AP Biology Reading Guide

CHAPTER 23: The Evolution of Populations

Directions
1) Before you read the chapter, decide whether you think each statement is true or false. Circle your
choice. If you are uncertain, write in a question mark and circle it.
2) As you read the chapter, identify whether each statement is true or false according to what you
have read. Circle the answer and note the evidence in complete sentences.
3) Was your thinking changed or reinforced by what you read? If so, in what way?
4) Be prepared to share your answers with the class.

Before Statement After

Reading Reading
True 1. The modern synthesis integrates Mendelian genetics with the Darwinian theory of True
False evolution by natural selection and focuses on individuals as the basic unit of False
evolution.
Evidence:

True 2. A population, a localized group of organisms that all belong to the same species, True
False is united by its gene pool, the aggregate of half of the alleles in the population. False
Evidence:

True 3. Although many populations approximate Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the True

False equilibrium in its strictest applies only if the population is small, mating is non- False
random, mutation is negligible, there is no gene flow from other populations, and all
individuals have unequal reproductive success.
Evidence:

True 4. New genes and alleles originate only by mutation. Most mutations increase True
False adaptation. False
Evidence:
True 5. Genetic recombination between sexually reproducing organisms produces most of True
False the variation in traits that make adaptation possible. False
Evidence:

True 6. Differential success in reproduction results in certain alleles being passed to the True
False next generation in greater proportions than others. False
Evidence:

True 7. Chance fluctuations in allele frequencies from generation to generation tend to True
False reduce genetic variance in populations. False
Evidence:

True 8. Genetic exchange between populations tends to reduce differences between True
False populations over time. False
Evidence:

True 9. Genetic variation includes variation among individuals within a population in True
False discrete and quantitative characters, as well as geographic variation between False
populations.
Evidence:

True 10. One organism has a greater relative fitness than another if it leaves fewer True
False descendants. Selection favors certain genotypes in a population by acting on the False
phenotypes of individual organisms. Natural selection can favor relatively rare
 individuals at one end of the phenotype range (stabilizing selection), can favor
individuals at both extremes of the range rather than intermediate phenotypes
(directional selection), or can act against extreme phenotypes (disruptive selection).
Evidence:

True 11. Diploidy maintains a reservoir of concealed recessive variation in heterozygotes. True
False Balanced polymorphism may maintain variation at some gene loci as a result of False
heterozygote advantage or frequency dependent selection.

Evidence:

True 12. Sexual selection leads to the evolution of secondary sex characteristics, which True
False can give individuals a disadvantage in mating. False
Evidence:

True 13. Enhanced disease resistance based on genetic variation is one possible True
False explanation for the persistence of sexual reproduction despite its lesser reproductive False
output compare to asexual reproduction.
Evidence:

True 14. Structures result from modified ancestral anatomy: adaptations are often perfect True
False solutions; the gene pool can be affected by genetic drift; and natural selection can False
act only on available variation.

Evidence: