the high incidence of the Huntingtons disease

allele in this population.
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................... (4 marks)
Total 7 marks

HarperCollinsPublishers Limited 2008

Collins Advanced Science Biology

5.

(a)

Describe the principles on which the system of classification of living

organisms is based.
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................... (4 marks)

(b)

List the following taxonomic groups in sequence according to the number of

species they contain. Start with the group that has the most species.
Class

Family

Genus

Kingdom

Order

Phylum

............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................. (1 mark)
Total 5 marks
TOTAL MARKS FOR EXAM: 34

HarperCollinsPublishers Limited 2008

Collins Advanced Science Biology