Free Heredity and Evolution 02 Practice Test - 10th Grade
Question 1
The set of rules that determine the process by which traits and characteristics are reliably inherited is known as:
Reproduction
Hybridization
Heredity
Coordination
SOLUTION
Solution : C
The set of rules that determine the process by which traits and characteristics are reliably inherited is known as heredity. Heredity is also explained as 'tendency of the offspring to exhibit certain characters of parents or ancestors'.
Question 2
The Law of Inheritance was postulated by ______.
SOLUTION
Solution : A
Gregor Johann Mendel, also known as the 'Father of Genetics', postulated the Laws of Inheritance. Genetics is the branch of science which studies the different laws that govern inheritance and heredity in living organisms.
Question 3
The traits which are expressed in an individual in every condition are the recessive traits.
True
False
SOLUTION
Solution : B
Recessive traits do not get expressed in an individual until and unless they are present in homozygous condition. A dominant trait only can express itself in any condition i.e. homozygous or heterozygous.
Question 4
A married woman has three daughters. Her husband blames her for her inability to give birth to a male child. The husband's claim is right.
SOLUTION
Solution : B
A woman is not responsible for the gender of her child. In humans, sex determination is of XX-XY type, i.e XX is female and XY is male. A woman can produce eggs of only one type (containing X sex chromosome) whereas a male can produce both the types of sperms (containing either X or Y sex chromosome). The gender of the baby depends on which type of sperm fuses with the egg. If Y-containing sperm fuses with egg then the resulting baby will have XY combination and will be male. Similarly, if X containing sperm fuses with the egg, the resulting baby will have XX combination and will be female. Thus, the man is responsible for the gender of the child.
Question 5
Formation of new species of plants and animals is the effect of evolution.
SOLUTION
Solution : B
Variation in the genetic makeup forms the very basis for evolution of living organisms. The environmental forces influence the species in such a way that the better adapted and fit variants of the species survive. This results in the formation of a new variety of species with new set of desirabe characters leading to evolution.
Question 6
The preserved traces of living organisms are known as:
Humus
Crust
Skeleton
Fossils
SOLUTION
Solution : D
The preserved traces of living organisms like plants, animals, insects from remote past are known as fossils. Study of fossils is known as paleontology. Fossils are studied to understand the process of evolution and to establish evolutionary relationships.
Question 7
Choose the correct option regarding the two given statements.
Statement 1: Half of the genetic information in a child comes from father.
Statement 2: Environment does not affect the phenotype (observable characteristics or traits) of a person at all.
Only 1 is correct
Both 1 and 2 are correct
Only 2 is correct
Both 1 and 2 are incorrect
SOLUTION
Solution : A
The first statement is correct as half of the genetic information of any individual comes from either of the parents. But, the second statement is incorrect as environment plays a role in determining the phenotype of the person. Both the genetic and environmental factors together determine the phenotypic expression of a gene in an individual.
Question 8
The closest ancestor of modern human beings were called
SOLUTION
Solution : A
Neanderthals are the closest extinct ancestor of modern human beings. They both belong to the same genus (Homo) and shared 99.7% similarity in their DNA.
Question 9
In the process of natural selection, evolution is the _______ .
SOLUTION
Solution : B
Natural selection is the phenomenon wherein nature selects organisms having traits favourable to the environment. The organisms exhibit different characteristics due to different genotypes (variation). If these characteristics are favoured by the natural environment, the organisms with these variations survive and propagate, and may form different species. Thus, evolution is the outcome of natural selection.
Question 10
Speciation may take place when _______ is/are combined with geographical isolation.
SOLUTION
Solution : A
Variations when combined with geographical isolation ensures that only the organisms that have well-adapted to the changing conditions will survive. This can lead to the emergence of a new species (well-adapted organisms), through a process called speciation.