[READING QUIZZES] BIOLOGY 180 EXAM 1 to 3 (FALL 2018)
What is the pattern component of the theory of special creation?
Species are recent, unrelated to each other, and do not change through time.
Some female insects copulate while eating a "nuptial gift"--a prey item or other large packet of food provided by the courting male. When this occurs, what do they gain?
Resources required to produce eggs.
Which group is more closely related to mammals: Lizards/snakes or Birds?
Same—the most recent common ancestor of mammals and lizards/snakes is the same as that for mammals and birds.
What is the pattern component of Lamarckian evolution?
Species change in a progressive manner--meaning that they get larger and more complex over time.
If you are comparing two variables, both of which represent continuous data, which of the following is the most appropriate statistical test?
Simple linear regression
What observations suggest that in M. tuberculosis, antibiotic resistance is a trait with heritable variation?
Some individuals are more resistant to antibiotics than others, and pass this trait on to offspring.
What caused natural selection to produce the changes recorded in Figure 22.8?
Some individuals in certain ancestral mammal populations had traits that allowed them to thrive in aquatic habitats.
What is the process component of the theory of special creation?
Species were created, instantaneously and independently of each other, by God.
Recall what you learned during the "Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis" lab, and from "Using the Chi-Squared Test" in this lab description. What is the correct statistical test for the combinations of variables listed?
C
Opps! You just deleted data from a cell in your spreadsheet. What Apple keyboard shortcut will undo this?
Command - Z
Plagiarism is ...
Copying from any source without crediting the original author
What does it mean to say that one phylogenetic tree is more parsimonious than another?
Fewer changes have to occur to make the origin of traits fit on the tree.
The endosymbiosis theory claims that a mutually beneficial relationship existed between the first mitochondrion and its host cell. What are the proposed benefits to each partner?
For mitochondrion: protection and food. For host: increased ATP (this is the source of energy in cells).
Expanding human populations are forcing many organisms into small, isolated, fragments of habitat. In general, how will this affect levels of gene flow and inbreeding in these organisms?
Gene flow down; inbreeding up
What is "particulate" about particulate inheritance?
Genes retain their physical integrity over time, like particles--they don't blend together.
What specific tasks do you want your study group to do? And how could you structure the sessions, so that they are efficient and productive?
I want our study group to do well in content knowledge and discovery sections of higher order processing skills. Including the willingness to work together to solve problems—instead of depending on explanations from better prepared peers. Listen before answering. "Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; discerning when they hold their tongue."
What's the difference between a haploid cell and a diploid cell?
Haploids have one of each type of chromosome; diploids have two of each type.
What was important about the experimental design for Pasteur's flask experiment?
He compared results from two experimental setups which differed only in the type of flask in which the nutrient broth was placed
Which of the following characterizes a recessive allele?
Heterozygotes don't show its phenotype.
Which of the following characterizes a dominant allele?
Heterozygotes show its phenotype.
If we want to plot the distribution of scores on Exam 1, we should use a...
Histogram
To select multiple non-adjacent cells of data, I should ...
Hold down Command and click the cells
What is the central claim of the "Out of Africa" hypothesis?
Homo sapiens originated in Africa, with populations that left and eventually colonized the globe.
The top graph in Figure 22.13 (5th edition: 25.16) indicates that beak depth is variable in this population. What evidence did the researchers have that at least some of this variation was heritable?
In the next generation (in offspring of individuals who survived), average beak size was larger.
Hominin evolution is often depicted as a linear chain, with one species replacing another over time.
Incorrect--frequently, several species existed at the same time.
Whales and dolphins have almost no body hair. Neither do humans. Is hair loss in these two groups homologous or did it evolve independently?
Independent—humans and whales/dolphins are not closely related (their common ancestor had lots of hair).
Why is it accurate to say that gene flow is largely random with respect to fitness?
Individuals "just arrive"--they don't necessarily carry alleles that are beneficial, deleterious, or neutral in the new environment.
For the purposes of this course, which of the following is the best working definition of DNA?
Information archive
For the purposes of this course, which of the following is the best working definition of mRNA?
Information carrier
Why is the iridium spike consistent with the impact theory for the K-P extinction?
Iridium is common in space rocks.
Which of the following is a strength of the morphospecies concept?
It can be used with fossil or asexually reproducing species, as well as sexually reproducing species.
Why is genetic drift aptly named?
It causes allele frequencies to drift up or down over time.
What does it mean to say that a mutation is "silent" or "neutral"?
It changes the genotype, but not the phenotype.
Why was the evolution of cuticle so important during the evolution of land plants?
It drastically reduced rates of water loss on land.
Which of the following is one of the most important effects of mutation?
