Science Assessment

Assessments

About

FAQ

Publications

References

Log In | Register

Evolution
    Evolution and Natural Selection
            Genetic variation results from mutations and allele shuffling during reproduction, which leads to variation in p…

Item EH051001: Gene mutations and recombination of genes contribute to new heritable traits in a population.

add to
my item bank

Which of the following are mechanisms that contribute to new heritable traits in a population?

  1. Gene mutations and natural selection
  2. Gene mutations and recombination of genes
  3. Recombination of genes and natural selection
  4. Recombination of genes, gene mutations, and natural selection 

Pre-Test

Distribution of responses (prior to studying evolution in high school)
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 580		 6–8
n = 25		 9–12
n = 514		 Male
n = 254		 Female
n = 286		 English
n = 526		 Other
n = 13
A. Gene mutations and natural selection 21% 20% 21% 20% 21% 22% 8%
B. Gene mutations and recombination of genes 21% 16% 21% 22% 20% 21% 23%
C. Recombination of genes and natural selection 17% 24% 17% 20% 14% 17% 31%
D. Recombination of genes, gene mutations, and natural selection  41% 40% 41% 37% 45% 41% 38%

Post-Test (Control)

Distribution of responses (following typical high school instruction on evolution)
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 255		 6–8
n = 15		 9–12
n = 195		 Male
n = 97		 Female
n = 119		 English
n = 205		 Other
n = 6
A. Gene mutations and natural selection 28% 27% 27% 33% 23% 27% 17%
B. Gene mutations and recombination of genes 19% 33% 19% 21% 18% 20% 17%
C. Recombination of genes and natural selection 13% 0% 16% 13% 15% 14% 17%
D. Recombination of genes, gene mutations, and natural selection  40% 40% 38% 33% 44% 39% 50%

Post-Test (Treatment)

Distribution of responses (following completion of an evolution curriculum module)
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 301		 6–8
n = 8		 9–12
n = 274		 Male
n = 134		 Female
n = 150		 English
n = 274		 Other
n = 9
A. Gene mutations and natural selection 21% 0% 21% 24% 19% 21% 0%
B. Gene mutations and recombination of genes 15% 13% 16% 16% 15% 16% 11%
C. Recombination of genes and natural selection 10% 25% 9% 13% 7% 9% 22%
D. Recombination of genes, gene mutations, and natural selection  54% 63% 55% 47% 59% 54% 67%