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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When a cell creates a sperm cell or egg cell with reduced DNA, what is the process called?
(a) Meiosis.
(b) Plasmosis.
(c) Mitosis.
(d) Alleles.

2. How does Darwin characterize the idea that the goal of evolution is for a species to survive, so individuals will take actions that are good for the species?
(a) As a reasonable alternative hypothesis.
(b) As fundamental to evolution.
(c) As unscientific.
(d) As probable.

3. How many nucleotide chains are in DNA?
(a) Four.
(b) Two.
(c) Five.
(d) Three.

4. How does Dawkins define communication?
(a) A gene behavior that helps one group of genes survive by influencing the behavior of another.
(b) A gene behavior that allows cooperation between multiple gene machines.
(c) A learned behavior that is founded in genetic behaviors linking multiple gene machines.
(d) A mutually learned behavior resulting from genetic behaviors that help groups of gene machines maintain cohesiveness.

5. What does the Watt Governor machine regulate?
(a) How fast its arms spin.
(b) How hot it becomes.
(c) How high it rises.
(d) How heavy it becomes.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, is the machine created by the instructions beneficial or dangerous?

2. Why does the author use the word "apparently" to describe selfish or unselfish behavior?

3. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, what do the instructions make?

4. What game, played by computers, does Dawkins use as an example of things that can happen automatically based on rules?

5. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, what represents a gene?

(see the answer key)

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