It increases genetic diversity
Which of the following is NOT true of genetic drift?
It increases genetic variation in populations
Which of the following is a strength of the biological species concept?
It is focused on genetic isolation—the key to speciation,
What criteria do you use to decide whether a scientific result is important and/or interesting?
It is relevant to a "big chunk of the world" and inspires new experiments that you may not have thought of before.
Which of the following is a weakness of the biological species concept?
It isn't applicable to asexual, fossil, or geographically isolated species
What does it mean to say that a mutation is deleterious?
It lowers fitness
What does it mean to say that something--like a gene--"segregates"?
It separates. In the case of a gene, the two alleles present in a parent separate and go into different gametes.
Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of an adaptive radiation?
It unfolds gradually, in response to long-term environmental change.
Earlier in the course you analyzed data on directional selection on beak size and shape in Galapagos finches. Check Figure 22.14 again. Over time, what was the pattern of directional selection?
It varied, depending on changes in the environment.
What does it mean to say that an allele is "lost"?
Its frequency is 0.0.
What does it mean to say that an allele is "fixed"?
Its frequency is 1.0.
What does the process component of the theory of natural selection state?
Evolution occurs because individuals with certain heritable characteristics produce the most offspring.
If you found an animal species that you had never seen before, how would you determine if the individuals that you have are male or female?
Examine the gametes that it produces; eggs are large and sperm are small.
Which of the following is a weakness of the morphospecies concept?
Experts can disagree about whether populations are similar enough to be the same species.
Which group is more closely related to mammals: Frogs/toads/salamanders or Lizards/snakes?
Lizards/snakes—they share a more recent common ancestor with mammals.
Why is it significant that many antibiotic resistance genes are found on the loops of DNA (mini-chromosomes) called plasmids?
Plasmids can be passed among cells—allowing rapid spread, even between species of bacteria.
Which of the following can change the frequency of resistant cells in a population of bacteria?Plasmids, mutation, and migration.
Plasmids, mutation, and migration.
What is the key structural difference between pores and stomata?
Pores are openings; stomata have guard cells that regulate opening and closing.
What is the difference between an explanatory (or independent) variable and a response (or dependent) variable?
Explanatory is the factor that varies in an experiment; response is measured as the explanatory variable varies.
Which of the following is correct?
F1s are the first generation in an experimental cross; F2s are the second.
What is the logic behind the "new genes, new bodies" hypothesis for the Cambrian explostion?
New copies of genes that regulate development could make morphological innovations possible.
How is exponential growth defined?
No change in r through time.
Which tree is the better representation of evolutionary history?
No difference--the two trees represent the same evolutionary history.
Is it correct to claim that traits always become more complex or specialized over time?
No, because it is common to observe that they don't.
Did lungs first evolve in tetrapods (the first land-dwelling vertebrates)?
No--it evolved in the first bony vertebrates
In many or most animals, females are larger than males. Most animals are insects and in many insects, females tend to be much larger than males because they are under strong selection for producing large numbers of eggs, and larger females can produce more eggs. Is this an example of sexual selection?
No--sexual selection is about differential success in acquiring mates.
The remaining questions refer to this situation: Researchers do an experiment to test the hypothesis that Douglas fir trees put more resources into reproduction when they are infected with a fungus that causes a fatal disease. They establish study plots in a group of 50-year-old Douglas fir where the disease is not present. At random, they inject half the trees with the disease-causing fungus. Then they measure how many cones and seeds are produced by infected versus uninfected trees. What prediction follows from the hypothesis?
On average, the infected trees will produce more seeds than uninfected trees
According to the tree in Figure 30.2, are sponges monophyletic or paraphyletic?
Paraphyletic
No PE1 Practice exam #1
Participation is what counts
When you do your individual studying (review class notes, reading before class, Piazza posts, study questions, blue questions in textbook and so on), where will you do it?
Piazza posts--Anywhere outside of class.
What does the p in "p-value" represent?
Probability (of getting the observed result, just by chance)
How do you decide what to use as a dependent versus independent variable in an analysis?
The independent variable is causative or predictive in nature; the dependent variable is a response.
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum number of individuals that can be supported by the resources in a habitat.
What does the endosymbiosis theory address?
The origin of the mitochondrion and chloroplast.
What is the "tree of life?"
The phylogeny of all species, living today or extinct.What is a "domain?"
What was the central claim of the theory of blending inheritance?
The physical matter responsible for traits blends within individuals, like pigments in paint.
What is stable during stabilizing selection?
The population mean phenotype.
Which treatment would be considered the control?
The uninfected trees
How likely or unlikely do you think it is that you will be able to get a position as an undergraduate researcher during your remaining time in college, including summers?
