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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Wynne-Edwards believe about birth rates?
(a) Individuals might purposefully reduce birth rates for the good of the species.
(b) Birth rates are controlled by a combination of species and individual needs.
(c) Species might regulate birth rates for individuals.
(d) Birth rates will always increase unless environmental factors intervene.

2. What does Dawkins say that evolution is about?
(a) The good of an individual gene.
(b) The good of a particular DNA combination.
(c) The good of an individual person.
(d) The good of a species.

3. What hazard does the author identify in killing a rival?
(a) The rival will no longer be able to cooperate to protect against enemies.
(b) The attacker might be ostracized for killing the rival.
(c) Others might try to revenge the rival.
(d) A stronger rival might take the rival's place.

4. Can a gene change it's strategy for survival?
(a) Yes, genes modify their strategy by chaning the proteins they form.
(b) No, genes can only create the protein they are formed to generate.
(c) No, genes only predict a likely strategy and are stuck with it.
(d) Yes, genes modify themselves to try new strategies.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to female mice as the population rises to unacceptable limits?

2. What would molecules that grouped and built protective walls around themselves become?

3. What did scientists do to test the genes that controlled bee behavior?

4. In Dawkins' example, why might a child try to get extra food, to the detriment of brothers and sisters?

5. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, what represents a gene?

(see the answer key)

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