CHAPTER > 07
Evolution
NEET KEY NOTES
Å The origin of life is considered a unique event in the history
of universe. The study of history of life forms on the earth is
called evolutionary biology.
Å Evolution is the process that results in heritable changes in
population spread over many generations leading to
diversity of organisms on earth.
Origin of Life
Å It is considered a unique event in the history of our universe.
Å Our universe is about 20 billion years old. It comprises of
huge clusters of galaxies.
Å Various theories given by different thinkers and scientists to
explain origin of life are described below
Å The Big Bang theory attempted to explain the origin of
universe. According to this theory, a single huge explosion
resulted in universe expansion, decreased temperature,
condensation of gases, formation of hydrogen and helium,
etc., which resulted in formation of galaxies.
Å Earth is about 4.5 billion years old.
Å Life appeared 500 million years after the formation of earth.
Å Theory of special creation states that God created life by his
divine act of creation.
Å Theory of cosmic panspermia (by early Greek thinkers)
states that the spores or panspermia came from outer space
and developed into living forms.
Å Theory of spontaneous generation states that the life
originated from decaying and rotting matter like straw, mud,
etc. Louis Pasteur rejected the theory of spontaneous
generation and demonstrated that life came from
pre-existing life and gave theory of biogenesis.
Å Theory of chemical evolution or Oparin-Haldane theory
states that life originated from pre-existing non-living
organic molecules (e.g. RNA, protein, etc.) and the formation
of life was preceded by chemical evolution.
Å The conditions on the earth that favoured chemical evolution
were very high temperature (800ºC), volcanic storms and
reducing atmosphere that contained CH4 , NH3 , water
vapours, etc.
Å In 1953, SL Miller and his student H Urey created primitive
earth conditions in the laboratory and provided
experimental evidence for chemical evolution. They clearly
demonstrated that electrical discharges or UV radiations or
both can create organic compounds from mixture of gases
( CH4 , NH3 and H2 in the ratio of 2 : 1 : 2 and water vapours)
in the experiment.
Origin of First Cell
Å First non-cellular life form originated 3 billion years ago.
These molecules were like RNA, protein and polysaccharides
inside a self-replicating metabolic capsule which later
reproduced its molecules.
Å Cellular life form first evolved about 2000 million years ago.
These were single-celled and formed in aquatic environment.
Å This form of abiogenesis, i.e. the first form of life arose
slowly through evolutionary forces from non-living
molecules, was accepted by many scientists.
Biological Evolution
Å It is the process of inheritance of genetic changes over
several generations. Unlike chemical evolution, biological
evolution happens when organisms could replicate. It took
place in following steps – Coacervates formation, formation
of protobionts, origin of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Å Coacervates were aggregate of organic biomolecules,
surrounded by film of water molecules. They lack definite
membrane, but do exhibit some life like characters.
Å Microspheres were the non-living collections of organic
macromolecules double-layered and can be formed from
proteinoids, by heating a mixture of amino acids at 180ºC.
Å The first organisms originated in reducing (oxygen free)
atmosphere were anaerobes (able to respire in the absence of
oxygen). They were called heterotrophs because they were
dependent on pre-existing organic molecules for obtaining
nutrition. Some of them might have evolved into autotrophs.
Å The doctrine of organic evolution states that the present
complex organisms (eukaryotes) have been produced by
gradual changes in the earlier simpler forms (prokaryotes) of
life over ages.
Å Charles Darwin during a sea voyage on his ship HMS Beagle
concluded that existing living forms share similarities among
themselves and with life forms that existed million of years
ago.
Evidences of Evolution
Evidences that the evolution of life forms took place on earth
came from palaeontology, comparative anatomy and
morphology, biochemical evidences and biogeographical
evidences.
Å Palaeontology is the study of fossils in different sedimentary
layers, indicating the geological period in which they existed.
Å Geological time scale is a chronological order or history of
evolution based upon the study of fossils. It has been divided
into eras, periods and epochs.
Å Embryological evidences These were given by Ernst Haeckel.
He observed structures common in embryonic stage of all
vertebrates, like presence of gill slits in all vertebrates embryo
including human, but these were functional only in fish and
absent in all other adult vertebrates. However, this proposal
was disapproved by Karl Ernst von Baer.
Å Biochemical similarities These are seen in proteins and genes
performing a given function among diverse organisms. This
gives clue to common ancestry among diverse organisms.
Å Comparative anatomy and morphology show similarities and
differences among the organisms of today and those of earlier
times.
n
Homologous organs are the organs which show same
structure, but different functions, e.g. forelimbs of whales,
bats and cheetah. These organs suggest occurrence of
divergent evolution.
n
Analogous organs are the organs which show superficial
resemblance and perform similar function, but have
different internal structure, e.g. flippers of penguins and
dolphins. These organs suggest occurrence of convergent
evolution.
n
Vestigial organs are non-functional organs, which were
functional in the ancestors of present organisms, e.g
nictitating membrane (3rd eyelid), coccyx, etc., in humans.
Å Biogeographical evidences It suggests that species restricted
to a region, develop unique features. Also, species present in
widely separated regions show similarity of ancestry. Habitat
isolation had probably restricted these organisms to a
particular geography on the earth. This can be explained with
the help of following processes
n
Adaptive radiation It is the process of evolution of
different species in a given geographical area starting from
one point and radiating to other habitats, e.g. Darwin
finches, Australian marsupials, etc.
n
Adaptive convergence/convergent evolution When
more than one adaptive radiation appeared to have
occurred in an isolated geographical area
(representing different habitats) and two or more
groups of unrelated animals come to resemble each
other for similar mode of life or habitat, it is called
adaptive convergence or convergent evolution.
n
Adaptive convergence in mammals Australian
marsupials and placental mammals in North
America provide another example of convergent
evolution. Despite the temporal and geographical
separation, marsupials in Australia and placental
mammals in North America have produced
varieties of species living in similar habitat with
similar ways of living. They are not related, but
resemble each other because they fill similar niches
in each continent.
Theories of Evolution
Various theories regarding evolution of species, i.e.
biological evolution have been postulated by different
evolutionists. Some of them are as follows
Lamarckism
Å Lamarckism (‘Inheritance of Acquired Characters in
Organisms’) is given by Lamarck in 1809. It states that
changes in structure or function of organ acquired
during an individual’ lifetime in response to changes
in the environment are inherited by its offspring.
Major postulates of this theory are as follows
Å Internal vital force
Å Effect of environment and new needs
Å Use and disuse of organs
Å Inheritance of acquired characters
This theory was rejected by August Weismann
(1892) who proposed the ‘Theory of Continuity of
Germplasm’ that states characters influencing
germ cells are only inherited.
Å Neo-Lamarckism proposed that environment
influences an organism directly or indirectly (i.e.
produced variation) and changes its heredity, only
those variations are passed on to next generation
which affects germ cells.
Darwinism
Å Darwinism (Theory of Natural Selection) is given by
Charles Darwin in 1859. The essence of this theory is
natural selection. The environment selects those
individuals which are better fitted, and have adaptive
ability to survive and reproduce.
Å The two key concepts of Darwinian theory of evolution are
described as follows
(i) Branching descent is defined as a process by which new
species originate from a single common descent.
(ii) Natural selection states that organisms better adapted to
environment are selected by nature and they survive,
reproduce and pass their characters to next generations.
It leads to speciation (formation of new species).
n
An example of natural selection is industrial melanism in
peppered moths of England.
Before industrialisation (in 1850s), white peppered moths
were able to escape predation due to trees covered by
white coloured lichen, but after industrialisation, black
peppered moths increased and selected by nature due to
trees covered by black soot present in that region, i.e. the
proportion was reversed.
Mutation Theory of Evolution
(Mechanism of Evolution)
Å In 1901, Hugo de Vries carried out experiments on evening
primrose plant (Oenothera lamarckiana) and proposed the
mutation theory of evolution.
Å This theory states that the evolution occurs by the sudden
large differences in the population. He believed that mutation
is the only cause of evolution and not the minor heritable
variations that Darwin talked about.
Å He stated that the mutation caused speciation and named it
saltation (single step large mutation). Mutations are random
and without directions, while, Darwinian variations are small
and directional.
Modern Synthetic Theory
of Evolution
Å With progress in genetics, the sources of variation were
explained and Darwin’s theory was modified.
Å Now, the most accepted theory of evolution is known as
modern synthetic theory of evolution, designated by Huxley
in 1942 in which the origin of species is based on the
interaction of genetic variation in a population, natural
selection and reproductive isolation.
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Å This principle states that allele frequencies in a population are
stable and are constant from generation to generation, i.e.
gene pool is constant.
Å It occurs when population is large and there is random
mating among members of the population. This is called
genetic equilibrium or Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
n
Sum total of all allelic frequencies is 1. It can be
expressed by the following equation
p 2 + 2pq + q 2 = 1
where, p and q are individual frequencies of
different alleles. This is a binomial expansion of
( p + q) 2 . When frequency measured, differs from
expected values, the difference indicates the extent
of evolutionary change.
n
Any fluctuation in genetic equilibrium leads to
evolution.
Factors Affecting
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
The factors that affect Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are
given below
Å Gene migration or Gene flow Due to migration, new
genes or alleles are added to the new population and
these are lost from the old population, in turn changing
the frequencies. There would be a gene flow if this gene
migration happens multiple times. So, gene flow
changes the frequency of allele.
Å Genetic drift The changes occurring in frequencies by
chance are called genetic drift. Sometimes due to
changes in allele frequency in new population, some
different species are formed. This is called founder
effect and the original drifted population is called
founder.
Å Mutations These occur randomly and at very slow
rates. They lead to new phenotypes and due to the
considerable genetic variation, speciation occurs.
Å Genetic recombination During gametogenesis,
crossing over in meiosis leads to new combination of
genes.
Å Natural selection It occurs due to the inheritance of
variations, which leads to the survival of the fittest. So,
if above five factors are absent in a population it means
there is no evolution going on in that population. It has
following effects
n
Stabilisation Large number of individuals acquire
mean character value.
n
Directional change Large number of individuals
acquire value other than mean character value. It
means natural selection is taking place in one
direction.
n
Disruption More individuals acquire peripheral
character value at both ends of the distribution
curve.
Here, natural selection takes place in two different directions. Å Land reptiles were dinosaurs of which Tyrannosaurus rex
Peak gets (about 20 feet in height) was the biggest. Some land
higher reptiles went back to water and evolved as fish-like
and
narrower reptiles, e.g. Ichthyosaurs. About 65 mya, dinosaurs
disappeared from the earth.
Phenotypes favoured by Å In Triassic period, mammals appeared and the first
natural selection (a)
mammals were like shrews.
Medium-sized
individuals Peak shifts Å Mammals were viviparous and protected their unborn
are favoured in one
direction young ones inside the mother’s body.
Å Mammals were more intelligent in sensing and avoiding
the danger.
(b)
Number of individuals Å Before continental drift, horse, hippopotamus, bear, rabbit,
with phenotype Two peaks formed
etc., were present in South America, but afterward when
South America joined North America, these animals were
overhidden by North American fauna.
(c)
Diagrammatic representation of the operation of natural selection
Origin and Evolution of Man
on different traits, (a) Stabilising, (b) Directional and (c) Disruptive Å The fossil evidence clearly indicates that origin of man
occurred in Central Asia, China, Java and India
A Brief Account of Evolution (Shivalik hills). Thus, the common ancestor of apes and
man was Dryopithecus.
Å About 2000 million years ago (mya), the first cellular form
Å The next stage was Ramapithecus in the hominid
of life appeared on earth.
evolution. Both were hairy and walked like gorillas and
Å Some of these cells had the ability to release O2 by splitting
chimpanzees. Few fossils of man-like bones have been
water molecule with the help of solar energy.
discovered in Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Å Slowly, single-celled organisms became multicellular life Å These revealed hominid features leading to the belief that
forms.
around 3-4 mya, man-like primates walked in Eastern
Africa.
Evolution of Plants
The human evolution took place as follows
Plant’s evolution occurred before animals.
Å Bryophytes were the first plants to colonise land and were Human
Time of Origin General Feature
evolved before the vascular plants like pteridophytes and Ancestors
gymnosperms. Dryopithecus 20-25 mya Ape-like, hairy, ate soft fruits and
Å Vascular plants first originated in Silurian period.
leaves. Arms and legs of same
length, large brain.
Å Existence of sea weeds and few plants was reported
Ramapithecus 14-15 mya More man-like, walked more erect,
around 320 million years ago. teeth-like modern man.
Å Herbaceous lycopods and arborescent lycopods evolved Australopithecus 2 mya Probably lived in East African
from Zosterophyllum of Palaeozoic era. (The first ape man) grasslands and ate fruits, hunted
with stones, weapons, brain capacity
Å Psilophyton is the common ancestor for horsetails, ferns
was 400-600 cc.
and gymnosperms.
Homo habilis 1.2-1.5 mya Fossils found in East Africa , first
Evolution of Animals (Handy man) hominid, i.e. human-being like, brain
capacity 650-800 cc, did not eat meat.
Å First animals were invertebrates, which were formed
Homo erectus 1.5 mya Fossils found in Java in 1891, brain
around 500 mya. (Java man) capacity 900 cc, probably ate meat.
Å Jawless fish and amphibious fish with stout and strong Homo sapiens 1,00,000-40,000 Known as neanderthal man. Fossils
fins originated around 350 mya. sapiens years ago found in East and Central Asia, brain
neanderthalensis size 1400 cc, used hides to protect
Å The first amphibians and ancestors of modern day frogs
(Primitive man) body, buried their dead body. They
were lobefins (Coelacanth). In 1938, it was caught in South became extinct 25,000 years ago.
Africa which was thought to be extinct. It is a living fossil. Homo sapiens 75,000-10,000 Arose in Africa, developed cave art
Å Reptiles were evolved from amphibians. They lay sapiens years ago around 18,000 years ago, agriculture
thick-shelled eggs that do not dry up in the sun like those of (Modern man) (ice age) started around 10,000 years back and
thus human settlement and
amphibians. Reptiles dominated the earth, around 200 mya. civilisation started.
CHAPTER 07 > Evolution 165