Very Likely
If the Biology Department offered a one-time, 60-minute session on how to get an undergrad research experience, and if it fit conveniently in your schedule, how likely or unlikely would you be to attend?
Very Likely
Today, biologists boil Darwin's four postulates down to two conditions that result in evolution. What are these conditions?
When 1) certain heritable traits are associated with 2) higher numbers of offspring produced.
In vertebrates, what is the notochord?
a rod of tissue found in early embryos that organizes cells prior to formation of vertebrae and ribs
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a node represent?
a splitting event (one population becomes two or more evolutionarily independent populations)
What is an outgroup?
a taxon that is closely related to a monophyletic group, but not part of it
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a tip represent?
any taxon (named group)
What is a fossil?
any trace of an organism that lived in the past
Hominins are a monophyletic group defined by which shared, derived character(s)?
bipedalism
Which of the following phrases best captures the fundamental asymmetry of sex?
eggs are expensive, sperm are cheap
Drift is caused by random sampling error or other chance events. What is another name for this phenomenon?
luck
What is inbreeding?
mating among relatives
What does mesoderm give rise to?
muscles, internal organs, bones
Which of the following introduces a non-random component to evolution?
natural selection
What does it mean to say that a population "cycles?"
population size goes through a regular high-low fluctuation
What criterion does the biological species concept use to identify species?
reproductive isolation
What is the adaptive significance of protostome versus deuterostome development?
none—they are just different ways of building a triploblastic bilaterian
On most phylogenetic trees, what does the length of a branch represent?
nothing
What does ectoderm give rise to?
skin and associated nerves
Why is there a taxonomic bias in the fossil record?
species with hard parts are more likely to leave fossil evidence
Why is there an abundance bias in the fossil record?
species with large populations are most likely to leave fossil evidence
What is lambda?
the finite growth rate
In a strand of DNA, what other base does the base called adenine bond to?
thymine (A-T)
Which transports water more efficiently: tracheids or vessels?
vessels
If we calculate means (averages) based on scores from 100 1st-year students and 400 2nd-year students, which is likely to have the smaller standard error?
2nd-year students, because we sampled more.
How many DNA molecules are present in a synapsed pair of homologous chromosomes?
4
What is the haploid number of this cell? Is it haploid or diploid?
4; is is diploid
What is the haploid number of this cell? Is it haploid or diploid?
4; it is diploid
What is the natural log of 150?
5
What is the natural logarithm of e^6.5?
6.5
How will you form a study group--find people who can meet with you at least weekly?
Active-Learning structure allows struggling students to work together to solve problems—instead of depending on explanations from better prepared peers.
What's the difference between a chromosome and a chromatid?
After replication, a chromosome consists of two chromatids.
If you answer polling questions for another student ...
All of these statements are correct
In describing a dataset, what does the mean represent?
(Usually) The arithmetic average.
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a branch represent?
a population through time
If you are doing a linear regression, what is the slope of the line predicted by the null hypothesis?
0
How many hours a day will you study?
0.0 (with margin: 1.0) 0.0 (with margin: 2.0) 0.0 (with margin: 3.0) 0.0 (with margin: 4.0) 0.0 (with margin: 5.0)
How many DNA molecules make up an unreplicated chromosome?
1
What is the natural logarithm of 6.5?
1.87
How many DNA molecules make up a replicated chromosome?
2
If crossing over occurred at the point indicated, what would be the genotypes of the resulting chromosomes? (See the Genetics Guide.)
2. as shown above
What is the definition of a mass extinction?
60% of the species alive are wiped out in less than 1 million years
In the Excel_tutorial.xls Quiz Data: What is average female ("Gender" = F) "wingspan"?
62.4
In the Excel_tutorial.xls Quiz Data: After sorting the data by "DadHt," highest values listed first, what is the value of cell H12?
63.3
How many chromosomes are in this cell? Are they replicated or unreplicated?
8 replicated
In the Excel_tutorial.xls Quiz Data: What is the single formula that sums all "heights", sums all "weights", and calculates a height to weight ratio, and what is the result?
=SUM(A2:A25)/SUM(B2:B25), 0.46270
In the Excel_tutorial.xls Quiz Data: What is the formula for the sum of the "Wingspan" data?
=SUM(H2:H25)
Practice exams ...
A and C
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?
A hypothesis is an idea--a testable explanation; a prediction is something that follows from a hypothesis and that you can measure
What is a scatterplot?
A graph where both the explanatory and response variables are continuous.
Which of the following is NOT a key feature of multicellular organisms? (You'll have to look this up in the glossary--animals are multicellular but it's defined elsewhere in the text.)
A large group of similar cells exist near each other, but function and grow independently.
Which of the following statements is the best way to characterize the standard error?
