BIO 112 Test 6 Homework
An ecological niche A - is the same thing as a habitat. B - is formed by the physical environment only. C - depends on the weather. D - is a constantly changing place. E - cannot be shared by two species.
E - cannot be shared by two species.
Fleas on a dog are an example of A - predators. B - parasites. C - hosts. D - mutualists. E - prey.
B - parasites.
In the figure below, the members of the pack of grey wolves are ______. (picture of wolf pack eating moose) A - saprophytes B - parasites C - predators D - competitors
C - predators
Which of the following species is most likely to undergo exponential growth? A - Algae in a pond in the Midwest United States B - Algae in a pond in Florida C - A herd of buffalo D - Migrating birds
A - Algae in a pond in the Midwest United States
A population of birds migrating to winter nesting grounds is blown off course by a late-season hurricane and ends up on an island that is uninhabited by any animal species. Which of the following represents a density-independent factor that will limit the population size? A - Nightly temperature dropping below freezing B - Heavily wooded C - Freshwater spring D - Abundant fruit trees E - Abundant berry bushes
A - Nightly temperature dropping below freezing
Birds follow a herd of water buffalo to catch insects that are disturbed as the large herbivores walk through the grass. When large predators are near, the birds fly into the air and make warning calls. Who are the birds warning? A - The water buffalo, so they can avoid attack B - Other birds, who also catch insects stirred up by the water buffalo C - The water buffalo's prey, because they need to escape D - Their competitors E - The predators, so they know their prey, the water buffalo, is near
A - The water buffalo, so they can avoid attack
Why is the poison arrow frog brightly colored in a forest that is mainly green? A - To warn predators that it is poisonous B - To signal to the opposite sex that it is ready to mate C - To designate its territory D - To warn prey that it is a fierce predator
A - To warn predators that it is poisonous
In areas that have a stable population, the number of children born in a period of time is A - approximately equal to the number of adults. B - higher than the number of adults. C - lower than the number of adults. D - increasing. E - decreasing.
A - approximately equal to the number of adults.
In ________, the interaction between two species harms both of them. A - competition B - parasitism C - mutualism D - coevolution E - symbiosis
A - competition
A population size will remain stable if A - environmental resistance declines each year. the birth and death rates are equal, as are the rates of emigration and immigration. B - the number of births each year is constant and the birth rate is higher than the death rate. C - the rate of emigration is higher than the rate of immigration. D - the population grows by a fixed percentage of its size each year.
A - environmental resistance declines each year. the birth and death rates are equal, as are the rates of emigration and immigration.
This figure is the age structure diagram of a(n) ______ population. A - expanding B - stable C - shrinking D - developed country's
A - expanding
A human population will most likely grow exponentially if each woman ______. A - has three children when she is in her teens B - has four children when she is in her twenties C - has five children when she is in her thirties D - has six children when she is in her forties
A - has three children when she is in her teens
A random population distribution A - is rare. B - allows predators to hunt more effectively. C - is found only in plants. D - occurs when resources are evenly spaced. E - is an advantage in avoiding predators.
A - is rare.
A climax community will have __________ community interactions than as a community undergoing secondary succession. A - more B - about the same C - fewer D - far fewer
A - more
Many plants are mycorrhizal: Their roots are infected with a specialized fungus. The plant supplies carbon to the fungus, and the fungus supplies nutrients to the plant. The relationship between these plants and the mycorrhizal fungi is an example of a ________ association. A - mutualistic B - parasitic C - successional D - predator -prey E - competitive
A - mutualistic
To determine the number of individuals added to a population during a given time, multiply the growth rate (r) by the A - original population size. B - environmental resistance. C - biotic potential. D - final population size. E - number of immigrants.
A - original population size.
If a caterpillar eats all of the seedlings in your garden, killing all of them, the caterpillar is acting as a A - predator. B - competitor. C - density-independent factor. D - saprophyte. E - parasite.
A - predator.
Under what conditions does competition occur between individuals of the same or different species? A - when they attempt to use the same limited resources, particularly energy, nutrients, or space B - when resources are partitioned C - when there is competition between a predator and prey D - only when available resources are limited
A - when they attempt to use the same limited resources, particularly energy, nutrients, or space
If a population of 100 birds increases to 120 birds in a year, what is the value of r? A - 1.2 B - 0.20 C - 0.16 D - 2 E - 20
B - 0.20
What is the annual growth rate of a population of 10,000 sea turtles if there are 500 deaths and 1,500 births per year? A - 5% B - 10% C - 15% D - 20%
B - 10%
How do species with similar requirements coexist? A - Each encompasses a larger niche than they do when alone. B - Each encompasses a smaller niche than they do when alone. C - One outcompetes the other and the lesser adapted species dies off. D - Both become extinct.
