APES Review set

The many finch species of the Galápagos Islands evolved from a single species that immigrated to the islands from the coast of South America. These species differ primarily in beak shape, which is closely related to the type of food each species specializes in eating. Which of the following best explains why each of the finch species on the Galápagos Islands evolved to be specialists? A Islands have limited food resources, forcing species to feed on a small range of food items. B Climate on islands tends to be less variable than on the mainland, minimizing seasonal absences of food. C Reduced competition from other bird species allows finch species to focus on specific food resources. D Food resources on islands are more plentiful and nutrient rich than on the mainland, leading to specialist behaviors in feeding.

A Islands have limited food resources, forcing species to feed on a small range of food items.

Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in each case. A one-hectare pond is sampled in early September. The sample yields 1 small catfish as well as 17 benthic invertebrates that represent 10 species. Which of the following can be estimated from the sample for the invertebrates in the pond? A The species richness B The pond's productivity C The uniformity of species distribution in the pond D The degree of disturbance E The stability of the ecosystem

A The species richness

Organisms adapted to surviving in water with the widest range of salinity would most likely be native species in which of the following marine environments? A An offshore barrier reef B An estuary within a lagoon C The ocean covering the abyssal plain D The photic zone in the open ocean

B An estuary within a lagoon

A research team monitoring a local freshwater ecosystem noticed that over the past few years the otter population had declined significantly, while the populations of other species remained fairly constant. After running tests, the research team determined that mercury levels in invertebrates and small fish in the ecosystem were very high. In this ecosystem, what role did the otters occupy? A Pioneer species B Indicator species C Primary consumer D rr-selected species

B Indicator species

Five islands, A, B, C, D, and E, differ only in distance from the mainland, area, and species diversity. Which island would be predicted to have the highest species diversity? A IslandDistance from Mainland (kilometers)Area (hectares)A501 x 102 B IslandDistance from Mainland (kilometers)Area (hectares)B501 x 106 C IslandDistance from Mainland (kilometers)Area (hectares)C5001 x 102 D IslandDistance from Mainland (kilometers)Area (hectares)D1,0001 x 102 E IslandDistance from Mainland (kilometers)Area (hectares)E1,0001 x 106

B IslandDistance from Mainland (kilometers)Area (hectares)B501 x 106

The Chatham Island robin is a small endangered bird found in scrub forests off the coast of New Zealand. The robin is preyed upon by introduced species such as cats and rats. In 1980, the population decreased to only 55 individuals and every individual today is a descendant of a single female. Which of the following is best illustrated in the decline of the Chatham Island robins? A Carrying capacity B Population bottleneck C Population overshoot D Type II survivorship

B Population bottleneck

In a typical forest ecosystem, dead trees and fallen trees are most important because of their role in which of the following? A Providing a valuable source of timber B Providing habitats for wildlife C Contributing to soil erosion D Increasing water runoff E Removing carbon dioxide from the air

B Providing habitats for wildlife

Which of the following best describes why secondary succession generally occurs more quickly than primary succession? A Secondary succession is not hindered by the presence of any existing vegetation, but primary succession is. B Secondary succession takes place in areas that already have soil and nutrients in place, whereas primary succession occurs in areas that lack soil. C Secondary succession includes the return of plants and animal species, whereas primary succession includes only the return of plants. D Secondary succession requires pioneer species, including lichen and mosses, in the earliest stages, but primary succession does not.

B Secondary succession takes place in areas that already have soil and nutrients in place, whereas primary succession occurs in areas that lack soil.

A student reads that nanosilver particles are used in cosmetics to allow nutrients to penetrate deeper into the skin. When the cosmetics are washed off, the nanosilver particles can enter freshwater ecosystems. These particles may decrease survival in many aquatic organisms. The student determines that Daphnia magna, a tiny freshwater crustacean widely found in North America, might make a good test subject for an experiment. Which statement below is the most likely testable hypothesis based on the information provided? A When the concentration of nanosilver particles in water and the temperature of water are both increased, the population of Daphnia magna will decrease. B When the concentration of nanosilver particles in water is increased, the population of Daphnia magna will decrease. C When the concentration of nanosilver particles in water is increased, the population of Daphnia magna will adapt to new conditions and become a new species. D When the concentration of nanosilver particles in water is decreased, the population of aquatic organisms that feed on Daphnia magna will increase.

B When the concentration of nanosilver particles in water is increased, the population of Daphnia magna will decrease.

The two major processes involved in the carbon cycle are A weathering and erosion B photosynthesis and respiration C evaporation and transpiration D erosion and deposition E fixation and denitrification

B photosynthesis and respiration

The process in the hydrologic cycle in which water vapor is released from leaves into the atmosphere is called A infiltration B transpiration C sublimation D reflection E percolation

B transpiration

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following processes. (A) Nitrification (B) Denitrification (C) Assimilation (D) Ammonification (E) Nitrogen fixation Plant roots absorb ammonium ions and nitrate ions for use in making molecules such as DNA, amino acids, and proteins. A Nitrification B Denitrification C Assimilation D Ammonification E Nitrogen fixation

C Assimilation

In England approximately 250250 years ago, the peppered moth had light-colored wing patterns that camouflaged them against the light-colored trees. Over time in urban areas, the number of peppered moths with dark-colored wings increased as pollution from the Industrial Revolution darkened the trees the moths rested on. Which of the following statements best describes how the moths adapted to the new environment over time? A The moths adapted to the new environment through isolation. B The moths adapted to the new environment through primary succession. C The moths adapted to the new environment by changes in the genetics of the population. D The moths adapted to the new environment by becoming a generalist species.

