Study Questions for Bio 101
Macroevolution
1. Explain the difference between the two types of genetic drift: the founder effect and a
genetic bottleneck.
2. Give an example of a story in nature where the founder effect was evident. Describe
the population problems that result from this effect.
3. Give an example of a story in nature where a genetic bottleneck was operating.
Describe the population problems that result from this effect.
4. Explain the importance of variation on the survival and health of species.
5. Describe problems that could results from the introduction of genetically similar
species into the environment.
6. State the biological definition of a species.
7. Explain the difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation.
8. Give an example of allopatric and sympatric speciation in nature.
9. Explain how speciation can occur gradually or “suddenly” in geologic time.
10. Define the term “extinction” and how this term applies to global events and the
activities of the human population.
11. Describe how the position of the continents have changed over time.
12. Name the ancient supercontinent and ocean that existed 200 million years ago.
13. Describe the forces which create continental drift.
14. Explain how continental drift contributed to the development of new species.
15. Describe how comparing the developmental stages of organisms can be used to
evaluate evolutionary relatedness.
16. Describe how comparing anatomical structures of organisms can be used to evaluate
evolutionary relatedness.
17. Describe the difference between analogous and homologous anatomical structures.
18. Describe how comparing the genes or proteins found in different animals can be used
to determine evolutionary relatedness.
19. Define the terms “phylogenetic tree” and “binomial nomenclature”
20. What are the taxons or groupings used in the classification scheme invented by
Carolus Linnaeus?
21. Describe the difference between a common name and a scientific name for a species.
22. Correctly write the scientific name for a species using proper format and conventions.