Mastering NCERT
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

TOPIC 1 ~ Origin of Life and Evolution of Life Forms

1 Evolutionary biology is
(a) the study of history of life forms on earth 9 Miller synthesised simple amino acids from one of the
(b) study of pedigrees of life forms on earth following mixtures in his experiment
(c) equivalent to demography (a) CH4 , NH3 , H2 and water vapours at 800ºC
(d) equivalent to anthropology (b) H2 , O2 , N2 and water vapours at 200ºC
2 According to one of the most widely accepted (c) H2 , O2 , C2 and water vapours at 2000ºC
theories, earth’s atmosphere before origin of life (d) CH4 , NH3 , O2 and water vapours at 500ºC
consisted of a mixture of 10 What did Miller obtained from his experiment?
(a) O3 , CH4 , O2 and H2 O (a) Amino acids (b) Organic compounds
(b) O3 , NH3 , CH4 and H2 O (c) Nitrogen bases (d) All of these
(c) H2 , CO2 , NH3 and CH4 11 On early earth, organic acids were produced by the
(d) CH4 , NH3 , H2 and H2 O vapours combination of H 2 with
3 Which theory arguments that life on earth came from (a) ammonia and methane (b) hydrogen
outer space through spores? (c) organic matter (d) sulphates and nitrates
(a) Theory of panspermia 12 The first non-cellular forms of life that originated
(b) Cosmozoic theory 3 billion years back was/were
(c) Spore theory (a) protein (b) polysaccharide
(d) More than one option are correct (c) RNA (d) All of these
4 For a long time, it was believed that life came out of 13 The first single cell-like structure initially appeared in
decaying and rotting matter like straw, mud, etc. This (a) air (b) mountain (c) ocean (d) soil
was the theory of 14 The sequence of origin of life may be
(a) catastrophism (b) spontaneous generation (a) Inorganic materials → Organic materials → Colloidal
(c) panspermia (d) chemogeny aggregate → Eobiont → Cell
5 Who discarded the theory of spontaneous generation (b) Organic materials → Inorganic materials → Colloidal
aggregate → Eobiont → Cell
once and for all?
(c) Inorganic materials → Organic materials → Eobiont
(a) Louis Pasteur (b) Francesco Redi
→ Cell → Colloidal aggregate
(c) Spallanzani (d) Aristotle
(d) Organic materials → Inorganic materials → Eobiont
6 Who showed that life did not evolve from killed yeast → Cell → Colloidal aggregate
in pre-sterilised flasks? 15 The given diagram represents Miller’s experiment.
(a) Oparin (b) Haldane Choose the correct combination of labelling for
(c) Louis Pasteur (d) Miller A, B, C and D.
7 Who proposed that the first form of life could have A
come from pre-existing non-living organic molecules
and it precedes chemical evolution?
Mixture
(a) SL Miller B of
(b) Oparin and Haldane gases
(c) Charles Darwin
(d) Alfred Wallace C
8 Experimental evidence of chemical evolution was
given by
(a) Miller (b) Haldane
(c) Oparin (d) All of these
D
 (a) A–Electrodes, B –NH3 + H2 + H2 O + CH4 , 19 Theory of natural selection as the mechanism of
C–Condensor, D–U-trap evolution was given by
(b) A–Electrodes, B–NH4 + H2 + CO2 + CH3 ,
(a) Lamarck (b) Darwin
C–Vacuum pump, D–U-trap
(c) A–Electrodes, B–NH3 + H2 O, C–Condensor, (c) Alfred Wallace (d) JBS Haldane
D–Vacuum pump 20 Scientist who also came to the similar conclusions
(d) A–Electrodes, B–NH3 + H2 + H2 O + CH4 , around the same time of Charles Darwin was
C–Boiling water, D–Vaccum pump (a) Alfred Wallace
16 What was the name of the sail ship used by Charles (b) Hugo de Vries
Darwin during his sea voyage? (c) TH Morgan
(a) HMS Beagle (b) HSM Beagle (d) Oparin and Haldane
(c) HMS Eagle (d) HSM Eagle 21 Malay Archipelago is
17 According to Charles Darwin’s observations (a) a group of islands visited by Wallace
(a) existing life forms share similarities to the life forms (b) a research paper on evolution written by Wallace
that existed million of years ago
(c) a research paper on ecology written by Wallace
(b) life forms evolve gradually
(d) a group of organism studied by Wallace
(c) any population has built in variations which enable
them to survive in natural conditions 22 The conclusions drawn by Darwin and Wallace were
(d) All of the above (a) All existing life forms share similarities and common
18 According to Darwin, those who are better fit in an ancestors
environment, (b) The ancestors of existing life forms were present at
(a) leave more progeny than others different periods in the history of earth
(b) leave less progeny than others (c) The geological history of earth correlates with the
(c) are eradicated rapidly due to competition biological history of earth
(d) None of the above (d) All of the above

TOPIC 2 ~ Evidences of Evolution

23 Evidence that evolution of life forms has indeed taken 27 Embryological support for evolution given by Ernst
place on earth has come from Haeckel includes the
(a) fossil studies (palaeontological evidences) (a) presence of hair all over the body in adult human
(b) morphological and comparative anatomical studies (b) absence of tail bone and presence of wisdom tooth
(c) biochemical studies (c) absence of vestigial gill slits in human’s embryo
(d) All of the above (d) presence of row of vestigial gill slits in embryo of all
vertebrates
24 Fossils are the remains of
28 The similarity of bone structure in the forelimbs of
(a) hard parts of life forms found in rocks
many vertebrates is an example of NEET 2018
(b) light parts of life forms found in rocks (a) convergent evolution (b) analogy
(c) proteins and bones of life forms found in rocks (c) homology (d) adaptive radiation
(d) fats and proteins of life forms found in rocks
29 Which one of the following options gives one correct
25 A study of fossils in different sedimentary layers example each of convergent evolution and divergent
indicates evolution? CBSE-AIPMT 2012
(a) physiological period in which they existed
(b) geological period in which they existed Convergent evolution Divergent evolution
(c) conditions in which they were living (a) Eyes of Octopus and Bones of forelimbs of
mammals vertebrates
(d) All of the above
(b) Thorns of Bougainvillea and Wings of butterflies and
26 Fossils are useful in tendrils of Cucurbita birds
(a) studying extinct organisms (c) Bones of forelimbs of Wings of butterfly and birds
(b) studying history of organisms vertebrates
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) Thorns of Bougainvillea and Eyes of Octopus and
(d) None of the above tendrils of Cucurbita mammals
30 In the animals, the same structures developed along (c) phylogenetic structures and represent divergent
the different directions due to the adaptations to evolution
different needs. This is called (d) homologous structures and represent convergent
evolution
(a) convergent evolution (b) divergent evolution
(c) disruptive evolution (d) directional evolution 38 The eyes of Octopus and eyes of cat show different
patterns of structure, yet they perform similar
31 Divergent evolution gives rise to function. This is an example of NEET 2013
(a) homologous organs (b) analogous organs (a) homologous organs that have evolved due to convergent
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these evolution
32 Among the following sets of examples for divergent (b) homologous organs that have evolved due to divergent
evolution, select the incorrect option. NEET 2018 evolution
(a) Brain of bat, man and cheetah (c) analogous organs that have evolved due to convergent
(b) Heart of bat, man and cheetah evolution
(c) Forelimbs of man, bat and cheetah (d) analogous organs that have evolved due to divergent
evolution
(d) Eye of Octopus, bat and man
39 The process by which organisms with different
33 What does presence of homologous organs in evolutionary history evolve similar phenotypic
different animals indicate? adaptations in response to a common environmental
(a) Different ancestry challenge, is called NEET 2013
(b) Common ancestry (a) natural selection
(c) Independent development (b) convergent evolution
(d) Dependent development (c) non-random evolution
34 Tendrils of Cucurbita and thorns of Bougainvillea are (d) adaptive radiation
examples of 40 Evolutionary convergence is the development of
(a) vestigial organs (b) analogous organs (a) common set of characters in closely related groups
(c) homologous organs (d) homoplasy (b) common set of characters in the group of different
35 Which of the following structures is homologous to ancestry
the wing of a bird? CBSE-AIPMT 2015 (c) random mating
(a) Wing of a moth (b) Hindlimb of rabbit (d) dissimilar characters in the closely related groups
(c) Flipper of whale (d) Dorsal fin of a shark 41 Biochemical similarities are based on study of
36 Diagram given below indicates (a) similarities in carbohydrates of organisms
(b) similarities in fat (fatty acid) of organisms
(c) similarities in protein and genes of organisms
(d) All of the above
42 Change of lighter coloured variety of peppered moths
(Biston betularia) to darker variety in the industrial
Man Cheetah Whale Bat
era occurred due to
(a) selection of darker variety for survival
(b) deletion of gene
(c) industrial carbon deposited on the wings
(d) translocation of gene
43 England in 1850s, i.e. before industrialisation set in, it
was observed that there were more white-winged
moths on trees than dark-winged or melanised moths.
However, in the collection carried out from the same
area, but after industrialisation, i.e. in 1920, there
(a) analogous organs (b) homologous organs
were more dark-winged moths in the same area, i.e.
(c) convergent evolution (d) All of these
the proportion was reversed.
37 The wings of a bird and the wings of an insect are Predict the possible reason for such change.
CBSE-AIPMT 2015
(a) Natural selection
(a) homologous structures and represent divergent
(b) Artificial selection
evolution
(c) Conditional selection
(b) analogous structures and represent convergent evolution
(d) Divergent selection
44 The peppered moth (Biston betularia), the 46 Industrial melanism is an example of
black-coloured form becomes dominant over the CBSE-AIPMT 2015
light-coloured form of moth in England during (a) neo Darwinism (b) natural selection
industrial revolution. This is an example of (c) mutation (d) neo Lamarckism
AIIMS 2018 47 Example of anthropogenic evolution is
(a) appearance of the darker-coloured individuals due to (a) selection of resistant microbes to pesticides
very poor sunlight (b) antibiotic resistant eukaryotic cells
(b) protective mimicry (c) Industrial melanism is Biston betularia
(c) inheritance of darker colour character acquired due to (d) All of the above
the darker environment 48 Evolution is
(d) natural selection whereby the darker forms were
(a) discontinuous process
selected
(b) stochastic process
45 Natural indicator of industrial pollution is (c) Both (a) and (b)
(a) algae (b) fungi (c) lichen (d) bacteria (d) non-essential process