C The moths adapted to the new environment by changes in the genetics of the population.

Which of the following is a measure of the biodiversity of an ecosystem? A The total number of individuals of a single animal species B The density of individuals in a hectare C The total number of different plant species D The soil depth at which burrowing insects are located

C The total number of different plant species

Which of the following best shows the process of evolution? A A lizard's color becomes brown as it sits on a log. B A bear goes into hibernation. C A plant loses its leaves in a drought. D A population of mosquitoes develops resistance to a pesticide. E A population of foxes increases as more prey becomes available.

D A population of mosquitoes develops resistance to a pesticide.

Which of the following is most likely to be the direct result of lack of genetic diversity in a food crop such as corn? A Decreased kernel size B Decreased potential yield C Decreased dependence on chemical fertilizers D Increased susceptibility on plant disease E Increased resistance to pests

D Increased susceptibility on plant disease

The Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event was caused when an asteroid impacted Earth approximately 66 million years ago, near what is now the Gulf of Mexico. The indirect effects of the impact affected the entire globe. The event resulted in the extinction of nearly 75 percent of all plant and animal species on Earth, including the majority of dinosaur species. Which of the following likely best describes why most of these species went extinct? A Direct effects from the impact B Loss of competitors C Increase in genetic diversity in most species D Rapid climate and habitat change

D Rapid climate and habitat change

For which of the following reasons do small isolated islands have a greater rate of species extinction than larger, less isolated islands? A Small isolated islands are more likely to receive more migrating species. B Small isolated islands provide opportunities for a greater diversity of species. C Because of their size, small isolated islands accumulate more species by chance. D Small isolated islands have a lower availability of resources. E Because they have fewer available niches, small isolated islands are targeted and colonized by species.

D Small isolated islands have a lower availability of resources.

The Devils Hole pupfish is one of the world's rarest fishes, spending most of its life in the top few meters of very warm waters of a cavern located in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Devils Hole, a geologic pool, is the only naturally occurring habitat for the endangered Devils Hole pupfish. This fish's habitat is one of the smallest natural ranges known for any vertebrate. Devils Hole is an extreme environment, with water temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations near the lethal limits for most fish species. Which of the following statements best explains why the Devils Hole pupfish are able to live in this environment? A Climate change led to the death of other organisms at Devils Hole, reducing competition for the pupfish. B Thermal inversions have limited the species diversity at Devils Hole, and only a few fish species can survive the high temperatures. C A trophic cascade in the Devils Hole food chain decreased the number of pupfish predators. D The pupfish are well adapted to the habitat of Devils Hole and can thrive in conditions that are outside of the range of tolerance for most other species.

D The pupfish are well adapted to the habitat of Devils Hole and can thrive in conditions that are outside of the range of tolerance for most other species.

Which of the following best describes a supporting ecological service provided by wetlands? A Wetlands serve as a source of aesthetic inspiration for art and literature. B Wetlands provide opportunities for ecotourism, which provides revenue to the local economy. C Wetlands serve as a major reservoir for nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle. D Wetlands provide a habitat for a wide variety of organisms.

D Wetlands provide a habitat for a wide variety of organisms.

The major biological source of dissolved oxygen in the ocean comes from A decomposition of organic sediments on the ocean floor B metabolic processes of coral in reefs C oxidation of sulfur by bacteria in ocean vent communities D photosynthesis by phytoplankton E respiration by zooplankton

D photosynthesis by phytoplankton

Small populations of animals, such as those typically found on islands, are prone to extinction because A they contain a high degree of genetic variability B they tend to have more predators C their habitats are more stable D they are more vulnerable to unpredictable events

D they are more vulnerable to unpredictable events

Which of the following can be used to assess the biological diversity of an area? A Population size of each species and area occupied by each population B Minimum population area and minimum viable population size C Ratio of r-strategists to K-strategists and life expectancy of K-strategists D Number of individuals under fifteen years old and number of individuals over sixty-five years old E Genetic variation within each species and number of species present

E Genetic variation within each species and number of species present

Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in each case. A one-hectare pond is sampled in early September. The sample yields 1 small catfish as well as 17 benthic invertebrates that represent 10 species. If the pond is resampled a year later, which of the following would best indicate that the pond had been adversely affected by adjacent development? A An uncommon species has become more numerous. B An increase in low-tolerance species has occurred. C A decrease in high-tolerance species has occurred. D Phylogenetic diversity has increased. E The biodiversity of the pond has decreased.

E The biodiversity of the pond has decreased.

Living organisms must acquire energy from their environment. Examples of adaptations that help organisms acquire this energy include which of the following? I-The dark, heat-absorbing coloration of a reptile. II-The fangs and claws of a lion III-The light coloration of a peppered moth

I,II