EVOLUTION

CHAPTER – 7

EVOLUTION
Evolutionary Biology is the study of history of life forms • Oparin and Haldane argued that the initial form of life
on the earth. To understand the changes in flora and may have evolved from non-living organic molecules
fauna that have occurred millions of years on earth we such as RNA and protein. Chemical evolution precedes
must have a strong understanding of the context of life, the origin of life. At that period, the earth's conditions
that is evolution of earth, the stars, and the universe were as follows:
itself. (i) high temperatures
Origin of Life (ii) volcanic eruptions, and
(iii) reducing atmosphere that comprised of CH4 and
The genesis of life is regarded as a one-of-a-kind occurrence
NH3.
in the history of the cosmos. The universe is made up of a
Miller’s Experiment: In 1953, S.L. Miller undertook an
massive cluster of galaxies. Galaxies include stars as well as
experiment to demonstrate the origin of life on Earth in a
dust and smoke clouds.
physical environment comparable to that which existed at the
The Big Bang Theory seeks to explain the origins of the time.
cosmos. According to this idea, a massive explosion occurs,
Miller created identical temperature and pressure conditions
resulting in the formation of many galaxies.
in the laboratory. At 8,000 degrees Celsius, he established an
Earth is thought to have originated some 4.5 billion years electric discharge in a flask containing CH4, H2, NH3, and water
ago in the Milky Way galaxy's solar system. The early Earth vapour.
had no atmosphere. The earth's surface was coated with
After 15 days of electric discharge, he saw the synthesis of
water vapour, methane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia
amino acids in a flask. Another scientist discovered the
emitted by the molten mass.
creation of sugars, nitrogen bases, colours, and lipids in a
The sun's UV rays split water into hydrogen and oxygen. similar procedure.
Life arose 500 million years after the Earth's formation.
Analysis of meteorite material revealed comparable
Theories in support of Origin of Life
molecules, indicating that similar processes are taking place
• Greek thinkers believed that spores brought from
elsewhere in space. This experimental evidence for the
other planets were the basic unit of life.
genesis of life is referred to as the chemical evolution of life.
• According to another hypothesis, life emerges from
dead and decaying substances such as straw and dirt. The first non-cellular forms of life may have evolved three
This is known as the hypothesis of spontaneous billion years ago. They might have been massive molecules
origin. like RNA, Protein, and Polysaccharide, among others.
• Louis Pasture demonstrated experimentally that life The cellular form of life most likely began as a single cell in an
can only come from pre-existing life. Following that, the aqueous medium.
spontaneous theory of the origin of life is discarded.
Biogenesis is the hypothesis that the initial form of life process of evolution is known as convergent
evolved slowly through evolutionary processes from evolution.
non-living components. (iv) Biochemical evidence: Similarities in proteins and
genes that execute the same function in different species
suggest a common ancestor. These molecular
similarities, like structural similarities, indicate
Q1. In 1953, S.L. Miller undertook an experiment to common ancestor.
demonstrate the origin of life on Earth, which of the
following was synthesised in Miller’s experiment?
(a) Lipids (b) Proteins
(c) Amino acids (d) All of the above Q1. The eyes of mammals and octopuses, as well as the
flippers of penguins and dolphins are.
S1. (c)
(a) Homologous organs (b) Analogous organs
Q2. The first non-cellular forms of life originated. (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of the above
(a) 1 billion years back (b) 2 billion years back
S1. (b)
(c) 3 billion years back (d) 4 billion years back
S2. (c) Q2. Homology is based on.
(a) Convergent evolution (b) Divergent evolution
Evidence of evolution: some of the evidence of the
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of the above
evolution of life forms are as follows:
(i) Paleontological evidence: Various ages of rock S2. (b)
sediments include remains of various living forms that
Evolution by Natural Selection
most likely died during the sediment's development.
Industrial Melanism: Natural selection was seen in a
Fossils are the hard remnants of life-forms discovered
peppered moth in England in the 1850s, prior to
in rocks. The study found that diverse forms changed
industrialization (Biston betularia).
through time and that particular living forms had a
• This moth came in two colours: grey and black
geological time span. As a result, new types of life have
(Carbonaria). Before industrialisation in the early
emerged at various points throughout Earth's history.
nineteenth century, only the grey-colored moths were
(ii) Homologous organs: Homologous organs are ones that present; the black ones were uncommon.
perform distinct functions but have a similar origin and • The grey-colored moths were found on tree trunks
structure. Humans, cheetahs, bats, and whales, for coated in lichens, allowing them to flee their assailants.
example, show similarities in the arrangement of • Later, around 1920, when industries developed, post-
bones in their forelimbs, despite the fact that these industrialization, the lichens died and the tree trunks
forelimbs serve different tasks in these creatures. became black owing to the deposition of industrial soot.
Because of adaptation to distinct demands, these Birds may now locate these moths and feast on them.
animals evolved identical structures in opposite • As a result, the grey-colored moths were devoured by
orientations. This is referred to as divergent evolution. the birds, but the dark-colored moths fled.
(iii) Analogous structures: They are not morphologically • The coal is currently being replaced by industries, which
identical organs, yet they serve the same purpose. For utilise oil and electricity. This has resulted in less soot
example, the eyes of mammals and octopuses, as generation and, as a result, decreased soot deposition on
well as the flippers of penguins and dolphins. This is tree trunks.
because distinct groups of species have comparable • These tree trunks have now become grey once more. As
adaptation traits owing to similar environment. This a result, the number of grey-colored moths has grown
once more.
Natural selection is vividly demonstrated in this scenario.

