Test

Which of the following are atmospheric greenhouse gases? A. methane B. carbon dioxide C. nitrous oxide D. chlorofluorocarbons E. all of the choices

E. all of the choices

Biomagnification

a process in which chemical substances become more concentrated at each higher trophic level ex: DDT (a pesticide), Agent Orange (an herbicide used to kill trees during the Vietnam War), PCBs, Diazinon - insecticide

where would be expected to have the smallest species diversity?

a small island far from the mainland

Two barnacles, Balanus and Chthamalus, can both survive on the lower rocks just above the low-tide line on the Scottish coast, but only Balanus actually does so, with Chthamalus adopting a higher zone. Which of the following best accounts for this niche separation? a. competitive exclusion b. predation of Chthamalus by Balanus c. cooperative displacement d. primary succession e. mutualism

a. competitive exclusion

Which of the following contain no species that are autotrophs? a. Bacteria b. Protista c. Plants d. Archaea e. Fungi

e. Fungi

Trophic-level transfer efficiency averages about

10%.

What is probably the greatest direct threat to terrestrial habitats? A) acid rain B) deforestation C) soil pollution D) global warming E) all of the above

B) deforestation

Population cycles can be caused by density dependent or density independent effects? (p. 1160) A) True B) False

A) True

Succession that begins with an abandoned field is an example of secondary succession. A) True B) False

A) True

What type of survivorship curve do humans have? A) Type I B) Type II C) Type III D) Type IV E) none of the above

A) Type I

Which of the following populations is most likely to go extinct? A) a very small population in an unstable environment B) a moderate-sized population of r strategists C) a large population with lots of genetic variability D) all would be equally likely to go extinct

A) a very small population in an unstable environment

A community plus the nonliving factors with which it interacts is called a(n) A) ecosystem B) age structure C) biome D) population E) cohort

A) ecosystem

Removal of a __________________ from a community affects community structure significantly. A) keystone species B) niche C) competitor D) predator

A) keystone species

Which of the following is not an example of symbiosis? A) monarch butterflies B) lichens C) mycorrhizae D) tapeworms and humans E) clownfish and sea anemones

A) monarch butterflies

According to the competitive exclusion principle, potential competitors can only coexist through ___________________. A) niche differentiation B) contest competition C) interference competition D) scramble competition

A) niche differentiation

Of the following types of interactions, which one is least likely to limit population size? A) predation B) commensalism C) competition D) brood parasitism

B) commensalism

When two organisms attempt to utilize the same resource, the result is: A) a fundamental niche B) competition C) commensalism D) mutualism E) parasitism

B) competition

It is generally the case that body size is negatively correlated with generation time. (p 1152) A) True B) False

B) False

Parasitism, once considered a symbiotic relationship, is now considered a form of predation. A) True B) False

B) False

Why would increasing the amount of sunlight increase carnivore biomass? (p 1205) A) Carnivores would be able to see their prey better. B) It will increase the amount of energy, and therefore the amount of biomass, in the system. C) There will be a smaller percentage of energy wasted in the system. D) both a and b

B) It will increase the amount of energy, and therefore the amount of biomass, in the system.

An example of an organism fitting a type I survivorship curve is: A) an oyster B) a human being C) a hydra D) lizards E) none of the above

B) a human being

The population cycles of the North American Snowshoe Hare and the Canada Lynx track each other closely. ? What would you predict for an experimental enclosure system, if you added a constant supply of food for the hares and had predators present? (p. 1160) A) the lynx population will reach a stable equilibrium at the carrying capacity B) both populations will cycle as before but at higher population sizes C) there would be no change D) the cycling would stop but both species would show an increased population size E) the hare population would initially increase then drop to a lower level

B) both populations will cycle as before but at higher population sizes

Which of these is not a density-dependent factor that could act to limit population growth as population size increases? A) waste accumulation B) fire C) inhibitory pheromones D) lowered immune function due to stress

B) fire

r strategists tend to have A) few offspring B) little parental care C) sigmoid growth curves D) all of the above E) none of the above

B) little parental care

What are the other greenhouse gases apart from carbon dioxide? (p. 1232) A) carbon dioxide is the only one B) methane, nitrous oxide C) nitrous oxide, ozone D) ozone E) hydrogen sulfide

B) methane, nitrous oxide

Rank the following biomes according to decreasing biodiversity. (p. 1218 - 1220) A) savannah > taiga > desert > temperate grassland > temperate deciduous forest B) savannah > temperate deciduous forest > temperate grassland > taiga > desert C) temperate deciduous forest > savannah > taiga > desert > temperate grassland D) temperate deciduous forest > temperate grassland > savannah > taiga > desert

B) savannah > temperate deciduous forest > temperate grassland > taiga > desert

Biomes that normally occur far north of the equator at sea level also occur in the tropics at high mountain elevations. This is because the composition of biomes is influenced directly by: (p. 1215 ) A) altitude. B) temperature. C) barometric pressure. D) day length. E) all of the above

B) temperature.

