Bio Exam4 (27, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) [tbd]

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In the figure above, which of the following survivorship curves most applies to humans living in developed countries? A) curve A B) curve B C) curve C D) curve A or curve B

curve A

In the figure above, which of the following survivorship curves applies to most plant species? A) curve A B) curve B C) curve C

curve C

Which level of ecological study focuses the most on abiotic factors? A) speciation ecology B) population ecology C) community ecology D) ecosystem ecology

ecosystem ecology

Diagram of a food web (arrows represent energy flow and letters represent species) If the figure above represents a terrestrial food web, the combined biomass of C + D would probably be _____. A) greater than the biomass of A B) greater than the biomass of B C) less than the biomass of A + B D) less than the biomass of E

less than the biomass of A + B

The figure above represents the dynamics of _____. A) metapopulations B) extinction C) emigration D) both extinction and emigration

metapopulations

To recycle nutrients, an ecosystem must have, at a minimum, _____. A) producers B) producers and decomposers C) producers, primary consumers, and decomposers D) producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers

producers and decomposers

The goal of restoration ecology is to _____. A) replace a ruined ecosystem with a more suitable ecosystem for that area B) return degraded ecosystems to a more natural state C) manage competition between species in human-altered ecosystems D) prevent further degradation by protecting an area with park status

return degraded ecosystems to a more natural state

Wetlands are standing bodies of freshwater, just like lakes and ponds. However, wetlands are different from lakes and ponds because wetlands have _____. A) emergent vegetation B) oxygen-poor water C) shallow water and emergent vegetation D) emergent vegetation and oxygen-poor water

shallow water and emergent vegetation

In this eight-year experiment, twelve populations of E. coli, each begun from a single cell, were grown in low-glucose conditions for 20,000 generations. Each culture was introduced to fresh growth medium every twenty-four hours. Occasionally, samples were removed from the populations, and their fitness in low-glucose conditions was tested against that of members sampled from the ancestral (common ancestor) E. coli population. E. coli cells typically make most of their ATP by metabolizing glucose. Under the conditions of this experiment, as time passed, E. coli generation times should be _____. A) the same as in the typical environment B) faster than in the typical environment C) slower than in the typical environment

slower than in the typical environment

The sea slug Pteraeolidia ianthina (P. ianthina) can harbor living dinoflagellates (photosynthetic protists) in its skin. These endosymbiotic dinoflagellates reproduce quickly enough to maintain their populations. Low populations do not affect the sea slugs very much, but high populations (> 5 x 105 cells/mg of sea slug protein) can promote sea slug survival. Percent of sea slug respiratory carbon demand provided by indwelling dinoflagellates. If we assume that carbon is the sole nutrient needed by sea slugs to drive their cellular respiration, then based on the graph, during which season(s) is it LEAST necessary for P. ianthina to act as a chemoheterotroph? A) winter B) spring C) summer D) fall

summer

The main reason polar regions are cooler than the equator is that _____. A) sunlight strikes the poles at a lower angle B) the poles are farther from the sun C) the polar atmosphere is thinner and contains fewer greenhouse gases D) the poles are permanently tilted away from the sun

sunlight strikes the poles at a lower angle

Besides sunlight, which would be the next most important climatic factors for terrestrial plants? A) wind and fire B) moisture and wind C) temperature and wind D) temperature and moisture

temperature and moisture

Which of the following has the greatest effect on the rate of chemical cycling in an ecosystem? A) the ecosystem's rate of primary production B) the production efficiency of the ecosystem's consumers C) the rate of decomposition in the ecosystem D) the trophic efficiency of the ecosystem

the rate of decomposition in the ecosystem

Which of the following is an example of a commensalism? A) fungi residing in plant roots, such as endomycorrhizae B) bacteria fixing nitrogen in plants C) rancher ants that protect aphids in exchange for sugar-rich honeydew D) cattle egrets eating insects stirred up by grazing bison

cattle egrets eating insects stirred up by grazing bison

Locating new nature preserves in biodiversity hot spots may not necessarily the best choice because _____. A) hot spots are situated in remote areas not accessible to the public B) their ecological importance makes land purchase very expensive C) a hot spot helps conserve only a few species D) changing environmental conditions may shift the location of the communities

changing environmental conditions may shift the location of the communities

The figure below depicts changes to the amount of DNA present in a recipient cell that is engaged in conjugation with an Hfr cell. Hfr cell DNA begins entering the recipient cell at Time A. Assume that reciprocal crossing over occurs (in other words, a fragment of the recipient's chromosome is exchanged for a homologous fragment from the Hfr cell's DNA). During which two times can the recipient accurately be described as "recombinant" due to the sequence of events portrayed in the figure? A) during Times C and D B) during Times A and C C) during Times A and B D) during Times B and D

during Times C and D

How can biodiversity affect the way we decontaminate industrial sites? I) Bacteria have been found to be able to detoxify certain chemicals; perhaps there are more. II) Trees produce sawdust, which can be used to soak up chemicals. III) Species evolving in contaminated areas could adapt and detoxify the area. A) only I B) only II C) only III D) only II and III

only I

If all individuals in the last remaining population of a particular bird species were all highly related, which type of diversity would be of greatest concern when planning to keep the species from going extinct? I) geneticdiversity II) species diversity III) ecosystem diversity A) only I B) only II C) only III D) only II and III

only I

Burning fossil fuels releases oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. These air pollutants can be responsible for _____. I) the death of fish in lakes II) precipitation with a pH as low as 3.0 III) eutrophication of lakes A) only I B) only II C) only III D) only I and II

only I and II

The Hubbard Brook watershed deforestation experiment revealed that _____. I) deforestation increased water runoff II) nitrate concentration in waters draining the deforested area became dangerously high III) calcium levels remained high in the soil of deforested areas A) only I B) only II C) only III D) only I and II

only I and II

The oceans affect the biosphere by _____. I) producing a substantial amount of the biosphere's oxygen II) adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere III) being the source of most of Earth's rainfall IV) regulating the pH of freshwater biomes and terrestrial groundwater A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and IV D) only I, II, and III

only I and III

Which statements about dispersal are correct? I) Dispersal is a common component of the life cycles of plants and animals. II) Colonization of devastated areas after floods or volcanic eruptions primarily depends upon climate. III) Seeds are important dispersal stages in the life cycles of most flowering plants. IV) Dispersal occurs only on an evolutionary time scale. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and IV D) only II, III, and IV

only I and III

Why are changes in the global carbon cycle important? I) Burning reduces available carbon for primary producers and, therefore, primary consumers. II) Deforestation and suburbanization reduce an area's net primary productivity. III) Increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide could alter Earth's climate. IV) By using fossil fuels we are destroying a nonrenewable resource. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) only I, II, III, and IV

only I, II, III, and IV

Based on the data in the figure above, which of the following statements are correct? I) Area 1 has more average precipitation than Area 2. II) Area 1 has a higher average temperature than Area 2. III) Both areas have low variation in monthly precipitation. IV) Area 2 has a lower annual temperature variation compared to Area 1. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) only I, II, and III

only I, II, and III

Which statements about K are correct? I) K varies among populations. II) K varies in space. III) K varies in time. IV) K is constant for any given species. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and III D) only II, III, and IV

only I, II, and III

What do researchers typically focus on when they study a particular biogeochemical cycle? I) the nature and size of the reservoirs II) the rate of element movement between reservoirs III) interaction of the current cycle with other cycles A) only I B) only II C) only III D) only II and III

only II and III

Which of the following statements regarding extinction is (are) correct? I) Only a small percentage of species is immune from extinction. II) Extinction occurs whether humans interfere or not. III) Extinctions can even be caused indirectly by humans. A) only I B) only II C) only III D) only II and III

only II and III

Which of the following statements about human population in industrialized countries are correct? I) Life history is r-selected. II) The population has undergone the demographic transition. III) The survivorship curve is Type III. IV) Age distribution is relatively uniform. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and IV D) only II, III, and IV

only II and IV

A fish species known for its success in the aphotic zone may have which of the following characteristics? I) symbioses with photosynthetic organisms II) highly developed chemoreception III) adaptations for burrowing IV) adaptations for sit-and-wait predation A) only I and III B) only I, II, and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) only I, II, and III

only II, III, and IV

Based on the data in the figure above, which of the following statements are correct? I) Area 1 would be considered a desert because of its high average temperature. II) Area 1 has more average precipitation than Area 2. III) Area 2 would be considered a desert because of its low average precipitation. IV) Area 2 has a larger annual temperature variation. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and IV D) only II, III, and IV

only II, III, and IV

You own three hundred acres of patchy temperate forest. Which one of the following actions would increase the net primary productivity of the area the most? A) adding fertilizer to the entire area B) introducing one hundred rabbits into the area C) planting five hundred new trees D) relocating all of the deer found in the area

planting five hundred new trees

Which of the following is an example of Müllerian mimicry? A) two species of unpalatable butterfly that have the same color pattern B) a day-flying hawkmoth that looks like a wasp C) a chameleon that changes its color to look like a dead leaf D) two species of rattlesnakes that both rattle their tails

two species of unpalatable butterfly that have the same color pattern

Jams, jellies, preserves, honey, and other foods with high sugar content hardly ever become contaminated by bacteria, even when the food containers are left open at room temperature. This is because bacteria that encounter such an environment ____. A) undergo death as a result of water loss from the cell B) are unable to metabolize the glucose or fructose, and thus starve to death C) are obligate anaerobes D) are unable to swim through these thick and viscous materials

undergo death as a result of water loss from the cell

Which of the following organisms is INCORRECTLY paired with its trophic level? A) cyanobacterium — primary producer B) grasshopper — primary consumer C) zooplankton — primary producer D) fungus — detritivore

zooplankton - primary producer

The symbols +, -, and o are to be used to show the results of interactions between individuals and groups of individuals in the examples that follow. The symbol + denotes a positive interaction, - denotes a negative interaction, and o denotes where individuals are not affected by interacting. The first symbol refers to the first organism mentioned. What interactions exist between cellulose-digesting organisms in the gut of a termite and the termite? A) +/+ B) +/o C) +/- D) o/o

+/+

What interactions exist between mycorrhizae and evergreen tree roots? A) +/+ B) +/o C) +/- D) o/o

+/+

What interactions exist between a tick on a dog and the dog? A) +/o B) +/- C) o/o D) -/-

+/-

The symbols +, -, and o are to be used to show the results of interactions between individuals and groups of individuals in the examples that follow. The symbol + denotes a positive interaction, - denotes a negative interaction, and o denotes where individuals are not affected by interacting. The first symbol refers to the first organism mentioned. What interactions exist between a lion pride and a hyena pack? A) +/+ B) +/- C) o/o D) -/-

-/-

Consider the food chain of grass → grasshopper → mouse → snake → hawk. About how much of the chemical energy fixed by photosynthesis of the grass (100 percent) is available to the hawk? A) 0.01% B) 0.1% C) 1% D) 10%

0.01%

In the figure above, which number would designate the biome with the highest variation in annual precipitation? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4

Think about this description of the colonial aquatic cyanobacterium, Anabaena. What two questions below are important for understanding how nitrogen (N2) enters heterocysts, and how oxygen (O2) is kept out of heterocysts? 1. If carbohydrates can enter the heterocysts from neighboring cells via the "intracellular connections," how is it that O2 doesn't also enter via this route? 2. If the cell walls of Anabaena photosynthetic cells are permeable to O2 and carbon dioxide (CO2), are they also permeable to N2? 3. If the nuclei of the photosynthetic cells contain the genes that code for nitrogen fixation, how can these cells fail to perform nitrogen fixation? 4. If the nuclei of the heterocysts contain the genes that code for photosynthesis, how can these cells fail to perform photosynthesis? 5. If the cell walls of Anabaena heterocysts are permeable to N2, how is it that N2 doesn't diffuse out of the heterocysts before it can be fixed? 6. If the thick cell walls of Anabaena heterocysts exclude entry of oxygen gas, how is it that they don't also exclude the entry of nitrogen gas? A) 1 and 3 B) 1 and 6 C) 2 and 5 D) 4 and 6

1 and 6

In a bacterium that possesses antibiotic resistance and the potential to persist through very adverse conditions, such as freezing, drying, or high temperatures, DNA should be located within, or be part of, which structures? 1. nucleoid region 2. endospore 3. fimbriae 4. plasmids A) 1 and 2 only B) 1 and 4 only C) 2 and 4 only D) 1, 2, and 4

1, 2, and 4

The termite gut protist Mixotricha paradoxa has at least two kinds of bacteria attached to its outer surface. One kind is a spirochete that propels its host through the termite gut. A second type of bacteria synthesizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP), some of which is used by the spirochetes. The locomotion provided by the spirochetes introduces the ATP-producing bacteria to new food sources. Which term(s) is (are) applicable to the relationship between the two kinds of bacteria? 1. mutualism 2. parasitism 3. symbiosis 4. metabolic cooperation A) 1 and 2 B) 2 and 3 C) 1, 3, and 4 D) 2, 3, and 4

1, 3, and 4

To measure the population of lake trout in a 250-hectare lake, 400 individual trout were netted and marked with a fin clip, then returned to the lake. The next week, the lake was netted again, and out of the 200 lake trout that were caught, 50 had fin clips. Using the mark-recapture estimate, the lake trout population size could be closest to which of the following? A) 200 B) 400 C) 1,600 D) 80,000

1,600

Imagine five forest communities, each with one hundred individuals distributed among four different tree species (W, X, Y, and Z). Which forest community would be most diverse? A) 25W, 25X, 25Y, 25Z B) 40W, 30X, 20Y, 10Z C) 50W, 25X, 15Y, 10Z D) 70W, 10X, 10Y, 10Z

25W, 25X, 25Y, 25Z

Owls eat rats, mice, shrews, and small birds. Assume that, over a period of time, an owl consumes 5000 J of animal material. The owl loses 2300 J in feces and owl pellets and uses 2500 J for cellular respiration. What is the production efficiency of this owl? A) 0.02% B) 0.2% C) 4% D) 40%

Approximately how many kilograms (kg) of carnivore (secondary consumer) biomass can be supported by a field plot containing 1000 kg of plant material? A) 1000 B) 100 C) 10 D) 1

Suppose researchers marked 800 turtles and later were able to trap a total of 300 individuals in that population, of which 150 were marked. What is the estimate for total population size? A) 200 B) 1050 C) 1600 D) 2100

1600

The figure below depicts changes to the amount of DNA present in a recipient cell that is engaged in conjugation with an Hfr cell. Hfr cell DNA begins entering the recipient cell at Time A. Assume that reciprocal crossing over occurs (in other words, a fragment of the recipient's chromosome is exchanged for a homologous fragment from the Hfr cell's DNA). Which two processes are responsible for the shape of the curve at Time B? 1. transduction 2. entry of single-stranded Hfr DNA 3. rolling circle replication of single-stranded Hfr DNA 4. activation of DNA pumps in plasma membrane A) 1 and 2 B) 1 and 4 C) 2 and 3 D) 3 and 4

2 and 3

A fish that has been salt-cured subsequently develops a reddish color. You suspect that the fish has been contaminated by the extreme halophile Halobacterium. Which of these features of cells removed from the surface of the fish, if confirmed, would support your suspicion? 1. the presence of the same photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria 2. cell walls that lack peptidoglycan 3. cells that are isotonic to conditions on the surface of the fish 4. cells unable to survive salt concentrations lower than 9% 5. the presence of very large numbers of ion pumps in its plasma membrane A) 2 and 5 B) 3 and 4 C) 1, 4, and 5 D) 2, 3, 4, and 5

