Disruptive Selection Definition MCQ Questions and Answers
1. What is disruptive selection?
A. A type of natural selection that favors individuals with average traits
B. A type of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of a trait
C. A type of natural selection that favors only one extreme of a trait
D. A type of selection that gives all individuals equal chances of survival
Correct Answer:
A type of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of a trait
Explanation:
Disruptive selection favors individuals showing both extreme forms of a trait while selecting against individuals with intermediate forms.
2. In disruptive selection, which individuals are generally favored?
A. Individuals with intermediate characteristics
B. Individuals with no variation
C. Individuals at both extremes of a characteristic
D. Only individuals with the smallest characteristic
Correct Answer:
Individuals at both extremes of a characteristic
Explanation:
The defining feature of disruptive selection is that both extremes are favored over the intermediate form.
3. Which group is usually selected against during disruptive selection?
A. Individuals with extreme traits
B. Individuals with intermediate traits
C. Individuals with favorable extreme traits
D. Individuals at both ends of the variation
Correct Answer:
Individuals with intermediate traits
Explanation:
Disruptive selection reduces the success of individuals with intermediate traits and favors individuals at both extremes.
4. Disruptive selection can cause a population to become divided into which types?
A. Only intermediate forms
B. Two groups showing different extreme forms
C. A single group with no variation
D. Only individuals with the smallest trait
Correct Answer:
Two groups showing different extreme forms
Explanation:
Because both extreme forms are favored and the intermediate form is selected against, the population may separate into two distinct groups.
5. Which statement correctly describes the effect of disruptive selection on a trait?
A. It favors the average value of the trait
B. It favors one extreme value of the trait
C. It favors both extreme values of the trait
D. It removes all forms of the trait
Correct Answer:
It favors both extreme values of the trait
Explanation:
Disruptive selection acts on both ends of the range of variation, favoring both extreme values rather than the average.
6. A population contains individuals with small, medium, and large body sizes. If small and large individuals are favored while medium-sized individuals are not, what type of selection is occurring?
A. Disruptive selection
B. Stabilising selection
C. Directional selection
D. Artificial selection
Correct Answer:
Disruptive selection
Explanation:
Favoring both small and large extremes while selecting against medium-sized individuals is the defining pattern of disruptive selection.
7. What happens to the intermediate phenotype during disruptive selection?
A. It is favored more than both extremes
B. It is usually selected against
C. It becomes the only phenotype present
D. It is always changed into an extreme phenotype
Correct Answer:
It is usually selected against
Explanation:
Disruptive selection gives an advantage to both extreme phenotypes, so the intermediate phenotype usually has lower survival or reproductive success.
8. Which pattern of selection represents disruptive selection?
A. Low fitness at both extremes and high fitness in the middle
B. High fitness at one extreme and low fitness elsewhere
C. High fitness at both extremes and low fitness in the middle
D. Equal fitness for all individuals
Correct Answer:
High fitness at both extremes and low fitness in the middle
Explanation:
Disruptive selection is identified by greater fitness at both extremes and reduced fitness for intermediate individuals.
9. The word 'disruptive' in disruptive selection refers to the possibility of what outcome?
A. The population becoming separated into two forms
B. The population losing all variation
C. The average form becoming more common
D. Only one extreme becoming common
Correct Answer:
The population becoming separated into two forms
Explanation:
By favoring both extremes and selecting against the intermediate form, disruptive selection can split a population into two forms.
10. Which is the simplest definition of disruptive selection?
A. Selection that favors intermediate individuals
B. Selection that favors one extreme individual
C. Selection that favors individuals at both extremes of variation
D. Selection that does not affect survival
Correct Answer:
Selection that favors individuals at both extremes of variation
Explanation:
Disruptive selection is defined as natural selection that favors both extreme phenotypes over the intermediate phenotype.
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