Evolution - Questions with Explanations (NEET Level)
1. 1. Who proposed the theory of natural selection?
A. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
B. Charles Darwin
C. Alfred Wallace
D. Hugo de Vries
Answer: B. Charles Darwin
Explanation: Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection in his book 'On the Origin of
Species' (1859), explaining how species evolve over time through survival and reproduction of
the fittest.
2. 2. Which molecule was absent in the atmosphere at the time of origin of life?
A. Oxygen
B. Hydrogen
C. Water vapor
D. Methane
Answer: A. Oxygen
Explanation: The primitive atmosphere was reducing in nature and lacked free oxygen. Oxygen
appeared later due to photosynthetic organisms.
3. 3. Which of the following is NOT a vestigial organ in humans?
A. Appendix
B. Wisdom teeth
C. Coccyx
D. Liver
Answer: D. Liver
Explanation: The liver is a vital organ with many functions. Vestigial organs are those that
have lost their original function.
4. 4. Industrial melanism is an example of:
A. Genetic drift
B. Mutation
C. Natural selection
D. Artificial selection
Answer: C. Natural selection
Explanation: Industrial melanism in peppered moths shows how environmental changes
(pollution) favor certain traits (dark color), demonstrating natural selection.
5. 5. Which principle states that allele frequencies remain constant from generation to
generation?
A. Natural selection
B. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
C. Genetic drift
D. Mutation theory
Answer: B. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Explanation: The Hardy-Weinberg principle describes a stable gene pool under certain
conditions with no evolutionary influences.
6. 6. The evolutionary history of an organism is known as:
A. Ontogeny
B. Phylogeny
C. Anatomy
D. Embryology
Answer: B. Phylogeny
Explanation: Phylogeny is the evolutionary lineage or history of a species or group of related
organisms.
7. 7. Which of the following is a postzygotic barrier to reproduction?
A. Habitat isolation
B. Temporal isolation
C. Gametic incompatibility
D. Hybrid sterility
Answer: D. Hybrid sterility
Explanation: Postzygotic barriers occur after fertilization. Hybrid sterility means the offspring
is infertile (e.g., mule).
8. 8. Adaptive radiation is best illustrated by:
A. Darwin’s finches
B. Human evolution
C. Cattle breeding
D. Fossil records
Answer: A. Darwin’s finches
Explanation: Darwin’s finches evolved into different species from a common ancestor,
adapting to different ecological niches.
9. 9. Which gas was most likely abundant in the early Earth's atmosphere?
A. O₂
B. CO₂
C. N₂
D. O₃
Answer: B. CO₂
Explanation: CO₂, CH₄, NH₃, and H₂O vapor were abundant in the early reducing atmosphere;
free oxygen was absent.
10. 10. Genetic drift is more significant in:
A. Large populations
B. Small populations
C. Migrating populations
D. Stable populations
Answer: B. Small populations
Explanation: Random changes in allele frequency (genetic drift) have a stronger effect in small
populations due to chance events.
11. 11. Which of the following evidences support organic evolution?
A. Homologous organs
B. Analogous organs
C. Both A and B
D. None
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Homologous organs suggest common ancestry; analogous organs show
convergent evolution, both support evolutionary theory.
12. 12. Lamarck’s theory of evolution is also called:
A. Mutation theory
B. Theory of natural selection
C. Theory of acquired characteristics
D. Synthetic theory
Answer: C. Theory of acquired characteristics
Explanation: Lamarck proposed that traits acquired during a lifetime can be inherited, which
was later disproved.
13. 13. Which is the correct human evolution sequence?
A. Homo erectus → Homo habilis → Homo sapiens
B. Australopithecus → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Homo sapiens
C. Homo habilis → Australopithecus → Homo sapiens
D. Homo erectus → Australopithecus → Homo sapiens
Answer: B. Australopithecus → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Homo sapiens
Explanation: This sequence reflects the widely accepted order of human evolution based on
fossil evidence.
14. 14. Which scientist disproved spontaneous generation using a swan-neck flask
experiment?
A. Louis Pasteur
B. Oparin
C. Haldane
D. Miller
Answer: A. Louis Pasteur
Explanation: Pasteur demonstrated that life does not arise from non-living matter
spontaneously, supporting biogenesis.
15. 15. Which structure is analogous to the wings of birds?
A. Forelimbs of humans
B. Wings of insects
C. Flippers of whales
D. Legs of reptiles
Answer: B. Wings of insects
Explanation: Analogous organs have similar functions but different evolutionary origins, like
bird and insect wings.
16. 16. The first life forms were:
A. Eukaryotic autotrophs
B. Prokaryotic autotrophs
C. Prokaryotic heterotrophs
D. Eukaryotic heterotrophs
Answer: C. Prokaryotic heterotrophs
Explanation: The first organisms were anaerobic, heterotrophic prokaryotes capable of
absorbing nutrients from surroundings.
17. 17. What does p² represent in Hardy-Weinberg equation?
A. Frequency of dominant allele
B. Frequency of recessive allele
C. Frequency of homozygous dominant genotype
D. Frequency of heterozygous genotype
Answer: C. Frequency of homozygous dominant genotype
Explanation: In p² + 2pq + q² = 1, p² represents homozygous dominant individuals, 2pq
heterozygous, and q² homozygous recessive.
18. 18. Which is a molecular evidence of evolution?
A. Vestigial organs
B. Homologous organs
C. Fossils
D. Similar proteins in related species
Answer: D. Similar proteins in related species
Explanation: Molecular similarities, like DNA or protein sequences, suggest common ancestry
and are strong evidence for evolution.
19. 19. Mutation theory was proposed by:
A. Darwin
B. Lamarck
C. Hugo de Vries
D. Haeckel
Answer: C. Hugo de Vries
Explanation: Hugo de Vries proposed that evolution occurs through sudden large changes
(mutations), which was partially correct.
20. 20. Which of these causes evolution as per Darwin?
A. Use and disuse
B. Mutation
C. Natural selection
D. Sudden changes
Answer: C. Natural selection
Explanation: Darwin emphasized gradual changes in populations driven by environmental
selection pressures.