B - Each encompasses a smaller niche than they do when alone.
Why do most "late-loss" organisms live to old age? A - Each individual has many offspring, which are not protected by their parents early in life. B - Each individual has few offspring, which are protected by their parents early in life. C - Members of the population produce many offspring with short generation times. D - The population has a fairly constant death rate.
B - Each individual has few offspring, which are protected by their parents early in life.
What kind of competition occurs between two different species in a community? A - Intraspecific competition B - Interspecific competition C - Scramble competition D - Contest competition
B - Interspecific competition
Which behavioral response to the threat of predation is most likely to be selected for in a species that uses camouflage for protection from predators? A - A quick escape response B - Motionless behavior C - Behavior that mimics the behavior of the predator D - Sudden display to startle the predator E - Cooperative behavior
B - Motionless behavior
A late-loss survivorship curve is characteristic of which organism? A - Bacteria B - Mountain sheep C - Birds D - Flies
B - Mountain sheep
Birds follow a herd of water buffalo to catch insects that are disturbed as the large herbivores walk through the grass. When large predators are near, the birds fly into the air and make warning calls. What is the ecological relationship between the birds and the herbivores called? A - Predation B - Mutualism C - Competition D - Resource partitioning E - Parasitism
B - Mutualism
Harmless king snakes mimic the color patterns of venomous coral snakes, which serve as models. If avoidance were based solely on prior predator experience with the model, what do you predict would happen in areas where coral snakes were never present? A - Predators would initially attack and eat king snakes but soon learn to avoid them. B - Predators would attack and eat king snakes. C - Predators would avoid king snakes. D - Predators would initially avoid king snakes but soon learn to attack and eat them. E - No predictions can be made based on the information given.
B - Predators would attack and eat king snakes.
What ecological process causes a lake to change into a marsh over a long period of time? A - Eutrophication B - Succession C - Extinction D - Coevolution E - Competitive exclusion
B - Succession
Which of the following is a characteristic of a climax community? A - It is undergoing recurring disturbances. B - The climax community perpetuates itself. C - It is composed almost entirely of pioneer species. D - This community is entirely abiotic.
B - The climax community perpetuates itself.
Why is it advantageous for a parasite NOT to kill its host? A - To produce disease B - To live off the host for as long as possible C - To allow another organism to kill the host D - To eliminate the need to search for another host
B - To live off the host for as long as possible
Which of the following is an important density-independent factor limiting population size? A - Quantity of food B - Weather C - Competition D - Predation E - Environmental resistance
B - Weather
The process by which two interacting species act as agents of natural selection on one another is called A - symbiosis. B - coevolution C - parasitism. D - mutualism. E - mimicry.
B - coevolution
If most of the individuals of a species die when they are young, that species exhibits a(n) ________ survivorship curve. A - late-loss B - early-loss C - declining D - S-shaped E - constant-loss
B - early-loss
Members of the same species of green sea turtle compete for sea jellies off the coast of Maui. The turtles are exhibiting ______. A - interspecific competition B - intraspecific competition C - density-independent interactions D - scramble competition
B - intraspecific competition
In a population of lemmings, a sudden freeze that caused many of the lemmings to die is an example of a A - normal boom-and-bust cycle. B - nonliving and density-independent factor. C - living and density-independent factor. D - nonliving and density-dependent factor. E - living and density-dependent factor.
B - nonliving and density-independent factor.
Exponential growth occurs A - at regular intervals in natural populations. B - only for a limited time in natural populations. C - frequently in natural populations. D - only in theory, never in actual populations. E - only in laboratory populations.
B - only for a limited time in natural populations.
Mosquitoes are A - predators. B - parasites. C - hosts. D - mutualists. E - prey.
B - parasites.
A herd of wild bison living in Yellowstone National Park is an example of a(n) ______. A - species B - population C - community D - ecosystem
B - population
Which of the following is an example of resource partitioning? A - Coevolution B - related species of finches of the Galapagos Islands C - a moth whose color and shape resemble a bird dropping D - both bats and moths with wings E - predator and prey relationships
B - related species of finches of the Galapagos Islands
What evolutionary adaptation occurs when species with similar ecological niches coexist and compete? A - population size reduction B - resource partitioning C - loss of physical and behavioral adaptations D - predation
B - resource partitioning
The concept that two species cannot occupy the same ecological niche at the same time is called A - predation. B - the competitive exclusion principle. C - coevolution. D - succession. E - mutualism.
