Prepare for the Dental Admissions Test with our comprehensive quiz! Enhance your knowledge with multiple choice questions designed to simulate the actual DAT experience, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Ace your dental school application!

Practice this question and more.


What is the characteristic of speciation occurring in a uniform progression over time?

  1. Punctuated equilibrium

  2. Adaptive radiation

  3. Gradualism

  4. Hybrid speciation

The correct answer is: Gradualism

Gradualism is the characteristic of speciation occurring in a uniform progression over time. This means that evolutionary changes happen slowly and steadily over a long period, without significant sudden changes. Punctuated equilibrium, on the other hand, describes rapid bursts of change followed by long periods of stability. Adaptive radiation refers to the diversification of a group of organisms into different forms to adapt to different environments. Hybrid speciation involves the mating of two different species to create a new hybrid species.