2, 3, 4, and 5

In a hypothetical situation, a bacterium lives on the surface of a leaf, where it obtains nutrition from the leaf's nonliving, waxy covering while inhibiting the growth of other microbes that are plant pathogens. If this bacterium gains access to the inside of a leaf, however, it causes a fatal disease in the plant. Once the plant dies, the bacterium and its offspring decompose the plant. What is the correct sequence of ecological roles played by the bacterium in the situation described here? 1. nutrient recycler 2. mutualist 3. commensal 4. pathogen 5. primary producer A) 1, 3, 4 B) 2, 3, 4 C) 2, 4, 1 D) 1, 2, 5

2, 4, 1

The thermoacidophile Sulfolobus acidocaldarius lacks peptidoglycan, but still possesses a cell wall. What is likely to be true of this species? 1. It is a bacterium. 2. It is an archaean. 3. The optimal pH of its enzymes will lie above pH 7. 4. The optimal pH of its enzymes will lie below pH 7. 5. It could inhabit certain hydrothermal springs. 6. It could inhabit alkaline hot springs. A) 1, 3, and 6 B) 2, 4, and 5 C) 1, 3, and 5 D) 1, 4, and 5

2, 4, and 5

A hypothetical bacterium swims among human intestinal contents until it finds a suitable location on the intestinal lining. It adheres to the intestinal lining using a feature that also protects it from phagocytes, bacteriophages, and dehydration. Fecal matter from a human in whose intestine this bacterium lives can spread the bacterium, even after being mixed with water and boiled. The bacterium is not susceptible to the penicillin family of antibiotics. It contains no plasmids and relatively little peptidoglycan. This bacterium's ability to survive in a human who is taking penicillin pills may be due to the presence of _____. 1. penicillin-resistance genes 2. a secretory system that removes penicillin from the cell 3. a Gram-positive cell wall 4. a Gram-negative cell wall 5. an endospore A) 1 or 5 B) 2 or 3 C) 4 or 5 D) 2, 4, or 5

2, 4, or 5

On the diagram of the nitrogen cycle, which number represents nitrite (NO2)? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4

A hypothetical bacterium swims among human intestinal contents until it finds a suitable location on the intestinal lining. It adheres to the intestinal lining using a feature that also protects it from phagocytes, bacteriophages, and dehydration. Fecal matter from a human in whose intestine this bacterium lives can spread the bacterium, even after being mixed with water and boiled. The bacterium is not susceptible to the penicillin family of antibiotics. It contains no plasmids and relatively little peptidoglycan. In which feature(s) should one be able to locate a complete chromosome of this bacterium? 1. nucleolus 2. prophage 3. endospore 4. nucleoid A) 4 only B) 1 and 3 C) 2 and 3 D) 3 and 4

3 and 4

The most recently discovered phylum in the animal kingdom (1995) is the phylum Cycliophora. It includes three species of tiny organisms that live in large numbers on the outsides of the mouthparts and appendages of lobsters. The feeding stage permanently attaches to the lobster via an adhesive disk and collects scraps of food from its host's feeding by capturing the scraps in a current created by a ring of cilia. The body is sac-like and has a U-shaped intestine that brings the anus close to the mouth. Cycliophorans are coelomates, do not molt (though their host does), and their embryos undergo spiral cleavage. If harboring large populations of cycliophorans neither helps nor harms their lobster hosts, then cycliophorans can be properly considered to be _____. 1. parasites 2. mutualists 3. commensals 4. symbionts 5. endosymbionts A) 1 and 4 B) 3 and 4 C) 2 and 5 D) 3 and 5

3 and 4

Nitrogenase, the enzyme that catalyzes nitrogen fixation, is inhibited whenever free oxygen (O2) reaches a critical concentration. Consequently, nitrogen fixation cannot occur in cells wherein photosynthesis produces free O2. Consider the colonial aquatic cyanobacterium, Anabaena, whose heterocytes are described as having "...a thickened cell wall that restricts entry of O2 produced by neighboring cells. Intracellular connections allow heterocysts to transport fixed nitrogen to neighboring cells in exchange for carbohydrates." Given that the enzymes that catalyze nitrogen fixation are inhibited by oxygen, what are two "strategies" that nitrogen-fixing prokaryotes might use to protect these enzymes from oxygen? 1. Couple them with photosystem II (the photosystem that splits water molecules). 2. Package them in membranes that are impermeable to all gases. 3. Be obligate anaerobes. 4. Be strict aerobes. 5. Package these enzymes in specialized cells or compartments that inhibit oxygen entry. A) 1 and 4 B) 2 and 4 C) 3 and 4 D) 3 and 5

3 and 5

A porcupine eats 3000 J of plant material. Of this, 2100 J is indigestible and is eliminated as feces, 800 J are used in cellular respiration, and 100 J are used for growth and reproduction. What is the approximate production efficiency of this animal? A) 0.03% B) 3% C) 10% D) 33%

Based on the species-area plot in the figure above, if habitable area on an island were reduced from 10,000 km2 (square kilometers) to 1000 km2, roughly what percentage of the species would disappear? A) 0.3 percent B) 3 percent C) 30 percent D) 60 percent

30 percent

In July 2008, the United States had a population of approximately 302,000,000 people. How many Americans were there in July 2009, if the estimated 2008 growth rate was 0.88%? A) 5,500,000 B) 303,000,000 C) 304,000,000 D) 2,710,800,000

304,000,000

On the diagram of the nitrogen cycle, which number represents the ammonium ion (NH4+)? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4

The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriophorus drills into a prey bacterium and, once inside, digests it. In an attack upon a Gram-negative bacterium that has a slimy cell covering, what is the correct sequence of structures penetrated by B. bacteriophorus on its way to the prey's cytoplasm? 1. membrane composed mostly of lipopolysaccharide 2. membrane composed mostly of phospholipids 3. peptidoglycan 4. capsule A) 2, 4, 3, 1 B) 1, 3, 4, 2 C) 1, 4, 3, 2 D) 4, 1, 3, 2

4, 1, 3, 2

A population of ground squirrels has an annual per capita birth rate of 0.06 and an annual per capita death rate of 0.02. Calculate an estimate of the total number of individuals added to (or lost from) a population of 1000 individuals in one year. A) 120 individuals added B) 40 individuals added C) 20 individuals added D) 400 individuals added

40 individuals added

According to the Shannon Diversity Index, which of the five blocks above, with each containing thirty-six squares, would show the greatest diversity? A) 1 B) 2 C) 4 D) 5

In the figure above, which number would designate the arctic tundra biome? A) 2 B) 3 C) 4 D) 5

A population of squirrels on an island has a carrying capacity of 350 individuals. If the maximum rate of increase is 1.0 per individual per year and the population size is 275, determine the population growth rate (Round to the nearest whole number). A) 59 squirrels per year B) -34 squirrels per year C) 75 squirrels per year D) 15 squirrels per year

59 squirrels per year

In 2008, the population of New Zealand was approximately 4,275,000 people. If the birth rate was 14 births for every 1000 people, approximately how many births occurred in New Zealand in 2008? A) 6,000 B) 42,275 C) 60,000 D) 140,000

60,000

Starting from a single individual, what is the size of a population of bacteria at the end of a two-hour time period if they reproduce by binary fission every twenty minutes? (Assume unlimited resources and no mortality.) A) 16 B) 32 C) 64 D) 128

Diagram of a food web (arrows represent energy flow and letters represent species) If the figure above represents a marine food web, the smallest organism might be _____. A) A B) C C) I D) E

Food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem (arrows represent energy flow and letters represent species) Examine this food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem. Which species is autotrophic? A) A B) C C) D D) E

Use the following diagram of five islands formed at around the same time near a particular mainland, as well as MacArthur and Wilson's island biogeography principles, to answer the question(s) below. Which island would likely have the greatest species diversity? A) A B) C C) D D) E

Use the survivorship curves in the figure below to answer the following questions. Refer to the figure above. Which curve best describes survivorship in elephants? A) A B) B C) C D) E

Which of the following examples of an ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect is most correct? A) When seeds are not plentiful, trees produce more seeds. B) A few individuals with denser fur survive the coldest days of an ice age, and the reproducing survivors of the ice age will likely have more dense fur. C) Fish that swim the fastest in running water catch the most prey and more easily escape predation. D) The insects that spend the most time exposed to sunlight have the most mutations.

A few individuals with denser fur survive the coldest days of an ice age, and the reproducing survivors of the ice age will likely have more dense fur.

Use the following diagram showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the question below. The range of cattle egrets has expanded between 1937 and today. How would an ecologist likely explain the expansion of the cattle egret? A) Climatic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, provide a suitable habitat for cattle egrets. B) There are no predators for cattle egrets in the New World, so they continue to expand their range. C) A habitat left unoccupied by native herons and egrets met the biotic and abiotic requirements of the cattle egret transplants and their descendants. D) The first egrets to colonize South America evolved into a new species capable of competing with the native species of herons and egrets.

A habitat left unoccupied by native herons and egrets met the biotic and abiotic requirements of the cattle egret transplants and their descendants.

Researchers have been studying a rare population of eighty-seven voles in an isolated area. Ten voles from a larger population were added to this isolated population. Besides having ten additional animals, what benefits are there to importing individuals? A) Additional animals from a distant population will likely bring genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding depression. B) Additional animals will bring additional competition and could hurt the population. C) Additional animals would increase beneficial genetic drift. D) There is no benefit other than increasing the overall population size.

Additional animals from a distant population will likely bring genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding depression.

Which of the following best describes the consequences of white-band disease in Caribbean coral reefs? A) Staghorn coral is decimated by the pathogen, and Elkhorn coral takes its place. B) Key habitat for lobsters, snappers, and other reef fishes improves. C) Algal species take the place of the dead coral, and the fish community is dominated by herbivores. D) Algal species take over and the overall reef diversity increases due to increases in primary productivity.

Algal species take the place of the dead coral, and the fish community is dominated by herbivores.

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves? A) Costa Rica B) China C) United States D) Mexico

Costa Rica

Treehoppers (a type of insect) produce honeydew, which ants use for food. Treehoppers have a major predator, the jumping spider. Researchers hypothesized that the ants would protect the treehoppers from the spiders. In an experiment, researchers followed study plots with ants removed from the system and compared them to a control plot. In the figure above, what can you conclude? A) Ants do somehow protect the treehoppers from spiders. B) Ants eat the honeydew produced by treehoppers C) Ants reduce the numbers of treehoppers. D) No specific conclusions can be drawn from this figure.

Ants do somehow protect the treehoppers from spiders.

Based on the data in the figure above, which of the following statements is true? A) Area 1 could be called a boreal forest/taiga. B) Area 2 could be called a temperate grassland. C) Area 1 could be called a tropical wet/rain forest. D) Area 2 could be tundra.

Area 1 could be called a tropical wet/rain forest.

Based on the figure above, what can you conclude about the history of land use in the southern Yucatán? A) Massive soil erosion caused the Mayan population to crash. B) Reduction in forest cover caused the Mayan population to crash. C) As Mayan population increased, deforestation increased, probably leading to increased soil erosion. D) This Mayan population practiced sustainable development.

As Mayan population increased, deforestation increased, probably leading to increased soil erosion.

Looking at the figure above, what can you conclude about the data? A) As species richness changes, plant biomass remains consistent. B) As species richness increases, plant biomass increases. C) As species richness increases, plant biomass increases and then levels off. D) As species richness decreases, plant biomass increases.

As species richness increases, plant biomass increases and then levels off.

Based on the diagrams in the figure above and on the large population of baby boomers in the United States, which graph best reflects U.S. population in twenty years? A) A B) B C) C D) D

Food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem (arrows represent energy flow and letters represent species) Examine this food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem. Species C is toxic to predators. Which species is most likely to benefit from being a mimic of C? A) A B) B C) C D) E

In the figure above, which of the following survivorship curves implies that an animal may lay many eggs, of which a regular number die each year on a logarithmic scale? A) curve A B) curve B C) curve C

Use the following diagram of a hypothetical food web to answer the question(s) below. The arrows represent the transfer of energy between the various trophic levels. Which letter represents an organism that could be a producer? A) A B) B C) D D) E

After looking at the figure above, what can be said about productivity in this ecosystem? A) Nothing can be said based on this information. B) Between 80% and 90% of the energy is lost between most trophic levels. C) Between 10% and 20% of the energy is lost between most trophic levels. D) Productivity increases with each trophic level.

Between 80% and 90% of the energy is lost between most trophic levels.

Looking at the figure above, what can be said about edge effects? A) Biomass declines along edges of forest fragments. B) Biomass increases along the edges of forest fragments. C) Species diversity decreases along the edges of forest fragments. D) Fragmentation does not affect biomass.

Biomass declines along edges of forest fragments.

Use the following diagram of five islands formed at around the same time near a particular mainland, as well as MacArthur and Wilson's island biogeography principles, to answer the question(s) below. Which island would likely exhibit the most impoverished species diversity? A) A B) B C) C D) E

Which of the following graphs illustrates the population growth curve of single bacterium growing in a flask of ideal medium at optimum temperature over a two-hour period? A) *cliff* B) *2nd quadrant* C) *upward trend* D) *squiggle*

C and E

Which one of the following is LEAST likely to be a hotspot for birds? A) Amazon River basin B) East Africa C) Southwest China D) Greenland

Greenland

While examining a rock surface, you have discovered an interesting new organism. Which of the following criteria will allow you to classify the organism as belonging to Bacteria but not Archaea or Eukarya? A) Cell walls are made primarily of peptidoglycan. B) The organism does not have nucleus. C) The lipids in its plasma membrane consist of glycerol bonded to straight-chain fatty acids. D) It can survive at a temperature over 100°C.

Cell walls are made primarily of peptidoglycan.

Foods can be preserved in many ways by slowing or preventing bacterial growth. Which of these methods should be LEAST effective at inhibiting bacterial growth? A) Refrigeration: slows bacterial metabolism and growth. B) Closing previously opened containers: prevents more bacteria from entering, and excludes oxygen. C) Pickling: creates a pH at which most bacterial enzymes cannot function. D) Canning in heavy sugar syrup: creates osmotic conditions that remove water from most bacterial cells.

Closing previously opened containers: prevents more bacteria from entering, and excludes oxygen.

Based on the figure above, which of the following statements correctly interprets the data? A) As female density increases, clutch size increases. B) As female density increases, survivorship decreases. C) Clutch size decreases as female density increases.

Clutch size decreases as female density increases.

In the figure above, which community has the highest species diversity? A) Community 1 B) Community 2 C) Community 1 and community 3 have the highest species diversity. D) Community 4

Community 2

Which of the following scenarios would provide the most relevant data on population density? A) Count the number of nests of a particular species of songbird and multiply this by a factor that extrapolates these data to actual animals. B) Count the number of pine trees in several randomly selected 10-meter-square plots and extrapolate this number to the fraction of the study area these plots represent. C) Use the mark-recapture method to estimate the size of the population. D) Calculate the difference between all of the immigrants and emigrants to see if the population is growing or shrinking.

Count the number of pine trees in several randomly selected 10-meter-square plots and extrapolate this number to the fraction of the study area these plots represent.

Which of the following graphs best illustrates the growth curve of a small population of rodents that has increased to a static carrying capacity? A) *2nd quadrant* B) *upward trend* C) *squiggle* D) *part parabola*

Which of the following graphs illustrates the growth over several seasons of a population of snowshoe hares that were introduced to an appropriate habitat also inhabited by predators in northern Canada? A) *cliff* B) *second quadrant* C) *upward* D) *squiggle*

If you applied a fungicide to a cornfield, what would you expect to happen to the rate of decomposition and net ecosystem production (NEP)? A) Both decomposition rate and NEP would decrease. B) Both decomposition rate and NEP would increase. C) Decomposition rate would increase and NEP would decrease. D) Decomposition rate would decrease and NEP would increase.

Decomposition rate would decrease and NEP would increase.