Winged moth and dark moth –winged moth (melanised) on a tree trunk.
(a) In unpolluted area (b) in polluted area.
Evolution by Anthropogenic Selection: e.g. resistance of The same pattern has been found in bacteria that are
mosquitoes to pesticides. multidrug resistant as a result of excessive medication and
DDT was a huge success when it was used to control pharmaceutical usage.
mosquitoes. The majority of the mosquitos were DDT
Adaptive Radiation: it refers to the process of evolution of
sensitive and were so eliminated. Few mosquitos in that
diverse species in a specific geographical region that begins
population acquired resistant to DDT and survived. They
at a point and spreads to other parts of geography (habitat).
grew and now the entire mosquito population developed
Darwin's finches are an excellent illustration of adaptive
resistance to DDT.
radiation. Australian marsupials developed from a common
ancestor stock, yet all lived on Australian island continents.
Convergent evolution occurs when more than one
adaptive radiation appears to have occurred in a
geographically separated location (representing
distinct ecosystems), for example, Placental mammals
and Australian marsupials.

Variety of beak of finches that Darwin found in

Galapagos islands

Adaptive Radiation of Marsupials of Australia

Darwin's theory of natural selection was based on

following observation:
Q1. Darwin’s finches are an example of. • Natural resources are scarce.
(a) Seasonal fluctuation (b) Saltation • Population growth
(c) Adaptive radiation (d) All of the above • Competition for scarce resources
• Survival for existence.
S1. (c)
• Survival of the fittest
Q2. Thomas Malthus work on which of the following
Mechanisms of Evolution:
influenced Darwin?
• Hugo deVries proposed the concept of mutation based on
(a) Species (b) Community
his research on evening primrose (Oenothera
(c) Area (d) Population
lamarckiana).
S2. (d) • A mutation is a substantial change that appears abruptly
in a population.
Biological Evolution: Nature favours the fittest, and fitness
is determined by hereditary qualities. Some species have • Darwin variations are modest and directed, whereas
evolved to thrive in hazardous environments. Fitness is the mutations are random and directionless.
final outcome of one's capacity to adapt to and be chosen by • Hugo deVries thought that mutation produced
nature. speciation, which he referred to as saltation (single step
According to Lamarck, evolution of living forms happened large mutation).
but was driven by the use and misuse of organs. He used
giraffes as an illustration of how they evolved their necks by
harvesting leaves on lofty trees and had to adjust by
elongating their necks. Q1. Who of the following brought forth the idea of mutation?
The two essential principles of Darwinian Theory of (a) Darwin (b) Ernst Haeckel
Evolution are: (c) Hugo de Varies (d) None of the above
(i) branching descent and S1. (c)
(ii) natural selection.
Q2. Two basic concepts of Darwinian theory are. Just put, the likelihood of an allele A with a frequency of p
(a) Branching descent (b) Natural selection appearing on both chromosomes of a diploid person is simply
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of the above the product of the probabilities, i.e., p2. Similarly, aa is q2, and
Aa 2pq. As a result, p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1.
S2. (c)
When measuring frequency, the actual value varies,
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
indicating the level of evolutionary changes.
The frequency of occurrence of alleles or genes in a given
population can be determined. These frequencies remain Change of frequency in alleles (Hardy-Weinberg
constant and even during generation. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium) in a population resulted due to evolution.
concepts were used to describe this information using an
Factors Affecting Hardy-Weinberg principle are:
algebraic equation.
(i) Gene migration/gene flow
According to this theory, allele frequencies in a population
(ii) Genetic drift
remain steady and consistent from generation to generation.
(iii) Mutation
The gene pool does not change. This is known as genetic
(iv) Genetic recombination
equilibrium, and the sum of all allelic frequencies equals 1.
(v) Natural selection
Binomial expansion of (p + q)2= p2+2pq+q2=1 where p
During genetic drift, changes in allele frequency might be so
and q are the frequencies of allele A and a in a population
diverse in a population sample that they form a separate
The frequency of AA people in a population is simply p2. species. The original drifted population becomes founder and
that effect is called founder effect.

Brief Account of Evolution

• The earliest cellular form of life evolved on
Earth some 2000 million years ago.

• Slowly, single-celled animals evolved into

multicellular forms, and by 500 million
years ago, invertebrates were developed
and active.

• Around 350 million years ago (mya), jawless

fish originated.

• Organisms began to spread from the sea to

the land. Fish with large and powerful fins
may travel on land and return to the water.
These lobefin creatures developed into the
earliest amphibians.

• These amphibians later evolved into

reptiles. They produce shelled eggs. The
planet was once dominated by reptiles of all
forms and sizes, including fish-like reptiles
such as Ichthyosaurs and terrestrial reptiles
such as dinosaurs. Tyrannosaurus rex was
the largest.

