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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What two opposites does Dawkins say he is examining the biology of?
(a) Rationality and emotionalism.
(b) Self-centeredness and other-centeredness.
(c) Individuality and community.
(d) Selfishness and altruism.

2. What fundamental question does Dawkins want to consider?
(a) Why do genes exist?
(b) Why does DNA exist?
(c) Why do molecules exist?
(d) Why do people exist?

3. According to Dawkins, how might a gene that normally does something selfish end in doing something unselfish?
(a) The selfish behavior might be modified by external influences.
(b) The selfish behavior, combined with other genes' behaviors, might create an unselfish-seeming behavior.
(c) The gene might change its role because of negative response to the selfish behavior.
(d) The selfish behavior gene cannot end in doing something unselfish.

4. To what does Dawkins compare ESS conclusions about individual behaviors within a species?
(a) DNA development within chromosomes.
(b) Cell development within an organ.
(c) Species behavior within an ecosystem.
(d) Gene development within DNA.

5. What does Dawkins say readers can think of DNA as?
(a) A set of general guidelines.
(b) A set of plans.
(c) A computer controling the body.
(d) A dictatorial ruler.

6. Why does Dawkins say kind or cooperative behavior arises?
(a) Because it promotes the good of the whole species.
(b) Because other kind or cooperative behavior promotes it.
(c) Because it allows a gene to achieve a selfish goal.
(d) Because other factors besides natural selection are in play.

7. What does Dawkins point out about antelopes' herd behavior?
(a) The herd behavior is not an adaptation.
(b) The herd behavior sacrifices an individual for the species survival.
(c) The herd behavior is fot the good of the species.
(d) The herd behavior gives indidivuals a better chance of survival.

8. What is the name of the bee disease that Dawkins mentions in his example?
(a) Sac brood.
(b) Stone brood.
(c) Foul brood.
(d) Chalk brood.

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

10. What almost always happens when copies of things are made, according to Dawkins?
(a) An overabundance of copies.
(b) Confusion between copies and originals.
(c) Mistakes in the copies.
(d) Conflict between the copies.

11. When a cell divides to make a new cell with identical DNA, what is the process called?
(a) Mitosis.
(b) Alleles.
(c) Plasmosis.
(d) Meiosis.

12. What happens in inversion?
(a) A nucleotide is inserted backwards in DNA.
(b) Chromosomes are inserted backwards in a cell nucleus.
(c) DNA is inserted backwards in a chromosome.
(d) A gene is inserted backwards on a strand of DNA.

13. In early reproducing molecules, what is the measure of "success"?
(a) That there are more copies of the molecule, whether they are accurate or not.
(b) That there are more chemical reactions that can use the molecule.
(c) That there are fewer ways for the molecule to be destroyed.
(d) That there are more molecules around that are like the molecule.

14. How does the author define intelligent life?
(a) As life that creates lasting communications.
(b) As life that tries to define itself.
(c) As life that distinguishes itself from other life.
(d) As life that asks where it came from.

15. In Dawkins' discussion, what does he consider alleles to be, relative to genes?
(a) Immaterial extras.
(b) Understudies.
(c) Rivals.
(d) Cooperative partners.

Short Answer Questions

1. How would the results differ if the goal were the success of the group?

2. Why does the author use the word "apparently" to describe selfish or unselfish behavior?

3. What apparently unselfish behavior of small birds does the author describe?

4. What does Dawkins suggest fooling certain genes into thinking the body is younger might do?

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

(see the answer keys)

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