B - the competitive exclusion principle.
Big black spots on the tail of a moth or a snake head caterpillar are used to ______. A - provide camouflage to hide from predators and enable sneak attacks on prey B - trick predators into thinking it has larger eyes than it really does and is thus larger in size C - signify poisonous or distasteful content D - alert the opposite sex it is ready to mate
B - trick predators into thinking it has larger eyes than it really does and is thus larger in size
How will a population of butterfly fish respond to a decline in the anemone population on which they prey? The butterfly fish population ______. A - will decrease immediately B - will decrease after awhile C - will not change. The butterfly fish will eat something else D - will increase after awhile
B - will decrease after awhile
For a sea turtle population of 10,000 with an annual growth rate of 10%, what is the population growth during the first year? A - 10 B - 100 C - 1,000 D - 1,100
C - 1,000
To support the world population at the same standard of living as we have in the United States would require ________ times the resources that are available on Earth today. A - 20 B - 10 C - 5 D - 1.5 E - 2
C - 5
Ornithologists visiting an island find two species of birds that appear nearly identical except for bill size. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for their discovery? A - Mutations have resulted in an inferior species with defective bills. B - They are not separate species. C - Coevolution of the two species has resulted in resource partitioning between the species. D - There is natural random variability. E - The birds need camouflage for protection from predators.
C - Coevolution of the two species has resulted in resource partitioning between the species.
What is a reason for allowing fire to burn a forest or a prairie? A - A climax community would rapidly develop after the fire. B - Different species assemble after the fire. C - Fire allows and even encourages rapid regeneration of communities. D - The abiotic structure would be significantly changed by the fire.
C - Fire allows and even encourages rapid regeneration of communities.
Why does a natural disturbance favor the process of succession? A - It kills off all of the invasive species, leaving only native species. B - It allows for secondary succession to occur because the seeds that are left behind colonize quickly. C - It often leaves behind favorable conditions that allow for the rapid growth of new species. D - It saves the climax community and destroys the less evolved species.
C - It often leaves behind favorable conditions that allow for the rapid growth of new species.
After a forested area such as a national forest is clear-cut, what type of succession occurs? A - Primary B - Subclimax C - Secondary D - Biome E - Climax
C - Secondary
Based on the competitive exclusion principle, what would happen if two organisms shared the same or almost the same niche? A - Both would share a larger niche than they would alone. B - Both would share a smaller niche than they would alone. C - The less adjusted species would struggle and eventually die out. D - One would change habitats to completely eliminate competition.
C - The less adjusted species would struggle and eventually die out.
What does "ecology" mean? A - The study of natural processes B - The study of all members of a particular species that live within an ecosystem C - The study of interrelationships between the biotic and abiotic components of an environment D - The study of all interacting populations of organisms
C - The study of interrelationships between the biotic and abiotic components of an environment
Why do many non-native species, such as a prickly pear cactus brought to Australia from South America, rapidly become abundant when first introduced? A - Growth changes from an S-curve to a J-curve at the new site. B - The climate in the new site is more favorable than in its native site. C - There are fewer predators and parasites capable of attacking the non-native species in the new site. D - Non-native species increase their reproductive rate when introduced. E - The carrying capacity at the new site is higher than that at the native site.
C - There are fewer predators and parasites capable of attacking the non-native species in the new site.
How do trees in a deciduous forest deal with the density-independent factor of seasonal change? A - They generate a natural antifreeze within their thin, waxy, needlelike leaves to prevent freezing during winter. B - They speed up their metabolism to generate more heat during winter. C - They drop their leaves and go through a period of dormancy during winter. D - They produce thicker bark during winter to hold more heat in their core.
C - They drop their leaves and go through a period of dormancy during winter.
A species that plays a major role in determining the structure of its ecological community is A - a predator. B - a dominator species. C - a keystone species. D - the species with the largest size. E - the most abundant species in the community.
C - a keystone species.
What is a repeating population growth pattern of rapid population growth followed by sudden, massive die-offs called? A - growth rate B - exponential growth C - boom-and-bust cycle D - logistic population growth
C - boom-and-bust cycle
An insect population grows exponentially until an early winter freeze kills almost all the insects. The next spring the population grows exponentially again. This type of population growth is called A - density-independent growth. B - sustained cycling. C - boom-and-bust cycles. D - density-dependent growth. E - S-curve growth.
C - boom-and-bust cycles.
