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Evolution: NEET MCQs with answers

151 questions on this topic of Genetics and Evolution (NEET 2027 syllabus). Here are 12; tap one to see its answer and explanation.

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easy

1. According to the Big Bang theory, the universe is estimated to be about how old?

  1. 500 million years
  2. 4.5 billion years
  3. 20 billion years
  4. 2 billion years
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (C) 20 billion years

The universe is believed to be about 20 billion years old, having originated from a huge explosion; Earth formed about 4.5 billion years ago.

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2. Given below are three diagrams depicting the operation of natural selection on different traits: peak gets higher and narrower (X), peak shifts in one direction (Y), and two peaks form (Z). Which of the following correctly pairs the natural selection type with its consequence?

  1. X represents Stabilising selection, where more individuals acquire the mean character value
  2. Y represents Disruptive selection, producing two distinct phenotypes
  3. Z represents Stabilising selection, where more individuals acquire mean character value
  4. X represents Directional selection, leading to greater mean value
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (A) X represents Stabilising selection, where more individuals acquire the mean character value

In stabilising selection (X), more individuals acquire the mean character value, leading to a narrower and taller peak. Directional selection (Y) causes the peak to shift toward one extreme, and disruptive selection (Z) produces two peaks at the peripheral character values.

hard

3. Pouched mammals of Australia survived because of:

  1. Their ability to fly
  2. Their larger brain size
  3. Lack of competition from other mammalian varieties
  4. The absence of predators of any kind
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (C) Lack of competition from other mammalian varieties

Due to continental drift, pouched mammals of Australia survived because of lack of competition from other mammals.

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4. Pouched mammals of Australia survived mainly because of:

  1. Lack of competition from other mammals
  2. Cold climate
  3. Absence of plants
  4. Large brain size
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (A) Lack of competition from other mammals

Pouched mammals of Australia survived because of lack of competition from any other mammals. Elsewhere they were overridden by placental mammals.

NCERT Class 12

easy

5. In S.L. Miller's classic experiment simulating primitive Earth conditions, the temperature maintained by the electric discharge in the closed flask was:

  1. 600 °C
  2. 1000 °C
  3. 800 °C
  4. 1200 °C
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (C) 800 °C

In 1953, S.L. Miller created similar conditions in a laboratory scale. He created electric discharge in a closed flask containing CH₄, H₂, NH₃ and water vapour at 800 °C.

hard

6. Sometimes a change in allele frequency is so different in a new sample of a population that it becomes a different species. The original drifted population becomes the founders, and the effect is called:

  1. Adaptive radiation
  2. Bottleneck of natural selection
  3. Industrial melanism
  4. Founder effect
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (D) Founder effect

When genetic drift makes a small founding population very different, the founders give rise to a new type; this is the founder effect.

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7. In the Hardy–Weinberg equation p² + 2pq + q² = 1, the term 2pq represents the frequency of:

  1. Homozygous recessive individuals
  2. Homozygous dominant individuals
  3. Heterozygous individuals
  4. The recessive allele
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Answer: (C) Heterozygous individuals

p² is the frequency of AA, q² of aa and 2pq of the heterozygote Aa.

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8. Dinosaurs suddenly disappeared from Earth about:

  1. 200 million years ago
  2. 65 million years ago
  3. 2 million years ago
  4. 500 million years ago
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Answer: (B) 65 million years ago

Dinosaurs disappeared about 65 million years ago; the true reason is not known, but some say climatic changes killed them while others say most evolved into birds.

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9. In a randomly mating population obeying Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of homozygous dominant individuals (AA) is 0.49. What is the expected percentage of heterozygous individuals (Aa) in this population?

  1. 49%
  2. 21%
  3. 9%
  4. 42%
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Answer: (D) 42%

Here, p² = 0.49, so p = √0.49 = 0.7. Since p + q = 1, q = 1 - 0.7 = 0.3. The frequency of heterozygotes is 2pq = 2 × 0.7 × 0.3 = 0.42 or 42%.

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10. Agriculture and human settlements started about:

  1. 18,000 years ago
  2. 75,000 years ago
  3. 10,000 years ago
  4. 1,00,000 years ago
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (C) 10,000 years ago

Agriculture came around 10,000 years back and human settlements started; pre-historic cave art developed about 18,000 years ago.

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11. Reptiles were able to colonise land fully because they laid:

  1. Eggs in water
  2. No eggs at all
  3. Eggs with no shell
  4. Thick-shelled eggs that do not dry up in the sun
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (D) Thick-shelled eggs that do not dry up in the sun

Unlike amphibians, reptiles lay thick-shelled eggs that do not dry up in the sun, freeing them from water for reproduction.

NCERT Class 12

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12. The first human-like being, Homo habilis, had a brain capacity of about:

  1. 400-450 cc
  2. 650-800 cc
  3. 900 cc
  4. 1400 cc
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (B) 650-800 cc

Homo habilis had a brain capacity of 650-800 cc and probably did not eat meat. Homo erectus had about 900 cc and Neanderthal man about 1400 cc.

NCERT Class 12

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