A measure of how precise our estimate of the mean is.
In describing a dataset, what does the standard deviation or standard error represent?
A measure of the variation around the estimate of the mean.
If a student misses a field trip, or cancels less than 24 hours before the trip, the result will be ...
A non-refundable 10-point deduction.
What is a genetic locus?
A particular position on a chromosome.
What is vicariance?
A physical event that splits a population into two geographically isolated groups.
NOTE: ALL of the remaining questions in this Prelab refer to the following experiment, designed to test whether fruit flies prefer certain species of fruit: Experiment: Three flies are placed in a cage with a fresh banana and a rotten apple. Researchers record where the flies seem to spend most of their time. Which of the following is correct?
A sample size of three is not enough to be convincing--the three individuals could be unusual.
What's a gamete? (Note that this term is used in the reading but not explicitly defined. If you need to, you can look it up in the glossary--the green-tipped pages (tan colored pages in the 5th edition) in the back of the book.)
A reproductive cell (sperm or egg)
What is a model organism?
A species that is easy to work on. Also, results from this species are relevant to many other species.
What is a seed?
A structure consisting of an embryo, a supply of nutrients, and a tough protective coat.
What is a pollen grain?
A structure containing cells that produce sperm, surrounded by a tough protective coat.
What is epithelium?
A tissue that lines internal or external surfaces in animals.
What is an autosomal trait?
A trait associated with a gene on a non-sex chromosome.
In biology, what does the word adaptation mean?
A trait that increases fitness in a certain environment.
What is a synapomorphy?
A trait that is similar in two or more species because it is derived from a trait that existed in a common ancestor.
If crossing over occurred at the point indicated, what would the genotypes of the resulting chromosomes be? (The double arrow indicates the precise point where the strands of the non-sister chromatids break and exchange.)
ABcde, abcDE
When gene flow occurred between populations of great tit (birds) on the mainland and western Vlieland, what was the most important result?
Allele frequencies became more similar among populations; fitness of island birds decreased.
What's the difference between a gene and an allele?
An allele is a version of a gene.
What is a fitness trade-off?
An inevitable compromise that keeps traits from their optimal value in all conditions.
How will you use the study questions that are posted each week?
Answer them on your own, under time pressure and without using any resources. Then discuss them with your study group, to compare answers. Then check the sample answer with your study group and grade yourselves.
At the molecular level, what is a mutation?
Any change in a DNA sequence
What is the molecular mechanism of antibiotic resistance?
Any of the choices, EXCEPT for the choice "None of the choices."
If we want to plot the exam scores of 1st-year students versus 2nd-year students, we would use a ...
Bar Chart
Missed lab sessions ...
Can sometimes be rescheduled with documentation and sufficient advance notice; otherwise cannot be made up
What is the difference between a categorical and continuous variable?
Categorical are assigned to discrete categories; continuous can take any value in a range.
The Other Information page of the course website contains information about ...
Checking scores, Field trip login, Office hours, Polling, Practice exam instructions, Study suggestions
If you are comparing two variables, both of which represent categorical (discrete) data, which of the following is the most appropriate statistical test?
Chi-squared test
Which of the following happens during interphase, before mitosis or meiosis?
Chromosomes replicate (each consists of two sister chromatids).
Which of the following is a common cause of density independent growth?
Colonizing a new habitat
What is purifying about purifying selection?
Deleterious alleles are eliminated.
What is double and helical about the double helix?
Double: two strands of DNA; helix: bonded strands form a spiral
Why do many researchers refer to land plants as the embryophytes?
During early development, embryos are retained on the parent.
When responding to a question on the Piazza discussion forum that already has a student answer, students should ...
Edit (modify or add to) the initial student answer
Why does inbreeding depression occur?
Either deleterious recessives are homozygous, or heterozygote advantage is reduced, or both.
How will you manage your study group to avoid the two most common problems: 1) some people coming in unprepared and being passive during the session, and 2) certain students dominating and spending most of the session telling everyone else what they think.
Encourage listening before answering: "To answer before listening--that is folly and shame." Encourage communication and high-level collaboration and discourage arguments: "It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." Above all else, love your neighbor as yourself; be caring and understanding.
X and Y chromosomes follow the principle of segregation. What does this mean?
If an individual is XY, then each gamete gets one X or one Y.
What does it mean to claim that an acquired character is passed on to offspring?
If an individual's traits change during its lifetime, its offspring have the new version of trait.
What does it mean to say that an acquired character can be inherited?
If an individual's traits change over the course of its lifetime, those changes will be passed on to offspring.
Why is it important that they assigned trees to the infected versus uninfected groups at random?
If assignment were not done at random, the result could be do to something other than the difference in infection
Why is the morphological species concept a logical criterion for identifying species?