• Some of the reptiles developed into birds,

while others into mammals. Mammals were
viviparous and better at perceiving and
avoiding danger
Evolution of plant forms through geological periods
 Ramapithecus: they were more man like.
Australopithecus: they lived in East African grasslands.
Q1. The allele frequencies in a population according to Discovered 2 mya. They hunted with stone weapons and ate
Hardy Weinberg principle is. fruits.
(a) Constant (b) Stable Homo habilis: this was first human like. Its brain capacity
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of the above was 650-800cc. They did not eat meat.
S1. (c ) Homo erectus: discovered 1.5 mya. They had a large brain
Q2. Jawless fishes originated. with a brain capacity of 900cc.
(a) 150 mya (b) 250 mya They ate meat.
(c) 350 mya (d) 450 mya Neanderthal man: it had a brain capacity of 1400cc and lived
S2. (c) near east and central Asia.

Origin and Evolution of Man They used hides to protect their body and were the first to
Dryopithecus: evolved in 15 mya. They were hairy and bury their dead.
walked like gorillas and chimpanzees. They were more ape- Homo sapiens: they arose in Africa and moved to other
like. continents and developed into different races.
 Evolutionary biology is the study of the history of life forms on Earth. Origin of life is believed to be a unique event in the
history of universe. The Big Bang Theory attempts to explain the origin of universe. There was no atmosphere on early earth.
Water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide and ammonia released from molten mass covered the surface. The UV rays from the
sun caused decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen gas being lighter escaped into space. Early Greek
believed that units of life called spores were brought to different planets including earth. This theory is called as Panspermia
and is still favored by many astronomers. Oparin of Russia and Haldane of England proposed that the first forms of life
originated from pre-existing non-living organic molecules (e.g. RNA, protein etc.). Charles Darwin concluded that existing
life forms share similarities to varying degrees not only among themselves but also with life forms that existed millions of
years ago. Natural selection is the essence of Darwinian Theory about evolution. Fossils provide palaeontological evidence .
Ernst Heckel proposed this evidence as evolution based on observation of certain common features during embryonic stage
of all vertebrates but are absent in adult. Hugo de Vries worked on evening primrose. He gave the idea of mutations. Hardy
Weinberg principle states that the allele frequencies in a population are stable and are constant from generation to
generation. Among the stories of evolution of individual species, the story of evolution of modern man is most interesting
and appears to parallel evolution of human brain and language.

