Evolution

Evolution MDCAT MCQs with answers

79 past paper MCQs from Biology unit 7, Evolution, across 3 topics. They are arranged topic by topic; bigger topics show a sample here and link to their full set and to study notes. Tap “Show answer” for the correct option and a short solution.

Practise as a quiz

Concept of Evolution

1.For an evolutionary process to occur, which of the following is NOT a geographical barrier? (MDCAT 2022)

  1. ocean
  2. river
  3. mountains
  4. atmosphere
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Correct answer: (d) atmosphere

The atmosphere is continuous over the whole earth, so it separates no two populations.

2.According to the biogenetic law of Ernst Haeckel: (MDCAT 2022)

  1. there is survival of the fittest
  2. there is use and disuse of organs
  3. phylogeny recapitulates ontogeny
  4. ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny
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Correct answer: (d) ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny

Haeckel held that an embryo passes through the stages of its ancestry as it develops.

3.According to evolutionary studies, prokaryotes may have arisen around: (MDCAT 2023)

  1. 2.5 billion years ago
  2. 3.5 billion years ago
  3. 4.5 billion years ago
  4. 5.5 billion years ago
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Correct answer: (b) 3.5 billion years ago

The oldest fossil bacteria are about 3.5 billion years old.

All 28 Concept of Evolution MCQs → Concept of Evolution notes →

Lamarckism

4.Adaptations that an organism acquires by its own actions during its life span, without modifying its genome, are: (MDCAT 2022)

  1. heritable
  2. non-heritable
  3. able to be made heritable through some modification
  4. sometimes heritable and other times non-heritable
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Correct answer: (b) non-heritable

Nothing is passed on unless the genes change, which is where Lamarck's account fails.

5.The idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics was presented by: (MDCAT 2024)

  1. Jean Baptiste Lamarck
  2. Charles Darwin
  3. Thomas Malthus
  4. Alfred Wallace
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Correct answer: (a) Jean Baptiste Lamarck

Lamarck held that what an organism gained in its lifetime passed to its offspring.

6.Which of the following best describes "acquired characteristics" according to Lamarckism? (UHS MDCAT 2025)

  1. Traits caused by mutation
  2. Traits inherited from parents
  3. Traits developed by use or disuse
  4. Traits selected by nature
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Correct answer: (c) Traits developed by use or disuse

Lamarck held that an organ grows with use and wastes with disuse, and that the change is passed on.

All 16 Lamarckism MCQs → Lamarckism notes →

Darwinism

7.The finches of the Galapagos Islands resemble species living on the: (MDCAT 2022)

  1. northern Europe
  2. Great Britain
  3. North American mainland
  4. South American mainland
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Correct answer: (d) South American mainland

They descend from South American birds that reached the islands, which is why Darwin found the resemblance telling.

8.Which of the following is the main point of Darwinism? (MDCAT 2023)

  1. overproduction
  2. variation
  3. disuse of organs
  4. perceived unity of life
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Correct answer: (b) variation

Natural selection needs heritable variation to act on, and that is the heart of Darwin's argument.

9.Which of the following statements about natural selection is not true? (MDCAT 2024)

  1. it acts on variations that are heritable
  2. it is selected by a breeder
  3. it can improve the adaptation of a species
  4. it is regional in nature
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Correct answer: (b) it is selected by a breeder

Selection by a breeder is artificial selection; natural selection is done by the environment.

All 35 Darwinism MCQs → Darwinism notes →

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