Genetics and Evolution – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. 37. Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

   • A. Wings of insects and birds
   • B. Forelimbs of whales and humans
   • C. Spines of Opuntia and leaves of Acacia
   • D. Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita

2. 38. The genetic code is degenerate, meaning:

   • A. Some amino acids are coded by more than one codon
   • B. Each codon codes for only one amino acid
   • C. Codons are universal
   • D. Codons are specific

3. 39. The phenomenon where a single gene affects multiple phenotypic traits is called:

   • A. Pleiotropy
   • B. Epistasis
   • C. Polygenic inheritance
   • D. Co-dominance

4. 40. Who proposed the 'operon model' for gene regulation?

   • A. Jacob and Monod
   • B. Watson and Crick
   • C. Mendel
   • D. Darwin

5. 41. The theory of 'punctuated equilibrium' was proposed by:

   • A. Gould and Eldredge
   • B. Darwin and Wallace
   • C. Mendel and Morgan
   • D. Lamarck and Cuvier

6. 42. The genetic disorder 'Thalassemia' is caused by a defect in the synthesis of:

   • A. Hemoglobin
   • B. Insulin
   • C. Collagen
   • D. Keratin

7. 43. Which of the following is considered the 'Age of Reptiles'?

   • A. Mesozoic era
   • B. Cenozoic era
   • C. Paleozoic era
   • D. Precambrian era

8. 44. The primary source of genetic variation in a population is:

   • A. Mutation
   • B. Recombination
   • C. Gene flow
   • D. Genetic drift

9. 45. Darwin's finches are a good example of:

   • A. Adaptive radiation
   • B. Convergent evolution
   • C. Parallel evolution
   • D. Co-evolution

10. 46. The process of 'speciation' means:

    • A. Formation of new species
    • B. Extinction of species
    • C. Migration of species
    • D. Hybridization of species

11. 47. Which of the following is a characteristic of prokaryotic genetic material?

    • A. Circular DNA
    • B. Linear DNA
    • C. Histones present
    • D. Introns present

12. 48. The term 'genetic engineering' refers to:

    • A. Manipulation of DNA
    • B. Study of genes
    • C. Breeding of organisms
    • D. Analysis of inheritance