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MASSEY UNIVERSITY
ALBANY CAMPUS
EXAMINATION FOR
196.217 EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

Semester Two 2013

TIME ALLOWED: THREE (3) HOURS

Answer ALL questions from SECTION A.

Answer THREE (3) questions from SECTION B.

Section A consists of 10 short answer questions.

Each question is worth 3 marks, 30 marks in total. Allocate 1 hour for Section A.
Section B consists of six long answer questions.
Each question is worth 20 marks, 60 marks in total. Allocate 2 hours for Section B.

TOTAL marks: 90
All answers are to be written in the blue answer book provided.

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SECTION A (Short answer questions)

[Answer ALL questions from SECTION A]
Each question in Section A is worth 3 marks
1.

Define homology. How is the principle of homology used in making

phylogenetic trees?

2.

Briefly describe the Hardy-Weinberg principle. What are the five most
important assumptions of the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

3.

In what ways is mutation a random process? How can this be demonstrated

experimentally?

4.

Define additive genetic variance and explain why this is a central

concept in evolutionary theory.

5.

Define the term derived trait and describe two key derived traits
that are unique to Homo sapiens.

6.

What is meant by the Red Queen Hypothesis? Please define and use an
example to illustrate this concept.

7.

What is multilevel selection and how can it lead to the maintenance of

cooperation?

8.

Outline three evolutionary processes responsible for the maintenance of

stable polymorphisms in populations.

9.

What is the difference between a synonymous mutation and a nonsynonymous mutation? Explain how an analysis of such mutations can give
us information about the selective (or non-selective) processes operating on a
trait.

10.

What is a meme? Briefly describe how language may be considered

analogous to the genetic code.

End of Section A

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SECTION B (Long answer questions)

[Answer ANY THREE (3) questions from SECTION B]

1.

2.

Descent with modification is a fundamental tenet of evolution. Write an essay

describing how the fossil record, development, and molecular data all provide
support for descent with modification. Use examples where appropriate.
20 Marks
(a)

Briefly describe the neutral theory of molecular evolution.

[3 marks]

(b)

What is the main difference between selectionists and neutralists?

[3 marks]

(c)

What determines if a mutation is nearly neutral in a population?

[3 marks]

(d)

Briefly describe three kinds of tests or observations that have been put
forward as support for the neutral theory.
[3 marks]

(e)

Discuss how neutralists and selectionists may be more or less right

depending on both differences between genes/proteins and differences
between species.
[8 marks]

Total 20 Marks

3.

The evolutionary biologist Stephen J. Gould argued that if it were possible to

replay the tape of evolution the outcome would almost certainly be very
different, both in detail and in general. With reference to the various
evolutionary processes covered in this paper, discuss the roles of chance and
history in determining evolutionary outcomes (i.e. the change in allele
frequencies within populations over time).
20 Marks

4.

The numbers of studies using bacterial populations to understand general

principles in evolution are increasing. Discuss, using examples covered in
class, how studying bacteria in the laboratory can improve our understanding
of evolutionary processes.
Your answer should address both the advantages and the limitations of
using bacterial populations as model systems.
20 Marks
Section B continues over page.

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Section B continued:
5.

Define senescence and discuss the two hypotheses reviewed in class

regarding the evolution of senescence and limited lifespan of organisms.
20 Marks

6.

99.9% of eukaryotes reproduce sexually, even though sex is not needed for
reproduction and is costly.
Explain why sex is an inefficient way to reproduce and why sex is
nevertheless so common. Use examples to illustrate your answer.
20 Marks

END OF PAPER
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