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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, what does the bookshelf represent?
(a) A strand of DNA.
(b) A cell nucleus.
(c) A single cell.
(d) A chromosome.

2. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how many books are on the bookshelf?
(a) Thirty-two.
(b) Fifty-four.
(c) Twenty-three.
(d) Forty-six.

3. What apparently unselfish behavior of small birds does the author describe?
(a) Protecting another bird's eggs.
(b) Bringing excess food to others in the flock.
(c) Drawing the attention of a hawk to itself and away from the flock.
(d) Staying awake to warn the flock of approaching predators.

4. What example of the type of valued human behavior that perhaps influences people to believe in group selection does Dawkins give?
(a) Volunteering for community service.
(b) Asking people to go to war to protect their country.
(c) Getting a job to beneift one's family.
(d) Giving to a charitable organization to prevent world hunger.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dawkins say readers can think of DNA as?

2. What apparently selfish act of the praying mantis does the author describe?

3. Why does Dawkins say kind or cooperative behavior arises?

4. What does longevity provide to an early molecule, according to Dawkins?

5. What does Dawkins say points to the idea that all living things come from the same types of early molecules?

(see the answer key)

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