TOPIC 3 ~ Adaptive Radiation

49 Development of different functional structures from a 55 When more than one adaptive radiation appeared to
common ancestral form is called have occurred in an isolated geographical area, it is
(a) differential evolution (b) adaptive radiation (a) convergent evolution
(c) non-adaptive radiation (d) regressive evolution (b) divergent evolution
50 The process by which different type of finches were (c) natural selection
evolved in Galapagos islands is a consequence of (d) genetic drift
(a) adaptive radiation 56 Identify what is indicated in the given diagram?
(b) geographic similarity
(c) geographic dissimilarity
(d) adaptive convergence
51 The original finches from which other finches arose
on Galapagos island were
(a) seed-eating (b) insectivorous
(c) vegetarian (d) carnivorous Common
Ancestor
52 Which one of the following aspects of evolution is
shown by Darwin’s finches?
(a) Biogeographic evidence
(b) Industrial melanism
(c) Biochemical evidence
(d) Embryological evidence
53 The diversity in the type of finches and adaptation to
different feeding habits on the Galapagos islands, as I. Recombination
observed by Darwin, provides an evidence of
(a) origin of species by natural selection II. Adaptive radiation
(b) intraspecific variation III. Ecological succession
(c) intraspecific competition IV. Different species of penguins by mutation
(d) interspecific competition
Choose the correct option.
54 Australian marsupials are the example of (a) Only I
(a) homologous radiation (b) Only III
(b) analogous radiation
(c) Only IV
(c) adaptive radiation
(d) convergent radiation (d) Only II
57 Identify what the given diagram indicates? 60 Which of the following is not an examples of
Tasmanian wolf adaptive radiation?
(a) Wombat, numbat, flying phalanger
(b) Darwin’s finches
Australian
Koala bear Marsupials Marsupial rat (c) Different mammals in other parts of world
(d) Lemur and spotted cuscus

Kangaroo 61 In Australia, marsupials and placental mammals have

(a) Convergent evolution evolved to share many similar characteristics. This
(b) Divergent evolution type of evolution may be referred to as NEET 2019
(c) Recapitulation (a) adaptive radiation
(d) Parallel evolution (b) divergent evolution
58 The classical example of adaptive radiation in (c) cyclical evolution
development of new species is (d) convergent evolution
(a) Darwin’s finches 62 A population of a species invades a new area. Which
(b) marsupials of Australia of the following conditions will lead to adaptive
(c) locomotion in mammals radiation? NEET 2019
(d) All of the above (a) Area with large number of habitats having very low
59 Example of convergent evolution is food supply
(a) Darwin finches and marsupial mouse (b) Area with a single type of vacant habitat
(b) Placental wolf and Tasmanian wolf (c) Area with many types of vacant habitats
(c) Placental wolf and Darwin finches (d) Area with many habitats occupied by a large number of
(d) Tasmanian wolf and marsupial mole species

TOPIC 4 ~ Biological Evolution and its Mechanism

63 What is meant by the term ‘Darwin fitness’? 67 Which concept was not included in Charles Darwin’s
(a) Ability to survive and reproduce theory of natural selection?
(b) High aggressiveness (a) Survival of the fittest
(c) Healthy appearance (b) Struggle for existence
(c) Overproduction of offspring
(d) Physical strength
(d) Punctuated equilibrium
64 Survival of the fittest is possible due to the 68 What is the difference between natural selection and
(a) overproduction sexual selection?
(b) favourable variations (a) Sexual selection occurs during sexual intercourse
(c) environmental changes (b) Natural selection is a type of sexual selection
(d) inheritance of acquired characters (c) Sexual selection is an example of natural selection
(d) Sexual selection occurs within demes
65 Darwinian fitness can be estimated by
(a) how long different individual in a population survive 69 Which of the following situations would most likely
(b) number of offspring produced by different individuals
result in the highest rate of natural selection?
in population (a) Reproduction by asexual method
(b) Low mutation is an stable environment
(c) individual have a large size in population
(c) Little competition
(d) species recover after mass extinction
(d) Reproduction by sexual method
66 Which of the following are the two key concepts of 70 According to Darwin, the organic evolution is due to the
Darwinian theory of evolution? (a) intraspecific competition NEET 2013
(a) Genetic drift and mutation (b) interspecific competition
(b) Adaptive radiation and homology (c) competition within closely related species
(c) Mutation and natural selection (d) reduced feeding efficiency in one species due to the
(d) Branching descent and natural selection presence of interfering species
71 Which one of the following was not explained by 76 Which of the following differences between
Darwinism? Lamarckism and Darwinism is incorrect?
(a) Natural selection Lamarckism Darwinism
(b) Struggle for existence
(a) It does not consider struggle Struggle for existence is
(c) Arrival of the fittest for existence very important in this theory
(d) Origin of species
(b) Only useful variations are All the acquired characters
72 Which of the following factors was not taken into transferred to the next are inherited to the next
account by Darwin in his theory of natural selection? generation generation.
(a) Struggle for existence (c) Neglects survival of the Based on survival of the
(b) Discontinuous variations fittest fittest
(c) Parasites and predators as natural enemies (d) None of the above
(d) Survival of the fittest
77 Hugo de Vries put forth his idea of mutation by his
73 Lamarck’s theory of evolution is also known as work on
(a) theory of use and disuse of organs
(a) pea plant (b) Drosophila
(b) theory of genetic characters
(c) evening primrose (d) maize plant
(c) theory of spontaneous characters
(d) theory of impose characters 78 Who proposed the concept of saltation?
(a) Darwin (b) Mendel
74 Who proposed that long neck of giraffes evolved due
(c) de Vries (d) Thomas Malthus
to foraging of leaves on tall trees?
(a) Lamarck 79 What does the term ‘Saltation’ imply?
(b) Darwin (a) Excess of species at a given area
(c) Malthus (b) Reduced number of species due to saline environment
(d) Aristotle (c) Occurrence of variations gradually, step by step
(d) Single step large mutations
75 What was the Lamarck’s explanation for long necked
giraffes? 80 Variations caused by mutation, as proposed by Hugo
(a) Stretching of necks over many generations de Vries are NEET 2019
(a) random and directionless
(b) Short neck suddenly changed into long one
(b) small and directional
(c) Natural selection (c) small and directionless
(d) Mutation (d) random and directional

TOPIC 5 ~ Hardy-Weinberg Principle

81 Hardy-Weinberg principle is the 84 Hardy-Weinberg principle can be expressed as
(a) stable allele frequency in a population (a) p 2 − 2 pq − q 2 = 1
(b) genetic structure of an evolving population
(b) p 2 + 2 pq + q 2 ≥ 1
(c) varying allele frequency in a population
(d) phenotypic structure of a non-evolving population (c) p 2 + 2 pq + q 2 ≤ 1

82 Genetic equilibrium refers to the phenomenon in which (d) p 2 + 2 pq + q 2 = 1

(a) the trait remains constant in a population 85 A gene locus has two alleles A, a. If the frequency of
(b) the total genes remain constant in a population dominant allele A is 0.4, then what will be the
(c) the total genes keeps on varying in a population frequency of homozygous dominant, heterozygous
(d) traits keeps on varying in a population and homozygous recessive individuals in the
population? NEET 2019
83 Change in gene frequency of a population means
(a) 0.16(AA); 0.24(Aa); 0.36(aa)
(a) evolution is in progress
(b) Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is not achieved (b) 0.16(AA); 0.48(Aa); 0.36(aa)
(c) there may be a selection, migration or mutation (c) 0.16(AA); 0.36(Aa); 0.48(aa)
(d) All of the above (d) 0.36(AA); 0.48(Aa); 0.16(aa)
86 Which of the following conditions represents the 93 Name the type of natural selection depicted in the given
extent of evolutionary change in Hardy-Weinberg diagram (type I, type II and type III).
principle?
Type I Type II
(a) Value of ( p + q )2
Mean
(b) Difference between measured value and expected Mean
Conserved
value Conserved
(c) Sum of measured value and expected value Eliminated ed
at
(d) This principle cannot predict the extent of in
im
evolutionary change El
Mean
Mean
87 In Hardy-Weinberg equation, the frequency of Conserved
heterozygous individual is represented by by selection Eliminated
CBSE-AIPMT 2015 Eliminated
(a) p 2 (b) 2 pq
(c) pq (d) q 2
88 The tendency of population to remain in genetic
equilibrium may be disturbed by NEET 2013
(a) random mating
(b) lack of migration Type III
(c) lack of mutations Mean
(d) lack of random mating Conserved
89 Identify the phenomenon in which a new set of Eliminated
population is formed from the set of existing
population due to the random excessive change in
the allele frequency. Eliminated
Mean Mean
(a) Founder effect (b) Genetic drift
(c) Bottle-neck effect (d) All of these Cons-
erved
90 Genetic drift operates in CBSE-AIPMT 2015
(a) small isolated population
(b) large isolated population
(c) non-reproductive population
(d) slow reproductive population
91 ‘XX’ is a type of selection process in evolution
that promotes population changes in one particular
direction. ‘XX’ favours small or large sized Type I Type II Type III
individuals mean size of population changes. (a) Disruptive Directional Stabilising
Identify ‘XX’. (b) Directional Disruptive Stabilising
(a) Stabilising selection (c) Stabilising Directional Disruptive
(b) Directional selection (d) Stabilising Disruptive Directional
(c) Disruptive selection 94 Artificial selection to obtain cows yielding high milk
(d) None of the above output represents NEET 2017
92 ‘PP’ is a type of selection that favours both small (a) stabilising selection as it stabilises this character in the
sized and large-sized individuals. ‘PP’ eliminates population
most of the members with mean expression, so as (b) directional as it pushes the mean of the character in one
to produce two peaks in the distribution of the direction
tract that many leads to the development of two (c) disruptive as it splits the population into two, one yielding
different populations. Identify ‘PP’. higher output and the other lower output
(a) Disruptive selection (b) Stabilising selection (d) stabilising followed by disruptive as stabilises the
(c) Directional selection (d) None of these population of produce higher yielding cows
 95 In a large randomly mating population, only one 96 Allopatric speciation occurs when
person in 10,000 is an albino. What will be the (a) genetically related populations inhabit widely separated
frequency of carrier person of albinism? geographical area
(b) genetically unrelated populations inhabit widely
(a) 1 in 100 separated geographical area
(b) 99 in 10,000 (c) genetically related populations inhabit the same
(c) 2 in 10,000 geographical area
(d) 1 in 50 (d) genetically unrelated populations inhabit the same
geographical area