If species are evolving independently, they should have recognizable morphological differences
Which of the following is a prediction based on the cell theory that all organisms are made of cells, and all cells come from preexisting cells?
If you boil nutrient broth and place it in an air-tight flask, no cells will appear in the broth
Why is it correct to say that populations are adapted to the environment of the previous generation?
In large part, the individuals that are present at any time are a product of selection that occurred during their parent's generation.
Which of the following is the most important difference between the events of prophase in mitosis versus meiosis I?
In meiosis I, homologs synapse.
For the purposes of this course, which of the following is the best working definition of a protein?
Machinery that performs a function in the cell
In most species, why does sexual selection act more strongly on males than females?
Males have higher variation in RS. Traits that confer an advantage in courtship have a huge effect on fitness.
What's the major difference between background extinction and mass extinction?
Mass extinctions are intense but short-lived.
In quarters with two lecture sections, students ...
May attend only the section in which they are enrolled; no polling credit if attending the other section
What's the pattern component of the chromosome theory of inheritance?
Mendel's rules: the principle of segregation and the principle of independent assortment, because genes are found on chromosomes.
What is "meta" about metaphase?
Meta means "between"; chromosomes move to the middle of the cell--between the two poles.
What does the endosymbiosis theory claim?
Mitochondria and chloroplasts arose from bacterial cells that were ingested by a eukaryote.
What is lateral gene transfer?
Movement of genes among different lineages.
What is a "domain?"
One of the three major lineages of organisms on the tree of life.
Experiments have shown that in many bird species, females prefer to mate with males with bright, showy feathers. Why?
Only healthy males can grow bright feathers, so females are choosing good alleles for their offspring.
What does it mean to say that mutation is the "ultimate source of genetic variation"?
Only mutation introduces new alleles
What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis?
Only scale--theories deal with "big ideas" that impact large parts of the physical or natural world; hypotheses are more focused or narrower in scope
What does it mean to think like a scientist?
Open-minded about all possibilities. Investigating facts and reproving hard-truths. Nothing is out of bounds; no imagination has limits. Die-hard nerd to the day he dies.
Why is genetic isolation--meaning, a lack of gene flow--required for speciation to occur?
Otherwise, gene flow will prevent populations from diverging (keep them alike).
What observations suggest that in environments containing antibiotics, M. tuberculosis individuals experience differential reproductive success based on their degree of resistance?
Over time, the frequency of resistant individuals increases when patients take antibiotics.
When stabilizing selection occurs, which of the following is NOT true?
Overall genetic variation, measured as the diversity and relative frequency of alleles, increases.
A F1's genotype is PpTt. Its parents had the genotypes PPTT and pptt. What are the gamete genotypes that the F1 produces under the hypothesis of independent assortment?
PT, Pt, pT, pt (in equal proportions)
A F1's genotype is PpTt. Its parents had the genotypes PPTT and pptt. What are the gamete genotypes that the F1 produces under the hypothesis of dependent assortment?
PT, pt (in equal proportions)
If a parent's genotype is PpTtLl, what are the gamete genotypes it produces under the hypothesis of independent assortment?
PTL, PTl, pTL, pTl, ptL, ptl, PtL, Ptl (in equal proportions)
What does it mean to say that "homologs synapse?"
Pairs of homologous chromosomes physically come together.
When asking a question on the Piazza discussion forum, students should use post type ...
Question
When sample size increases ...
Rare events have less influence on the estimate of the average or slope.
How will you use the textbook?
Read prior to class and do the reading quiz without looking. Then check your reading quiz answers with the text, before submitting. After class, re-read small sections on issues that were covered in class but you are still confused about. Do the blue questions on issues covered in class.
When directional selection occurs, what happens to overall genetic diversity--meaning, the total number of alleles present?
Reduced
How do biologists test their ideas about the natural world?
Scientists make predictions based on hypotheses they have developed, and then design experiments or other types of studies to test those predictions.
Which of the following will NOT cause genetic drift?
Sea stars shed their gametes into water. When currents are strong, only a few sperm and eggs combine to form zygotes.
Why aren't adaptations perfect? (For example, why do backs, eyes, knees, and other structures in humans cause so many problems?)
Selection can only act on existing variation--it can't create what might be a better variant.
What is sexual selection?
Selection for alleles associated with success in courtship or mating
In what sense is "disruptive selection" acting on apple maggot flies?
Selection is favoring individuals that prefer either apples or hawthorns--not both, or an intermediate.
Legitimate unavoidable exam conflicts include ...
Serious illness requiring immediate medical attention
With respect to in-class polling ...