Horses are herbivores that eat grass, which is hard to break down because it contains silicon. Horses have evolved the kind of teeth they need to chew grass. This relationship is an example of ______. A - symbiosis B - mutualism C - coevolution D - mutation
C - coevolution
What process has provided the predator, the mountain lion, with tearing teeth and claws and its prey, the fawn, with dappled spots that serve as camouflage? A - mimicry B - the competitive exclusion principle C - coevolution D - intraspecific competition E - carnivorous food gathering
C - coevolution
The bison, grizzly bear, moose, bighorn sheep, boreal toad, sandhill crane, monkeyflower, and prickly pear cactus living in Yellowstone Park are an example of a(n) ______. A - species B - population C - community D - ecosystem
C - community
Two species that have a high degree of niche overlap will A - split into two separate species. B - be in a predator-prey relationship. C - compete intensely. D - coexist peacefully. E - interbreed.
C - compete intensely.
Elephants in a rain forest clear out new growth from a gap created when a large tree falls. The nutrient-rich elephant feces help establish a heartier species of plant in this clearing. The elephants play the role of the ______. A - host B - parasite C - keystone species D - disturbance
C - keystone species
Environmental resistance is A - limits imposed on population growth by only the living environment (e.g., predators or competitors). B - a factor that decreases both death rates and birth rates. C - limits imposed on population growth by both the living and nonliving environments. D - a factor that increases both death rates and birth rates. limits imposed on population growth by only the nonliving environment.
C - limits imposed on population growth by both the living and nonliving environments.
In the figure, what would be the population responses of the two Paramecium species if they were grown together and the food supply and living space were doubled? A - They would coexist indefinitely. B - P. aurelia would have a larger population. C - P. caudatum would have a larger population. D - P. caudatum would die off.
D - P. caudatum would die off.
Which of the following factors does NOT influence biotic potential? A - The length of the organism's reproductive life span B - The frequency at which reproduction occurs C - The death rate of individuals under ideal conditions D - The number of members in a population
D - The number of members in a population
A blob-shaped frogfish sits perfectly still on a reef. It is waiting for its prey to lunge for the bait dangling from a fishing pole off its forehead. This is an example of ______. A - commensalism B - warning coloration C - Batesian mimicry D - aggressive mimicry
D - aggressive mimicry
If you find a brightly colored insect resting on a dead leaf, the insect is likely to A - be prey for birds. B - have aggressive mimicry. C - have startle coloration. D - be poisonous or distasteful. E - be camouflaged.
D - be poisonous or distasteful.
If a population has great biotic potential, doubling in size every year, it will exhibit ______. A - an S-shaped curve B - a J-shaped curve C - exponential growth D - both B and C
D - both B and C
A predator might use ________ to enable it to catch its prey. A - symbiosis B - coevolution C - warning coloration D - camouflage E - startle coloration
D - camouflage
The sand dab blends in with the sandy bottom of the ocean to conceal itself from its predators and prey. This is an example of _______. A - commensalism B - warning coloration C - mimicry D - camouflage
D - camouflage
Trees often produce secondary chemicals to deter herbivores from feeding on their leaves; in turn, many herbivores have developed ways of avoiding or detoxifying these chemicals. This is an example of A - parasite predation. B - parasitic evolution. C - competitive exclusion. D - coevolution. E - predatory avoidance.
D - coevolution.
If the individuals of a species are likely to live until old age, that species exhibits a(n) ________ survivorship curve. A - S-shaped B - early-loss C - declining D - late-loss E - constant-loss
D - late-loss
The first community that forms on bare rock often has organisms such as A - herbs and conifers. B - woody shrubs and conifers. C - grasses and weeds. D - lichens and mosses. E - broad-leaf trees and conifers.
D - lichens and mosses.
On a reef, cleaner wrasse will set up a cleaning station where larger fish will line up to have the wrasses gently pick off dead skin and parasites. The sabertooth blenny, which looks almost exactly like the wrasses, will bite off chunks of flesh, or even eyeballs, of the fish being serviced. This is an example of ______. A - commensalism B - warning coloration C - mutualism D - mimicry
D - mimicry
Succession that begins on bare rock after glaciers have passed, or on newly formed volcanic islands, is A - secondary. B - pioneer. C - allogenic. D - primary. E - autogenic.
D - primary.
Two families of feral cats move into the same barn. One family preys on the mice; the other preys on the pigeons. This behavior is an example of A - ecosystem profile. B - mutualism. C - parasitism. D - resource partitioning. E - interspecific competition.
D - resource partitioning.