TOPIC 6 ~ A Brief Account of Evolution

97 Choose the incorrect pair. 107 The most recent era in geological time scale is
(a) Invertebrates were formed and active – By 500 mya (a) Mesozoic (b) Cenozoic
(b) Seaweeds existed – Around 320 mya (c) Palaeozoic (d) Proterozoic
(c) First organisms that invaded land – Single-celled 108 The correct order of evolutionary scale is
animals
(a) Palaeozoic → Archaeozoic → Cenozoic
(d) Fish with stout and strong fins – Around 350 mya
(b) Archaeozoic → Palaeozoic → Proterozoic
98 Name the animal that evolved into the first probable (c) Palaeozoic → Mesozoic → Cenozoic
amphibians and lived on both land and water. (d) Mesozoic → Archaeozoic → Proterozoic
(a) Whale (b) Coelacanth (lobefins)
109 First dinosaurs and first egg-laying mammals
(c) Amphioxus (d) Balanoglossus
originated in
99 There was no life in (a) Jurassic period (b) Triassic period
(a) Cenozoic era (b) Mesozoic era (c) Permian period (d) Cambrian period
(c) Palaeozoic era (d) Azoic era
110 Identify the geographical periods ( A, B , C ) in the
100 Which period in geological time scale is considered given diagram.
the golden era of fish?
Birds
(a) Mississippian (b) Silurian Lizards Tuataras
(c) Devonian (d) Jurassic Turtles
Snakes Crocodiles Mammals
101 Giant dinosaurs and reptiles predominated during the Quaternary 0
Jurassic period. This period was also marked for the
evolution of higher insects and angiosperms, conifers, ...C... 50
cycads, etc. Jurassic period belongs to which era? Dinosaurs
(a) Cenozoic (b) Palaeozoic (extinct)
Cretaceous 100
(c) Mesozoic (d) Proterozoic
102 During which period did the first seed plant appear?
...B... 150
(a) Silurian (b) Devonian
Therapsids
(c) Carboniferous (d) Cretaceous (extinct)
Triassic 200
103 The Cenozoic era is often designated as Thecodonts
(a) age of fish (b) age of reptiles (extinct)
...A... 250
(c) age of mammals (d) age of amphibians
Pelycosaurs
104 In which era Protozoa, sponge and algae originate? Sauropsids (extinct)
Carboniferous 300 Synapsids
(a) Cenozoic era (b) Azoic era
(c) Proterozoic era (d) Mesozoic era
350
105 Which of the following is an extinct animal? Early reptiles
(a) Protopterus (b) Equus (extinct)

(c) Archaeopteryx (d) Columba (a) A–Tertiary, B–Jurassic, C–Permian

106 Mesozoic era is called the age of (b) A–Tertiary, B–Permian, C–Jurassic
(a) fishes (b) amphibians (c) A–Permian, B–Jurassic, C–Tertiary
(c) reptiles (d) birds (d) A–Jurassic, B–Tertiary, C–Permian
111 Choose the incorrectly matched pair. 113 In which epoch, only modern humans prevail?
(a) Reptiles — Thick-shelled eggs which do not dry up (a) Pleiostocene (b) Holocene (c) Pliocene (d) Miocene
(b) Tyrannosaurus rex — Fish like reptile 114 Which phenomena confined the pouched mammals to
(c) Dinosaurs — May be evolved into birds
Australia they survived because of lack of
(d) Continental drift — South America joined
North-America
competition from any other mammals?
(a) Continental origination
112 The first viviparous mammals whose fossils are (b) Continental shifting
small-sized were like (c) Continental drift
(a) shrews (b) monkeys (c) rats (d) lobefins (d) Continental evolution

TOPIC 7 ~ Origin and Evolution of Man

115 Choose the incorrect pair. 122 Who was more intelligent than modern man,
(a) Ramapithecus – Man-like cave-dweller, had prominent chin and appeared after
(b) Dryopithecus – Ape-like neanderthal man?
(c) Fossil of man-like bones were discovered (a) Erect man (b) Cro-Magnon man
– Ethopia and Tanzania (c) Hominid tool maker (d) First ape man
(d) Australopithecus – Probably lived in Western 123 What was the most significant trend in the evolution
Africa desert of modern man (Homo sapiens) from his ancestors?
116 First human like hominid is known as CBSE-AIPMT 2011, 12
(a) Neanderthal man (b) Homo habilis (a) Shortening of jaws (b) Binocular vision
(c) Dryopithecus (d) Homo erectus (c) Increasing brain capacity (d) Upright posture
117 Brain (cranial) capacity of Homo habilis was 124 Who used hides to protect their body and buried their
(a) 750-850 cc (b) 750-800 cc dead?
(c) 650-800 cc (d) 550-700 cc (a) Neanderthal man (b) Homo habilis
(c) Australopithecus (d) Dryopithecus
118 The fossil finding suggest that closest fossil to Homo
125 Homo sapiens most likely arose in
habilis was
(a) India (b) America (c) England (d) Africa
(a) Homo erectus (b) Homo sapiens
(c) Dryopithecus (d) Neanderthal man 126 Homo sapiens arose during
(a) ice age between 75000-10000 years ago
119 The extinct human who lived 10,00,00 to 40,000
(b) continental drift between 75000-10000 years ago
years ago, in Europe, Asia and parts of Africa, with
(c) continental drift between 75000-5000 years ago
short stature, heavy eyebrows, retreating fore heads,
(d) ice age between 50000-10000 years ago
large jaws with heavy teeth, stocky bodies, a
lumbering gait and stooped posture was 127 The chronological order of human evolution from
(a) Homo habilis CBSE-AIPMT 2012 early to the recent stages is
(b) Neanderthal human (a) Ramapithecus → Australopithecus → Homo habilis →
Homo erectus
(c) Cro-Magnon human (b) Australopithecus → Ramapithecus → Homo habilis →
(d) Ramapithecus Homo erectus
120 Homo sapiens, neanderthalensis and Cro-Magnon (c) Pithecanthropus pekinensis → Homo habilis → Homo
man, probably originated from erectus
(d) Australopithecus → Ramapithecus → Pithecanthropus
(a) Homo erectus (b) Homo habilis
pekinensis → Homo erectus
(c) Ramapithecus (d) Proconsul
128 The diagram given here shows the skull of two
121 The difference between Homo sapiens and Homo different mammals. Choose the most appropriate
erectus was difference between A and B.
(a) Homo sapiens originated in Africa, while Homo erectus
originated in Asia
(b) Homo erectus were much smaller in size than Homo
sapiens A B
(c) Homo erectus stayed in Africa, while Homo sapiens did
not (a) Skull A has more teeth than skull B
(d) the size of the brain of Homo erectus was smaller than (b) Skull A has more brain capacity than skull B
that of Homo sapiens (c) Skull A is of a human and skull B is of an ape
(d) Skull A is of an ape and skull B is of human
 NEET
SPECIAL TYPES QUESTIONS
I. Assertion and Reason
■ Direction (Q. No. 129-143) In each of the following
questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is given followed
by corresponding statement of Reason(R).
Of the statements, mark the correct answer as
(a) If both A and R are true and R is the correct
explanation of A
(b) If both A and R are true, but R is not the correct
explanation of A
(c) If A is true, but R is false
(d) If A is false, but R is true
129 Assertion (A) Theory of chemical evolution
proposed that life came from pre-existing non-living
organic molecules.
Reason (R) Primitive earth conditions led to the
production of organic molecules.
130 Assertion (A) The theory of special creation states
that God created life by his divine act of creation.
Reason (R) Louis Pasteur rejected the theory of
spontaneous generation.
131 Assertion (A) Earth is about 15 billion years old.
Reason (R) Life appeared 500 million back after the
formation of earth.
132 Assertion (A) Earliest organisms that appeared on
the Earth were non-green and presumably
anaerobes.
Reason (R) The first autotrophic organisms were the
chemoautotrophs that never released oxygen.
133 Assertion (A) Microspheres were aggregates of
organic biomolecules surrounded by film of water
molecule.
Reason (R) Coacervates lack definite membrane,
but do exhibit some life like characters.
134 Assertion (A) Ernst Haeckel supported the
embryological similarities as an evidence of
evolution.
Reason (R) The embryos of all vertebrates including
humans develop a row of vestigial gill slits which
are absent in adult vertebrates.
135 Assertion (A) Natural selection is an outcome of the
differences in survival and reproduction among
individuals that show variations in one or more
traits.
Reason (R) Adaptive forms of a given trait tend to
become more common. Less adaptive ones becomes
less common or disappear.
136 Assertion (A) Whales and mammals share similarities
in the pattern of bones of forelimbs.
Reason (R) These organisms suggest occurrence of
divergent evolution.
137 Assertion (A) Analogous structures are different in
appearance and have same function.
Reason (R) Divergent evolution leads to analogy.
138 Assertion (A) Lichens act as pollution indicators.
Reason (R) These do not grow in areas that are polluted.
139 Assertion (A) Lichens are symbiotic relationships of
algae and viruses.
Reason (R) These are sensitive to SO 2 levels in the air.
140 Assertion (A) Hugo de Vries said mutations cause
speciation.
Reason (R) Mutations are slow changes.
141 Assertion (A) The introduction of new alleles into the
local gene pool by interbreeding of migrating
individuals with members of local population is called
gene migration.
Reason (R) If gene migration happens multiple times,
it is called gene recombination.
142 Assertion (A) Sudden inheritable changes take place
in genome of an organism due to certain factors called
mutations.
Reason (R) Lamarck’s theory of evolution is popularly
called the theory of continuity of germplasm.
143 Assertion (A) Among the primates, chimpanzee is the
closest relative of the present day humans.
Reason (R) The banding pattern in the autosome number
3 and 6 of man and chimpanzee is remarkably similar.
II. Statement Based Questions
144 Which of the following statements about orgin of life is
incorrect?
(a) The universe is almost 20 billion years old
(b) Big Bang theory explained that universe originated by a
huge explosion
(c) Present day galaxies are formed by the condensation of
hydrogen and helium under gravitational pull
(d) None of the above
145 Identify the correct statement. IV. They could maintain an internal environment
(a) Earth was formed about 4.5 billion years ago absolutely.
(b) Early earth had no atmosphere Choose the correct option.
(c) The temperature of universe came down due to its (a) I and II (b) II and III
expansion (c) III and IV (d) I, II, III and IV
(d) All of the above
152 Which of the following statements stands in favour of
146 Which one of the following statements is true abiogenesis?
regarding the theory of natural selection? I. Spontaneous generation.
(a) It was the first theory of organic evolution II. Origin of viruses and microbes.
(b) It does explain information derived from fossils
III. Origin of life from living organisms.
(c) It has failed to explain the origin of variations
(d) It has succesfully explained concept of speciation IV. Origin of life from non-living matter.
The correct statement(s) is/are
147 Which of the following statements would Darwinism
(a) I and II (b) II and III
most likely disagree with?
(c) III and IV (d) Only IV
(a) Individuals within a population vary in the
characteristics they possess 153 Which of the following statements are the correct pair
(b) Evolution is best viewed as a purpose less and non- of homologous organs?
directional change over time I. Hands of man and wings of bat.
(c) Natural selection is the mechanism by which biological
II. Wings of bat and wings of cockroach.
evolution takes place
(d) The fossil record supports the view that biological III. Wings of bird and wings of butterfly.
evolution has occurred IV. Fins of fish and forelimbs of horse.
148 Identify the incorrect statement. V. Forearm of human and forelimbs of horse.
(a) In natural selection, heritable variations enable better Choose the correct option
survival (a) I and II (b) I and V (c) III and IV (d) IV and V
(b) Variations due to gene flow changes allele frequency in
future generation 154 Which of the following statements are correct?
(c) Gene flow occurs due to multiple gene migration I. Wings of insects and birds are homologous organ.
(d) None of the above II. Wings of bats and birds are homologous organ.
149 Which one of the following statements is/are correct III. Wings of insects and bats are analogous.
about Australopithecus? IV. Wings of insects and birds are analogous.
(a) They essentially ate fruits
Choose the correct option.
(b) They hunted with stone weapons
(a) I and II (b) I and III
(c) They were transitional stage between ape and humans
(c) I and IV (d) II, III and IV
(d) All of the above
155 Select the incorrect statements.
150 Which of the following is the correct sequence of
events in the origin of life? NEET 2016 I. Natural selection is essential for evolution.
I. Formation of protobionts. II. Natural selection does not include variations.
II. Synthesis of organic monomers. III. Concept of natural selection was given by Hugo de
Vries.
III. Synthesis of organic polymers.
IV. Mutation is a sudden inheritable change.
IV. Formation of DNA-based genetic systems.
V. Synthetic theory is also called Neo-Darwinism theory
Choose the correct option. of evolution.
(a) I, II, III and IV (b) I, III, II and IV
The correct combination is
(c) II, III, I and IV (d) II, III, IV and I
(a) I, II and III (b) II, III and IV
151 Which of the following statements are correct about (c) III, IV and V (d) II and III
the characteristics of protobionts, like microspheres as
envisaged in the abiogenic origin of life? 156 Which of the following statements are correct?
I. They were able to reproduce. I. Survival of the fittest is based upon the characteristics
that are inherited.
II. They could separate the combinations of molecules
from the surroundings. II. Darwin’s variations are small and directional.
III. They were partially isolated from the surroundings. III. The fitness is the end result of the ability to adapt.
 IV. Genetic drift is operate in small populations. Choose the correct option.
V. Genetic drift operates in large populations. (a) I and II (b) II and III
VI. Presence of genetic drift upsets the Hardy-Weinberg (c) I and III (d) I and IV
equilibrium. 161 When a species gets separated geographically, it
Choose the correct option. evolves separately? Which of the following
(a) I, II, III and IV (b) IV, V, VI and II conditions would determine whether they are now
(c) I, II, III, V and VI (d) I, II, III, IV and VI different species?
157 True statements regarding the genetic drift is/are I. They fail to interbreed.
I. It mostly occurs in smaller populations. II. They failed to give fertile offspring.
II. Certain alleles can be lost forever because of genetic III. They have different coloured body.
drift. IV. They appear morphologically slightly different.
III. Founder effects and bottle neck effects are caused by Choose the correct combination from given options.
genetic drift. (a) I and II (b) II and III
IV. Mutations are primarily responsible for genetic drift. (c) III and IV (d) I and IV
The correct combination showing true statements is 162 Choose the correct statements with reference to
(a) Only I (b) III and IV organic evolution. AIIMS 2018
(c) II and IV (d) All except IV I. Flippers of whale and wings of bat exhibit analogy.
158 Which of the following statements regarding the II. Wings of butterfly and wings of bird exhibit
evolution of plants and animals are correct? homology.
I. Amphibians evolved into reptiles. III. Organs with dissimilar structure are called analogous
II. Fish with stout and strong fins could move on land and organs.
go back to water. This was about 350 million years ago. IV. Organs with similar structure and origin are called
III. Giant ferns fell to form coal deposits slowly. homologous organs.
IV. About 65 million years ago dinosaurs died out. (a) I and IV (b) I and III
(c) III and IV (d) II and IV
V. Archaeopteryx is the connecting link between birds
and reptiles. 163 Which of the following statements is correct
The correct combination is regarding the evolution of humans?
(a) I and II (b) III and IV I. The skull of adult chimpanzee is more like adult human
(c) V and I (d) I, II, III, IV and V skull than baby chimpanzee skull.
II. The skull of baby chimpanzee is more like adult human
159 Mark the correct statements.
than adult chimpanzee skull.
I. Karl Ernst von Baer noted that embryo never pass III. Dryopithecus is oldest human like fossil.
through adult stages of other animals and thus
IV. Dryopithecus was found in Miocene rock of Africa and
discarded Ernst Haeckel’s embryological support for
Europe.
evolution.
The correct option is
II. Homology in vertebrate brain indicates common
(a) I and II (b) I and III (c) I and IV (d) II, III and IV
ancestry.
III. Theory of acquired character was given by de Vries. 164 Consider the following statements.
IV. After industrialisation, the white moth population I. Darwin asserted that heritable variations and better
decreased due to predators. resource utilisation enable an individual to reproduce
efficiently.
The correct option is
II. Darwinian variations were small and directional select
(a) I, II and III (b) I, III and IV
(c) II, III and IV (d) I, II and IV the correct option.
(a) I is true, II is false (b) I is false, II is true
160 Choose the incorrect statements. (c) Both I and II are true (d) Both I and II are false
I. The essence of Darwinian theory about evolution can
165 In his theory of evolution, Lamarck explained
be seen in the phenomenon of natural selection.
I. Internal vital force.
II. The rate of appearance of new forms is not linked to the
evolution. II. Effect of environment on organisms.
III. Adaptive ability is a complete evolution. III. Inheritance of acquired characters.
IV. Mutations are random and directionless. IV. Use and disuse of organs.
 Choose the correct combination. 171 Consider the following statements.
(a) I and II (b) II and III I. Microbes are able to grow on new nutrient media due
(c) I, II and IV (d) I, II, III and IV to natural selection.
166 Which of the following phenomena support the II. Adaptive ability is inherited and has genetic basis.
Darwin’s concept of natural selection in organic Select the correct option.
evolution? (a) Both I and II are true (b) I is true, II is false
I. Development of transgenic animals. (c) Both I and II are false (d) I is false, II is true
II. Production of Dolly. 172 Natural selection
III. Increased prevalance of pesticides has led to pesticide I. tends to decrease the survival and reproduction of an
resistance in insects. organism.
IV. Industrial melanism. II. acts on organism phenotype.
Choose the correct statement. III. mechanism of evolution explained by Darwin.
(a) I and II (b) II and III (c) III and IV (d) I and IV Which of the following statements are correct?
167 Lamarck’s concept of inheritance of acquired (a) I, II and III (b) I and II
characters was discarded by (c) II and III (d) I and III
I. Mendel’s laws of inheritance. 173 Evidence which favours the theory of acquired
II. Theory of natural selection. characters are
III. Mutational theory. I. the absence of limbs in snakes.
IV. Theory of continuity of germplasm. II. the presence of webbed toes in aquatic bird.
Choose the correct combination of the given options III. lack of pigments in cave dwelling animals.
to complete the given statement. IV. Darwin finches.
(a) I and II (b) II and III (c) I and IV (d) III and IV V. melanisation peppered moths.
168 Which of the following features are connected with Choose the correct option.
the modern theory of evolution? (a) I and II (b) II and III
I. Genetic and chromosomal mutation. (c) I, II and IV (d) I, II and III
II. Genetic recombination and natural selection. 174 Consider the following statements and choose the
III. Reproductive isolation. correct statements.
The correct combination is I. Gene mutations are directional changes in the bases of
(a) I and II (b) II and III sequences of genes.
(c) I and III (d) I, II and III II. Bottle neck effect is the fluctuation in population
169 Which of the following statements correctly defines density causing reshuffling of some of the genes in a
the phenomenon of genetic drift? gene pool in random fashion.
I. It is random change in gene allele frequency. III. Founder effect is called as Sewall Wright effect.
II. It occurs by chance. IV. Modern concept of evolution is also called synthetic
III. It is directional. theory of evolution.
IV. It causes elimination of certain alleles. (a) II and IV (b) I and III (c) I and II (d) III and IV
V. It causes fixation of alleles. 175 Consider the following statements.
The correct combination is I. Pre-historic cave art was developed earlier than
(a) I, II and III (b) III, IV and V agriculture.
(c) I, III and V (d) I, II, IV and V II. Human history of growth is proportional to decline of
civilisations.
170 Consider the following statements.
I. Evolution by natural selection have started when Select the correct option.
cellular forms of life with differences in metabolic (a) Both I and II are true (b) I is true, II is false
capability originated on earth. (c) Both I and II are false (d) I is false, II is true
II. The essence of Darwinian theory about evolution is 176 Consider the following statements.
natural selection. I. Fossils discovered in Ethiopia and Tanzania revealed
Select the correct option. hominid features. Reflecting that about 3-4 mya man
(a) I is true, II is false (b) Both I and II are true like primates walked in Eastern Africa.
(c) I is false, II is true (d) Both I and II are false II. Home erectus fossils were discovered in Java in 1891.
 Select the correct option. Codes
(a) I is true, II is false (b) Both I and II are true A B C D
(c) I is false, II is true (d) Both I and II are false (a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 3 4 1 2
177 Find out the incorrect statements about Homo habilis. (c) 3 4 2 1
I. Also called able or skilful man. (d) 4 3 2 1
II. Also called tool maker. 181 Match the following columns.
III. Fossil discovered from East Africa.
IV. 500 cc was its cranial capacity. Column I Column II
V. Have teeth like modern man. A. Analogous organs 1. Ontogeny repeat phylogeny
VI. Lived nearly 2 million years ago. B. Miller and Urey 2. Experiment (chemical
The correct option is evolution)
(a) IV and V (b) Only IV C. Oparin and Haldane 3. Chemical evolution (theory)
(c) II, III and VI (d) I, II, III, IV and VI D. Human embryo have gill 4. Wings of bird and butterfly
178 Consider the following statements.
Codes
I. Australopithecus africanus had brain capacity about
A B C D
500 cc similar to that of ape.
(a) 4 3 1 2
II. Erect man or Homo erectus is skull was flatter than that (b) 4 2 3 1
of modern man. (c) 1 2 3 4
III. Cro-Magnon man had a slightly prognathous face. (d) 4 3 2 1
IV. Neanderthal man is regarded as most recent ancestor
182 Match the following columns.
of today’s man.
Choose the incorrect statements. Column I Column II
(a) III and IV (b) II and III (Terms) (Explanations)
(c) I and II (d) I and III A. Genetic drift 1. Change in the population’s allele
frequency due to chance alone