Eutrophication is often caused by excess limiting nutrient runoff from agricultural fields into aquatic ecosystems. This results in massive algal blooms, which eventually die and decompose, ultimately depleting the dissolved oxygen and killing large numbers of fish and other aquatic organism. Predict which of the following human actions would best address the problem of eutrophication near agricultural areas? A) After each eutrophication event, remove the dead fish and invertebrates to place on agricultural fields instead of fertilizer. B) Determine which limiting nutrient is responsible for the algal bloom and use other fertilizers to apply to crops. C) Remove the algae before it dies and decomposes to prevent eutrophication from occurring. D) Determine critical nutrient loads required for certain crops and do not exceed this amount during fertilizer application.

Determine critical nutrient loads required for certain crops and do not exceed this amount during fertilizer application.

Recall that Clements's view of biological communities is that of a highly predictable and interrelated structure, while Gleason's view of biological communities is that individual species operate independently. If we set up many identical sterilized ponds in the same area and allowed them to be colonized, what should we predict if we wished to test Gleason's hypothesis? A) Identical plankton communities will develop in all ponds. B) Similar plankton communities will develop in all ponds. C) Different plankton communities will develop in all ponds. D) Limited plankton communities will develop in all ponds.

Different plankton communities will develop in all ponds.

Use the survivorship curves in the figure below to answer the following questions. Refer to the figure above. Which curve best describes survivorship in marine molluscs? A) A B) B C) C D) E

Which statement describes how climate might change if Earth was 75 percent land and 25 percent water? A) Terrestrial ecosystems would likely experience more precipitation. B) Earth's daytime temperatures would be higher and nighttime temperatures lower. C) Summers would be longer and winters shorter at midlatitude locations. D) Earth would experience an unprecedented global warming.

Earth's daytime temperatures would be higher and nighttime temperatures lower.

Why does a vegetarian leave a smaller ecological footprint than an omnivore? A) Fewer animals are slaughtered for human consumption. B) There is an excess of plant biomass in all terrestrial ecosystems. C) Vegetarians need to ingest less chemical energy than omnivores. D) Eating meat is an inefficient way of acquiring photosynthetic productivity.

Eating meat is an inefficient way of acquiring photosynthetic productivity.

Elephants are not the most dominant species in African grasslands, yet they influence community structure. The grasslands contain scattered woody plants, but they are kept in check by the uprooting activities of the elephants. Take away the elephants, and the grasslands convert to forests or to shrublands. The newly growing forests support fewer species than the previous grasslands. Which of the following describes why elephants are the keystone species in this scenario? A) Elephants exhibit a disproportionate influence on the structure of the community relative to their abundance. B) Grazing animals depend upon the elephants to convert forests to grassland. C) Elephants are the biggest herbivore in this community. D) Elephants help other populations survive by keeping out many of the large African predators.

Elephants exhibit a disproportionate influence on the structure of the community relative to their abundance.

Which of the following is primarily responsible for limiting the number of trophic levels in most ecosystems? A) Many primary and higher-order consumers are opportunistic feeders. B) Decomposers compete with higher-order consumers for nutrients and energy. C) Nutrient cycling rates tend to be limited by decomposition. D) Energy transfer between trophic levels is usually less than 20 percent efficient.

Energy transfer between trophic levels is usually less than 20 percent effcient.

Data were collected from the heterocysts of a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium inhabiting equatorial ponds. Study the following graph and choose the most likely explanation for the shape of the curve. A) Enough oxygen (O2) enters heterocysts during hours of peak photosynthesis to have a somewhat-inhibitory effect on nitrogen fixation. B) Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) levels increase at night because plants are no longer metabolizing this gas, so they are not absorbing this gas through their stomata. C) Heterocyst walls become less permeable to nitrogen (N2) influx during darkness. D) The amount of fixed nitrogen that is dissolved in the pond water in which the cyanobacteria are growing peaks at the close of the photosynthetic day (1800 hours).

Enough oxygen (O2) enters heterocysts during hours of peak photosynthesis to have a somewhat-inhibitory effect on nitrogen fixation.

Sexual reproduction in eukaryotes increases genetic variation. In prokaryotes, transformation, transduction, and conjugation are mechanisms that increase genetic variation. A fundamental difference between the generations of genetic variation in the two domains is: A) Eukaryotes are able to generate mutations in response to environmental stress while prokaryotes only generate random variation. B) Eukaryotic variation occurs primarily within a single generation while prokaryotic variation occurs over many generations. C) Crossing over is a major mechanism in creating genetic variation in prokaryotes while independent assortment is a major mechanism is eukaryotes. D) Eukaryotic genetic variation occurs with vertical gene transfer while prokaryotic genetic variation occurs with horizontal gene transfer.

Eukaryotic genetic variation occurs with vertical gene transfer while prokaryotic genetic variation occurs with horizontal gene transfer.

Which of the following statements is consistent with the principle of competitive exclusion? A) The random distribution of one competing species will have a positive impact on the population growth of the other competing species. B) Two species with the same fundamental niche will exclude other competing species. C) Even a slight reproductive advantage will eventually lead to the elimination of the less well adapted of two competing species. D) Natural selection tends to increase competition between related species.

Even a slight reproductive advantage will eventually lead to the elimination of the less well adapted of two competing species.

A population of white-footed mice becomes severely overpopulated in a habitat that has been disturbed by human activity. Sometimes intrinsic factors cause the population to increase in mortality and lower reproduction rates to occur in reaction to the stress of overpopulation. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic population control? A) Owl populations frequent the area more often because of increased hunting success. B) Females undergo hormonal changes that delay sexual maturation, and many individuals suffer depressed immune systems and die due to the stress of overpopulation. C) Clumped dispersion of the population leads to increased spread of disease and parasites, resulting in a population crash. D) All of the resources (food and shelter) are used up by overpopulation, and much of the population dies of exposure and/or starvation.

Females undergo hormonal changes that delay sexual maturation, and many individuals suffer depressed immune systems and die due to the stress of overpopulation.

Suppose you are studying the nitrogen cycling in a pond ecosystem over the course of a month. While you are collecting data, a flock of one hundred Canada geese lands and spends the night during a fall migration. What could you do to eliminate error in your study as a result of this event? A) Find out how much nitrogen is consumed in plant material by a Canada goose over about a twelve-hour period, multiply this number by 100, and add that amount to the total nitrogen in the ecosystem. B) Find out how much nitrogen is eliminated by a Canada goose over about a twelve-hour period, multiply this number by 100, and subtract that amount from the total nitrogen in the ecosystem. C) Find out how much nitrogen is consumed and eliminated by a Canada goose over about a twelve-hour period and multiply this number by 100; enter this +/- value into the nitrogen budget of the ecosystem. D) Put a net over the pond so that no more migrating flocks can land on the pond and alter the nitrogen balance of the pond.

Find out how much nitrogen is consumed and eliminated by a Canada goose over about a twelve-hour period and multiply this number by 100; enter this +/- value into the nitrogen budget of the ecosystem.

If the flow of energy in an arctic ecosystem goes through a simple food chain, perhaps involving humans, starting from phytoplankton to zooplankton to fish to seals to polar bears, then which of the following could be true? A) Polar bears can provide more food for humans than seals can. B) The total biomass of the fish is lower than that of the seals. C) Seal populations are larger than fish populations. D) Fish can potentially provide more food for humans than seal meat.

Fish can potentially provide more food for humans than seal meat.

Bouchard and Brooks studied the effect of insect flight on dispersal and speciation in rain forest insects. They sampled all of the insects in the study area and found that 60 insect species are flightless and 19 are macropterous (able to fly). What can you conclude so far about this study? (P. Bouchard and D. R. Brooks. 2004. Effect of vagility potential on dispersal and speciation in rainforest insects. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 17:994-1006.) A) Flightless insects have a greater dispersal potential from this study area. B) Flightless insects are more numerous in the study area. C) Flightless insects have a higher richness in the study area. D) Flightless insects are better suited for the tropics.

Flightless insects have a higher richness in the study area.

What is the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations? A) Genes for traits conferring an advantage to local conditions make microevolution possible. B) The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. C) Genetic diversity allows for species stability by preventing speciation. D) Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations.

Genes for traits conferring an advantage to local conditions make microevolution possible.

Which of the following conditions is the most likely indicator of a population in an extinction vortex? A) The species in question is found only in small, stable pockets of its former range. B) The effective population size of the species falls below 1000. C) Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. D) The population is connected only by corridors.

Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time.

Which statement about the domain Archaea is true? A) Genetic prospecting has recently revealed the existence of many previously unknown archaean species. B) The genomes of archaeans are unique, containing no genes that originated within bacteria. C) No archaeans can inhabit solutions that are nearly 30% salt. D) No archaeans are adapted to waters with temperatures above the boiling point.

Genetic prospecting has recently revealed the existence of many previously unknown archaean species.

Why do moderate levels of disturbance result in an increase in community diversity? A) Habitats are opened up for less competitive species. B) Competitively dominant species infrequently exclude less competitive species after a moderate disturbance. C) The resulting uniform habitat supports stability, which in turn supports diversity. D) Less-competitive species evolve strategies to compete with dominant species.

Habitats are opened up for less competitive species.

Why is a pathogen generally more virulent in a new habitat? A) Intermediate host species are more motile and transport pathogens to new areas. B) Pathogens evolve more efficient forms of reproduction in new environments. C) Hosts in new environments have not had a chance to become resistant to the pathogen through natural selection. D) New environments are almost always smaller in area so that transmission of pathogens is easily accomplished between hosts.

Hosts in new environments have not had a chance to become resistant to the pathogen through natural selection.

In terms of community ecology, why are pathogens often more virulent now than in the past? A) More new pathogens have recently evolved. B) Host organisms have become more susceptible because of weakened immune systems. C) Human activities are transporting pathogens into new habitats (or communities) at an unprecedented rate. D) Medicines for treating pathogenic disease are in short supply.

Human activities are transporting pathogens into new habitats (or communities) at an unprecedented rate.

A population is correctly defined as having which of the following characteristics? I) inhabiting the same general area II) belonging to the same species III) possessing a constant and uniform density and dispersion A) III only B) I and II only C) II and III only D) I, II, and III

I and II only

Introduced species can have deleterious effects on biological communities by _____. I) preying on native species II) competing with native species for food or light III) displacing native species IV) competing with native species for space or breeding/nesting habitat A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) I, II, III and IV

I, II, III and IV

Which of the following is a type of work a conservation biologist would be involved? I) reestablishing whooping cranes in their former breeding grounds in North Dakota II) studying species diversity and interaction in the Florida Everglades, past and present III) studying population ecology of grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park IV) determining the effects of hunting white-tailed deer in Vermont A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) I, II, III and IV

I, II, III and IV

Which of the following life history traits can potentially influence effective population size? I) age of sexual maturation II) genetic relatedness among individuals in a population III) family size and population size IV) gene flow between geographically separated populations A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) I, II, III and IV

I, II, III and IV

Which of the following locations are major reservoirs for carbon for the carbon cycle? I) atmosphere II) sediments and sedimentary rocks III) fossilized plant and animal remains (coal, oil, and natural gas) IV) plant and animal biomass A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) I, II, III, and IV

I, II, III, and IV

Which of the following would be most significant in understanding the structure of an ecological community? I) determining how many species are present overall II) determining which particular species are present III) determining the kinds of interactions that occur among organisms of different species IV) determining the relative abundance of species A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and III D) I, II, III, and IV

I, II, III, and IV

During a year, plants never use 100% of the incoming solar radiation for photosynthesis. What is a reasonable explanation for this? I) Plants cannot photosynthesize as well during winter (in cold winter climates). II) Plants cannot photosynthesize as well on cloudy days. III) The pigments that drive photosynthesis respond to only a fraction of the wavelengths that are available. A) only I B) only II C) only III D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

Looking at the data in the figure above from the hare/lynx experiment, what conclusion can you draw? I) Food is a factor in controlling hare population size. II) Excluding lynx is a factor in controlling hare population size. III) The effect of excluding predators and adding food in the same experiment is greater than the sum of excluding lynx alone plus adding food alone. A) only I B) only II C) only III D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

On Easter Island, data show that it was once covered by massive palm trees. How can an ecosystem collapse from removal of just one species of large tree? I) Without large trees, soil erosion increases and reduces productivity. II) Species of plants needing shade no longer have it. III) Large trees are habitats for many species. A) only I B) only II C) only III D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

Once heat is transferred to the soil, where does it go next (reference the study by Noormets et al. 2004)? I) The heat is emitted back to the atmosphere. II) Theheatistransferredtoothersoillayers. III) The heat is stored in the soil. A) only I B) only II C) only III D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

We should care about loss in biodiversity in other species because of _____. I) potential loss of medicines and other products yet undiscovered from threatened species II) potential loss of genes, some of which may code for proteins useful to humans III) the risk to global ecological stability A) only I B) only II C) only II and III D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

Which of the following assumptions have to be made regarding the mark-recapture estimate of population size? I) Marked and unmarked individuals have the same probability of being trapped. II) The marked individuals have thoroughly mixed with the population after being marked. III) No individuals have entered or left the population by immigration or emigration, and no individuals have been added by birth or eliminated by death during the course of the estimate. A) I only B) II only C) I and II only D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

Which of the following studies would a community ecologist undertake to learn about competitive interactions? I) selectivity of nest sites among cavity-nesting songbirds II) the grass species preferred by grazing pronghorn antelope and bison III) stomach analysis of brown trout and brook trout in streams where they coexist A) only I and II B) only I and III C) only II and III D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

Your friend is wary of environmentalists' claims that global warming could lead to major biological change on Earth. Which of the following statements can you use in response to your friend's suspicions? I) We know that atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased over the past 150 years. II) Through measurements and observations, we know that carbon dioxide levels and temperature fluctuations are directly correlated, even in prehistoric times. III) Global warming could have significant effects on agriculture in the United States. A) only I B) only II C) only III D) I, II, and III

I, II, and III

The following questions refer to the figure below, which depicts the age structure of three populations. Which population(s) appear(s) to be stable? A) I B) III C) I and II D) II and III

III

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that targets prokaryotic (70S) ribosomes, but not eukaryotic (80S) ribosomes. Which of these questions stems from this observation, plus an understanding of eukaryotic origins? A) Can chloramphenicol also be used to control human diseases that are caused by archaeans? B) Can chloramphenicol pass through the capsules possessed by many cyanobacteria? C) If chloramphenicol inhibits prokaryotic ribosomes, should it not also inhibit mitochondrial ribosomes? D) Why aren't prokaryotic ribosomes identical to eukaryotic ribosomes?

If chloramphenicol inhibits prokaryotic ribosomes, should it not also inhibit mitochondrial ribosomes?

Which of the following statements regarding turnover in a lake is correct? A) In fall turnover, dense water at 4°C sinks and disturbs sediments in the benthic zone. B) In fall turnover, dense water at 4°C rises and disturbs sediments in the benthic zone. C) The surface water gets to 4°C only by cooling. D) Fall turnovers and spring turnovers are exactly the same.

In fall turnover, dense water at 4°C sinks and disturbs sediments in the benthic zone.

Which of the following is generally true about the current research regarding forest fragmentation? A) Fragmented forests promote biodiversity because they result in the combination of forest- edge species and forest-interior species. B) In fragmented forests, the number of forested-adapted species tend to decline and the number of edge species tend to increase. C) Fragmented forests are the goal of conservation biologists who design wildlife preserves. D) The disturbance of timber extraction causes the species diversity to increase because of the new habitats created.I

In fragmented forests, the number of forested-adapted species tend to decline and the number of edge species tend to increase.

A parasitic fungus, Geomyces destructans, has decimated millions of bats in the United States since it was first observed in upstate New York in 2006. The disease has been named White-nose syndrome because of the white fungal hyphae that cover the bat upon infection. It is believed that this fungus was introduced from Europe by into caves with hibernating bat populations. Which prediction most likely reflects changes that will occur in natural communities as a result of massive bat mortality? A) Increased animal populations as a result of niche availability. B) Increased rodent populations as a result of an increase in flying insect populations. C) Increased flying insect populations and decreased populations of bat-pollinated plants D) Decreased bird populations as the spread of the fungus infects other closely

Increased flying insect populations and decreased populations of bat-pollinated plants

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex? A) Capture all remaining individuals in the population for captive breeding followed by reintroduction to the wild. B) Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat. C) Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species. D) Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population.

Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species.

Which of the following is a likely explanation for why invasive species take over communities into which they have been introduced? A) Invasive species are less efficient than native species in competing for the limited resources of the environment. B) Invasive species are not held in check by the predators and agents of disease that have always been in place for native species. C) Invasive species have a higher reproductive potential than native species. D) Invasive species come from geographically isolated regions, so when they are introduced to regions where there is more competition, they thrive.

Invasive species are not held in check by predators and agents of disease that have always been in place for native species.

After looking at the experiment in the figure above, what can be said about productivity in marine ecosystems? A) Nothing can be said based on this information. B) Marine organisms break down iron for energy and thus for productivity. C) Iron can be a limiting nutrient in productivity. D) Productivity increases when chlorophyll a is added.

Iron can be a limiting nutrient in productivity.

The figure below depicts changes to the amount of DNA present in a recipient cell that is engaged in conjugation with an Hfr cell. Hfr cell DNA begins entering the recipient cell at Time A. Assume that reciprocal crossing over occurs (in other words, a fragment of the recipient's chromosome is exchanged for a homologous fragment from the Hfr cell's DNA). How is the recipient cell different at Time D than it was at Time A? A) It has a greater number of genes. B) It has a greater mass of DNA. C) It has a different sequence of base pairs. D) It contains bacteriophage DNA.

It has a different sequence of base pairs.

A hypothetical bacterium swims among human intestinal contents until it finds a suitable location on the intestinal lining. It adheres to the intestinal lining using a feature that also protects it from phagocytes, bacteriophages, and dehydration. Fecal matter from a human in whose intestine this bacterium lives can spread the bacterium, even after being mixed with water and boiled. The bacterium is not susceptible to the penicillin family of antibiotics. It contains no plasmids and relatively little peptidoglycan. What should be true of the cell wall of this bacterium? A) Its innermost layer is composed of a phospholipid bilayer. B) After it has been subjected to Gram staining, the cell should remain purple. C) It has an outer membrane of lipopolysaccharide. D) It is mostly composed of a complex, cross-linked polysaccharide.

It has an outer membrane of lipopolysaccharide.

You have found a new prokaryote. What line of evidence would support your hypothesis that the organism is a cyanobacterium? A) It is able to form colonies and produce oxygen. B) It is an endosymbiont. C) It forms chains called mycelia. D) It lacks cell walls.

It is able to form colonies and produce oxygen.

Which statement best describes what ultimately happens to the chemical energy that is not converted to new biomass in the process of energy transfer between trophic levels in an ecosystem? A) It is undigested and winds up in the feces and is not passed on to higher trophic levels. B) It is used by organisms to maintain their life processes through the reactions of cellular respiration. C) Heat produced by cellular respiration is used by heterotrophs for thermoregulation. D) It is eliminated as feces or is dissipated into space as heat, consistent with the second law of thermodynamics.

It is eliminated as feces or is dissipated into space as heat, consistent with the second law of thermodynamics.

Often the growth cycle of one population has an effect on the cycle of another. As moose populations increase, for example, wolf populations also increase. Thus, if we are considering the logistic equation for the wolf population, dN/dt = rN , which of the factors accounts for the effect of the moose population? A) r B) N C) rN D) K

Imagine that a deep temperate zone lake did not turn over during the spring and fall seasons. Based on the physical and biological properties of limnetic ecosystems, what would be the difference from normal seasonal turnover? A) The lake would fail to freeze over in winter. B) An algal bloom of algae would result every spring. C) Lakes would suffer a nutrient depletion in surface layers. D) The pH of the lake would become increasingly alkaline.

Lakes would suffer a nutrient depletion in surface layers.

Looking at the data in the figure above, what can be said about survival and clutch size? A) Animals with low survival tend to have smaller clutch sizes. B) Large clutch size correlates with low survival. C) Animals with high survival tend to have larger clutch sizes. D) Probability of survivorship does not correlate with clutch size.

Large clutch size correlates with low survival.

Consider two old-growth forests: one is undisturbed while the other is being logged. In which region are species likely to experience exponential growth, and why? A) Old growth, because of stable conditions that would favor exponential growth of all species in the forest. B) Old growth, because each of the species is well established and can produce many offspring. C) Logged, because the disturbed forest affords more resources for increased specific populations to grow. D) Logged, because the various populations are stimulated to a higher reproductive potential.

Logged, because the disturbed forest affords more resources for increased specific populations to grow.

Which of the following investigations would shed the most light on the future distribution of organisms in temperate regions that are faced with climate change? A) Remove, to the mineral soil, all of the organisms from an experimental plot and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance. B) Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last Ice Age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends. C) Compare and contrast the flora and fauna of warm/cold/dry/wet climates to shed light on how they evolved to be suited to their present-day environment. D) Quantify the impact of man's activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction.

Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last Ice Age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends.

What is the biggest problem with selecting a site for a preserve? A) Making a proper selection is difficult because currently the environmental conditions of almost any site can change quickly. B) Keystone species are difficult to identify in potential preserve sites. C) Only lands that are not useful to human activities are available for preserves. D) Most of the best sites are inaccessible by land transportation, so making roads to them is often prohibitively expensive.

Making a proper selection is difficult because currently the environmental conditions of almost any site can change quickly.

Which of the following statements best describes the interaction between fire and ecosystems? A) The likelihood of a wildfire occurring in a given ecosystem is highly predictable over the short term. B) Many kinds of plants and plant communities have adapted to frequent fires. C) The suppression of forest fires by man has prevented certain communities, such as grasslands, from reaching their climax stage. D) Chaparral communities have evolved to the extent that they rarely burn.

Many kinds of plants and plant communities have adapted to frequent fires.

Philippe Bouchet and colleagues conducted a massive survey of marine molluscs on the west coast of New Caledonia. Twenty percent of the species found were represented by a single specimen. What does that suggest about the diversity of molluscs in this area? A) The west coast of New Caledonia is not an appropriate habitat for molluscs. B) Many of the species from this 20 percent are probably rare. C) They were not sampling uniformly throughout the area. D) Many of the species from this 20 percent are most likely just dispersing through the area.

Many of the species from this 20 percent are probably rare.

Which of the following is the most important assumption for the mark-recapture method to estimate the size of wildlife populations? A) More individuals emigrate from, as opposed to immigrate into, a population. B) Over 50% of the marked individuals need to be trapped during the recapture phase. C) There is a 50:50 ratio of males to females in the population before and after trapping and recapture. D) Marked individuals have the same probability of being recaptured as unmarked individuals during the recapture phase.

Marked individuals have the same probability of being recaptured as unmarked individuals during the recapture phase.

Matter is gained or lost in ecosystems. How does this occur? A) Chemoautotrophic organisms can convert matter to energy. B) Matter can be moved from one ecosystem to another. C) Photosynthetic organisms convert solar energy to sugars. D) Heterotrophs convert heat to energy.

Matter can be moved from one ecosystem to another.

During a one-year study, researchers found no difference in treehopper populations in any of their control and experimental groups. What could they measure during the second year to gain information about why this might have occurred? A) Measure the number of ant females. B) Measure the relative sizes of the treehoppers. C) Measure the relative abundance of jumping spiders. D) Measure the relative sizes of different ant species.

Measure the relative abundance of jumping spiders.

Elevated carbon dioxide levels have been shown to contribute to the greenhouse effect, resulting in an increase in mean global temperature. Ecosystems where the largest warming has already occurred include snow-covered northern coniferous forests, tundra, and arctic sea ice habitats. Which statement best explains how the elimination of ice-covered ecosystems affects the rise or fall in global temperature? A) Melting ice releases dissolved ozone gas, which adds to the greenhouse effect. B) More reflective surfaces of ice are replaced with darker, more absorptive surfaces, thereby contributing to the warming trend. C) Large-scale ice melts actually contribute toward lowering global temperatures by decreasing salinity of the oceans. D) Carbon dioxide levels are lowered as a result of greater volume of water to accommodate greater dissolved gas.

More reflective surfaces of ice are replaced with darker, more absorptive surfaces, thereby contributing to the warming trend.

Why do logged tropical rain forest soils typically have nutrient-poor soils? A) Tropical bedrock contains little phosphorous. B) Logging results in soil temperatures that are lethal to nitrogen-fixing bacteria. C) Most of the nutrients in the ecosystem are removed in the harvested timber. D) The cation exchange capacity of the soil is reversed as a result of logging.

Most of the nutrients in the ecosystem are removed in the harvested timber.

Erwin and Scott used an insecticidal fog to knock down insects from the top of a L. seemannii tree. The researchers identified over 900 species of beetles among the individuals that fell. Erwin also projected that this entire tree is host to about 600 arthropod species unique to this tree species. There are approximately 50,000 species of tropical trees. Although it could not be entirely accurate, what would be the best way to estimate the total number of arthropod species? A) Estimate the species density and then multiply by 50,000. B) Multiply 900 by 50,000. C) Multiply 600 by 50,000. D) Divide 900 by 600 and then multiply by 50,000.

Multiply 600 by 50,000

Why is net primary production (NPP) a more useful measurement to an ecosystem ecologist than gross primary production (GPP)? A) NPP can be expressed in energy/unit of area/unit of time. B) NPP can be expressed in terms of carbon fixed by photosynthesis for an entire ecosystem. C) NPP represents the stored chemical energy that is available to consumers in the ecosystem. D) NPP shows the rate at which the standing crop is utilized by consumers.

NPP represents the stored chemical energy that is available to consumers in the ecosystem.

In looking at the species—area plot in the figure above, what can be concluded? A) Number of bird species increases linearly with island area. B) Number of bird species remains the same on these various islands. C) Diversity is independent from island area. D) Number of bird species increases exponentially with island area.

Number of bird species increases linearly with island area.

How might an ecologist test whether a species is occupying all of its fundamental niche or only a portion of it? A) Study the temperature range and humidity requirements of the species. B) Observe if the niche size changes after the introduction of a similar non-native species. C) Measure the change in reproductive success when the species is subjected to environmental stress. D) Observe if the species expands its range after the removal of a competitor.

Observe if the species expands its range after the removal of a competitor.

According to bottom-up and top-down control models of community organization, which of the following expressions would imply that an increase in the size of a carnivore (C) population would negatively impact its prey (P) population, but not vice versa? A) P ← C B) P → C C) C ↔ P D) P ← C → P

P <--- C

Which of the following studies would shed light on the mechanism of spread of H5N1 virus from Asia? A) Perform cloacal or saliva smears of migrating waterfowl to monitor whether any infected birds show up in Alaska. B) Test fecal samples for H5N1 in Asian waterfowl that live near domestic poultry farms in Asia. C) Test for the presence of H5N1 in poultry used for human consumption worldwide. D) Locate and destroy birds infected with H5N1 in Asian open-air poultry markets.

Perform cloacal or saliva smears of migrating waterfowl to monitor whether any infected birds show up in Alaska.

Which of the following is a true statement regarding mineral nutrients in soils and their implication for primary productivity? A) Globally, phosphorous availability is most limiting to primary productivity. B) Adding a nonlimiting nutrient will stimulate primary productivity. C) Phosphorous is sometimes unavailable to producers due to leaching. D) Alkaline soils are more productive than acidic soils.

Phosphorous is sometimes unavailable to producers due to leaching.

Acid precipitation lowered the pH of soil in a terrestrial ecosystem that supported a diverse community of plants and animals. The decrease in pH eliminated all nitrogenfixing bacteria populations in the area. Which prediction most accurately reflects the impact this will have on the community? A) Since phosphorus can replace nitrogen as an essential nutrient, the impact will be minimal. B) Plants can obtain the nitrogen necessary for growth from the atmosphere, but bacterial communities will be negatively impacted. C) Primary producers will suffer from nitrogen deficiency and the entire community will experience a decrease in carrying capacity. D) The decrease in pH actually increases the availability of soil nutrients, so other nutrients that were less available cause an increase in primary production and an increase in biomass at other trophic levels.

Primary producers will suffer from nitrogen deficiency and the entire community will experience a decrease in carrying capacity.

In prokaryotes new mutations accumulate quickly in populations, while in eukaryotes new mutations accumulate much more slowly. The primary reasons for this are A) Prokaryotes have short generation times and large population sizes. B) Prokaryotes have random mutations while eukaryotes can target genes for mutations; thus mutations may not accumulate as quickly in eukaryotes but they are more useful to the organism. C) The DNA in prokaryotes is not as stable as eukaryotic DNA and is thus more likely to mutate. D) Prokaryote mutations are less effective than eukaryote mutations in providing variation for evolution.

Prokaryotes have short generation times and large population sizes.

Why is the climate drier on the leeward (downwind) side of mountain ranges that are subjected to prevailing winds? A) Deserts create dry conditions on the leeward side of mountain ranges. B) The sun illuminates the leeward side of mountain ranges at a more direct angle, converting to heat energy, which evaporates most of the water present. C) Pushed by the prevailing winds on the windward side, air is forced to rise, cool, condense, and drop its precipitation, leaving drier air to descend the leeward side. D) Air masses pushed by the prevailing winds are stopped by mountain ranges and the moisture is used up in the stagnant air masses on the leeward side.

Pushed by the prevailing winds on the windward side, air is forced to rise, cool, condense, and drop its precipitation, leaving drier air to descend the leeward side.

What does the graph in the figure above tell you about the definition of a keystone species? A) A keystone species has little interaction with other species in an environment. B) Removing a keystone species from the community drastically reduces diversity. C) Adding a keystone species to the community will make it more diverse. D) Removing a keystone species from the community will eventually allow for the invasion of a new species.

Removing a keystone species from the community drastically reduces diversity.

Examine the figure above, which notes the average barrels of oil used per person per year in different countries. What can be concluded? A) Residents in warmer climates use more energy per person. B) Residents of industrialized countries use more energy per person. C) Residents of more populated countries use more energy per person. D) English-speaking countries tend to use more energy per person.

Residents of industrialized countries use more energy per person.

The primary difference between the small-population approach (S-PA) and the declining- population approach (D-PA) to biodiversity recovery is _____. A) S-PA is interested in bolstering the genetic diversity of a threatened population rather than the environmental factors that caused the population's decline B) S-PA applies for conservation biologists when population numbers fall below 500 C) D-PA would likely involve bringing together individuals from scattered small populations to interbreed in order to promote genetic diversity D) S-PA would investigate and eliminate all of the human impacts on the habitat of the species being studied for recovery

S-PA is interested in bolstering the genetic diversity of a threatened population rather than the environmental factors that caused the population's decline

How is it that satellites can detect differences in primary productivity on Earth? A) Satellite instruments can detect reflectance patterns of the photosynthetic organisms of different ecosystems. B) Sensitive satellite instruments can measure the amount of NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) produced in the summative light reactions of different ecosystems. C) Satellites compare the wavelengths of light captured and reflected by photoautotrophs in different ecosystems. D) Satellites detect differences by measuring the amount of water vapor emitted by transpiring producers.

Satellites compare the wavelengths of light captured and reflected by photoautotrophs in different ecosystems.

Which of the following is a correct statement about the MacArthur/Wilson Island Biogeography Model? A) As the number of species on an island increases, the emigration rate decreases. B) Competitive exclusion is less likely on an island that has large numbers of species. C) Small islands receive few new immigrant species. D) Islands closer to the mainland have higher extinction rates.

Small islands receive few new immigrant species.

Which of the following events might you predict to occur if the tilt of Earth's axis relative to its plane of orbit was increased to degrees? A) Summers and winters in the United States would likely become warmer and colder, respectively. B) Seasonal variation at the equator might decrease. C) Both northern and southern hemispheres would experience summer and winter at the same time. D) Both poles would experience massive ice melts.

