Macroevolution refers to

Answer: Large-scale evolutionary patterns above the species level (origins of major clades, mass extinctions, evolutionary trends) Macroevolution operates over geological time, producing the diversity of life. Microevolution operates within populations.

Punctuated equilibrium describes

Answer: Long periods of evolutionary stasis interrupted by rapid bursts of change (often coinciding with speciation events) Eldredge & Gould's model — explains gaps in the fossil record by punctuated bursts of change rather than gradualism.

Coevolution between predators and prey can produce

Answer: Reciprocal adaptations — improved hunting in predators, improved escape in prey ('arms race') Each species' evolution is a selection pressure on the other, leading to ongoing reciprocal adaptation.

AP Biology · Topic 7.8

Continuing Evolution Practice

Part of Natural Selection.(EVO-1.H)

Practice questions

Want a predicted score for the whole AP BIO exam? Take the 20-question diagnostic and Lumi will plan the rest.

Take diagnosticarrow_forward Practice all 7.8

Sample questions

3 of 3 — sign in to practice the rest with adaptive difficulty and mastery tracking.

Sample 1difficulty 2/5
$Macroevolution refers to$
- A
  $Large-scale evolutionary patterns above the species level (origins of major clades, mass extinctions, evolutionary trends)$
  check_circle
- B
  $Small-scale shifts in allele frequencies within a single population (microevolution driven by selection or drift)$
- C
  $Short-term phenotypic plasticity in individuals responding to local environmental conditions during their lifetimes$
- D
  $Random mutational changes at the gene level that occur within isolated breeding populations of one species$
Why
$Macroevolution operates over geological time, producing the diversity of life. Microevolution operates within populations.$
View full solution & statsarrow_forward
Sample 2difficulty 3/5
$Punctuated equilibrium describes$
- A
  $Complete absence of evolutionary change maintained across all time periods (often coinciding with stasis events)$
- B
  $Continuous, gradual evolutionary change accumulating slowly across long time periods (typical of anagenesis)$
- C
  $Sudden mass extinction events eliminating most lineages over short time periods (often coinciding with bottleneck events)$
- D
  $Long periods of evolutionary stasis interrupted by rapid bursts of change (often coinciding with speciation events)$
  check_circle
Why
$Eldredge & Gould's model — explains gaps in the fossil record by punctuated bursts of change rather than gradualism.$
View full solution & statsarrow_forward
Sample 3difficulty 3/5
$Coevolution between predators and prey can produce$
- A
  $Independent adaptations — improved foraging in predators, improved growth in prey ('parallel race')$
- B
  $Mutualistic adaptations — improved cooperation in predators and prey ('partnership race')$
- C
  $Reciprocal adaptations — improved hunting in predators, improved escape in prey ('arms race')$
  check_circle
- D
  $Convergent adaptations — similar traits in predators and prey due to shared environments$
Why
$Each species' evolution is a selection pressure on the other, leading to ongoing reciprocal adaptation.$
View full solution & statsarrow_forward

Predict my AP scorearrow_forward