BIO331 quiz 1
In a population of tungara frogs, males vary considerably in their call frequency. However, repeated studies show that, in this particular population at least, male survival and reproductive success are not linked to this variation. Given this, which of the following is the best answer to the question of what is happening in that population right now?
Natural selection is not currently acting on the phenotype of call rate in that population
Who formalized the distinction between proximate and ultimate explanations of behavior?
Nikolaas Tinbergen
A study on a species of wild dog showed that males have spikes in testosterone levels about a month after birth, and again at two years when they disperse to mate. To explore the function of these spikes, a researcher castrated two sets of males: one set right after birth and the other at two years. Those castrated right after birth neither mated nor dispersed, while those castrated at two years dispersed but did not mate. What do these data suggest for the effect of testosterone on dispersal and on mating behavior?
Organizational effect on both dispersal and mating; activational effect on mating
A researcher examined the fitness of a trait in a population and plotted the data below. Which of the following is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from these data?
Trait value B is the optimal trait value
Karl Von Frisch won the Nobel Prize for his elegant experiments on honey bees. He spent decades watching the foraging bees dance in the hive after returning from flowers. One causal question he might have asked was:
Why do honeybees dance?
Which is the least accurate statement?Animal personalities ...
are exclusively determined by genetic differences
A researcher observed variation in plasma testosterone hormone levels in birds that was associated with variation in aggression: birds with higher levels of testosterone were more aggressive. In addition, experimental addition of testosterone increased an individual's level of aggression. At what level of analysis did the researcher investigate the bird behavior?
proximate
A researcher has found variation in courtship behavior among closely related species. She has determined that simple courtship dances are the ancestral form of the trait, while complex courtship dances are derived. This research approach is an example of which of the following?
comparative method
In a hypothetical population of birds with different wing sizes, ____________ selection selects for individuals with larger wings.
directional
Which of the following examples is most likely not to be a system of sign stimulus and response?
A jay tastes an orange butterfly that is poisonous, spits it out, and then avoids any future orange butterflies.
Which of the following is the best example of kin selection?
A male acorn woodpecker helping his parents feed his siblings
Identify the false statement about the dominance hierarchy in primates based on this figure
Being the alpha male is not costly.
Which of the following would NOT be included in an ethogram?
Hormone profiles
Which of the following is in correct temporal sequence?
Research question, research hypothesis, prediction, test
How have twin studies proven to be beneficial?
Researchers can determine the difference between environmental and genetic factors.