Summers and winters in the United States would likely become warmer and colder, respectively.

Use the survivorship curves in the figure below to answer the following questions. Refer to the figure above. Which statement best explains survivorship curve B? A) It is likely a species that provides little postnatal care, but lots of care for offspring during midlife as indicated by increased survivorship. B) This curve is likely for a species that produces lots of offspring, only a few of which are expected to survive. C) It is likely a species where no individuals in the cohort die when they are at 60-70% relative age. D) Survivorship can only decrease; therefore, this curve could not happen in nature.

Survivorship can only decrease; therefore, this curve could not happen in nature.

In areas of permafrost, stands of black spruce are frequently observed in the landscape, while other tree species are noticeably absent. Often these stands are referred to as "drunken forests" because many of the black spruce are displaced from their normal vertical alignment. What is the most likely explanation for the unusual growth of these forests in this marginal habitat? A) Branches are adapted to absorb more carbon dioxide with this displaced alignment. B) Taproot formation is impossible, so trees developed shallow root beds. C) Trees are tilted so snow prevents them from breaking or tipping over. D) Trees tip so that they do not compete with each other for sunlight.

Taproot formation is impossible, so trees developed shallow root beds.

Why is terrestrial productivity higher in equatorial climates? A) Productivity increases with temperature. B) Productivity increases with water availability. C) Productivity increases with available sunlight. D) The answer is most likely a combination of the other responses.

The answer is most likely a combination of the other responses.

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution? A) Average annual temperature and precipitation are sufficient to predict which biome will be found in an area. B) Seasonal fluctuation of temperature is not a limiting factor in biome distribution if areas have the same annual temperature and precipitation means. C) The average climate and pattern of climate are important in determining biome distribution. D) Correlation of climate with biome distribution is sufficient to determine the cause of biome patterns.

The average climate and pattern of climate are important in determining biome distribution.

A fish swimming into an estuary from a river would have which of the following as its greatest physiological challenge? A) The high water flow would make the fish expend more energy. B) The low oxygen content would give the fish difficulty in swimming aerobically. C) The temperature change would stress the fish by denaturing its proteins. D) The change in water solute content would challenge the osmotic balance of the fish.

The change in water solute content would challenge the osmotic balance of the fish.

With regard to the destruction of tropical forests, the focus is often on biodiversity and the impact to these ecosystems. What is a direct benefit to humans that helps explain why these forests need to be preserved? A) This diversity could contain undocumented insect species. B) Natural and undisturbed areas are important wildlife habitats. C) The diversity could contain novel drugs for consumers. D) The plant diversity provides shade, which lowers global warming.

The diversity could contain novel drugs for consumers.

If carbon dioxide levels continue to increase and climate change continues over the next century, which of the following would best predict the directional migration of the North American ecosystems from the biomes shown in this climograph? A) The ecosystems will shift to the south due to decreasing transpiration rates. B) The ecosystems will move to both the eastern and western coastlines as these areas will be more moderate. C) The ecosystems will move down mountains as the temperatures warm. D) The ecosystems will shift to the north as temperatures warm.

The ecosystems will shift to the north as temperatures warm.

If the sex ratio in a population is significantly different from 50:50, then which of the following will always be true? A) The population will enter the extinction vortex. B) The genetic variation in the population will increase over time. C) The effective population size will be greater than the actual population size. D) The effective population size will be less than the actual population size.

The effective population size will be less than the actual population size.

You observe two female fish of the same species breeding. One female lays 100 eggs and the other female lays 1000 eggs. Which one of the following is LEAST likely given the limits of fitness trade-offs? A) The female laying 100 eggs breeds more often than the female laying 1000 eggs. B) The female laying 100 eggs lives longer than the female laying 1000 eggs. C) The eggs from the female laying 1000 eggs have larger yolks than the yolks of the eggs from the female laying 100 eggs. D) The female laying 1000 eggs is larger than the female laying 100 eggs.

The eggs from the female laying 1000 eggs have larger yolks than the yolks of the eggs from the female laying 100 eggs.

Graph (b) in the figure above shows the normal fluctuations of a population of grouse. Assuming graph (a) in the figure above is the result of some experimental treatment in the grouse population, what can be concluded? A) The experimental treatment exacerbated the population cycling. B) The experimental treatment did not affect population cycling in this species. C) The experimental treatment has most likely identified the cause of population cycling. D) None of the other responses is true.

The experimental treatment has most likely identified the cause of population cycling.

In the hypothesis that C. stellatus (a species of barnacle) is competitively excluded from the lower intertidal zone by B. balanoides (another species of barnacle), what could be concluded about the two species? A) The fundamental and realized niches of B. balanoides and C. stellatus are identical. B) The fundamental and realized niches of B. balanoides and C. stellatus are different. C) The fundamental and realized niches of B. balanoides are different, but the fundamental and realized niches of C. stellatus are identical. D) The fundamental and realized niches of B. balanoides are identical, but the fundamental and realized niches of C. stellatus are different.

The fundamental and realized niches of B. balanoides are identical, but the fundamental and realized niches of C. stellatus are different.

As N approaches K for a certain population, which of the following is predicted by the logistic equation? A) The growth rate will not change. B) The growth rate will approach zero. C) The population will increase exponentially. D) The carrying capacity of the environment will increase.

The growth rate will approach zero.

A land developer and several ecologists are discussing how a parcel of private land should be developed while saving twenty hectares as natural habitat. The land developer suggests that the twenty hectares be divided into twenty separate one-hectare areas. The ecologists suggest that it would be better to have one intact parcel of twenty hectares. What is the significance of these different arrangements of the twenty hectares? A) There really is no difference; they should both work equally well. B) The isolated hectare plots increase the ability of individuals to disperse from one habitat to another. C) The isolated plots are more vulnerable to edge effects. D) The large plot will create more inbreeding in many species.

The isolated plots are more vulnerable to edge effects.

Scientists interested in how populations interact within communities are attempting to determine the species diversity of an island under study. What kind of data would be most helpful to the scientists in determining diversity? A) The number of different species on the island and the size of the population of each species. B) The number of species on the island that are consumers, producers, and decomposers. C) The relative biomass of each species on the island separated by trophic level. D) The number of trophic levels on the island and the niche of each species.

The number of different species on the island and the size of the population of each species.

Which of the following statements is correct about biogeochemical cycling? A) The phosphorus cycle involves the recycling of atmospheric phosphorus. B) The phosphorus cycle involves the weathering of rocks. C) The carbon cycle has maintained a constant atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide for the past million years. D) The nitrogen cycle involves movement of diatomic nitrogen between the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.

The phosphorus cycle involves the weathering of rocks.

Five new individuals were added to this small population in 1986 and ten more were added between 1990-1994. According to the figure above, what occurred in this population after these additions? A) The population increased exponentially. B) The population increased in overall numbers. C) The population growth rate increased. D) The population continued to decline

The population growth rate increased.

Using the table above, how would you describe the population dynamics of L. vivipara? A) The population is increasing. B) The population is decreasing. C) The population is stable. D) The figure does not provide this information.

The population is increasing.

Which of the following observations about flagella is true and is consistent with the scientific conclusion that the flagella from protists and bacteria evolved independently? A) The flagella of both protists and bacteria are made of the same protein, but the configuration is different. B) The mechanics of movement and protein structure are the same in these flagella, but there are significant genetic differences. C) Although the mechanism of movement in both flagella is the same, the protein that accomplishes the movement is different. D) The protein structure and the mechanism of movement in protist flagella are different from those of bacteria flagella.

The protein structure and the mechanism of movement in protist flagella are different from those of bacteria flagella.

If all prokaryotes on Earth suddenly vanished, which of the following would be the most likely and most direct result? A) Human populations would thrive in the absence of disease. B) Bacteriophage numbers would dramatically increase. C) The recycling of nutrients would be greatly reduced, at least initially. D) There would be no more pathogens on Earth.

The recycling of nutrients would be greatly reduced, at least initially.

Red-cheeked salamanders are partially protected from predators because of cardiac glycosides they produce from glands on their back. When ingested, cardiac glycosides disrupt normal heart rhythms. A different salamander species, the imitator salamander, also has red cheek patches, but does not produce cardiac glycosides. It does gain protection from predators that have learned to avoid red cheeked salamanders. How does this relationship affect the population dynamics of both species? A) Both species are negatively affected. B) Both species are positively affected. C) The red cheeked salamander is positively affected, the imitator is negatively affected. D) The red cheeked salamander is negatively affected, the imitator is positively affected.

The red cheeked salamander is negatively affected, the imitator is positively affected.

What conclusion can you draw from the figure above? A) Hares control lynx population size. B) Lynx control hare population size. C) Lynx and hare populations are independent of each other. D) The relationship between the populations cannot be determined only from this graph.

The relationship between the populations cannot be determined only from this graph.

Which of the following statements is a valid conclusion of this experiment? A) Balanus can survive only in the lower intertidal zone because it is unable to resist desiccation. B) Balanus is inferior to Chthamalus in competing for space on rocks lower in the intertidal zone. C) The two species of barnacles do not compete with each other because they feed at different times of day. D) The removal of Balanus shows that the realized niche of Chthamalus is smaller than its fundamental niche.

The removal of Balanus shows that the realized niche of Chthamalus is smaller than its fundamental niche.

What problem with red-cockaded woodpecker populations in the southeastern United States was addressed by habitat intervention? A) The only habitat that can support their recovery is large tracts of mature oak forest. B) The mature pine forests in which they live cannot ever be subjected to forest fire. C) All of the appropriate red-cockaded woodpecker habitat has already been logged or converted to agricultural land. D) The social organization of the red-cockaded woodpecker precluded the dispersal of reproductive individuals.

The social organization of the red-cockaded woodpecker precluded the dispersal of reproductive individuals.

The eight climographs below show yearly temperature (line graph and left vertical axis) and precipitation (bar graph and right vertical axis) averages for each month for some locations on Earth. Which of the following best substantiates why location 3 is an equatorial (tropical) climate? A) It has a monsoon season during the winter months. B) The temperature is high for each monthly average. C) The temperatures reach 100°F during some months. D) The temperatures are lower in June, July, and August.

The temperature is high for each monthly average.

When a virus infects a bacterial cell, often new viruses are assembled and released when the host bacterial cell is lysed. If these new viruses go on to infect new bacterial cells the host cells may not be lysed. What is the most plausible explanation for this? A) The bacterial cell must be resistant to infection by the virus. B) The virus carries genes that confer resistance to the host bacterial cell. C) The host bacterium couples the viral infection with transformation. D) The virus has entered the genome of the bacterial cell and is in the lysogenic stage.

The virus has entered the genome of the bacterial cell and is in the lysogenic stage.

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass? A) The cool, moist Pacific air heats up as it rises, releasing its precipitation as it passes the tops of the mountains. This warm, now dry air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range. B) The warm, moist Pacific air rises and cools, releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range. This cool, now dry air mass heats up as it descends on the leeward side of the range. C) The cool, dry Pacific air heats up and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation when the air cools while descending on the leeward side of the range. D) These air masses are blocked by the mountain ranges, producing high annual amounts of precipitation on the windward sides of these mountain ranges.

The warm, moist Pacific air rises and cools, releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range. This cool, now dry air mass heats up as it descends on the leeward side of the range.

Use the following information to answer the question(s) below. Abstract: Increased radiative forcing is an inevitable part of global climate change, yet little is known of its potential effects on the energy fluxes in natural ecosystems. To simulate the conditions of global warming, we exposed peat monoliths (depth, 0.6 cm; surface area, 2.1 m2) from a bog and fen in northern Minnesota, USA, to three infrared (IR) loading (ambient, +45, and +90 W m-2) and three water table (-16, -20, and -29 cm in bog and -1, -10 and -18 cm in fen) treatments, each replicated in three mesocosm plots. Net radiation (Rn) and soil energy fluxes at the top, bottom, and sides of the mesocosms were measured in 1999, five years after the treatments had begun. Soil heat flux (G) increased proportionately with IR loading, comprising about 3%-8% of Rn. In the fen, the effect of IR loading on G was modulated by water table depth, whereas in the bog, it was not. Energy dissipation from the mesocosms occurred mainly via vertical exchange with air, as well as the deeper soil layers through the bottom of the mesocosms, whereas lateral fluxes were 10- to 20-fold smaller and independent of IR loading and water table depth. The exchange with deeper soil layers was sensitive to water table depth, in contrast to G, which responded primarily to IR loading. The qualitative responses in the bog and fen were similar, but the fen displayed wider seasonal variations and greater extremes in soil energy fluxes. The differences of G in the bog and fen are attributed to differences in the reflectance in the long waveband as a function of vegetation type, whereas the differences in soil heat storage may also depend on different soil properties and different water table depth at comparable treatments. These data suggest that the ecosystem-dependent controls over soil energy fluxes may provide an important constraint on biotic response to climate change. Copyright © 2004 Springer-Verlag (A. Noormets et al. 2004. The effects of infrared loading and water table on soil energy fluxes in northern peatlands. Ecosystems 7:573-582.) The Noormets et al. study (2004) shows that there was an ecosystem-specific control over soil energy fluxes, and this constrained the biotic response to climate change. How do you think radiative heat would affect the water table in a wetland versus a temperate forest? A) The wetland would likely absorb less heat than the temperate forest and, therefore, not significantly change water table depth. B) The wetland would likely absorb more heat than the temperate forest and significantly change water table depth. C) The temperate forest would likely absorb more heat than the wetland and significantly change water table depth. D) Both areas would absorb similar amounts of radiative heat and, therefore, affect the water table equally.

The wetland would likely absorb more heat than the temperate forest and significantly change water table depth.

Suppose you attend a town meeting at which some experts tell the audience that they have performed a cost-benefit analysis of a proposed transit system that would probably reduce overall air pollution and fossil fuel consumption. The analysis, however, reveals that ticket prices will not cover the cost of operating the system when fuel, wages, and equipment are taken into account. As a biologist, you know that if ecosystem services had been included in the analysis, the experts might have arrived at a different answer. Why are ecosystem services rarely included in economic analyses? A) Their cost is difficult to estimate and people take them for granted. B) They are not worth much and are usually not cost effective. C) Ecosystem services only take into account abiotic factors that affect local environments. D) Federal laws of the United States exclude their inclusion in any cost benefit analysis.

Their cost is difficult to estimate and people take them for granted.

What is the primary limiting factor that determines why no female animal can produce a very large number of very large eggs? A) Time is limited. B) There are energy constraints. C) Temperature constraints will prevent females from carrying too many eggs. D) There will be an increase in predation pressure if the females carry too many large eggs.

There are energy constraints.

What would be the effect on climate in the temperate latitudes if Earth were to slow its rate of rotation from a 24-hour period of rotation to a 48-hour period of rotation? A) Seasons would be longer and more distinct (colder winters and warmer summers). B) Large-scale weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes would no longer be a part of regional climates. C) Winter seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres would have more abundant and frequent precipitation events. D) There often would be a larger range between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures.

There often would be a larger range between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures.

Long-term studies of Belding's ground squirrels show that immigrants move nearly 2 kilometers from where they are born and become 1%-8% of the males and 0.7%-6% of the females in other populations. On an evolutionary scale, why is this significant? A) These immigrants make up for the deaths of individuals, keeping the other populations' size stable. B) These immigrants provide a source of genetic diversity for the other populations. C) Those individuals that emigrate to these new populations are looking for less crowded conditions with more resources. D) Gradually, the populations of ground squirrels will move from a clumped to a uniform population pattern of dispersion.

These immigrants provide a source of genetic diversity for the other populations.

How does inefficient transfer of energy among trophic levels result in the typically high endangerment status of many top-level predators? A) Top-level predators are destined to have small populations that are sparsely distributed. B) Predators have relatively large population sizes. C) Predators are more disease-prone than animals at lower trophic levels. D) Top-level predators are more likely to be stricken with parasites.

Top-level predators are destined to have small populations that are sparsely distributed.