Students may respond with any portable wifi-capable device (smartphone, tablet, laptop)
Which help resources will you use on a daily or weekly basis?
TA office hours in Hitchcock 302 Faculty office hours in Kane 234. Workshops at the Instructional Center (if you qualify).Exam review sessions in Kane 130. Tribeta (Biology Club) tutoring sessions in the 4th floor Hitchcock study area. Piazza (online bulletin board), making sure to both post and answer questions.
Which of the following is correct?
The 3 individuals shouldn't be tested at the same time, as they could influence each other's behavior.
What does the pattern component of the theory of evolution by natural selection state?
The characteristics of populations change over time, in response to changes in the environment.
In biology, what does the word fitness mean?
The ability to survive and reproduce
What is secondary endosymbiosis?
The acquisition of a chloroplast by engulfing a cell that already had a chloroplast.
Which of the following is NOT evidence that supports the endosymbiosis theory?
The acquisition of mitochondria and the chloroplast was the largest lateral gene transfer event in the history of life.
The text claims that when natural selection occurs, the characteristics of the selected individuals do not change--only the characteristics of the population change. Why is this so?
The alleles in the "selected" individuals do not change during the process.
Consider the data on cliff swallow mortality. Why is this an example of directional selection?
The average trait value changed in one direction (in this case, larger size).
What's the process component of the chromosome theory of inheritance?
The behavior of chromosomes during meiosis I.
In what sense are the sources of data on whale evolution, listed on p. 444, independent of each other?
The data come from different sources, and are generated by independent processes
If fins and limbs are homologous, which of the following predictions is correct?
The development of fins and limbs should be directed by homologous genes.
Look at the middle graph in Figure 22.14 (5th edition: 25.17). Why didn't beak size continue to increase, after the 1978 drought?
The environment changed, and large-beaked individuals no longer had highest fitness.
Suppose a bacterial cell undergoes a random mutation conferring resistance to the drug tetracycline. In which of the following environments is this mutant cell most likely to leave few or no offspring?
The gut of a healthy human.
What is a bar plot, and what do the vertical lines on a bar plot represent?
The height of a bar represents a mean; the vertical line usually represents the standard error.
Which of the following is the correct definition of haploid number?
The number of different types of chromosomes present.
Which of the following is the correct definition of ploidy?
The number of each type of chromosome present.
What does it mean to say that inbreeding increases homozygosity?
The proportion of homozygous genotypes increases.
What does a ratio report?
The relationship between numbers of the same kind (so it is unitless).
What is a phylogenetic species?
The smallest monophyletic group on a tree of populations.
If a student misses coursework (polling questions, lab, field trip, etc.) due to illness, ...
The student should obtain from the doctor or clinic a note that specifies the date(s) on which they could not attend; provide that documentation to John Parks only when absences exceed the number of dropped exercises of that type
If a student forgets to bring their polling device to lecture, or the device has dead batteries or other malfunction, ...
The student will have no polling score for that day
The Siberian traps formed at the same time that the end-Permian extinction occurred. Why do researchers think that the two events might be connected?
The sulphuric acid, carbon dioxide, and other compounds released would impact the chemistry of the ocean and atmosphere.
Hagfish don't have vertebrae but are considered vertebrates. Why?
Their ancestors had them--they've been lost in the lineage leading to hagfish.
Suppose we run a statistical test, and learn that p = 0.01. What does this mean?
There is a 1 in 100 chance of observing a difference between treatment groups this extreme if the null hypothesis is correct.
The "law of succession," the presence of vestigial traits, and the fact of extinction are all inconsistent with the theory of special creation. Why?
They support the hypothesis that the characteristics of species--and the collection of species present--has changed through time.
If we want to compare the scores of 1st-year and 2nd-year students using a statistical test, our null hypothesis will be...
There is no difference in exam performance between students in year 1 and 2.
In response to studies on "evolution in action"--the observation that hundreds of populations have been observed to change in response to changes in their environments--proponents of the theory of special creation either 1) ignore the data, or 2) argue that they are irrelevant to the question of how large-scale differences among species arose (e.g. how bats came to have wings). As a scientist, how would you evaluate these objections?
There is no logical reason to suspect that the process that lead to changes being observed today didn't operate in the past, and that they would not lead to large changes over long time periods.
Which of the following is correct?
There should be a more objective outcome measured--e.g. how many seconds each fly spends on each fruit, during a 3 minute test period.What does the pattern component of the theory of evolution by natural selection state?
If the hypothesis is wrong, and being infected with the fungus has no impact at all on reproduction, what should they observe?
There will be no difference in the number of seeds produced by infected versus uninfected seeds
If "dependent assortment" occurs, how do alleles of different genes behave?
They "stick together" (they are transmitted together--as if they were a single gene).