III. Matching Type Questions B. Natural selection 2. Difference in survival individuals

C. Gene flow 3. Immigration or emigration
179 Match the hominids with their correct brain size. changes the allele frequency
NEET 2019
D. Mutation 4. Source of the new alleles
Column I Column II
Codes
A. Homo habilis 1. 900 cc
A B C D A B C D
B. Homo neanderthalensis 2. 1350 cc (a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 1 2 4 3
C. Homo erectus 3. 650-800 cc (c) 1 4 2 3 (d) 4 2 1 3
D. Homo sapiens 4. 1400 cc 183 Match the following columns.
Column I Column II
Codes
A B C D A B C D A. Wallace 1. Natural selection
(a) 3 2 1 4 (b) 3 4 1 2 B. Malthus 2. Essay of population
(c) 4 3 1 2 (d) 3 1 4 2 C. Hardy-Weinberg law 3. Biston betularia
180 Match the following columns. D. Industrial melanism 4. p2 + 2 pq + q2 = 1
Column I Column II
Codes
A. Darwin 1. Inherited
A B C D
B. Genetic drift 2. Not inherited (a) 1 2 4 3
C. Mutation in germ cells 3. HMS Beagle (b) 1 2 3 4
(c) 1 3 4 2
D. Mutation in somatic cells 4. Founder effect
(d) 2 3 4 1
184 Match the following columns. Codes
A B C D
Column I Column II (a) 3 2 1 4
(Scientists) (Related to)
(b) 4 1 2 3
A. Darwin 1. Natural selection (c) 2 3 4 1
B. Lamarck 2. Inheritance of acquired character (d) 3 4 2 1
C. Pasteur 3. Swan-necked experiment 187 Match the Column I with Column II. Select the
correct option from the codes given below.
D. de Vries 4. Mutational theory of inheritance
Column I
Codes Column II
(Time periods in
(Related to)
A B C D geological time scale)
(a) 2 3 4 1
A. Mesozoic 1. First amphibians
(b) 1 3 4 2
(c) 1 2 3 4 B. Devonian 2. Proliferation of reptiles
(d) 1 2 4 3
C. Palaeocene 3. 160 million years
185 Match the following columns.
D. Permian 4. Radiation of primitive
Column I mammals
Column II
(Types of natural
(Explanations)
selection)
Codes
A. Stabilisation 1. More individuals acquire value
A B C D
selection other than mean character
value (a) 1 4 3 2
(b) 3 1 4 2
B. Directional 2. More individuals acquire mean
selection character value (c) 4 1 2 3
(d) 2 1 4 3
C. Disruption selection 3. More individuals acquire
peripheral character value at 188 Match the Column I with Column II. Select the
both ends of distribution curve correct option from the codes given below.
Codes Primates
Cranial Capacities
A B C (in cubic centimetres)
(a) 1 3 2 A. Chimpanzee and gorilla 1. 325-510 cc
(b) 3 2 1
(c) 2 1 3 B. Australopithecus 2. 500 cc
(d) 3 1 2 C. Homo habilis 3. 700 cc
186 Match the following columns. D. Java ape man 4. 800-1000 cc
Column I Column II
Codes
A. Ichthyosaurus 1. Caught in South Africa in 1938
A B C D
B. Coelacanth 2. Fell to form coal deposits (a) 4 3 2 1
C. Giant pteridophytes 3. Disappeared about 65 mya (b) 2 3 4 1
(c) 1 2 3 4
D. Dinosaurs 4. Fish-like reptiles in 200 mya
(d) 3 2 1 4
180 Master The NCERT > Biology (Vol-II)