Embryological support for evolution was also proposed by Hardy-Weinberg principle says that allele frequencies in a
Ernst Heckel. This proposal was disapproved on careful study population are stable and is constant from generation to
performed by Karl Ernst von Baer. generation. The gene pool (total genes and their alleles in a
Whales, bats, Cheetah and human (all mammals) share population) remains a constant. This is called genetic
similarities in the pattern of bones of forelimbs, show equilibrium. Sum total of all the allelic frequencies is 1. The
divergent evolution. Other examples are vertebrate hearts or first mammals were like shrews. Dryopithecus and
brains and the thorn and tendrils of Bougainvillea and Ramapithecus existed 15 mya. Homo habilis was more man-
Cucurbita represent homology. Wings of butterfly and of like. Neanderthal man buried their dead and used hides to
birds show convergent evolution and are analogous organs. protect their body..
 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. What was Louis Pasteur’s observation about origin of (c) Adaptive radiation
life? (d) Both (a) and (b)
(a) Life is pre-occupied
Q10. Which of the following is correct about Hardy
(b) Life comes from only from pre-existing life
Weinberg Principle?
(c) Life comes only from post-existing life
(a) The principle states that allele frequencies in a
(d) Nothing can be said about life
population are not stable and is not constant
Q2. Who among the following proposed that life could have generation after generation
come from pre-existing non-living organic molecules (b) The principle states that allele frequencies in a
and that formation of life was preceded by chemical population stable and is constant generation after
evolution? generation
(a) Louis Pasteur (c) Both (a) and (b)
(b) Miller (d) None of the above
(c) Oparin and Haldane
Q11. What is gene pool?
(d) Greek thinkers
(a) Total number of genes in a population
Q3. Who among the following supported embryological (b) Total number of genes and their alleles in a
evolution? population
(a) Charles Darwin (c) Total number alleles in a population
(b) Ernst Heckel (d) Frequency of alleles on a gene
(c) Hugo de Varies
Q12. Which among the following was the biggest dinosaur?
(d) Miller
(a) Ichthyosaurs
Q4. Who among the following rejected the proposal of (b) Tyrannosaurus rex
Ernst Heckel’s embryonic evolution? (c) Lobefins
(a) Charles Darwin (d) Tutara
(b) Lamarck
Q13. What was the brain capacity of Homo habilis?
(c) Karl Ernst von Baer
(a) 350-450 cc
(d) None of the above
(b) 550-650 cc
Q5. Who among the following wrote the book (c) 650-800 cc
Philosophique Zoologique? (d) 800-900 cc
(a) Lamarck (b) Haldane Q14. What were the features of Homo erectus?
(c) Ernst Heckel (d) Darwin (a) Small brain with 500 cc brain capacity
(b) Large brain with 500 cc brain capacity
Q6. Which of the following represents homology?
(c) Small brain with 900 cc brain capacity
(a) Cucurbita and Bougainvillea
(d) Large brain with 900 cc brain capacity
(b) Whales and bats
(c) Eye of octopus and mammals Q15. Which of the following man used hides to protect their
(d) Both (a) and (b) body and buried their dead?
(a) Dryopithecus
Q7. What do analogous structures like wings of butterfly
(b) Neanderthal
and birds represent?
(c) Ramapithecus
(a) Divergent evolution
(d) Homo habilis
(b) Adaptive radiation
(c) Convergent evolution Q16. When dis Homo sapiens arose?
(d) All of the above (a) 6500o- 75,000 years ago
(b) 75,000-80,000 years ago
Q8. Which of the is a good example of Adaptive Radiation?
(c) 75,000-10,000 years ago
(a) Moths
(d) 10,000-12,000 years ago
(b) Darwin’s finches
(c) Tasmanian wolf Q17. Which among the following is correct about Neo-
(d) Sugar glider Darwinism?
(a) Mutation is responsible for evolution
Q9. Which among the following are the two key concepts of
(b) Genetic drift is responsible for evolution
Darwinian Theory of Evolution?
(c) Natural drift is responsible for evolution
(a) Natural selection
(d) Adaptive radiation is responsible for evolution
(b) Branching descent
Q18. What type of organs are shown the following picture? (a) It tells us that evolution is not a directed process
(b) It tells that evolution is a stochastic process
(c) It tells that evolution is based on chance events in
nature and chance mutation in an organism.
(d) All of the above
Q26. Who among the following used the term saltation?
(a) Lamarck (b) Ernst Heckel
(c) Haldane (d) deVaries
Q27. Who among the following was of the view that
evolution of life forms had occurred by the use and
disuse of organs?
(a) Darwin (b) Ernst Heckel
(a) Analogous organs
(c) Lamarck (d) Thomas Malthus
(b) Homologous organs
(c) Modifies organs Q28. Which among the following can indicate industrial
(d) Stripped organs pollution?
Q19. What is the cause of Founder’s effect in a population? (a) Sponges (b) Lichen
(a) Mutation (c) Hydra (d) Moth
(b) Natural selection Q29. When did conifers, cycads and ferns evolved?
(c) Genetic drift (a) Jurassic period
(d) Gene flow (b) Permian period
Q20. The process of evolution of different species in a given (c) Cretaceous period
geographical area starting from a point and radiating (d) Devonian period
to other areas of habitat is called as. Q30. Which one of the following is the correct order of
(a) Saltation geological period from left to right?
(b) Adaptive radiation (a) Mesozoic, Cenozoic, Palaeozoic
(c) Founder’s effect (b) Cenozoic, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic
(d) Divergent evolution (c) Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
Q21. Which hominid fossil was discovered in Java that had a (d) Mesozoic, Palaeozoic, Cenozoic
cranial capacity of 900cc? Q31. Which among the following is false statement?
(a) Neanderthal man (a) Cycads evolved in Jurassic period
(b) Ramapithecus (b) Bryophytes evolved in Palaeozoic
(c) Homo erectus (c) Dicotyledons evolved in Cretaceous period
(d) Homo sapiens (d) Lycopods evolved in Permian period
Q22. Where can we see pre-historic cave paintings done by Q32. Which of the following is correct about first mammals?
humans? (a) They were dinosaurs
(a) Uttar Pradesh (b) They were like shrews
(b) Madhya Pradesh (c) They were like fishes
(c) Orissa (d) They were reptiles
(d) West Bengal
Q33. What did S.L Miller used in his electric discharge
Q23. Which of the following is correct about Natural experiment?
Selection?
(a) Methane, Hydrogen, ammonia and water vapour
(a) It leads to stabilization