How can morphological innovations trigger adaptive radiations?
They allow organisms to exploit resources in new ways.
How can ecological opportunity trigger adaptive radiations?
They allow organisms to exploit resources that are not being used by other organisms.
What does it mean to say that two chromosomes are homologous?
They are the same size and contain the same genes.
Why don't alleles from linked genes assort independently, if no crossing over occurs?
They are transmitted together (on the same chromosome), instead of being transmitted independently of each other.
Why do alleles from linked genes assort independently, if crossing over DOES occur?
They end up on different chromosomes, so are then transmitted independently of each other.
Why is the presence of microtektites in sediments dated to 65 mya consistent with the impact theory for the K-P extinction?
They form at known meteorite impact sites.
What unique structural feature is shared by tracheids and vessels?
They have a stiff secondary cell wall that is reinforced with the molecule called lignin.
What does it mean to say that many mutations are deleterious?
They lower fitness.
If fins and limbs are homologous, which of the following predictions should be correct?
They should have the same sequence and arrangement of bones (supporting structures)
The geologic record and radiometric dating are inconsistent with the theory of special creation. Why?
They support the hypothesis that Earth itself and life on Earth are ancient.
Genetic, developmental, and structural homologies are inconsistent with the theory of special creation. Why?
They support the hypothesis that species are related by common ancestry--meaning that they were not created independently of each other.
What is the key structural difference between tracheids and vessels?
Tracheids are long and thin and have pits (gaps in the secondary cell wall); vessels are short and wide and have pores (gaps in both primary and secondary cell wall).
Why is it important to do the experiment in the same group of same-aged trees?
To eliminate the possibility that the results are due to differences in age, soil, moisture, or other relevant variables
Why is it important to perform multiple trials in an experiment -- meaning that you include many test individuals or samples?
To make it more likely that the results are not due to a few unusual individuals or circumstances
What does "homogenize" mean?
To mix together, into a single entity.
What does it mean to do science?
To use the scientific process on a daily basis, to investigate and learn more about the earth and universe.
Each week's online Prelab quiz is due ...
Tuesday morning, regardless of what day/time your lab meets
What is the relationship between the Great Chain of Being and the process component of Lamarck's theory of evolution?
Under Lamarkian evolution, species move up the Great Chain of Being over time.
When you look at a drawing or photograph of chromosomes, how can you tell if they are replicated or unreplicated?
Unreplicated chromosomes consist of a single "thread"; replicated chromosomes have two "threads."
Which of the following is correct?
Using different-aged fruit confounds the result--the flies might prefer different degrees of freshness, not apples versus bananas.
How interested or uninterested are you in obtaining an undergrad research experience in the future?
Very Interested
How interested or uninterested are you in pursuing a science-related research career?
Very Interested
Why do synapomorphies arise during evolution?
When a new species begins evolving independently, novel traits arise which are then passed on to its descendant species.
When does gene flow occur?
When individuals leave one population and join a different population.
Why does convergent evolution occur?
When natural selection favors similar traits in similar environments
In the graph in Figure 23.17, why did the "jumps" occur?
When rare beneficial mutations occurred and rapidly increased in frequency.
At Google (and many other companies and clinics/hospitals), almost all work is done in teams. Google has researched the attributes of their high-functioning teams vs. dysfunctional teams and found two common patterns in the successful groups: 1) they start each work session by visiting--inquiring about each others' families or hobbies or interests--and, 2) they practice productive disagreement. Google says that the key to productive disagreement is what they call "psychological safety"--meaning that team members trust each other so much that they feel safe disagreeing or throwing an idea out that turns out to be incorrect or not well thought-out. There is no judgment; team members focus on the task and getting better. How can you cultivate these attributes in your study group?
Whenever our team makes a mistake, I'll be first to recognize and admit my fault. I will always encourage and avoid saying that someone's idea is wrong. I'll give everyone credit to whom it is due. To motivate others to be comfortable in a group that isn't self-sorted by ethnicity or gender I will praise even the slightest improvements amongst fellow members.
Why isn't evolution by natural selection progressive?
Which alleles are selected is simply a function of conditions in the environment; traits can be created, elaborated, reduced, or lost.
In many cases, the theory of evolution provides a logical explanation for observations that are puzzling under the theory of special creation. Under special creation, why is the presence of vestigial traits puzzling?
Why would an intelligent designer create traits that have reduced or no function?
An Excel file can have multiple ...
Worksheets
What is an angiosperm?
a flowering plant
What is sex-linkage, X-linkage, and Y-linkage?
X-linked alleles are on the X chromosome; Y-linked alleles are on the Y chromosome; both are sex-linked.