NCERT Exemplar
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
189 The theory of spontaneous generation stated that 197 Appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an
(a) life arose from living forms only example of
(b) life can arise from both living and non-living (a) adaptive radiation
(c) life can arise from non-living things only (b) transduction
(d) life arises spontaneously, neither from living nor from (c) pre-existing variation in the population
the non-living (d) divergent evolution
190 In 1953, SL Miller created primitive earth conditions 198 Match the scientists listed under Column I with ideas
in the laboratory and gave experimental evidence for listed Column II.
origin of first form of life from pre-existing Column I Column II
non-living organic molecules. The primitive earth
A. Darwin 1. Abiogenesis
conditions created include
(a) low temperature, volcanic storms, atmosphere rich in B. Oparin 2. Use and disuse of organs
oxygen C. Lamarck 3. Continental drift theory
(b) low temperature, volcanic storms, reducing atmosphere D. Wagner 4, Evolution by natural selection
(c) high temperature, volcanic storms, non-reducing
atmosphere Codes
(d) high temperature, volcanic storms, reducing atmosphere A B C D
containing CH4 , NH3 , etc. (a) 1 4 2 3
191 Palaeontological evidences for evolution refer to the (b) 4 1 2 3
(a) development of embryo (b) homologous organs (c) 2 4 3 1
(c) fossils (d) analogous organs (d) 4 3 2 1

192 Fossils are generally found in 199 Variations during mutations of meiotic
(a) sedimentary rocks (b) igneous rocks
recombinations are
(c) metamorphic rocks (d) any type of rock (a) random and directionless
(b) random and directional
193 The bones of forelimbs of whale, bat, cheetah and (c) random and small
man are similar in structure, because (d) random, small and directional
(a) one organism has given rise to another
(b) they share a common ancestor 200 ( p + q ) 2 = p 2 + 2 pq + q 2 = 1, represents an
(c) they perform the same function equation used in
(d) they have biochemical similarities (a) Population genetics
(b) Mendelian genetics
194 Analogous organs arise due to
(c) Biometrics
(a) divergent evolution
(d) Molecular genetics
(b) artificial selection
(c) genetic drift 201 Which type of selection is industrial melanism
(d) convergent evolution observed in moth, Biston betularia?
(a) Stabilising
195 Which of the following is used as an atmospheric
(b) Directional
pollution indicator?
(c) Disruptive
(a) Lepidoptera (b) Lichens
(d) Artificial
(c) Lycopersicon (d) Lycopodium
202 Evolution of life shows that life forms had a trend of
196 Animal husbandry and plant breeding programmes
moving from
are the examples of
(a) land to water
(a) reverse evolution
(b) dryland to wetland
(b) artificial selection
(c) freshwater to sea water
(c) mutation
(d) water to land
(d) natural selection
203 Which of the following is an example for link species? (c) the young ones are protected inside the mother’s body
(a) Lobe fish (b) Dodo bird and are looked after they are born leading to more
chances of survival
(c) Sea weed (d) Chimpanzee
(d) the embryo takes a long time to develop
204 For the MN-blood group system, the frequencies of M 206 The most accepted line of descent in human evolution
and N alleles are 0.7 and 0.3, respectively. The is NEET 2016
expected frequency of MN blood group bearing (a) Australopithecus → Ramapithecus → Homo sapiens
organisms is likely to be → Homo habilis
(a) 42% (b) 49% (c) 9% (d) 58% (b) Homo erectus → Homo habilis → Homo sapiens
205 Viviparity is considered to be more evolved because (c) Ramapithecus → Homo habilis → Homo sapiens
(a) the young ones are left on their own (d) Australopithecus → Ramapithecus → Homo erectus
(b) the young ones are protected by a thick shell → Homo habilis → Homo sapiens

Answers
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1 (a) 2 (d) 3 (a) 4 (b) 5 (a) 6 (c) 7 (b) 8 (a) 9 (a) 10 (d)
11 (a) 12 (d) 13 (c) 14 (a) 15 (a) 16 (a) 17 (d) 18 (a) 19 (b) 20 (a)
21 (a) 22 (d) 23 (d) 24 (a) 25 (b) 26 (c) 27 (d) 28 (c) 29 (a) 30 (b)
31 (a) 32 (d) 33 (b) 34 (c) 35 (c) 36 (b) 37 (b) 38 (c) 39 (b) 40 (b)
41 (c) 42 (a) 43 (a) 44 (d) 45 (c) 46 (b) 47 (d) 48 (c) 49 (b) 50 (a)
51 (a) 52 (a) 53 (a) 54 (c) 55 (a) 56 (d) 57 (b) 58 (d) 59 (b) 60 (d)
61 (d) 62 (c) 63 (a) 64 (b) 65 (b) 66 (d) 67 (d) 68 (c) 69 (d) 70 (b)
71 (c) 72 (b) 73 (a) 74 (a) 75 (a) 76 (b) 77 (c) 78 (c) 79 (d) 80 (a)
81 (a) 82 (b) 83 (d) 84 (d) 85 (b) 86 (b) 87 (b) 88 (d) 89 (a) 90 (a)
91 (b) 92 (a) 93 (c) 94 (b) 95 (c) 96 (a) 97 (c) 98 (b) 99 (d) 100 (c)
101 (c) 102 (b) 103 (c) 104 (c) 105 (c) 106 (c) 107 (b) 108 (c) 109 (b) 110 (c)
111 (b) 112 (a) 113 (b) 114 (c) 115 (d) 116 (b) 117 (c) 118 (a) 119 (b) 120 (a)
121 (d) 122 (b) 123 (c) 124 (a) 125 (d) 126 (a) 127 (a) 128 (d)
‡ NEET Special Types Questions
129 (a) 130 (b) 131 (d) 132 (b) 133 (d) 134 (a) 135 (a) 136 (a) 137 (c) 138 (a)
139 (d) 140 (c) 141 (c) 142 (c) 143 (a) 144 (d) 145 (d) 146 (c) 147 (b) 148 (d)
149 (d) 150 (c) 151 (d) 152 (d) 153 (b) 154 (d) 155 (d) 156 (d) 157 (d) 158 (d)
159 (d) 160 (b) 161 (a) 162 (c) 163 (d) 164 (c) 165 (d) 166 (c) 167 (c) 168 (d)
169 (d) 170 (b) 171 (a) 172 (c) 173 (d) 174 (a) 175 (a) 176 (b) 177 (b) 178 (a)
179 (b) 180 (b) 181 (b) 182 (a) 183 (a) 184 (c) 185 (c) 186 (b) 187 (b) 188 (c)
‡ NCERT Exemplar Questions
189 (c) 190 (d) 191 (c) 192 (a) 193 (b) 194 (d) 195 (b) 196 (b) 197 (c) 198 (b)
199 (a) 200 (a) 201 (b) 202 (d) 203 (a) 204 (a) 205 (c) 206 (c)
182
Answers & Explanations
4 (b) For a long time, it was believed that life came out of
decaying and rotting matter like straw mud, etc.
This was the theory of spontaneous generation.
Theory of spontaneous generation (abiogenesis or
autogenesis) states that, life originated from non-living
things in a spontaneous manner.
5 (a) Louis Pasteur with his swan neck experiment
disapproved once and for all the abiogenesis
(spontaneous generation) and powered the concept of
biogenesis (life originated from pre-existing one).
6 (c) Louis Pasteur by careful experimentation
demonstrated that life comes only from pre-existing life.
They showed that in pre-sterilised flasks, life did not
come from killed yeast, while in another flask open to
air, new living organisms arose from ‘killed yeast’.
7 (b) Oparin and Haldane proposed that the first form of
life could have come from pre-existing non-living
organic molecules (e.g. RNA, protein, etc.) and that
formation of life was preceded by chemical evolution,
i.e. formation of diverse organic molecules from
inorganic constituents.
9 (a) Option (a) is correct. Experimentally, the chemical
theory of evolution was performed by SL Miller and
HC Urey in 1953.
They created electric discharge in a closed flask
containing CH4 , H2 , NH3 and water vapours at 800° C.
They observed formation of amino acids. The ratio of
methane, ammonia and hydrogen in Miller’s experiment
was 2 : 1 : 2.
10 (d) Miller added four gases methane, ammonia,
hydrogen and water vapours in an air tight apparatus
and passed electrical discharges from electrodes at
800°C. After a week, he found a large number of simple
organic compounds including amino acids such as
alanine, glycine, aspartic acid. In similar experiments,
other scientists observed the formation of sugar,
nitrogen bases, pigments and fats.
17 (d) Based on observations made during a sea voyage in
a sail ship called HMS Beagle round the world, Charles
Darwin concluded that existing living forms share
similarities to varying degrees not only among
themselves but also with life forms that existed millions
of years ago. There has been gradual evolution of life
forms. A population has been built on variations, in
characteristics. Those characteristics which enable some
to survive better in natural conditions (climate, food,
physical factors, etc.) would outbreed others that are
less-endowed to survive under such natural conditions.
20 (a) Alfred Wallace (1823-1913) was a British
naturalist. He wrote an essay tittle ‘On the Tendencies
of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original
Type’. Wallace was the scientist who came to the
similar conclusions around the same time of Charles
Darwin.
Master The NCERT > Biology (Vol-II)
21 (a) Malay Archipelago is a group of islands visited by
Alfred Wallace. It is present in South-East Asia
between Australia and the Asian mainland and it
separates the Indian and Pacific oceans. It includes
Indonesia, the Philippines and the Malaysia.
24 (a) Fossils are the remains of hard parts of life-forms
found in rocks. These rocks form sediments and a
cross-section of earth’s crust indicates the arrangement
of sediments one over the other during the long history
of earth.
27 (d) Embryological support for evolution given by Ernst
Haeckel includes the presence of row of vestigial gill
slits in embryo of all vertebrates. This proposal was
disapproved by Karl Ernst von Baer who noted that
embryos never pass these gill slits to their the adult
stages. He proposed that embryos start from few basic
forms similarly in different animals and then develop
into branching patterns.
28 (c) The similarity of bone structure in the forelimbs of
many vertebrates is an example of homology. The
homologous organs have the same fundamental
structure, but are adapted to perform different functions,
e.g. forelimbs of man, cheetah, whale and bat.
29 (a) Option (a) represents correct example of convergent
and divergent evolution. Rest of the pairs are incorrect
and the correct information is as follows
Convergent evolution involves the independent
development of similar structures in organisms that are
not directly related. It is represented by analogous
organs, e.g. eyes of Octopus and mammals, wings of
insects and birds.
In divergent evolution, same basic organs are adapted
by organisms to perform different and specialised
functions. It is represented by homologous organs, e.g.
forelimbs of vertebrates (like seal’s flipper, bat’s wing,
cat’s paw, horse’s front leg and human hand), thorns of
Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita.
32 (d) Eyes of Octopus, bat and man are examples of
analogous organs which show convergent evolution.
Therefore, option (d) is incorrect.
Divergent evolution results in homologous structures.
These organs have the same fundamental structure but
are different in functions. Structural homology is seen
in brain, heart and forelimbs of man, bat and cheetah.
36 (b) The given diagram indicates homologous organs.
Whales, bats, cheetah and human (all mammals) share
similarities in the pattern of bones of forelimbs. In
plants, the thorns and tendrils of Bougainvillea and
Cucurbita, respectively represent homology.
38 (c) The analogous organs are not anatomically similar
structures but these perform similar functions. Hence,
analogous structures are a result of convergent
evolution, i.e. different structures evolving for the same
functions and hence, show similarity.
 The eyes of Octopus and eyes of cat are examples of
analogous organs. That have evolved due to the
convergent evolution.
39 (b) Convergent evolution refers to independent
evolution of similar features in species of different
periods in time. These features evolve in response to
common environmental abnormalities.
Thus, option (b) is correct.
41 (c) Biochemical similarities are based on the study of
similarities in protein and genes of organisms. These
biochemical similarities point towards same shared
ancestry as structural similarities among diverse
organisms.
42 (a) Change of lighter coloured variety of peppered
moths (Biston betularia) to darker variety in the
industrial area
occurred due to the selection of darker variety for
survival. It is an excellent example which supports the
theory of natural selection by Charles Darwin.
44 (d) Industrial melanism is an adaptation where the
moths living in the industrial areas developed melanin
pigments to match their body to the black soot (smoke)
covered surroundings. Before industrialisation, all
moths were white and were unnoticed from predatory
birds. After industrialisation, white moths were more
evidently visible and thus, picked up by birds. But
black moths escaped unnoticed, so they managed to
survive resulting in more population of black moths and
less population of white moths.
45 (c) Lichens are very sensitive to air pollution specially
to gas sulphur dioxide. Lichens are the symbiotic
association of algae and fungi. Generally, lichens are
not found in polluted industrial areas.
46 (b) Industrial melanism is the term used to describe the
evolutionary process in which darker moths came to be
predominate over the lighter moths, since the industrial
revolution in England in 1850s as a result of natural
selection.
48 (c) Evolution is not a direct process and is based on
chance events and chance mutations in organisms.
Thus, it is a discontinuous and stochastic process.
49 (b) Development of different functional structures from
a common ancestral form is called adaptive radiation.
The concept of adaptive radiation in evolution was
developed by HF Osborn in 1902. Homologous organs
show adaptive radiation.
53 (a) The diversity in the type of finches and adaptation
to different feeding habits on the Galapagos islands was
observed by Darwin. He provides an evidence of origin
of species by natural selection.
54 (c) Darwin explained that adaptive radiation gave rise
to the varieties of marsupials (pouched mammals) in
Australia by the same process of adaptive radiation as
found in the finches of Galapagos Islands.
60 (d) Lemur and spotted cuscus are not examples of
adaptive radiation. These are examples of convergent
evolution.
Rest of the pairs are examples of adaptive radiation.
61 (d) In Australia, marsupials and placental mammals
have evolved to share many similar characteristics. This
type of evolution is referred to as convergent evolution.
Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of
similar features in species of different lineages. For
example, a number of marsupials, each different from
the other evolved from an ancestral stock, but all within
the Australian Island continent. Also, marsupials in
Australia resemble placental mammals in the rest of the
world, they evolved in isolation after Australia separated
from other continents.
62 (c) Option (c) is correct.
Adaptive radiation occurs when a population of a
species invades a new area. It is because it provides the
organisms of the population a new habitat with plenty
of niche spaces. Darwin’s finches represent one of the
best examples of this phenomenon.
63 (a) Darwin’s fitness is related to and organism’s ability
to survive and reproduce better than the other members
of the species under abnormal environmental conditions.
64 (b) The organisms, which acquire or develop favourable
variations would survive because they are fittest to face
their surrounding, while unfit organisms are eliminated.
65 (b) Darwinian fitness can be estimated by the number
of offspring produced by different individuals in a
population. The organisms which bear favourable
variations in accordance to the environment have more
offspring than the others which do not have variations in
accordance with environment.
68 (c) Sexual selection is an example of natural selection
as it is the type of natural selection in which one sex is
preferred for certain characteristics by the individuals of
other sex.
Natural selection involves the selection of those animals
which are better adapted to an environment for
reproduction and growth (survival).
69 (d) Reproduction by sexual methods brings about
changes in genes of progeny. In genes of sexually
reproduced organisms, independent assortment of genes
and genetic recombination takes place. Due to these
events, the progeny have high rate of natural selection
than the asexually repoducing organisms.
70 (b) Darwin stated that the organic evolution is due to
the interspecific competition. It is the competition
between members of different species. Intraspecific
competition occurs amongst members of the same
species for obtaining optimum amounts of their food,
shelter, mate, water, light, etc.
72 (b) Natural selection theory of Darwin did not believe
in any role of discontinuous variation. Darwin called
these variations as sports, while Hugo de Vries used the
term mutation for these variations. These variations are
sudden heritable changes, which can occur in any stage
of development.
80 (a) Hugo de Vries proposed that the variations caused
by mutation are random and directionless. These are the
sudden, heritable changes in the genetic material and
these variations constitute the raw material for
 evolution. He also proposed that mutations play a key
role in speciation and used the term saltation for single
step large mutations.
81 (a) Hardy-Weinberg principle is applicable for allelic
frequency of non-evolving population under stable
conditions.
82 (b) Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele
frequencies remains constant from generation to
generation. This is called as genetic equilibrium.
85 (b) The frequency of homozygous dominant,
heterozygous and homozygous recessive individuals
would be 0.16 (AA); 0.48 (Aa); 0.36 (aa). The
frequencies are calculated as follows
Frequency of dominant allele (p) = 0.4 (given)
Frequency of recessive allele (q) = 1 − 0.4 = 0.6
Frequency of homozygous dominant individuals (AA) =
p 2 = (0.4)2 = 0.16
Frequency of heterozygous individual (Aa)= 2 pq
= 2 ( 0.4 ) ( 0.6 ) = 0.48
Frequency of homozygous recessive individual (aa)
= q 2 = ( 0.6 )2 = 0.36
87 (b) Hardy-Weinberg principle states that the allele
frequencies in a population are stable and remain
constant from generation to generation. This can be
expressed by the equation
p 2 + 2 pq + q 2 = 1 or ( p + q )2 = 1
where, p 2 represents frequency of homozygous
dominant genotype, 2 pq represents the frequency of
heterozygous genotype and q 2 represents the frequency
of homozygous recessive genotype.
Hence, option (b) is correct.
88 (d) The tendency of population to remain in genetic
equilibrium may be disturbed by lack of random mating.
When in a population allele or gene frequencies remain
same over generations, the population is said to be
non-evolving and in genetic equilibrium. This
equilibrium is disturbed by following factors, i.e.
mutation, gene flow, geneic drift, natural selection and
no random mating.
89 (a) Sometimes the change in allele frequency is so
different in the new sample of population that they
become a different species. The original drifted
population becomes the founder of new population and
the effect is called founder effect.
90 (a) Genetic drift is a drastic change in allele frequency
when population size is very small. Its effects are more
marked in a small isolated population.
93 (c) Option (c) represents the correct labellings and the
description is as follows
l
Stabilising selection (Balancing selection) This type of
selection favours average sized individuals, while
eliminates small sized individuals. It reduces variation
and hence, does not promote evolutionary changes.
Hence, it is given by Type I graph
l
Directional selection (Progressive selection) In this
selection, the population changes towards one particular
direction. It means this type of selection favours small
or large-sized individuals and more individuals of that
type will be present in new generation. The mean size of
the population changes. Hence, it is given by Type II
graph.
l
Disruptive selection (Diversifying selection) This type
of selection favours both small-sized and large-sized
individuals. It eliminates most of the members with
mean expression, so as to produce two peaks in the
distribution of the trait that may lead to the development
of two different populations. This kind of selection is
opposite of stabilising selection and is rare nature but is
very important in bringing about evolutionary changes.
Hence, it is given by Type III graph.
94 (b) Directional selection leads to change in the
phenotypic characters of a population in one direction. In
the case of artificial selection to obtain high milk yielding
cows, it is intentionally done to increase the milk
production, hence, it is directional. This is because only
high milk yielding cows are produced.
95 (c) Option (c) is correct. Albinism is an autosomal
recessive genetic disorder. It is given that frequency of
an albino in a population is 1 in 10,000, i.e. 0.0001.
According to Hardy-Weinberg law p 2 + q 2 + 2 pq = 1
Now, q 2 = 0.0001
q = 0.0001 = 0.01
Also, p + q = 1 So, p = 0.99
Hence, 2 pq = 2 × 0.01 × 0.99 = 0.02 or 2%
Accordingly, 2 individuals in 10000 will be carriers of
albinism.
96 (a) Allopatric speciation occurs when genetically
related populations inhabit widely separated
geographical area. The population becomes entirely
separated and finally constitutes a new species.
Formation of Darwin’s finches that formed separate
species in Galapagos islands is an example of allopatric
speciation.
97 (c) The pair in option (c) is incorrect and can be
corrected as follows.
First organisms that invaded land were supposed to be
plants and not single-celled animals.
Rest of the pairs are correct.
99 (d) Azoic means no life. It was the era which prevailed
during the origin of earth. At that time, there was no
hostile conditions for the survival of any living
organisms.
103 (c) Cenozoic era is also called the age of mammals. In
this era, the first mammals originated on earth.
105 (c) Archaeopteryx (Archlae –primitive; pteryx – wing )
is an extinct animal. It was found in the rocks of
Jurassic period. It was discovered by Andreas Wagnar
in 1861. It displayed the characters of both reptiles and
birds.
 111 (b) Option (b) represents the incorrectly matched pair.
Its corrected form is as follows
