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

2. What apparently selfish act of gulls does the author describe?
(a) "Ditching" the rest of the flock when a predator is spotted.
(b) Eating others' baby chicks.
(c) Fighting for fish.
(d) Stealing another gull's nest.

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

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

5. According to Dawkins, are mistakes in fidelity good or bad?
(a) They are usually good, but sometimes bad.
(b) They are neither good nor bad.
(c) They are always bad.
(d) They are always good.

Short Answer Questions

1. What would not have existed in early oceans, that would have allowed amino acids and proteins to exist for long periods of time, to slowly develop into more complex forms?

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

3. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how does he describe the creation of new DNA by sexual reproduction?

4. In Dawkins' discussion, what does he consider alleles to be, relative to genes?

5. Does the author believe that genetically inherited traits cannot be changed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the behavior of chains of atoms in human blood, as Dawkins describes it.

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

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

4. Explain what a prober-retaliator is.

5. What results in variety in Dawkins' view of early self-copying molecules?

6. What two ways does Dawkins picture that the first self-copying molecule might copy itself?

7. What does Dawkins say would be a natural extension of valuing one's own species more than other species?

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

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

10. How are the beginning and end of genes in DNA marked?

(see the answer keys)

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