In this class and other classes at UDub, you'll write X-linked alleles as XR and Xr. If you're keeping track of more than one X-linked allele at a time, you'd write the chromosomes as XRB and Xrb (or whatever the genotype actually is for the R and B genes). Suppose a male carries an X chromosome with the R allele and the b allele. How would you write his genotype?
X^(Rb) Y
Did you do research before coming to UW?
Yes
Have you done research as a UW student?
Yes
According to the data in Figure 23.6b, is this population evolving?
Yes--alleles associated with high- or low-birthweight are being eliminated, and alleles associated with average birthweight are increasing.
Is it wrong to claim that a trait evolved so the species involved can survive better?
Yes--evolution is not progressive. Traits evolve because individuals with that trait survive better and reproduce more.
Can natural selection occur in a population that is declining, and possibly going extinct?
Yes--there can still be genetic variation and differential reproductive success.
A friend says that this experimental design would be better if the researchers had injected the control group trees with a solution that was identical to that used in the experimental group, but without the fungus. Do you agree?
Yes. As is, it would be reasonable for a critic to claim that seed production changed because of the injection itself, not the presence of the fungus.
What is a coelom?
a fluid-filled cavity lined with mesoderm
Did alleles for drug resistance occur in bacterial populations that afflict humans, prior to the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture?
Yes—alleles for resistance arise due to random mutation, so are always present.
Why is it considered important that there is "internally consistent" support for the theory of evolution by natural selection?
You can be more confident that an idea is correct if several different types of evidence support it.
When a polling question is discussed and re-answered, ...
You need to respond again with your device even if your answer is the same
The username and password for Field trip login are ...
Your student number, your last name
What is a monophyletic group?
a common ancestor and all of its descendants
What is a synapomorphy?
a trait that is derived from an ancestor and identifies a monophyletic group
Which pairs of chromosomes in this cell are homologous?
a-f, b-h, c-e, d-g
Which pairs of chromosomes in this cell are homologous? (In this drawing, the letters don't refer to alleles--they are just labels for the chromosomes that are shown.)
a-f, b-h, c-e, d-g
If the skin of a Caucasian person darkens in response to exposure to sunlight, what has happened?
acclimatization
Which of the following evolutionary mechanisms (or "forces") introduces a random component into evolution?
all listed answer choices
Hagfish, lampreys, and sharks and rays have cartilaginous endoskeletons. Did the first vertebrates have endoskeletons consisting of cartilage or bone?
cartilage
What is gastrulation?
cell movements that establish the embryonic tissues layers and the body axes.
In terms of its impact on the array of species present, a mass extinction is most closely analogous to which evolutionary force?
drift (random changes in which species are present)
Chordates are distinguished by four traits: pharyngeal gill slits, muscular tail, notochord, and dorsal nerve cord. What is the functional significance of these traits? filter feeding or breathing, and movement
filter feeding or breathing, and movement
What is inbreeding depression?
fitness loss due to inbreeding
Why is there a temporal bias in the fossil record?
fossils of more recent species are more abundant than older specimens
What is another name for a pure-breeding line or population?
homozygous
Why is there a habitat bias in the fossil record?
individuals fossilize more readily in wet, "depositional" environments
Why was the evolution of the coelom important?
it could function as a hydrostatic skeleton
Why was the evolution of bilateral symmetry important?
it was associated with cephalization
Data in Excel is usually in the format of _______ in columns and _________ in rows
kinds of data, individual observations or things
During hominin evolution, what overall trend occurred in body size?
larger
What is LUCA?
last universal common ancestor
According to the best data available, how many times did primary endosymbiosis occur in the evolution of the chloroplast?
once
What is the difference between an individual's phenotype and genotype?
phenotype is appearance; genotype is the alleles present
What is the difference between r and lambda?
r gives the instantaneous growth rate; lambda gives the growth rate over a discrete time interval
The chromosome theory of inheritance is based on the claim that genes are found on chromosomes. If you were going to build a physical model of a chromosome from everyday materials to demonstrate meiosis (including crossing over), which of the following would work best?
strings of pop beads (each bead is a gene)
What is the function of vascular tissue?
structural support and water and sap transport
If you are comparing two variables, one of which represents continuous data and one of which represents categorical (discrete) data, which of the following is the most appropriate statistical test?
t-test
What is r?
the per capita rate of increase
As a principle in logic, what does parsimony mean?
the simplest explanation is preferred (more complicated explanations are less likely)
In vertebrates, what is the dorsal hollow nerve cord?
the spinal cord
Homology and homoplasy produce similar traits. What is the key difference?
whether or not the similar traits were inherited from a common ancestor
About when did the first limbs evolve in tetrapods (land-dwelling vertebrates)?
~365 million years ago