Tyrannosaurus rex was the biggest land reptile which
was about 20 feet in height and had huge dagger-like
teeth. Fish like reptile was Ichthyosaurus.
Rest of the pairs are correctly matched.
113 (b) In the quaternary period there were two epochs
l
Holocene including only modern humans.
l
Pleiostocene including ice age and various human
species.
115 (d) Option (d) represents the incorrectly matched pair.
It can be corrected as
Two mya Australopithecus probably lived in East
African grasslands. Evidences show that they hunted
with stone weapons but essentially ate fruits.
Rest of the pairs are correct.
119 (b) Neanderthal man with a brain size of 1400 cc lived
in near East and Central Asia, Europe and North Africa
between 10,00,00 to 40,000 years back. It had slightly
prognathus face, sloping forehead, eyebrow ridges,
smaller or no chin, large receding jaws, thick-boned
skull and high domed head.
120 (a) Homo erectus (Erect man) appeared about
1.7 million years ago in middle Pleiostocene.
Homo erectus was evolved from Homo habilis. He was
about 1.5-1.8 metres tall. He was the progenitor of two
main sub species Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man.
122 (b) Cro-Magnon man or Homo sapiens fossilis was
more intelligent than modern man. They were cave
dwellers having prominent chin and appeared after
Neanderthal man. The cranial capacity of Cro-Magnon
man was 1650 cm 3 and that of living modern man is
1450 cm 3 .
123 (c) The most significant trend in the evolution of
modern man is the increased brain capacity from the
ancestors. The first human being was the hominid,
called Homo habilis. Their brain capacity was between
650-800 cc.
126 (a) Homo sapiens arose in Africa and moved across
continents and developed into distinct races. During the
ice age between 75,000-10,000 years ago modern Homo
sapiens arose. Pre-historic cave art developed about
18,000 years ago. One such cave paintings by
Pre-historic humans can be seen at Bhimbetka rock
shelter in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
Agriculture came around 10,000 years back and human
settlements started.
127 (a) The chronological order of human evolution is as
follows
Ramapithecus (earliest hominid fossil about 14-15 mya)
↓
Australopithecus (first ape man about 2 mya)
↓
Homo habilis (tool maker handyman about 1.2-1.5 mya)
↓
Homo erectus (Erect man about 1.5 mya)
129 (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
Theory of chemical evolution states that life originated
from pre-existing non-living organic molecules and the
formation of life was preceded by chemical evolution.
The conditions on primitive earth which favoured
chemical evolution were high temperature (4800°C),
volcanic storms and a reducing atmosphere that
contained CH4 , NH3 , water vapours, etc.
130 (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is
not the correct explanation of Assertion.
The theory of special creation states that God created
life by his divine act of creation. This theory lacked
scientific evidences and thus was not accepted.
Theory of spontaneous generation states that life
originated from decaying and rotting matter like straw,
mud, etc. Louis Pasteur rejected the theory of
spontaneous generation and demonstrated that life came
from pre-existing life froms.
131 (d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true. Assertion can
be corrected as
Earth is about 4.5 billion years old. Primitive earth had
no atmosphere and contained water vapours,
CH4 , CO2 , NH3 . Life appeared 500 million years back
after the formation of earth.
132 (b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason
is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
Primitive earth was devoid of oxygen and hence, only
those organisms which were able to survive in
anaerobic condition developed. All those organisms
were heterotrophic. Later, after autotrophic organisms
developed, which used inorganic sources such as H2 S,
NH3 , CH4 as source of energy. These organisms were
called chemoautotrophs.
133 (d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true. Assertion can
be corrected as
Coacervates were aggregates of organic biomolecules
surrounded by film of water molecules. These lacked
definite membrane, but did exhibit some life like
characters. Microspheres were non-living collections of
organic macromolecules, double-layered and formed
from proteinoids, by heating a mixture of amino acids at
180°C.
134 (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
Ernst Haeckel supported the embryological similarities
as an evidence of evolution. He gave the biogenetic law,
‘Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny’ which states that an
organism repeats its ancestral history during its
development. The embryos of all vertebrates including
humans develop a row of vestigial gill slits which
degenerate and are absent in adult vertebrates.
135 (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
Darwin believed that the small and useful variations
make some species more adapted to the changing
environment than others.
 Out of heterogeneous population, nature selects the best
adaptative individuals, while less fit or unfit individuals
are rejected because they fail to survive and reproduce.
136 (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
Whales and mammals share similarities the pattern of
bones of forelimbs because these organs are
homologous organs and suggest occurrence of divergent
evolution. Homologous organs follow the basic plan of
organisation during development, but in adult stage,
they modified to perform different functions as an
adaptation to different environments.
137 (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false and it can be
corrected as
Divergent evolution gives rise to homology. Analogy
arises due to convergent evolution.
138 (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
Lichens are good pollution indicators. These do not
grow in areas that are polluted because these organisms
are sensitive to SO 2 gas present in polluted areas up to
great concentration.
139 (d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true. Assertion can
be corrected as
Lichens are the symbiotic relationship of algae and
fungi. These are good pollution indicators because these
are sensitive to SO2 levels in air.
140 (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false and can be
corrected as
Mutations are sudden changes which bring sudden
variations in organism.
141 (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false and can be
corrected as
If the gene migration happens multiple times, it is called
gene flow. Gene recombination occurs due to the
independent assortment of chromsomes, crossing over
during meiosis, random fusion of gametes and the
formation of new alleles.
142 (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false and can be
corrected as
Mutations lead to speciation and hence, Lamarck called
it saltation and proposed Lamarckism. Lamarckism was
rejected by August Weismann who proposed the theory
of continuity of germplasm.
Sudden inheritable changes take place in genome of an
organism due to certain factors called mutations.
143 (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
Among the primates, chimpanzee is the closest relative
of the present day humans. This is because the banding
pattern in the autosome number 3 and 6 of man and
chimpanzee is remarkably similar.
146 (c) The statement in option (c) is true regarding the
theory of natural selection. Other statements are
incorrect and can be corrected as
l
Lamarckism is the first theory of organic evolution.
l
Palaeontology explains the information derived from
fossils.
l
Modern synthetic theory of evolution explained the
concept of speciation.
147 (b) The statement in option (b) is incorrect for
Darwinism. It can be corrected as
Mutations are random and directionless, while
Darwinian variations are small and directional.
Evolution according to Darwin was a gradual process.
Rest of the statements are correct.
152 (d) Statement IV stands in favour of abiogenesis which
states that life originated from non-living matter.
Other statements are incorrect for biogenesis as these
statements support the theory of biogenesis.
153 (b) Statements I and V are correct representation of
homologous organs. Hands of man and wings of bat, as
well as forearm of humans and forelimbs of horses are
the examples of homology because these have same or
common origin (i.e. similarity in pattern of bones), but
have different functions.
Rest of the statements are incorrect and can be
corrected as
Wings of cockroach and wings of bats as well as wings
of birds and wings of butterfly are analogous organs.
154 (d) Statements II, III and IV are correct whereas I is
incorrect. Its correct form is as follows
Wings of insects and birds are analogous organs
because they perform the same function, but have
different origins.
155 (d) Statements II and III are incorrect and their
corrected forms are as follows
l
Natural selection includes variation.
l
Theory of natural selection was given by Charles
Darwin. This theory states that the variations which are
favourable to environment and inheritable are the major
cause of evolution.
Rest of the statements, i.e. statement I, IV and V are
correct.
156 (d) Statements I, II, III, IV and VI are correct, while
statement V is incorrect. Its corrected form is as follows
Genetic drift is the random change in the frequency of
alleles in a population over successive generation due to
the sampling error in gametes. It operates in small
populations.
157 (d) Statements I, II and III are true for genetic drift.
Statement IV is incorrect and can be corrected as
Migration rather than mutation is primary responsible
for genetic drift as it operates in small populations.
159 (d) Statements I, II and IV. But statement III is
incorrect and can be corrected as
Theory of acquired character was given by Lamarck
(also called Lamarckism). Mutational theory of
evolution was given by Hugo de Vries which states that
sudden inheritable change is the cause of evolution.
160 (b) Statements II and III are incorrect and can be
corrected as
l
Evolution is always considered as the appearance of
characters should also be transmitted to the offspring
otherwise the changes are lost.
l
Adaptive ability cannot be considered as evolution
because this ability may be temporary due to the
environmental changes.
Rest of the statements are correct.
161 (a) Statement I and II are correct conditions to determine
that two species are different. This can be explained as
Species are a group of interbreeding individuals
producing fertile offsprings. If two individuals fails to
follow this criteria they belongs to different species.
But members of a species can have different body colour
and appear morphologically slightly different. Therefore,
these criterias do not justify that two individuals are of
different species.
162 (c) Statements III and IV are correct for organic
evolution, while statements I and II are incorrect. It can be
corrected as
l
Homologous structures have the same embryonic origin
and basic structure, but they do not perform same
function, e.g. flipper of whale and wings of bat.
l
Analogous organs are the structures which are different in
their basic structure and developmental origin, e.g. wings
of butterfly and wings of bird.
167 (c) Statements I and IV are correct.
Mendel’s laws of inheritance and Weismann’s theory of
continuity of germplasm (1892) discarded Lamarck’s
concept of inheritance of acquired characters. These two
concepts gave the insight of inheritance pattern in
organisms and the mechanism inovled in it.
168 (d) According to modern theory of evolution, the five
factors involved in the process of organic evolution are as
mutations, genetic drift, gene migration (gene flow), gene
recombination and hybridisation.
Thus, statements I, II and III support the modern theory of
evolution.
169 (d) Statements I, II, IV and V are correct and statement
III is incorrect. It can be corrected as
Genetic drift is the random change in the allele frequency
caused by sampling error across generation in a definite
population. The consequences of genetic drift are not
predicted that is why it is called non-directional.
172 (c) Statements II and III are correct for natural selection.
Statement I is incorrect and it can be corrected as
Natural selection tends to increase the characters that
inturn increases the chances of survival and reproduction
of an organism.
174 (a) Statements II and IV are correct. Statements I and III
are incorrect and can be corrected as
l
Gene mutations are random changes in the bases of
sequences of genes.
l
Genetic drift is also called Sewall Wright effect.
177 (b) Statement IV is incorrect about Homo habilis. It
can be corrected as
Homo habilis had about 700 cc cranial capacity. Ape
man had about 500 cc cranial capacity.
Rest of the statements are correct.
178 (a) Statements III and IV are incorrect and can be
corrected as
l
Neanderthal man had a slightly prognathous face
(having a forward projecting face and jaws).
l
Cro-Magnon man is regarded as most recent ancestor
of today’s man.
Rest of the statements are correct.
189 (c) The theory of spontaneous generation stated that
life can arise from non-living things only. It is also
known as the theory of abiogenesis.
Louis Pasteur by careful experimentation disapproved
this theory and demonstrated that life arose from
living forms (pre-existing life).
190 (d) The primitive earth conditions include high
temperature, volcanic storms and reducing
environment containing methane ( CH4 ), ammonia
( NH3 ), hydrogen ( H2 ) and water ( H2 O ).
The Miller-Urey experiment tested for the occurrence
of chemical evolution by stimulating hypothetical
conditions present on early earth.
They ultimately found that a large number of simple
organic compounds including some amino acids such
as alanine, glycine and aspartic acid can be
synthesised as during chemical origin of life.
191 (c) Palaeontological evidences for evolution refer to
the evidences obtained from fossils. Fossils are the
preserved remains or traces of organisms from the
distant past. The study of fossils is called
Palaeontology.
Homologous and analogous organs provide evidences
for comparative anatomy and morphology.
192 (a) Fossils are generally found in sedimentary rocks,
which are formed by the gradual deposition of silt,
sand or calcium carbonate over millions of years in
regions such as lakes or sea.
During their formation, the dead animals are carried
to the sea or large lake, sink down and get burried in
the rocks. The animals, thus preserved in the rocks,
are converted into fossils.
193 (b) The bones of forelimbs of whale, bat, cheetah and
man are similar in structure, because they have a
common ancestor.
These are homologous organs which have different
functions across diverse forms, but are developed
along the same pattern. These organs arise due to
divergent evolution.
194 (d) Analogous organs arise due to the convergent
evolution. These organs have similar functions, but
are different in their structural details and origin, e.g.
wings of insect and bird.
195 (b) Lichens can be used as an atmospheric pollution
indicator. These do not grow in areas that are polluted,
as they are sensitive (especially phycobiont) to oxides
of nitrogen and sulphur hence, unable to synthesise
organic food and do not grow well.
197 (c) Appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an
example of pre-existing variation in the population.
When a bacterial population encounters a particular
antibiotic, those sensitive to it die. But some bacteria
having mutations become resistant to the antibiotic.
Soon, the resistance providing genes become
widespread and the entire population becomes
resistant to that particular antibiotic.
199 (a) Variations during mutations of meiotic
recombinations are random and directionless. Hugo de
Vries based on his work on evening primrose stated
that it is mutation, which causes sudden appearance of
variations that results in speciation.
He stated that mutations are sudden, heritable and
persistant in successive generation. He contradicted
Darwinian variations which are stated as small and
directional.
200 (a) (p + q) 2 = p 2 + 2 pq + q 2 = 1represents an
equation used in population genetics.
It is the mathematical representation of
‘Hardy-Weinberg principle’. This principle says that
allele frequencies in a population are stable and is
constant from generation to generation, i.e. the gene
pool remains a constant.
201 (b) Directional selection is observed in the moth, Biston
betularia during industrial melanism. Under this,
individuals at one end of the frequency distribution are
favoured and so more individuals of that type will be
present in the next generation.
202 (d) Evolution of life shows that life forms had a trend of
moving from water to land. The early vertebrates were
fishes (which lived in only water). Some fishes gradually
changed into amphibians (can live both on land and in
water). Certain amphibians then transformed into the
reptiles (live on land) some of the later finally evolved
into birds (can fly) and than mammals. Thus, showing
that life forms moved from water to land.
204 (a) The expected frequency of MN-blood group bearing
organisms is likely to be 42%. If the frequencies of M
and N alleles are 0.7 and 0.3, respectively, the frequency
of MN-blood group can be calculated as follows
Frequency of MN-blood group = 2 pq
= 2 × 0.7 × 0.3
= 0. 42 or 42%
205 (c) Viviparity is considered to be more evolved because
the youngs ones are protected inside the mother’s body
and are looked after once they are born, leading to more
chances of survival, e.g. mammals.
However, in oviparity, the female lays fertilised /
unfertilised eggs covered by a hard calcareous shell in a
safe place in the environment. The chances of survival
are less as the young ones are left on their own.