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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Dawkins define communication?
(a) A mutually learned behavior resulting from genetic behaviors that help groups of gene machines maintain cohesiveness.
(b) A gene behavior that helps one group of genes survive by influencing the behavior of another.
(c) A learned behavior that is founded in genetic behaviors linking multiple gene machines.
(d) A gene behavior that allows cooperation between multiple gene machines.

2. What is the most stable result of the specific ESS simulation Dawkins describes?
(a) A 7:5 mixture of two kinds of behavior.
(b) A 1:1 mixture of two kinds of behavior.
(c) A 3:2 mixture of two kinds of behavior.
(d) A 1:4 mixture of two kinds of behavior.

3. If two genes normally cooperate, what happens when one gene is missing?
(a) The other gene still has an effect, but the total result is not the same.
(b) The other gene still causes the same total result but intermittently.
(c) The other gene no longer has any effect.
(d) The other gene still causes the same total result.

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

5. What behavior does the author cite about how elephant seals relate to rivals?
(a) Elephant seals steal mates away from the strongest rival.
(b) Elephant seals wait for the strongest rival to die or become too old.
(c) Elephant seals group together to attack the strongest rival.
(d) Elephant seals kill increasingly difficult rivals until they are killed.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Dawkins argue for communication being selfish?

2. How does Darwin characterize the idea that the goal of evolution is for a species to survive, so individuals will take actions that are good for the species?

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

4. What shape does the author say water molecules in space make?

5. What does Dawkins compare point mutation to?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Dawkins' argument for why cannibalism is very rare.

2. In war of attrition scenarios, what is the best bet for individual behavior, according to Dawkins' reports?

3. What does Dawkins say that the book will tell about the argument of nature versus nurture?

4. How does Dawkins view whether fidelity is important to evolution?

5. Explain why Dawkins speculates that cannibalism might make sense within his selfish gene theory.

6. What does Dawkins have to say about the phrase "to ensure the survival of the species?"

7. What examples does Dawkins give of humanity's valuation of its own species?

8. What are the main actions living organisms do, as gene machines?

9. Describe "crossing over."

10. How does Dawkins say that DNA differs from blueprints for making a building?

(see the answer keys)

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