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Question 1
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
42% (02:32) correct
58%
(02:39) wrong
based on 128
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
87% (00:54) correct 13%
(01:16) wrong
based on 125
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
77% (00:58) correct 23%
(01:25) wrong
based on 116
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Biologists have focused on two major theories to explain the evolution of species. The first, Darwinian evolution, is commonly summarized as “survival of the fittest.” That is, genes are inherited from generation to generation. Those with the genes that make them better suited to live than their competitors, survive to have a higher probability of surviving to pass their genes on. In this idea, genes are immutable and are set in stone by birth. The second theory, Lamarckian evolution, was a competing theory back when Darwin was writing his treatise, On the Origin of Species. The Lamarckian theory states that individuals of each species can change their traits to fit their environment over the course of their own lifetime, suggesting the possibility of modification of genes.
Giraffes seem to be one of the most commonly used animals when describing Lamarckian evolution because it was argued that giraffe’s necks grow longer as the result of their stretching to the treetops for food. This proposed stretching meant that every following generation would have the length of their parents’ stretched necks. So, while the biologists realize that the attempt to explain long necks in giraffes is Darwinian, there is a surprising resurgence of Lamarckian evolution theory.
This Lamarckian renaissance comes from studies done on how genes are turned on and off. It has been seen that, in some cases, genes turned off in parents can stay turned off in their offspring. This field of gene usage is called epigenetics because it involves genes but not necessarily their nucleic acid construction. So, if a gene were useful in a particular environment, for instance, extreme cold or famine, it would be turned on. Some of these on/off decisions can be inherited from one’s parents. The actual nucleic acid sequence of the gene does not change, but its usage is modified.
While both the theories are crucial in explaining evolution and advances are being made to fully understand the extent of their implication, biologists today, having come across countless examples of Darwinian evolution selecting for a pre-established sequence of genes, as well as examples of Lamarckian evolution selecting for the usage of specific genes as required, conclude that parts of both theories are significant in explaining evolution.
Giraffes seem to be one of the most commonly used animals when describing Lamarckian evolution because it was argued that giraffe’s necks grow longer as the result of their stretching to the treetops for food. This proposed stretching meant that every following generation would have the length of their parents’ stretched necks. So, while the biologists realize that the attempt to explain long necks in giraffes is Darwinian, there is a surprising resurgence of Lamarckian evolution theory.
This Lamarckian renaissance comes from studies done on how genes are turned on and off. It has been seen that, in some cases, genes turned off in parents can stay turned off in their offspring. This field of gene usage is called epigenetics because it involves genes but not necessarily their nucleic acid construction. So, if a gene were useful in a particular environment, for instance, extreme cold or famine, it would be turned on. Some of these on/off decisions can be inherited from one’s parents. The actual nucleic acid sequence of the gene does not change, but its usage is modified.
While both the theories are crucial in explaining evolution and advances are being made to fully understand the extent of their implication, biologists today, having come across countless examples of Darwinian evolution selecting for a pre-established sequence of genes, as well as examples of Lamarckian evolution selecting for the usage of specific genes as required, conclude that parts of both theories are significant in explaining evolution.
1. The biologists referred to in the highlighted text are most likely to justify the attempt to explain long necks in giraffes as Darwinian if
A. individual giraffes stretch their necks to the treetops, thus changing their traits to fit their environment
B. every generation of giraffes inherits the length of their parents’ stretched necks
C. without the genes that allow stretching of their necks to the treetops for food, giraffes would not be able to survive their environment
D. subsequent generation of giraffes alter nucleic acid sequence of their genes
E. the nucleic acid construction of giraffe's genes allows stretching of necks
A. individual giraffes stretch their necks to the treetops, thus changing their traits to fit their environment
B. every generation of giraffes inherits the length of their parents’ stretched necks
C. without the genes that allow stretching of their necks to the treetops for food, giraffes would not be able to survive their environment
D. subsequent generation of giraffes alter nucleic acid sequence of their genes
E. the nucleic acid construction of giraffe's genes allows stretching of necks
2. According to the passage, which of the following is not true about the turning on and off of genes?
A. Species living in a particular environment have the genes useful in that environment turned on.
B. Turning on and off of genes does not alter the nucleic acid sequence of the genes.
C. Studies done on how genes are turned on and off support Lamarckian evolution theory.
D. Some on-off configurations of genes can be passed on to offspring from parents.
E. Species with all genes turned on have a better chance of survival than other species.
A. Species living in a particular environment have the genes useful in that environment turned on.
B. Turning on and off of genes does not alter the nucleic acid sequence of the genes.
C. Studies done on how genes are turned on and off support Lamarckian evolution theory.
D. Some on-off configurations of genes can be passed on to offspring from parents.
E. Species with all genes turned on have a better chance of survival than other species.
3. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the second paragraph and the fourth paragraph?
A. The second paragraph makes a claim that is refuted in the fourth paragraph.
B. The second paragraph indicates an exception while the fourth paragraph mentions the necessity to further understand the exception.
C. The second paragraph provides an example in support of a conclusion made in the fourth paragraph.
D. The fourth paragraph provides an explanation to a problem cited in the second paragraph.
E. The fourth paragraph provides an example in support of a concern raised in the second paragraph.
A. The second paragraph makes a claim that is refuted in the fourth paragraph.
B. The second paragraph indicates an exception while the fourth paragraph mentions the necessity to further understand the exception.
C. The second paragraph provides an example in support of a conclusion made in the fourth paragraph.
D. The fourth paragraph provides an explanation to a problem cited in the second paragraph.
E. The fourth paragraph provides an example in support of a concern raised in the second paragraph.
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15 Feb 2026, 06:45
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ExpertsGlobal5
Mind-map
To introduce two major, contrasting theories of evolution (Paragraph 1)
To indicate an example of overlap between the two theories (Paragraph 2)
To explain how genes are turned on and off, according to the second theory (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that parts of both theories are significant in explaining evolution (Paragraph 4)
= = = = = = = = = =
1. The biologists referred to in the highlighted text are most likely to justify the attempt to explain long necks in giraffes as Darwinian if
a. individual giraffes stretch their necks to the treetops, thus changing their traits to fit their environment
b. every generation of giraffes inherits the length of their parents’ stretched necks
c. without the genes that allow stretching of their necks to the treetops for food, giraffes would not be able to survive their environment
d. subsequent generation of giraffes alter nucleic acid sequence of their genes
e. the nucleic acid construction of giraffe's genes allows stretching of necks
Question Type: Inference
C is the best choice.
2. According to the passage, which of the following is not true about the turning on and off of genes?
a. Species living in a particular environment have the genes useful in that environment turned on.
b. Turning on and off of genes does not alter the nucleic acid sequence of the genes.
c. Studies done on how genes are turned on and off support Lamarckian evolution theory.
d. Some on-off configurations of genes can be passed on to offspring from parents.
e. Species with all genes turned on have a better chance of survival than other species.
Question Type: Fact
E is the best choice.
3. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the second paragraph and the fourth paragraph?
a. The second paragraph makes a claim that is refuted in the fourth paragraph.
b. The second paragraph indicates an exception while the fourth paragraph mentions the necessity to further understand the exception.
c. The second paragraph provides an example in support of a conclusion made in the fourth paragraph.
d. The fourth paragraph provides an explanation to a problem cited in the second paragraph.
e. The fourth paragraph provides an example in support of a concern raised in the second paragraph.
Question Type: Structure
C is the best choice.
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