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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 8.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What would happen to an early molecule that made many more copies of itself than other molecules made of themselves?
(a) There would be a greater chance of copies of it surviving.
(b) There would be a lower chance of copies of it surviving.
(c) There would be fewer copies that were similar to the original.
(d) There would be too many copies identical to the original, and they would mutually destruct.

2. How does a mother protecting a child promote the selfish gene theory?
(a) The mother is repurposing selfish genes to protect the child.
(b) The child carries many of the same genes as the mother.
(c) The mother is extending selfish behavior to new situations.
(d) The child will later protect the mother in turn.

3. What would competition between early self-copying molecules be over?
(a) Gaseous molecules.
(b) Building-block molecules.
(c) Water.
(d) Space.

4. Do gulls recognize their own eggs and chicks?
(a) Gulls recognize their chicks but not their eggs.
(b) Gulls recognize their chicks and eggs.
(c) Gulls recognize their eggs but not their chicks.
(d) Gulls recognize neither their chicks nor their eggs.

5. How common are genes that cause altruistic behaviors in nature?
(a) They are vast majority of genes.
(b) They are nonexistent.
(c) They are extremely rare.
(d) They are pretty common.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Dawkins define communication?

2. What is the name of the bee disease that Dawkins mentions in his example?

3. What is a recessive gene?

4. What happens to animals that tend to lose in fights?

5. According to Dawkins, how might a gene that normally does something selfish end in doing something unselfish?

(see the answer key)

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