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Unit 3 of 5

Unit 3: Evolution and Diversity

Study guide for CLEP CLEP Biology — Unit 3: Evolution and Diversity. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.

65

Practice Questions

13

Flashcards

8

Key Topics

Key Concepts to Study

natural selection
speciation
phylogenetics
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
genetic drift
adaptive radiation
homology vs analogy
convergent vs divergent evolution

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 5 questions from this unit. Sign up for full access to all 65.

Q1MEDIUM

A researcher is studying the effects of a new pesticide on a population of rabbits. The pesticide is found to increase the expression of a gene that codes for an enzyme involved in detoxification. Which of the following best describes the likely outcome of this increased gene expression?

A) The rabbits will become more resistant to the pesticide over time.
B) The rabbits will experience no change in population size due to the pesticide.
C) The rabbits will experience a decrease in population size due to the pesticide.
D) The rabbits will become less resistant to the pesticide over time.
E) The rabbits will become more susceptible to other environmental toxins
Show Answer

Answer: A — Increased expression of the detoxification enzyme will allow the rabbits to break down the pesticide more efficiently, making them more resistant.

Q2MEDIUM

What is the main criterion used to classify organisms into different domains?

A) Cell wall composition
B) Membrane structure
C) Metabolic pathways
D) Ribosomal RNA sequences
E) Cell type and membrane-bound organelles
Show Answer

Answer: D — Ribosomal RNA sequences is correct because they are used to determine the evolutionary relationships among organisms and classify them into different domains, such as Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Q3EASY

A population of birds has a diverse gene pool, with some individuals having a genetic variation that allows them to survive in areas with limited food resources. If environmental conditions change and food becomes scarce, which of the following is most likely to occur?

A) The genetic variation will become less common in the population over time.
B) The population size will remain the same, but the genetic variation will not be affected.
C) The genetic variation will have no effect on the population's survival.
D) The genetic variation will become more common in the population over time.
E) The population will become extinct due to the genetic variation
Show Answer

Answer: D — Natural selection will favor individuals with the genetic variation, allowing them to survive and reproduce, thus increasing the frequency of the variation in the population.

Q4MEDIUM

What is the term for the frequency of alleles remaining constant from one generation to the next?

A) Mendelian inheritance
B) Gene flow
C) Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
D) Natural selection
E) Genetic drift
Show Answer

Answer: C — Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is correct because Hardy-Weinberg describes equilibrium.

Q5MEDIUM

Methanogens are

A) Bacteria
B) Fungi
C) Protists
D) Eukaryotes
E) Archaea
Show Answer

Answer: E — Archaea is correct because methanogens are a type of archaeon.

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Study Tips for Unit 3: Evolution and Diversity

  • Focus on understanding concepts, not memorizing facts — CLEP tests application
  • Practice with timed questions to build exam-day speed
  • Review explanations for wrong answers — they reveal common misconceptions
  • Use flashcards for key terms, practice questions for deeper understanding

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