Pre AP Biology -EVO 2.2 Selective Mechanisms- MCQ Exam Style Questions -New Syllabus
Pre AP Biology -EVO 2.2 Selective Mechanisms- MCQ Exam Style Questions – New Syllabus 2025-2026
Pre AP Biology -EVO 2.2 Selective Mechanisms- MCQ Exam Style Questions – Pre AP Biology – per latest Pre AP Biology Syllabus.
▶️ Answer/Explanation
The correct answer is c. at least $5$.
Scientists widely recognize the “Big Five” mass extinction events in the Phanerozoic Eon.
The first was the Ordovician-Silurian extinction approximately $444$ million years ago.
The second was the Late Devonian extinction around $365$ million years ago.
The third was the Permian-Triassic extinction, the largest, roughly $252$ million years ago.
The fourth was the Triassic-Jurassic extinction about $201$ million years ago.
The fifth was the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs $66$ million years ago.
The Anthropocene is often suggested as the period of the “Sixth Mass Extinction” caused by human activity.
▶️ Answer/Explanation
The correct option is d.
Henry Bates is famous for identifying Batesian mimicry.
In this biological phenomenon, a harmless species evolves to imitate a harmful species.
The yellow jacket serves as the “model” because it is venomous and avoided by predators.
The fly acts as the “mimic,” gaining protection by looking like the dangerous yellow jacket.
Predators mistake the fly for a stinging insect and choose not to eat it.
Therefore, Bates would conclude the harmless fly resembles the venomous yellow jacket.
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Insects and plants have undergone extensive coevolution, particularly regarding pollination and herbivory.
Mouthparts are highly specialized structures that have evolved to match specific plant morphologies.
For instance, long proboscises in moths or bees correspond to the depth of specific floral tubes.
This specialization ensures that the insect receives nectar while effectively transferring pollen.
Other options like Malpighian tubules relate to excretion and do not directly drive plant coevolution.
Therefore, modifications in mouthparts represent a primary mechanism for mutualistic adaptation between the two groups.