Which of the following is a consequence of biological magnification (biomagnification)? A) Toxic chemicals in the environment pose greater risk to top-level predators than to primary consumers. B) Populations of top-level predators are generally smaller than populations of primary consumers. C) Only a small portion of the energy captured by producers is transferred to consumers. D) The amount of biomass in the producer level of an ecosystem decreases if the producer turnover time increases.

Toxic chemicals in the environment pose greater risk to top-level predators than to primary consumers.

Which of the following is a widely supported explanation for the tendency of tropical communities to have greater species diversity than temperate or polar communities? A) There are fewer parasites to negatively affect the health of tropical communities. B) Tropical communities are low in altitude, whereas temperate and polar communities are high in altitude. C) Tropical communities are generally older than temperate and polar communities. D) More competitive dominant species have evolved in temperate and polar communities.

Tropical communities are generally older than temperate and polar communities.

Based on the figure above and given the populations of the following countries, which country uses the most oil overall? A) United States (population = 320 million) B) Canada (population = 36 million) C) China (population = 1.33 billion) D) Russia (population = 144 million)

United States (population = 320 million)

Subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End, England, whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada, where the local flora is subarctic. Which statement best explains why this apparent anomaly exists between North America and Europe? A) Labrador does not get enough rainfall to support the subtropical flora found in Land's End. B) Warm ocean currents interact with England, whereas cold ocean currents interact with Labrador. C) Rainfall fluctuates greatly in England; rainfall is consistently high in Labrador. D) Labrador receives sunlight of lower duration and intensity than does Land's End.

Warm ocean currents interact with England, whereas cold ocean currents interact with Labrador.

Which of the following is responsible for the differences in summer and winter temperature stratification of deep temperate zone lakes? A) Water is densest at 4°C. B) Oxygen is most abundant in deeper waters. C) Winter ice sinks in the summer. D) Stratification is caused by a thermocline.

Water is densest at 4°C.

Which of the following can be said about light in aquatic environments? A) Water selectively reflects and absorbs certain wavelengths of light. B) Longer wavelengths penetrate to greater depths. C) Light penetration seldom limits the distribution of photosynthetic species. D) Most photosynthetic organisms avoid the surface where the light is too intense.

Water selectively reflects and absorbs certain wavelengths of light.

What would happen to the seasons if the Earth were tilted 35 degrees off its orbital plane instead of the usual 23.5 degrees? A) The seasons would disappear. B) Winters and summers would be more severe. C) Winters and summers would be less severe. D) The seasons would be shorter.

Winters and summers would be more severe.

What conclusion can you draw from the figure above? A) Without direct contact, mussels can sense the presence of crabs. B) Mussels can sense the presence of crabs only visually. C) Mussels are increasing their shell thickness in response to water current. D) Crabs hunt for mussels by focusing on the chemicals they emit into the water.

Without direct contact, mussels can sense the presence of crabs.

Imagine that you are managing a large game ranch. You know from historical accounts that a species of deer used to live there, but they have been extirpated. After doing some research to determine what might be an appropriately sized founding population, you reintroduce them. You then watch the population increase for several generations, and graph the number of individuals (vertical axis) against the number of generations (horizontal axis). With no natural predators impacting the population, the graph will likely appear as _____. A) a diagonal line, getting higher with each generation B) an "S" that ends with a vertical line C) an upside-down "U" D) a "J," increasing with each generation

a "J," increasing with each generation

Which of the following is an example of cryptic coloration? A) bands on a coral snake B) brown or gray color of tree bark C) markings of a viceroy butterfly's wings D) a "walking stick" insect that resembles a twig

a "walking stick" insect that resembles a twig

A hypothetical bacterium swims among human intestinal contents until it finds a suitable location on the intestinal lining. It adheres to the intestinal lining using a feature that also protects it from phagocytes, bacteriophages, and dehydration. Fecal matter from a human in whose intestine this bacterium lives can spread the bacterium, even after being mixed with water and boiled. The bacterium is not susceptible to the penicillin family of antibiotics. It contains no plasmids and relatively little peptidoglycan. Adherence to the intestinal lining by this bacterium is due to its possession of _____. A) fimbriae B) pili C) a capsule D) a flagellum

a capsule

Which of the following is an example of Batesian mimicry? A) a butterfly that resembles a leaf B) a nonvenomous snake that looks like a venomous snake C) a fawn with fur coloring that camouflages it in the forest environment D) a snapping turtle that uses its tongue to mimic a worm, thus attracting fish

a nonvenomous snake that looks like a venomous snake

Which of the following would be considered an example of bioremediation? A) adding nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to a degraded ecosystem to increase nitrogen availability B) using a bulldozer to regrade a strip mine C) dredging a river bottom to remove contaminated sediments D) adding seeds of a chromium-accumulating plant to soil contaminated by chromium

adding nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to a degraded ecosystem to increase nitrogen availability

If infection primarily involves the outermost layers of adult amphibian skin, and if the chytrids use the skin as their sole source of nutrition, then which term best applies to the chytrids? A) anaerobic chemoautotroph B) aerobic chemoautotroph C) anaerobic chemoheterotroph D) aerobic chemoheterotroph

aerobic chemoheterotroph

Using the table above, determine which age class year would hurt the population growth most if it were wiped out by disease. A) age class year 1 B) age class year 2 C) age class year 3 D) age class year 4

age class year 1

Which category in the figure above makes available the highest productivity per square meter? A) tropical wet forest B) open ocean C) algal beds and reefs D) wetlands

algal beds and reefs

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem? A) all of the brook trout in a 500-square-hectare river drainage system B) the plants, animals, and decomposers that inhabit an alpine meadow C) the intricate interactions of the various plant and animal species on a savanna during a drought D) all of the organisms and their physical environment in a tropical rain forest

all of the organisms and their physical environment in a tropical rain forest

Which of the following extremophiles might researchers most likely use as a model for the earliest organisms on Earth? A) a bacterium found on another planet or moon B) an archaean capable of surviving in the polar ice caps C) an anaerobic archaean species D) a bacterium that thrives in a highly acidic environment

an anaerobic archaean species

In which of the following situations would you expect to find the largest number of K- selected individuals? A) a recently abandoned agricultural field in Ohio B) a shifting sand dune community of south Lake Michigan C) an old-growth forest D) South Florida after a hurricane

an old-growth forest

If you are interested in observing a relatively simple community structure in a clear water lake, you would do well to choose diving into _____. A) an oligotrophic lake B) a eutrophic lake C) a relatively shallow lake D) a nutrient-rich lake

an oligotrophic lake

A hypothetical bacterium swims among human intestinal contents until it finds a suitable location on the intestinal lining. It adheres to the intestinal lining using a feature that also protects it from phagocytes, bacteriophages, and dehydration. Fecal matter from a human in whose intestine this bacterium lives can spread the bacterium, even after being mixed with water and boiled. The bacterium is not susceptible to the penicillin family of antibiotics. It contains no plasmids and relatively little peptidoglycan. This bacterium derives nutrition by digesting human intestinal contents. Thus, this bacterium is an _____. A) aerobic chemoheterotroph B) aerobic chemoautotroph C) anaerobic chemoheterotroph D) anaerobic chemoautotroph

anareobic chemoheterotroph

In the figure above, which of the arrows represents the carrying capacity? A) arrow A B) arrow B C) arrow C D) Carrying capacity cannot be found in the figure because species under density-dependent control never reach carrying capacity.

arrow C

Bacteria able to perform the NH4+ + NO2- → N2 + 2H2O reaction have been discovered in laboratory bioreactors and wastewater treatment systems. Researchers predicted that these bacteria should exist in oceans. They measured the concentration of NH4+, NO2-, NO3-, and O2 in the Black Sea as a function of water depth (M. Kuypers et al. 2003 Anaerobic ammonium oxidation by anammox bacteria in the Black Sea. Nature 422:608-11) to determine where in the sea the bacteria might live. Analyzing data presented in the figure above, at what depth would you expect to find the bacteria? (Note: In the figure, different scales are used to show concentrations of NH4+, NO2-, NO3-, and O2.) A) in the top 50 meters B) at a depth of 75 meters C) at a depth of 92 meters D) below 100 meters

at a depth of 92 meters

For most terrestrial ecosystems, pyramids composed of species abundances, biomass, and energy are similar in that they have a broad base and a narrow top. The primary reason for this pattern is that _____. A) secondary consumers and top carnivores require less energy than producers B) at each step, energy is lost from the system C) biomagnification of toxic materials limits the secondary consumers and top carnivores D) top carnivores and secondary consumers have a more general diet than primary producers

at each step, energy is lost from the system

Consider the global water cycle depicted in the figure above. Which one of the reserves contains the smallest percentage of global water? A) rivers and lakes B) polar ice caps C) glaciers D) atmosphere

atmosphere

Which of the following types of organisms is likely to have the widest geographic distribution? A) bacteria B) songbirds C) bears D) lizards

bacteria

The pathogenic prokaryotes that cause cholera are _____. A) archaea that release an exotoxin B) archaea that release an endotoxin C) bacteria that release an exotoxin D) bacteria that release an endotoxin

bacteria that release an exotoxin

If the sun were to suddenly stop providing energy to Earth, most ecosystems would vanish. Which of the following ecosystems would likely survive the longest after this hypothetical disaster? A) tropical rain forest B) tundra C) benthic ocean D) desert

benthic ocean

In this eight-year experiment, twelve populations of E. coli, each begun from a single cell, were grown in low-glucose conditions for 20,000 generations. Each culture was introduced to fresh growth medium every twenty-four hours. Occasionally, samples were removed from the populations, and their fitness in low-glucose conditions was tested against that of members sampled from the ancestral (common ancestor) E. coli population. If new genetic variation in the experimental populations arose solely by spontaneous mutations, then the most effective process for subsequently increasing the prevalence of the beneficial mutations in the population over the course of generations is _____. A) transduction B) binary fission C) conjugation D) transformation

binary fission

Which of the following is LEAST associated with the others? A) horizontal gene transfer B) conjugation C) transformation D) binary fission

binary fission

Which of the following terms includes all of the others? A) species diversity B) biodiversity C) genetic diversity D) ecosystem diversity

biodiversity

This causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds. A) acid precipitation B) biological magnification C) greenhouse effect D) eutrophication

biological magnification

Fire suppression by humans _____. A) can change the species composition within biological communities. B) will result ultimately in sustainable production of increased amounts of forest products for human use. C) is necessary for the protection of threatened and endangered forest species. D) is a management goal of conservation biologists to maintain the healthy condition of forest communities.

can change the species composition within biological communities

Some birds follow moving swarms of army ants in the tropics. As the ants march along the forest floor hunting insects and small vertebrates, birds follow and pick off any insects or small vertebrates that fly or jump out of the way of the ants. This situation is an example of what kind of species interaction between the birds and the ants? A) consumption B) commensalism C) parasitism D) mutualism

commensalism

Healthy individuals of Paramecium bursaria contain photosynthetic algal endosymbionts of the genus Chlorella. When within their hosts, the algae are referred to as zoochlorellae. In aquaria with light coming from only one side, P. bursaria gather at the well-lit side, whereas other species of Paramecium gather at the opposite side. The zoochlorellae provide their hosts with glucose and oxygen, and P. bursaria provides its zoochlorellae with protection and motility. P. bursaria can lose its zoochlorellae in two ways: (1) if kept in darkness, the algae will die; and (2) if prey items (mostly bacteria) are absent from its habitat, P. bursaria will digest its zoochlorellae. A P. bursaria cell that has lost its zoochlorellae is aposymbiotic. If aposymbiotic cells have population growth rates the same as those of healthy, zoochlorella-containing P. bursaria in well-lit environments with plenty of prey items, then such an observation would be consistent with which type of relationship? A) parasitic B) commensalistic C) toxic D) mutualistic

commensalistic

According to the nonequilibrium model of community diversity, _____. A) community structure remains stable in the absence of interspecific competition B) communities are assemblages of closely linked species that are irreparably changed by disturbance C) interspecific interactions induce changes in community composition over time D) communities are constantly changing after being influenced by disturbances

communities are constantly changing after being influenced by disturbances

Which of the following causes populations to shift most quickly from an exponential to a logistic population growth? A) favorable climatic conditions B) removal of predators C) decreased death rate D) competition for resources

competition for resources

Connell conducted this experiment to learn more about _____. A) character displacement in the color of barnacles B) habitat preference in two different species of barnacles C) how sea-level changes affect barnacle distribution D) competitive exclusion and distribution of barnacle species

competitive exclusion and distribution of barnacle species

Uniform spacing patterns in plants such as the creosote bush are most often associated with _____. A) patterns of high humidity B) the random distribution of seeds C) competitive interaction between individuals of the same population D) the concentration of nutrients within the population's range

competitive interaction between individuals of the same population

The main purpose of wildlife (movement) corridors is to _____. A) slow down the introduction of new individuals of a species B) slowly introduce a species to a new preserve C) create more edge habitat D) connect two otherwise isolated populations

connect two otherwise isolated populations

Managing southeastern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker _____. A) required the growth of a dense understory of trees and shrubs B) contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest bird species C) caused other species of songbird to decline D) involved strict fire suppression measures

contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest bird species

Two plant species live in the same biome but on different continents. Although the two species are not at all closely related, they may appear quite similar as a result of _____. A) convergent evolution B) allopatric speciation C) introgression D) gene flow

convergent evolution

Nitrifying bacteria participate in the nitrogen cycle mainly by _____. A) converting nitrogen gas to ammonia B) releasing ammonium from organic compounds, thus returning it to the soil C) converting ammonium to nitrate, which plants absorb D) incorporating nitrogen into amino acids and organic compounds

converting ammonium to nitrate, which plants absorb

Which of the following examples would most accurately measure the density of the population being studied? A) counting the number of times a one-kilometer transect is intersected by tracks of red squirrels after a snowfall B) counting the number of coyote droppings per hectare C) counting the number of moss plants in one-square-meter quadrants D) counting the number of zebras from airplane census observations.

