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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 9.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When a cell creates a sperm cell or egg cell with reduced DNA, what is the process called?
(a) Mitosis.
(b) Plasmosis.
(c) Meiosis.
(d) Alleles.

2. What is the smallest unit that is reproduced and carried on through natural selection?
(a) A chromosome.
(b) A cell.
(c) A gene.
(d) A DNA strand.

3. What does Trivers look at breeding as?
(a) A goal of existence.
(b) A war between the sexes.
(c) A race with time.
(d) A careful calculation based on resources.

4. What does Dawkins compare point mutation to?
(a) A misprint on a book.
(b) A stray mark on a photocopy.
(c) A misspoken word.
(d) A card getting shuffled into the wrong deck.

5. According to Dawkins, how common is it for males to help raise the young?
(a) It occurs in nature, but is not always the case.
(b) It never occurs in nature.
(c) It is the most likely scenario, with some exceptions.
(d) It always happens to some extent.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the relatedness calculations in the book, is a child more closely related to a sibling or an uncle?

2. What does Dawkins describe some female birds demanding from males?

3. According to the relatedness calculations in the book, how related is a person to him- or herself?

4. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how does he describe the creation of new DNA by sexual reproduction?

5. Why might mates favor offspring over their mate, according to Dawkins?

(see the answer key)

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