(b) Water vapour, Ammonium hydroxide, Hydrogen,
(b) It leads to directional change
methane
(c) It leads to disruption
(c) Ammonium hydroxide, water vapour, Hydrogen,
(d) All of the above
Methane
Q24. Which of the following shows convergent evolution? (d) Hydrogen, water vapour, oxygen, carbon
(a) Flippers of Dolphins and penguins monoxide
(b) Vertebrae heart and brain
Q34. Who among the following influenced Darwin the most?
(c) Bones of the for-limbs of cheetah and whales
(a) Ernst Heckel
(d) Tendrils of Cucurbita and Bougainvillea
(b) Thomas Malthus
Q25. Which of the following is correct about anthropogenic (c) S.L Miller
action? (d) Lamarck
Q35. What is “Fitness” according to Darwin? (a) Divergent evolution
(a) Mental Fitness (b) Convergent evolution
(b) Physical fitness (c) Both (a) and (b)
(c) Reproductive fitness (d) None of the above
(d) Overall fitness
Q44. Which of the following indicated adaptive radiation
Q36. What are fossils? (a) Moth and lichen
(a) They are soft parts of life forms found in rocks (b) Eye of octopus and mammals
(b) They are hard parts of life forms found in rocks (c) Placental wolf and Tasmanian wolf marsupial
(c) They are liquid parts of life forms found in rocks (d) Dinosaurs
(d) They are soft parts of life forms found in soil
Q45. Which among the following is the earliest geological
Q37. Where are the fossils generraly found? period in the period of evolution?
(a) Igneous rocks (a) Mesozoic (b) Cenozoic
(b) Metamorphic rocks (c) Palaeozoic (d) None of the above
(c) Volcanic eruptions
Q46. Who among the following wrote “The Origin of
(d) Sedimentary rocks
Species”?
Q38. What are evidences obtained from fossils called? (a) Lamarck (b) Darwin
(a) Embryological evidence (c) Thomas Malthus (d) Heckel
(b) Palaeontological evidence
Q47. Who among the following gave the theory of
(c) Convergent evidence
Pangenesis?
(d) Divergent evidence
(a) Darwin (b) Lamarck
Q39. When did flowering plants evolved? (c) Miller (d) Malthus
(a) Triassic period
Q48. Which of the following is the Age of Reptiles?
(b) Tertiary period
(a) Cenozoic (b) Mesozoic
(c) Silurian period
(c) Palaeozoic (d) None of the above
(d) Cretaceous period
Q49. Which among the following molecule was absent from
Q40. Which among the following was a missing link between the earth’s atmosphere, according to scientist Oparin?
reptiles and birds? (a) Oxygen (b) Water
(a) Dodo (b) Archaeopteryx (c) Carbon di oxide (d) Methane
(c) Jawless fish (d) Synapsids
Q50. What is the age of earth according to the theory of
Q41. Which of the following is responsible for initiation of special creation?
evolution? (a) 2000 year’s old (b) 3000 year’s old
(a) Mutation (c) 4000 year’s old (d) 5000 year’s old
(b) Natural selection
(c) Variation ASSERTION AND REASON
(d) Genetic drift
Q42. Which among the following lived in the East African Direction: in the following questions, a statement of
grasslands? assertion (A) is followed by a statement of reason (R). Choose
(a) Ramapithecus the correct option among a, b, c and d.
(b) Australopithecines Q1. Assertion (A): Natural selection is a process in which
(c) Dryopithecus heritable variations enabling better survival are
(d) Neanderthal man enabled to reproduce and leave greater number of
Q43. Look at the picture and answer which type of evolution progeny.
is represented by the thorns and tendrils of the plants? Reason (R): Natural selection can lead to stabilisation,
directional change or disruption.
(a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and
reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion
(A)
(b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but
reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A)
(c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true
Q2. Assertion (A): Hardy- Weinberg principle says that Q4. Assertion (A): This process of evolution of different
allele frequencies in a population are stable and is species in a given geographical area starting from a
constant from generation to generation. point and literally radiating to other areas of
Reason (R): Natural selection is a process in which geography (habitats) is called adaptive radiation.
heritable variations enabling better survival are Reason (R): A French naturalist Lamarck had said that
enabled to reproduce and leave greater number of evolution of life forms had occurred but driven by use
progeny. and disuse of organs.
(a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and (a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and
reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion
(A) (A)
(b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but (b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but
reason (R) is not the correct explanation of reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A) assertion (A)
(c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false (c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true (d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true
Q3. Assertion (A): Evolution by natural selection, in a true
sense would have started when cellular forms of life
TRUE AND FALSE
with differences in metabolic capability originated on
earth. Q1. Excess use of herbicides, pesticides tells us that
Reason (R): The essence of Lamarckism theory about evolution is a stochastic process based on chance
evolution is natural selection. events in nature and chance mutation in the organisms.
(a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and Q2. Hugo deVries worked on Catharanthus roseus and
reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion brought forth the idea of adaptive radiation.
(A)
(b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but Q3. Saltations are multi-step variations.
reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Q4. Australopithecines probably lived in East African
assertion (A) grasslands. Evidence suggested that they buried their
(c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false dead.
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Q1. Homo sapiens arose in. Q8. The naturalist who came about with the same ideas
(a) America (b) Australia that of the Darwin was.
(c) China (d) Africa (a) Alfred Nobel (b) Alfred Wallace
Q2. Which vertebrates evolved into the first amphibians? (c) Lamarck (d) H. Khorana
(a) Jawless fishes (b) Lobefins Q9. Giraffe's neck and forelimbs get elongated during the
(c) Salamanders (d) Ichthyosaurus course of evolution, due to.