counting the number of moss plants in one-square-meter quandrants

The most recently discovered phylum in the animal kingdom (1995) is the phylum Cycliophora. It includes three species of tiny organisms that live in large numbers on the outsides of the mouthparts and appendages of lobsters. The feeding stage permanently attaches to the lobster via an adhesive disk and collects scraps of food from its host's feeding by capturing the scraps in a current created by a ring of cilia. The body is sac-like and has a U-shaped intestine that brings the anus close to the mouth. Cycliophorans are coelomates, do not molt (though their host does), and their embryos undergo spiral cleavage. Bacteria perform each of the following ecological roles. Which role typically does NOT involve symbiosis? A) skin commensalist B) decomposer C) aggregates with methane-consuming archaea D) gut mutualist

decomposer

If a meteor impact or volcanic eruption injected a lot of dust into the atmosphere and reduced the sunlight reaching Earth's surface by 70 percent for one year, which of the following marine communities most likely would be least affected? A) deep-sea vent B) coral reef C) intertidal D) estuary

deep-sea vent

Broad-spectrum antibiotics inhibit the growth of most intestinal bacteria. Consequently, assuming that nothing is done to counter the reduction of intestinal bacteria, a hospital patient who is receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics is most likely to become _____. A) unable to fix carbon dioxide B) antibiotic resistant C) unable to synthesize peptidoglycan D) deficient in certain vitamins and nutrients

deficient in certain vitamins and nutrients

The figure below depicts changes to the amount of DNA present in a recipient cell that is engaged in conjugation with an Hfr cell. Hfr cell DNA begins entering the recipient cell at Time A. Assume that reciprocal crossing over occurs (in other words, a fragment of the recipient's chromosome is exchanged for a homologous fragment from the Hfr cell's DNA). What is occurring at Time C that is decreasing the DNA content? A) crossing over B) cytokinesis C) degradation of DNA that was not retained in the recipient's chromosome D) reversal of the direction of conjugation

degradation of DNA that was not retained in the recipient's chromosome

An ecologist recorded twelve white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, per square kilometer in one woodlot and twenty per square kilometer in another woodlot. What was the ecologist comparing? A) density B) dispersion C) carrying capacity D) range

density

Generally speaking, deserts are located in places where air masses are usually _____. A) tropical B) humid C) rising D) descending

descending

Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists _____. A) determine the distribution of a species in a specified area B) develop mathematical models for distribution and abundance of organisms C) determine if dispersal is a key factor in limiting distribution of organisms D) consolidate a landscape region into a single ecosystem

determine if dispersal is a key factor in limiting distribution of organisms

Which of the following choices includes all of the others in creating global terrestrial climates? A) differential heating of Earth's surface B) ocean currents C) global wind patterns D) Earth's rotation on its axis

differential heating of Earth's surface

Which of the following could qualify as a top-down control on a grassland community? A) limitation of plant biomass by rainfall amount B) influence of temperature on competition among plants C) influence of soil nutrients on the abundance of grasses versus wildflowers D) effect of grazing intensity by bison on plant species diversity

effect of grazing intensity by bison on plant species diversity

According to the figure above, what is the LEAST likely explanation for the data after 1985? A) emigration B) immigration C) introduction of new alleles into the population D) increased resources in the area

emigration

This is caused by excessive nutrient runoff into aquatic ecosystems. A) depletion of ozone layer B) acid precipitation C) biological magnification D) eutrophication

eutrophication

If two species are close competitors, and one species is experimentally removed from the community, the remaining species would be expected to _____. A) change its fundamental niche B) decline in abundance C) become the target of specialized parasites D) expand its realized niche

expand its realized niche

As big as it is, the ocean is nutrient-limited. If you wanted to investigate this phenomenon, one reasonable approach would be to _____. A) observe Antarctic Ocean productivity from year to year to see if it changes B) experimentally enrich some areas of the ocean and compare their productivity to that of untreated areas C) compare nutrient concentrations between the photic zone and the benthic zone in various marine locations D) contrast nutrient uptake by autotrophs in marine locations that are different temperatures

experimentally enrich some areas of the ocean and compare their productivity to that of untreated areas

Assuming that each of these possesses a cell wall, which prokaryotes should be expected to be most strongly resistant to plasmolysis in hypertonic environments? A) extreme halophiles B) extreme thermophiles C) methanogens D) cyanobacteria

extreme halophiles

Use the following graph and information to answer the question below. Flycatcher birds that migrate from Africa to Europe feed their nestlings a diet that is almost exclusively moth caterpillars. The graph below shows the mean dates of arrival, bird hatching, and peak caterpillar season for the years 1980 and 2000. The shift in the peak of caterpillar season is most likely due to _____. A) earlier migration returns of flycatchers B) an innate change in the biological clock of the caterpillars C) global warming D) acid precipitation in Europe

global warming

Which of the following ecosystems would likely have the largest net primary productivity per hectare and why? A) open ocean, because of the total biomass of photosynthetic autotrophs B) grassland, because of the small standing crop biomass that results from consumption by herbivores and rapid decomposition C) tundra, because of the incredibly rapid period of growth during the summer season D) cave, due to the lack of photosynthetic autotrophs

grassland, because of the small standing crop biomass that results from consumption by herbivores and rapid decomposition

Use of synthetic fertilizers often leads to the contamination of groundwater with nitrates. Nitrate pollution is also a suspected cause of anoxic "dead zones" in the ocean. Which of the following might help reduce nitrate pollution? A) growing improved crop plants that have nitrogen-fixing enzymes B) adding nitrifying bacteria to the soil C) adding denitrifying bacteria to the soil D) using ammonia instead of nitrate as a fertilizer

growing improved crop plants that have nitrogen-fixing enzymes

During exponential growth, a population always _____. A) grows at its maximum per capita rate B) quickly reaches its carrying capacity C) cycles through time D) loses some individuals to emigration

grows at its maximum per capita rate

Which of the following is the most direct threat to biodiversity? A) increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide B) the depletion of the ozone layer C) overexploitation of selected species D) habitat destruction

habitat destruction

As climate changes because of global warming, plant species' ranges in the northern hemisphere may move northward. The trees that are most likely to avoid extinction in such an environment are those that _____. A) have seeds that are easily dispersed by wind or animals B) produce well-provisioned seeds C) have seeds that become viable only after a forest fire D) disperse many seeds in close proximity to the parent tree

have seeds that are easily dispersed by wind or animals

Which of the following terms encompasses all of the others? A) heterotrophs B) herbivores C) carnivores D) primary consumers

heterotrophs

Which of the following provides the best evidence of a biodiversity crisis? A) the incursion of a non-native species B) increasing pollution levels C) high rate of extinction D) climate change

high rate of extinction

Natural selection involves energetic trade-offs between _____. A) choosing how many offspring to produce over the course of a lifetime and how long to live B) producing large numbers of gametes when employing internal fertilization versus fewer numbers of gametes when employing external fertilization C) increasing the number of individuals produced during each reproductive episode and a corresponding decrease in parental care D) high survival rates of offspring and the cost of parental care

high survival rates of offspring and the coat of parental care

Mitochondria are thought to be the descendants of certain alpha proteobacteria. They are, however, no longer able to lead independent lives because most genes originally present on their chromosomes have moved to the nuclear genome. Which phenomenon accounts for the movement of these genes? A) plasmolysis B) conjugation C) translation D) horizontal gene transfer

horizontal gene transfer

To better comprehend the magnitude of current extinctions, it will be necessary to _____. A) differentiate between plant extinction and animal extinction numbers B) focus on identifying more species of mammals and birds C) identify more of the yet unknown species of organisms on Earth D) use the average extinction rates of vertebrates as a baseline

identify more of the yet unknown species of organisms on Earth

Why does the 2009 U.S. population continue to grow even though the United States has essentially established a zero population growth (ZPG)? A) emigration B) immigration C) baby boomer reproduction D) the 2007-2009 economic recession

immigration

When climbing a mountain, we can observe transitions in biological communities that are analogous to the changes _____. A) in biomes at different latitudes B) in a community through different seasons C) in an ecosystem as it evolves over time D) across the United States from east to west

in biomes at different latitudes

Consider the global nitrogen cycle depicted in the figure above. How are humans altering this cycle? A) industrial nitrogen fixation B) nitrogen lost to the atmosphere C) reduction of nitrogen available to terrestrial ecosystems D) reduction of nitrogen fixation by bacteria

industrial nitrogen fixation

The soil layer surrounding plant roots, called the rhizosphere, has been shown in some cases to _____. A) contain fungi that produce an endotoxin which inhibits the growth rhizomes B) inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens C) produce vitamins essential for the uptake of nitrogen D) contain archaea which produce antibiotics that prevent the growth of most bacteria

inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens

In a particular case of secondary succession, three species of wild grass all invaded a field. By the second season, a single species dominated the field. A possible factor in this secondary succession was _____. A) equilibrium B) immigration C) inhibition D) parasitism

inhibition

Which of the following criteria have to be met for a species to qualify as invasive? A) endemic to the area, spreads rapidly, and displaces foreign species B) introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces native species C) introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces other invasive species D) endemic to the area, spreads slowly, and displaces native species

introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces native species

What strategy was used to rescue Illinois prairie chickens from a recent extinction vortex? A) determining the minimum viable population size by taking into account the effective population size B) establishing a nature reserve to protect its habitat C) introducing individuals from other populations to increase genetic variation D) reducing the population size of its predators and competitors

introducing individuals from other populations to increase genetic variation

A certain species of pine tree survives only in scattered locations at elevations above 2800 meters in the western United States. To understand why this tree grows only in these specific places, an ecologist should _____. A) study the anatomy and physiology of this species B) investigate the various biotic and abiotic factors that are unique to high altitude C) analyze the soils found in the vicinity of these trees, looking for unique chemicals that may support their growth D) collect data on temperature, wind, and precipitation at several of these locations for a year

investigate the various biotic and abiotic factors that are unique to high altitude

Zoonotic disease _____. A) is caused by suborganismal pathogens such as viruses, viroids, and prions only B) is caused by pathogens that are transferred from other animals to humans by direct contact or by means of a vector C) can only be spread from animals to humans through direct contact D) can only be transferred from animals to humans by means of an intermediate host

is caused by pathogens that are transferred from other animals to humans by direct contact or by means of a vector

Which pair of terms most accurately describes life history traits for a stable population of wolves? A) semelparous; r-selected B) semelparous; K-selected C) iteroparous; r-selected D) iteroparous; K-selected

iteroparous; K-selected

In a tide pool, fifteen species of invertebrates were reduced to eight after one species was removed. The species removed was likely a(n) _____. A) pathogen B) keystone species C) herbivore D) resource partitioner

keystone species

If a bacterium regenerates from an endospore that did not possess any of the plasmids that were contained in its original parent cell, the regenerated bacterium will probably also _____. A) lack antibiotic-resistant genes B) lack a cell wall C) lack a chromosome D) lack water in its cytoplasm

lack antibiotic-resistant genes

Which of the following traits do archaeans and bacteria share? A) composition of the cell wall B) composition of the cell wall and lack of a nuclear envelope C) lack of a nuclear envelope and presence of plasma membrane D) presence of plasma membrane and composition of the cell wall

lack of a nuclear envelope and presence of plasma membrane

According to the equilibrium model of island biogeography, species richness would be greatest on an island that is _____. A) large and close to a mainland B) large and remote C) small and remote D) small and close to a mainland

large and close to a mainland

Overharvesting encourages extinction and is most likely to affect _____. A) animals that occupy a broad ecological niche B) large animals with low intrinsic reproductive rates C) most organisms that live in the oceans D) edge-adapted species

large animals with low intrinsic reproductive rates

In deep water, which of the following abiotic factors would most limit productivity? A) temperature B) light availability C) solute concentration

light availability

In the figure above, which of the lines represents the highest per-capita rate increase (r)? A) line A B) line B C) line C D) line D

line A

What is a logical conclusion that can be drawn from the graphs above? Developed countries have _____. A) lower infant mortality rates and lower life expectancy than developing countries B) higher infant mortality rates and lower life expectancy than developing countries C) lower infant mortality rates and higher life expectancy than developing countries D) higher infant mortality rates and higher life expectancy than developing countries

lower infant mortality rates and higher life expectancy than developing countries

Which one of the following correctly ranks these organisms in order from lowest to highest percent in production efficiency? A) mammals, fish, insects B) insects, fish, mammals C) fish, insects, mammals D) mammals, insects, fish

mammals, fish, insects

During the inventory of bacterial genes present in the Sargasso Sea in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a research team concluded that at least 1800 bacterial species were discovered. Based on what you know about this area, what would you expect to see in coral reef waters? A) slightly greater genetic diversity B) slightly smaller genetic diversity C) markedly greater genetic diversity D) markedly smaller genetic diversity

markedly greater genetic diversity

microevolution

Based on the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, a community's species diversity is increased by _____. A) frequent massive disturbance B) stable conditions with no disturbance C) moderate levels of disturbance D) intensive disturbance by humans

moderate levels of disturbance

There are more species in tropical areas than in places more distant from the equator. This is probably a result of _____. A) fewer predators B) more intense annual solar radiation C) more frequent ecological disturbances D) fewer agents of disease

more intense annual solar radiation

Food chains are sometimes short because _____. A) only a single species of herbivore feeds on each plant species B) local extinction of a species causes extinction of the other species in its food chain C) most of the energy in a trophic level is lost as it passes to the next higher level D) predator species tend to be less diverse and less abundant than prey species

most of the energy in a trophic level is lost as it passes to the next higher level

In some circumstances, grasses benefit from being grazed. Which of the following terms would best describe such a plant-herbivore interaction? A) mutualism B) commensalism C) parasitism D) predation

mutualism

Consider the global nitrogen cycle depicted in the figure above. What is the limiting portion of the cycle for plants? A) industrial nitrogen fixation B) nitrogen lost to the atmosphere C) internal nitrogen cycling in the oceans D) nitrogen fixation by bacteria

nitrogen fixation by bacteria

In this eight-year experiment, twelve populations of E. coli, each begun from a single cell, were grown in low-glucose conditions for 20,000 generations. Each culture was introduced to fresh growth medium every twenty-four hours. Occasionally, samples were removed from the populations, and their fitness in low-glucose conditions was tested against that of members sampled from the ancestral (common ancestor) E. coli population. If the vertical axis of the figure above refers to relative fitness, then which of the following is the most valid and accurate measure of fitness? A) number of daughter cells produced per mother cell per generation B) average swimming speed of cells through the growth medium C) amount of glucose synthesized per unit time D) number of generations per unit time

number of generations per unit time

Coral reefs can be found on the southeast coast of the United States but not at similar latitudes on the southwest coast. Differences in which of the following most likely account for this? A) precipitation B) day length C) ocean currents D) salinity

ocean currents

Which of the following is characteristic of K-selected populations? A) offspring with good chances of survival B) many offspring per reproductive episode C) small offspring D) a high intrinsic rate of increase

offspring wth good chances of survival

Use the following abstract from Theoretical Population Biology to answer the question. Abstract: We derive measures for assessing the value of an individual habitat fragment for the dynamics and persistence of a metapopulation living in a network of many fragments. We demonstrate that the most appropriate measure of fragment value depends on the question asked. Specifically, we analyze four alternative measures: the contribution of a fragment to the metapopulation capacity of the network, to the equilibrium metapopulation size, to the expected time to metapopulation extinction and the long-term contribution of a fragment to colonization events in the network. The latter measure is comparable to density-dependent measures in general matrix population theory, though some differences are introduced by the fact that "density dependence" is spatially localized in the metapopulation context. We show that the value of a fragment depends not only on the properties of the landscape but also on the properties of the species. Most importantly, variation in fragment values between the habitat fragments is greatest in the case of rare species that occur close to the extinction threshold, as these species are likely to be restricted to the most favorable parts of the landscape. We expect that the measures of habitat fragment described and analyzed here have applications in landscape ecology and in conservation biology. Copyright © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Otso Ovaskainen and Ilkka Hanski. 2003. How much does an individual habitat fragment contribute to metapopulation dynamics and persistence? Theoretical Population Biology 64:481-95.) One measure for the value of the patch was given by the long-term contribution of a fragment to colonization events in the network. How do the properties of a landscape and the properties of a species affect the value of a patch? The value of the fragment depends _____. A) on the properties of the landscape and the properties of the species B) only on the properties of the landscape and not on the properties of the species C) not on the properties of the landscape but only on the properties of the species D) on neither the properties of the landscape nor on the properties of the species

on the properties of the landscape and the properties of the species

Based on the experiment in the figure above, which of the following are plausible reasons for the result? I) No nutrients evaporate now that vegetation is absent. II) Nutrients dissolve in the water running through the watershed. III) Nutrients are attached to small particles of sand or clay that leave the watershed. IV) Plant roots that held soil particles in place are no longer there. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and IV D) only II, III, and IV

only II, III, and IV

Ecosystem services include processes that increase the quality of the abiotic environment. Which of the following processes would fall under this category? I) Keystone predators have a marked effect on species diversity. II) Green plants produce the oxygen we breathe. III) The presence of land plants builds soil. IV) The presence of diverse wetlands helps in flood control. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and IV D) only II, III, and IV

only II, III, and IV

Which of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity are correct? I) About 25 percent of Earth's land area is now protected. II) National parks are one of many types of protected areas. III) Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. IV) It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only I, II, and IV D) only II, III, and IV

only II, III, and IV

Which of the following statements regarding the future of populations in developing countries are correct? I) The fecundity is predicted to increase. II) Survivorship will increase. III) Overall population size will increase dramatically. IV) The number of offspring each year is predicted to remain high. A) only I and III B) only II and IV C) only II, III, and IV D) only I, II, and III

only II, III, and IV

Looking at the figure above, what is contributing significantly to stabilizing population size over time? I) no migration II) low migration III) high migration A) only I B) only II C) only III D) only II and III

only III

Which habitat type in the figure above makes available the most new tissue to consumers? A) tropical wet forest B) open ocean C) algal beds and reefs D) wetlands

open ocean

Which habitat types in the figure above cover the largest area? A) tropical wet forest plus the ocean neritic zone B) open ocean C) algal beds and reefs plus the ocean neritic zone D) wetlands plus the ocean neritic zone

open ocean

Dwarf mistletoes are flowering plants that grow on certain forest trees. They obtain nutrients and water from the vascular tissues of the trees. The trees derive no known benefits from the dwarf mistletoes. Which of the following best describes the interactions between dwarf mistletoes and trees? A) mutualism B) parasitism C) competition D) facilitation

parasitism

Brown-headed cowbirds utilize fragmented forests effectively by _____. A) feeding on the fruits of shrubs that tend to grow at the forest/open-field interface B) parasitizing the nests of forest birds and feeding on open-field insects C) roosting in forest trees and nesting in grassy fields D) outcompeting other songbird species for access to nesting holes in old-growth trees

parasitizing the nests of forest birds and feeding on open-field insects

Examine the figure above and consider this hypothesis: Plant biomass increases with species richness. In looking at the data in the figure above, how would you relate it to this hypothesis? The hypothesis is _____. A) partially supported B) supported C) rejected

partially supported

According to the logistic growth equation, = rmaxN , A) the number of individuals added per unit time is greatest when N is close to zero. B) the per capita growth rate (r) increases as N approaches K. C) population growth is zero when N equals K. D) the population grows exponentially when K is small.

population growth is zero when N equals K.