Two species of buttercup are found in the same field in South Dakota, but they emerge at different times: One species emerges and flowers in early spring, and the other species does not emerge until late summer, after the first species has set seed. This is an example of A - niche fragmentation. B - niche realignment. C - intraspecific competition. D - resource partitioning. E - habitat fragmentation.
D - resource partitioning.
An effective, bright, and very distinct color pattern that a prey species can display suddenly to scare a predator is called A - camouflage. B - modeling. C - aggressive mimicry. D - startle coloration. E - mimicry.
D - startle coloration.
When a population has inhabited an area for a long time and the population size has stabilized, then A - density dependence is clearly not involved in the population growth. B - density-independent factors are involved. C - the environmental resistance declines. D - the carrying capacity of the area has been reached. E - predation decreases.
D - the carrying capacity of the area has been reached.
Developing countries tend to have a(n) ________ age structure diagram. A - rectangular B - round C - square D - triangular-shaped E - inverted-triangle-shaped
D - triangular-shaped
What might cause a uniform population distribution? A - The need for a group to care for its offspring B - Scarce resources C - The need to find a mate D - The need to hunt in a group E - Competition for resources
E - Competition for resources
Plants called legumes have chambers in their roots that house nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria get both a place to live and energy while supplying nitrogen to a plant. What is this ecological relationship called? A - Parasitism B - Competition C - Predation D - Succession E - Mutualism
E - Mutualism
A population of rabbits introduced into an island grew rapidly for a few years and then the growth slowed down and stabilized. Why did the population become stable? A - The rate of immigration declined. B - Environmental resistance declined. C - The value of r decreased. D - A bust cycle was about to begin. E - The carrying capacity was reached.
E - The carrying capacity was reached.
Why is the African elephant considered a keystone species? A - Elephant populations are larger than the populations of any other organisms in their community. B - Elephants live in large cooperative herds that dominate other smaller groups within the community. C - It is the largest organism in its community. D - Elephants eat more food than any other species in their community. E - The removal of elephants from their community would result in drastic changes in the ecological structure of the community.
E - The removal of elephants from their community would result in drastic changes in the ecological structure of the community.
What event will lead to succession of plants and animals in a community? A - resource partitioning B - mimicry C - coevolution D - parasitism E - an ecological disturbance
E - an ecological disturbance
In countries that have large numbers of children under age 15, the population is A - able to expand its carrying capacity. B - becoming smaller. C - staying the same. D - hard to predict. E - becoming larger.
E - becoming larger.
Which of the following becomes more important as the population density increases? A - climate B - fire C - density-independent factors D - pesticides and pollutants E - density-dependent factors, such as nutrients, energy and space
E - density-dependent factors, such as nutrients, energy and space
A species that is a mimic will most likely A - produce chemicals that deter predators. B - produce "smoke screens." C - resemble its surroundings. D - use bright colors to warn that it is harmful. E - have a behavior similar to that of a more toxic species.
E - have a behavior similar to that of a more toxic species.
If an insect eats the lettuce seedlings in your yard, it is acting most like a(n) A - omnivore. B - host. C - carnivore. D - mutualist. E - herbivore.
E - herbivore.
Environmental resistance may limit the size of populations by A - decreasing death rates and/or increasing birth rates. B - changing the biotic potential. C - decreasing both birth and death rates. D - increasing both birth and death rates. E - increasing death rates and/or decreasing birth rates.
E - increasing death rates and/or decreasing birth rates.
A storm strips an island in Lake Superior down to bare rock. The first organisms to recolonize the island are most likely A - junipers. B - balsam firs. C - yarrow. D - blueberries. E - lichens.
E - lichens.
Competition between the members of two species is A - least intense between similar species and is referred to as interspecific. B - very common and is referred to as intraspecific. C - always very intense and is referred to as intraspecific. D - unusual and is referred to as interspecific. E - most intense when the species are most similar and is referred to as interspecific.
E - most intense when the species are most similar and is referred to as interspecific.
An example of ________ is when birds feed on parasitic insects that they pick off the skin of large animals such as elephants or bison. A - competition B - predation C - parasitism D - resource partitioning E - mutualism
E - mutualism
Clownfish live within the tentacles of sea anemones. The anemone protects the fish from predators, and the clownfish cleans the anemone. This relationship is an example of A - parasitism. B - predation. C - succession. D - competition. E - mutualism.
E - mutualism.
Exponential growth occurs when A - the biotic potential decreases each year. B - the rate of emigration is higher than the rate of immigration. C - the number of births each year is constant and the birth rate is higher than the death rate. D - environmental resistance declines each year. E - the population grows by a fixed percentage of its size each year.
E - the population grows by a fixed percentage of its size each year.