Q3. Proper burial of dead bodies for the first time started (a) Inheritance of acquired characters
by which pre historic man? (b) Natural selection
(a) Java man (b) Homo habilis (c) Geographical isolation
(c) Neanderthal man (d) Australopithecines (d) Convergent evolution
Q5. Who lived in near east and central Asia between Q10. In 1953 S. L. Miller created primitive earth conditions
1,00,000 - 40,000 years back? in the laboratory and gave experimental evidence for
(a) Homo erectus (b) Homo habilis origin of first form of life from pre-existing non-living
(c) Neanderthal man (d) Australopithecines organic molecules. The primitive earth conditions
Q6. Dead remains of organisms found in the earth crust are created include.
the. (a) Low temperature, volcanic storms, atmosphere
(a) Palaentological evidences rich in oxygen
(b) Morphological evidences (b) Low temperature, volcanic storms, reducing
(c) Anatomical evidences atmosphere
(d) Physiological evidences (c) High temperature, volcanic storms, non-reducing
Q7. The first human being like prehistoric man was: atmosphere
(a) Homo sapiens (b) Homo erectus (d) High temperature, volcanic storms, reducing
(c) Homo habilis (d) Neanderthal man atmosphere containing CH4, NH3 etc.
Q11. Fossils are generally found in. Q20. Select the true statements.
(a) Sedimentary rocks (a) Ramapithecus and Dryopithecus were existing
(b) Igneous rocks about 50 million years ago
(c) Metamorphic rocks (b) Ramapithecus was man like while Dryopithecus
(d) Any type of rock was more ape like
(c) Ramapithecus was more ape like while
Q12. The bones of forelimbs of whale, bat, cheetah and man Dryopithecus was more man-like
are similar in structure, because. (d) Both (a) and (b)
(a) One organism has given rise to another
Q21. Highest brain capacity present in.
(b) They share a common ancestor
(a) Australopithecus
(c) They perform the same function
(b) Homo habilis
(d) They have biochemical similarities (c) Homo erectus
Q13. Palaeontological evidences for evolution refer to the. (d) Neanderthal
(a) Development of embryo Q22. Which reptile went back into water to evolve into fish
(b) Homologous organs like reptile?
(c) Fossils (a) Ichthyosaurs (b) Calotes
(d) Analogous organs. (c) Hemidactylus (d) Alligator
Q14. Select the incorrect statements. Q23. Presence of coelacanth fish was observed in.
(a) Natural selection is a heritable variation & by (a) South America
reproduction leave greater number of progemy (b) South Africa
(b) During stabilisation of natural selection more (c) North America
individuals acquire value other than mean (d) North Africa
character value Q24. The factor that leads to Founder effect in a population
(c) By the time of 500 million years ago invertebrates is.
were formed and were active (a) Natural selection
(b) Genetic recombination
(d) Reptiles lay thick shelled eggs which do not dry up
(c) Mutation
in sun unlike those of Amphibians
(d) Genetic drift
Q15. Hugo Devries worked on. Q25. In Hardy-Weinberg equation, the frequency of
(a) Oenothera lamarckiana heterozygous individual is represented by.
(b) Lathyrus odoratus (a) pq (b) q2
(c) Pisum sativum (c) p2 (d) 2pq
(d) Arachis hypogea
Q26. Which of the following had the smallest brain capacity?
Q16. Fossils of Homo erectus was discovered in. (a) Homo sapiens (b) Homo neanderthalensis
(a) Java (c) Homo habilis (d) Homo erectus
(b) Bangladesh
Q27. Homo habilis refers to.
(c) Ethiopia (a) Wandering species (b) Ancient man
(d) Tanzania (c) Modern man (d) Tool-maker
Q17. Neanderthal man lived near. Q28. Which of the following was not given by Darwin's
(a) East & West Africa theory of evolution?
(b) South Africa (a) Struggle for existence
(c) North Africa (b) Over production
(d) East & Central Asia (c) Natural selection
(d) Genetic drift
Q18. Who proposed the first form of life from pre-existing
non-living organic molecules? Q29. Inheritance of acquired characters comes from.
(a) Oparin & Haldane (a) Lamarckism (b) Darwinism
(b) Stanley Miller & Harold Urey (c) Neo-Lemarckism (d) Neo-Darwinism
(c) Lamark & Darwin Q30. Gene pool is.
(d) Hugo De Vries & Dobzhansky (a) Genotype of an individual of a population
Q19. Brain capacity of Homo habilis was. (b) Different genes of all individuals of a species found
in an area
(a) 650-800 cc (b) 800-900 cc
(c) Pool of artificially synthesised genes
(c) 600-1000 cc (d) 900-1100 cc
(d) Genes of a genus
 Q3. Assertion (A): Charles Darwin concluded that existing
ASSERTION AND REASON living forms share similarities to varying degrees not
only among themselves but also with life forms that
Q1. Assertion (A): Natural selection is based on certain existed millions of years ago.
observations which are factual. Reason (R): Charles Darwin came to the above
Reason (R): The work of Hugo de Varies on conclusion when he made a voyage around the world
populations influenced Darwin. on the ship called H.M.S Beagle.
(a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and (a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and
reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion
(A) (A)
(b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but (b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but
reason (R) is not the correct explanation of reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A) assertion (A)
(c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false (c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true (d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true
Q2. Assertion (A): Galaxies contain stars and clouds of gas Q4. Assertion (A): Analogous structures are a result of
and dust. convergent evolution.
Reason (R): The Big Bang theory attempts to explain Reason (R): Eye of the octopus and of mammals or the
to us the origin of universe. flippers of Penguins and Dolphins are examples of
(a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and homology.
reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion (a) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and
(A) reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion
(b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but (A)
reason (R) is not the correct explanation of (b) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but
assertion (A) reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
(c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false assertion (A)
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true (c) Assertion (A) is true but reason(R) is false
(d) Assertion (A) is false but reason(R) is true

SOLUTIONS MULTIPLE CHOICE

S1. (b) Louis Pasteur’s experimentation demonstrated S9. (d) After a long study made by Darwin, he proposed
that life originated from pre-existing life. the two major components of his evolution
theory.
S2. (c) Oparin and Haldane were of the view that diverse
organic molecules could have formed inorganic S10. (b) Hardy Weinberg proposed the principle to find
constituents. out the frequency of occurrence of alleles of a
gene.
S3. (b) Ernst Heckle observation was based on the
observation of some features during the S11. (b) A constant gene pool is important for
embryonic stage that is common to all maintenance of genetic equilibrium.
vertebrates that are absent in adult.
S12. (b) Tyrannosaurus rex was the biggest dinosaur, 20
S4. (c) Karl Ernst von Baer noted that embryos never feet in height and dagger like teeth.
pass through the adult stages of other animals.
S13. (c) Homo habilis was called the first human like being
S5. (a) The book was written in 1809by the French and did not eat meat.
naturalist Lamarck.
S14. (d) Homo erectus evolved in 1.5 mya.
S6. (d) Homology indicates common ancestry, and S15. (b) Neanderthal man with brain size of 1400 cc lived
divergent evolution. in near east and central Asia and used hides to
protect their body and buried their dead.
S7. (c) Analogous structures are result of convergent
evolution, that is different structures evolving for S16. (c) Homo sapiens arose in Africa 75,000-10,000 years
the same function and hence having similarity. ago.
S8. (b) Darwin spotted the finces in Galapagos Islands S17. (c) Neo-Darwinism is a combination of natural
and observed that there were variety of finches in selection and genetics.
the same island and they evolved on the same
S18. (b) homologous organs perform different functions
island.
but have same anatomical structure
S19. (c) Gene flow occurs if gene migration occurs S39. (b) Angiosperms that is the flowering plants evolved
multiple times. If the same occurs by chance, then in the tertiary period of the Cenozoic era.
it is called as genetic drift and the original drifted
S40. (b) Archaeopteryx was considered a transitional link
population becomes founders and this effect is
between reptiles and birds.
called Founders effect.
S41. (c) Variation is considered a force that initiates
S20. (b) Darwin observed adaptive radiation and finches
evolution.
on Galapagos islands.
S42. (b) Australopithecines hunted with stone weapons
S21. (c) Homo erectus was there in 1.5 my, had a large
but ate fruits.
brain and ate meat.
S43. (a) tendril and thorn are homologus organs and thus
S22. (b) the pre-historic cave painting can be seen at
represent divergent evolution
Bhimbetka rock shelter in Raisen district of
S44. (c) Both exhibit adaptive radiation
Madhya Pradesh.
S45. (c) it was a period of evolution of seed ferns, rhynia
S23. (d) Operation of natural selection on different traits
type plants, pro-gymnosperms etc.
have shown that natural selection leads to above
three. S46. (b) The book was written by Charles Darwin and is
considered to be base of evolutionary biology.
S24. (a) Flippers of Dolphins and penguins show analogy.
S47. (a) Pangenesis is a developmental theory of heredity
S25. (d) Anthropogenic action is revealed by sudden
given by Charles Darwin in 1868.
appearance of resistant microbes and resistant
varieties of crops by use of excess antibiotics and S48. (b) During Mesozoic era there were many dinosaurs
weedicides and pesticides. and were very big in size.
S26. (d) de Varies believed that mutation caused S49. (a) Oxygen was absent from primitive earth’s
speciation and thus called it saltation. atmosphere according to Oparin.
S27. (c) Lamarck gave examples of Giraffes and explained S50. (c) The theory of special creation that also stated that
that evolution occurred due to use and disuse of earth is 4000 years old was strongly challenged in
organs. the 19th century.
S28. (b) Lichen indicate industrial pollution, the growth of
which made the white winged moth survived. ASSERTION AND REASON
S29. (a) Conifers, cycads and ferns evolved in the Jurassic
period of the Mesozoic era S1. (a)
S2. (b)
S30. (c) In the above era evolution of various seed ferns,
conifers and gnetales S3. (c) Evolution by natural selection, in a true sense
would have started when cellular forms of life
S31. (b) Bryophytes evolved in tertiary period of the with differences in metabolic capability
Cenozoic era. originated on earth. The essence of Darwinism
S32. (b) First mammals were like shrews; their obtained theory about evolution is natural selection.
fossils are very small sized. S4. (b)