What is the main advantage of controlled burnings of forested areas? Controlled burnings _____. A) eliminate the possibility of forest fires B) clear forested areas for farmland C) prevent the overgrowth of the underbrush D) allow new species to form

prevent the overgrowth of the underbush

Keystone predators can maintain species diversity in a community if they _____. A) competitively exclude other predators B) prey on the community's dominant species C) allow immigration of other predators D) prey only on the least abundant species in the community

prey on the community's dominant species

In this eight-year experiment, twelve populations of E. coli, each begun from a single cell, were grown in low-glucose conditions for 20,000 generations. Each culture was introduced to fresh growth medium every twenty-four hours. Occasionally, samples were removed from the populations, and their fitness in low-glucose conditions was tested against that of members sampled from the ancestral (common ancestor) E. coli population. In a hypothetical situation, the genes for sex pilus construction and for tetracycline resistance are located on the same plasmid within a particular bacterium. If this bacterium readily performs conjugation involving a copy of this plasmid, then the result should be the _____. A) temporary possession by this bacterium of a completely diploid genome B) rapid spread of tetracycline resistance to other bacteria in that habitat C) subsequent loss of tetracycline resistance from this bacterium D) production of endospores among the bacterium's progeny

rapid spread of tetracycline resistance from this bacterium

Which of the following groups would be most likely to exhibit uniform dispersion? A) red squirrels, who actively defend territories B) cattails, which grow primarily at edges of lakes and streams C) dwarf mistletoes, which parasitize particular species of forest tree D) lake trout, which seek out cold, deep water high in dissolved oxygen

red squirrels, who actively defend territories

The first step in ecosystem restoration is to _____. A) restore the physical structure B) restore native species that have been extirpated due to disturbance C) remove competitive invasive species D) remove toxic pollutants

restore the physical structure

In this eight-year experiment, twelve populations of E. coli, each begun from a single cell, were grown in low-glucose conditions for 20,000 generations. Each culture was introduced to fresh growth medium every twenty-four hours. Occasionally, samples were removed from the populations, and their fitness in low-glucose conditions was tested against that of members sampled from the ancestral (common ancestor) E. coli population. Compare the bacteria in the figure above in generation 1 and generation 20,000. The bacteria in generation 1 have a greater _____. A) efficiency at exporting glucose from the cell to the environment B) ability to survive on simple sugars, other than glucose C) ability to synthesize glucose from amino acid precursors D) reliance on glycolytic enzymes

reliance on glycolytic enzymes

As you study two closely related predatory insect species, the two-spot and the three-spot avenger beetles, you notice that each species seeks prey at dawn in areas without the other species. However, where their ranges overlap, the two-spot avenger beetle hunts at night and the three-spot hunts in the morning. When you bring them into the laboratory and isolate the two different species, you discover that the offspring of both species are found to be nocturnal. You have discovered an example of _____. A) mutualism B) character displacement C) Batesian mimicry D) resource partitioning

resource partitioning

The discipline that applies ecological principles to returning degraded ecosystems to a more natural state is known as _____. A) landscape ecology B) conservation ecology C) restoration ecology D) resource conservation

restoration ecology

Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are caused by _____. A) rising, warm, moist air masses that cool and release precipitation as they rise and then, at high altitude, cool and sink back to the surface as dry air masses after moving north or south of the tropics B) air masses that are dried and heated over continental areas that rise, cool aloft, and descend over oceanic areas followed by a return flow of moist air from ocean to land, delivering high amounts of precipitation to coastal areas C) polar, cool, moist high-pressure air masses from the poles that move along the surface, releasing precipitation along the way to the equator, where they are heated and dried D) the revolution of Earth around the sun

rising, warm, moist air masses that cool and release precipitation as they rise and then, at high altitude, cool and sink back to the surface as dry air masses after moving north or south of the tropics

Considering its total area covered, which ecosystem type represented in the figure above has a very low level of economic impact on Earth's ecosystem? A) tropical wet forest B) rock, sand, and ice C) tropical seasonal forest D) ocean neritic zone

rock, sand, and ice

The following table depicts characteristics of five prokaryotic species (A-E). Use the information in the table to answer the question(s) below. Which two species might be expected to cooperate metabolically, perhaps forming a biofilm wherein one species surrounds cells of the other species? A) species A and B B) species A and C C) species B and E D) species C and D

species A and B

The following table depicts characteristics of five prokaryotic species (A-E). Use the information in the table to answer the question(s) below. Which species is most likely to be found in sewage treatment plants and in the guts of cattle? A) species A B) species B C) species C D) species D

species B

The following table depicts characteristics of five prokaryotic species (A-E). Use the information in the table to answer the question(s) below. Which two species should have much more phospholipid, in the form of bilayers, in their cytoplasms than most other bacteria? A) species A and B B) species A and C C) species B and E D) species C and D

species B and E

The following table depicts characteristics of five prokaryotic species (A-E). Use the information in the table to answer the question(s) below. Species D is pathogenic if it gains access to the human intestine. Which other species, if it coinhabited a human intestine along with species D, is most likely to result in a recombinant species that is both pathogenic and resistant to some antibiotics? A) species A B) species B C) species C D) species E

species C

The following table depicts characteristics of five prokaryotic species (A-E). Use the information in the table to answer the question(s) below. Which species are capable of directed movement? A) species A B) species B C) species C D) species D

species C

The following table depicts characteristics of five prokaryotic species (A-E). Use the information in the table to answer the question(s) below. Which species might be able to include Hfr cells? A) species A B) species B C) species C D) species D

species D

Movement (wildlife) corridors can be harmful to certain species because they _____. A) increase inbreeding B) spread disease and parasites C) increase genetic diversity D) allow seasonal migration

spread disease and parasites

In mountainous areas of western North America, north-facing slopes would be expected to _____. A) receive more sunlight than similar southern exposures B) be warmer and drier than comparable southern exposed slopes C) support biological communities similar to those found at lower elevations on similar south- facing slopes D) support biological communities similar to those found at higher elevations on similar south- facing slopes

support biological communities similar to those found at higher elevations on similar south- facing slopes

Resource partitioning would be most likely to occur between _____. A) sympatric populations of species with similar ecological niches B) sympatric populations of a flowering plant and its specialized insect pollinator C) allopatric populations of the same animal species D) allopatric populations of species with similar ecological niches

sympatric populations of species with similar ecological niches

If global warming continues at its present rate, which biomes will likely take the place of the coniferous forest (taiga)? A) temperate broadleaf forest and grassland B) desert and chaparral C) tropical forest and savanna D) chaparral and temperate broadleaf forest

temperate broadleaf forest and grassland

Which of the following is the best natural example of uniform distribution? A) bees collecting pollen in a wildflower meadow B) snails in an intertidal zone at low tide C) territorial songbirds in a mature forest during mating season D) mushrooms growing on the floor of an old growth forest

territorial songbirds in a mature forest during mating season

Which trophic level is most vulnerable to extinction? A) producer level B) primary consumer level C) secondary consumer level D) tertiary consumer level

tertiary consumer level

What is a critical load? A) the amount of nutrient augmentation necessary to bring a depleted habitat back to its former level B) the level of a given toxin in an ecosystem that is lethal to 50 percent of the species present C) the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity D) the number of predators an ecosystem can support that effectively culls prey populations to healthy levels

the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity

Which of the following is an example of aposematic coloration? A) the brightly colored patterns of poison dart frogs B) eye color in humans C) green color of a plant D) a katydid whose wings look like a dead leaf

the brightly colored patterns of poison dart frogs

The main cause of the increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is _____. A) increased worldwide primary production B) an increase in the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere C) the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels D) additional respiration by the rapidly growing human population

the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels

Turnover of water in temperate lakes during the spring and fall is made possible by which of the following? A) warm, less dense water layered at the top B) cold, more dense water layered at the bottom C) a distinct thermocline between less dense, warm water and cold, dense water D) the changes in the density of water as seasonal temperatures change

the changes in the density of water as seasonal temperatures change

A recent study of ecological footprints concluded that _____. A) Earth's carrying capacity would increase if per capita meat consumption increased B) current demand by industrialized countries for resources is much smaller than the ecological footprint of those countries C) it is not possible for technological improvements to increase Earth's carrying capacity for humans D) the ecological footprint of the United States is large because per capita resource use is high

the ecological footprint of the United States is large because per capita resource use is high

Which of the following might be an investigation of microclimate? A) the effect of ambient temperature on the onset of caribou migration B) the seasonal population fluctuation of nurse sharks in coral reef communities C) competitive interactions between various species of songbirds during spring migration D) the effect of sunlight intensity on species composition in a decaying rat carcass

the effect of sunlight intensity on species composition in a decaying rat carcass

Imagine some cosmic catastrophe jolts Earth so that its axis is perpendicular to the orbital plane between Earth and the sun. The most obvious effect of this change would be _____. A) the elimination of tides B) an increase in the length of a year C) a decrease in temperature at the equator D) the elimination of seasonal variation

the elimination of seasonal variation

The oak tree fungal pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, has migrated eight hundred kilometers in fifteen years. West Nile virus spread from New York State to forty-six other states in five years. The difference in the rate of spread is probably related to _____. A) the lethality of each pathogen B) the mobility of their hosts C) the fact that viruses are very small D) innate resistance

the mobility of their hosts

How is net ecosystem production (NEP) typically estimated in ecosystems? A) the amount of heat energy released by the ecosystem B) the net flux of carbon dioxide or oxygen in or out of an ecosystem C) the rate of decomposition by detritivores D) the annual total of incoming solar radiation per unit of area

the net flux of carbon dioxide or oxygen in or out of an ecosystem

Agricultural lands frequently require nutrient augmentation because _____. A) nitrogen-fixing bacteria are not as plentiful in agricultural soils because of the use of pesticides B) the nutrients that become the biomass of plants are not cycled back to the soil on lands where they are harvested C) land that is available for agriculture tends to be nutrient-poor D) cultivation of agricultural land inhibits the decomposition of organic matter

the nutrients that become the biomass of plants are not cycled back to the soil on lands where they are harvested

In the development of terrestrial biomes, which factor is most dependent on all the others? A) the species of colonizing animals B) prevailing rainfall C) mineral nutrient availability D) soil structure

the species of colonizing animals

Biologists sometimes divide living organisms into two groups: autotrophs and heterotrophs. These two groups differ in _____. A) their sources of energy B) their electron acceptors C) their mode of nutrition D) the way that they generate ATP

their mode of nutrition

The success of plants extending their range northward following glacial retreat is best determined by _____. A) whether there is simultaneous migration of herbivores B) their tolerance to shade C) their seed dispersal rate D) their size

their seed dispersal rate

The following table depicts characteristics of five prokaryotic species (A-E). Use the information in the table to answer the question(s) below. How many of these species probably have a cell wall that consists partly of an outer membrane of lipopolysaccharide? A) only one species B) two species C) three species D) four species

three species

Which of the following describe all existing bacteria? A) pathogenic, omnipresent, morphologically diverse B) extremophiles, tiny, abundant C) tiny, ubiquitous, metabolically diverse D) morphologically diverse, metabolically diverse, extremophiles

tiny, ubiquitous, metabolically diverse

What is the goal of bioremediation? A) to improve human health with the help of living organisms such as bacteria B) to clean up areas polluted with toxic compounds by using bacteria C) to improve soil quality for plant growth by using bacteria D) to improve bacteria for production of useful chemicals

to clean up areas polluted with toxic compounds by using bacteria

A hypothetical bacterium swims among human intestinal contents until it finds a suitable location on the intestinal lining. It adheres to the intestinal lining using a feature that also protects it from phagocytes, bacteriophages, and dehydration. Fecal matter from a human in whose intestine this bacterium lives can spread the bacterium, even after being mixed with water and boiled. The bacterium is not susceptible to the penicillin family of antibiotics. It contains no plasmids and relatively little peptidoglycan. The cell also lacks F factors and F plasmids. Upon its death, this bacterium should be able to participate in _____. A) conjugation B) transduction C) transformation D) conjugation and transduction

transformation

In this eight-year experiment, twelve populations of E. coli, each begun from a single cell, were grown in low-glucose conditions for 20,000 generations. Each culture was introduced to fresh growth medium every twenty-four hours. Occasionally, samples were removed from the populations, and their fitness in low-glucose conditions was tested against that of members sampled from the ancestral (common ancestor) E. coli population. If the experimental population of E. coli lacks an F factor or F plasmid, and if bacteriophages are excluded from the bacterial cultures, then beneficial mutations might be transmitted horizontally to other E. coli cells via _____. A) sex pili B) transduction C) conjugation D) transformation

transformation

Suppose that the number of bird species is determined mainly by the number of vertical strata found in the environment. If so, in which of the following biomes would you find the greatest number of bird species? A) tropical rain forest B) savanna C) temperate broadleaf forest D) temperate grassland

tropical rain forest

Which of the following ecological locations has the greatest species diversity? A) deciduous forests B) tropical rain forest C) grasslands D) islands

tropical rain forest

The most plausible hypothesis to explain why species richness is higher in tropical than in temperate regions is that _____. A) tropical communities are younger B) tropical regions generally have more available water and higher levels of solar radiation C) higher temperatures cause more rapid speciation D) tropical regions have very high rates of immigration and very low rates of extinction

tropical regions generally have more available water and higher levels of solar radiation

The main goal of sustainable development is to _____. A) involve more countries in conservation efforts B) use only natural resources in the construction of new buildings C) use natural resources such that they do not decline over time D) reevaluating and re-implementing management plans over time

use natural resources such that they do not decline over time

Which of the following is an important feature of most terrestrial biomes? A) annual average rainfall in excess of 250 centimeters B) a distribution predicted almost entirely by rock and soil patterns C) clear boundaries between adjacent biomes D) vegetation demonstrating vertical layering

vegetation demonstrating vertical layering

Of the following ecosystem types, which have been impacted the most by humans? A) wetland and riparian B) desert and high alpine C) taiga and second-growth forests D) tundra and arctic

wetland and riparian

If the direction of Earth's rotation reversed, the most predictable effect would be _____. A) a big change in the length of the year B) winds blowing from west to east along the equator C) a loss of seasonal variation at high latitudes D) the elimination of ocean currents

winds blowing from west to east along the equator

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