S33. (a) Methane, Hydrogen, ammonia and water vapour, TRUE AND FALSE
using this combination he observed formation of
amino acids, in similar experiments he also S1. (True)
observed formation of pigments, sugar etc.
S2. (False) Hugo deVries worked on evening primrose
S34. (b) Thomas Malthus essays influenced Darwin. and brought forth the idea of mutation.
S35. (c) According to Darwin, those who are better fit in
S3. (False) Evolution for Darwin was gradual while
an environment leave more progeny than others.
deVries believed mutation caused speciation
S36. (b) Fossils are soft parts of life forms found in rocks and hence called it saltation (single
and given many evidences of evolution step large mutation).
S37. (d) Study of sedimentary layers indicates geological S4. (False) Australopithecines probably lived in East
period in which the fossil of any organism is African grasslands. Evidence shows they
found hunted with stone weapons but essentially
ate fruit. The Neanderthal man buried their
S38. (b) Evidence obtained from planetology indicates
dead.
that life has arisen at different times in history.
 PRACTICE SOLUTIONS
S1. (d) Homo sapiens arose in Africa and moved across S16. (a) Fossils discovered in Java in 1891 revealed the
continents and developed into distinct races. next stage, i.e., Homo erectus about 1.5 mya.
Homo erectus had a large brain around 900cc.
S2. (b) animals called lobefins evolved into the first
amphibians that lived on both land and water S17. (a) . The Neanderthal man with a brain size of
1400cc lived in near east and central Asia
S3. (c) The Neanderthal man with a brain size of 1400cc
between 1,00,000-40,000 years back.
lived in near east and central Asia between
1,00,000-40,000 years back. They used hides to S18. (a) Oparin and Haldane proposed that the first form of
protect their body and buried their dead. life could have come from pre-existing, non-living
organic molecules.
S5. (c) The Neanderthal man with a brain size of 1400cc S19. (a) the first human-like being the hominid was
lived in near east and central Asia between called Homo habilis. The brain capacities were
1,00,000-40,000 years back between 650-800cc. They probably did not eat
meat.
S6. (a) Fossils are body remains of dead plants and animals
or their impressions preserved in layers of the Earth S20. (b) About 15 mya, primates called Dryopithecus and
and rocks. Ramapithecus were existing. They were hairy
and walked like gorillas and chimpanzees.
S7. (c) Homo habilis is the earliest known species in
Ramapithecus was more man-like while
the human lineage. Cranial capacity of them is
Dryopithecus was more ape-like.
between 550-650cc.
S21. (d) The Neanderthal man has highest brain capacity
S8. (b) it was Alfred Wallace, a naturalist who worked
of 1400 cc.
in Malay Archipelago had also come to similar
conclusions around the same time. S22. (a) some land reptiles went back into water to
evolve into fish like reptiles probably 200 mya
S9. (a) According to Lamarckism, the ancestors of giraffe had
like the Ichthyosaurs.
small neck and forelimbs and were like horses. They
were residing in places with no surface vegetation, S23. (a) In 1938, a fish caught in South Africa happened
therefore, they had to stretch their neck and to be a Coelacanth which was thought to be
forelimbs to take the leaves for food. This led to slight extinct.
elongation of these parts.
S24. (d) When same type of changes occurs by chance, it
S10. (d) Miller took a flask containing a mixture of gases is called genetic drift. Sometimes the change in
ammonia, methane and hydrogen and passed allele frequency is so different in the new sample
high frequency spark. A small amount of water of population that they become a different
was boiled to generate water vapour. species. The original drifted population becomes
founders and the effect is called founder effect.
S11. (a) Fossils are mostly found embedded in sedimentary
rocks. Of the sedimentary rocks, most fossils occur in S25. (d) According to the Hardy Weinberg law, the allele and
shale, limestone and sandstone. genotype frequencies in a population remain
S12. (b) The bones of forelimbs of whale, bate, cheetah, and constant in the absence of factors responsible for
man are similar in structure because they are evolution. It states that the sum of all genotype
homologous organs. The organs which have the same frequencies can be represented as the binomial
fundamental structure but are different in functions expansion of the square of the sum of p and q.
are called homologous organs. This sum is equal to one : (p+q)2 = p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1.
Here, p is the frequency of the dominant allele, q is the
S13. (c) Palaentology is the study of extinct organisms,
frequency of the recessive allele and 2pq is the
including their structure, environment, evolution and
frequency of heterozygotes in the population.
distribution, as revealed by their fossil remains.
S26. (c) Homo habilis had the smallest brain capacity of
S14. (b) During natural selection, the changes that occur
650-800cc.
are stabilisation, directional change and
disruption. S27. (d) the first human-like being the hominid and was
called Homo habilis. The brain capacities were
S15. (a) Hugo de Vries had discovered different
between 650-800cc. They probably did not eat
morphological forms/abberants/variations in
meat.
primrose/ Oenothera lamarckiana
S28. (d) Darwin's theory of evolution comprised of ideas on particular species. Gene pool indicates the genetic
overproduction, struggle for existence and natural diversity in the population.
selection.
ASSERTION AND REASON
S29. (a) Inheritance of acquired characters comes under
S1. (c) the work of Thomas Malthus influenced Darwin.
Lamarckism because it is postulated by
S2. (a)
Lamarck. Darwinism-Theory of natural
S3. (a)
selection. Neo-Lamarckism-The body character
is the result of interaction of heritable and S4. (c) the same structure developed along different
environmental conditions. Neo Darwinism- directions due to adaptations to different needs
Based on genetic variations, natural selection, is divergent evolution and these structures are
genetic drift and reproductive isolation. homologous and the reverse is true for
convergent evolution. Eye of the octopus and of
S30. (b) The gene pool is the set of all or different genes or
mammals or the flippers of Penguins and
genetic information, in any population, usually of a
Dolphins are examples of analogy.