Which is NOT true of populations? (p. 1148 -1151) A) every population has a geographic distribution or range B) the range is static over time C) the range can be very limited (e.g a single pond) D) each population has its own requirements, e.g temperature, humidity, etc. E) all of the above

B) the range is static over time

Which of the following is a characteristic of tundra? A. temperate climate B. permafrost C. more than 100 cm of rain a year D. deciduous forests E. high biodiversity

B. permafrost

Which of the following statements about symbiotic relationships is true? A) in a parasitic relationship, both organisms are harmed B) symbiotic organisms have usually undergone little or no coevolution C) a relationship that appears to be commensalistic may in fact be mutualistic or parasitic D) the most efficient type of parasite is one that kills its host E) none of the above is true

C) a relationship that appears to be commensalistic may in fact be mutualistic or parasitic

Which of these relationships is generally not considered one that underlies community structure? A) predation/parasitism B) commensalism C) amensalism D) competition

C) amensalism

Consider the biogeochemical cycle of water. Since it is a compound and not an element, what two processes should be in approximate balance to give a relatively constant amount of water in the biosphere? (p .1191 ) A) transpiration/condensation B) evaporation/precipitation C) cellular respiration/photosynthesis D) photosynthesis/transpiration E) precipitation/condensation

C) cellular respiration/photosynthesis

Algal biomass was monitored in an experiment where trout were either excluded or included in enclosures in a stream. What would you predict the algal biomass to be? (p 1202) A) the same in both B) greater without trout C) greater with trout D) impossible to predict

C) greater with trout

The carrying capacity: A) is an innate property of a species B) depends on the growth rate of a species C) is the maximum number of individuals that an environment can support D) changes over time E) all of the above

C) is the maximum number of individuals that an environment can support

The mortality rate of organisms following a type III survivorship curve is A) fairly constant throughout life B) higher in post-reproductive years C) lower after the organisms become established D) unrelated to age

C) lower after the organisms become established

Gause's principle of competitive exclusion is, essentially, A) the more abundant species will exclude the less abundant species through competition B) competition for the same resources excludes species having different life styles C) no two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely when resources are limited D) larger organisms exclude smaller ones through competition as in the case of large trees controlling underbrush

C) no two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely when resources are limited

Will selection be stronger on the prey to evolve defenses or on the predators to evolve mechanisms to counter these defenses? (p 1175) A) the prey B) the predators C) on both equally D) impossible to predict

C) on both equally

What is true about a type III survivorship curve? A) individuals are equally likely to die at any age B) mortality rates rise steeply later in life C) only a small proportion of individuals survive to reproductive age D) each individual produces a small number of offspring E) both b and d

C) only a small proportion of individuals survive to reproductive age

Which of the following is not an outcome of high population density? A) toxic waste accumulation B) mortality increase C) predators tend to ignore prey that is overabundant D) reproduction reduction

C) predators tend to ignore prey that is overabundant

What is NOT true of a population undergoing logistic growth? A) it will reach a stable equilibrium at the carrying capacity B) populations are expected to be at or near the carrying capacity at all times C) the carrying capacity depends on the size of the population D) it show an s-shaped growth curve E) it has an initial exponential growth phase

C) the carrying capacity depends on the size of the population

A _______________ survivorship curve is most typical of an opportunistic species. A) type I B) type II C) type III D) All of these are typical of opportunistic species.

C) type III

Secondary consumers such as _________ and the parasites of animals, feed on the herbivores.

Carnivores

Choose the factor that is unlikely to limit population growth. A) predation B) harsh weather C) disease D) All are factors that could limit population growth.

D) All are factors that could limit population growth.

The ecological niche of an organism is the total of all the ways it uses the resources of its environment. Why are species sometimes unable to occupy their entire niche? (p. 1170) A) The species has not yet reached an equilibrium state. B) The niche itself is not stable and continually changing so the species is never fully adapted. C) both a and b D) Because of interactions with other species.

D) Because of interactions with other species.

Why is some energy always lost as it passes through the various trophic levels (e.g. Primary producer -> Herbivore -> Carnivore)? (p. 1198) A) The digestion of food requires energy. B) Not all of the food consumed is digested. C) both a and b D) Chemical reactions produce heat that cannot be used.

D) Chemical reactions produce heat that cannot be used.

Which of the following factors will affect population growth rates? A) net emigration B) net immigration C) birth rate D) all of the above E) none of the above

D) all of the above

Why is disturbance of communities thought to increase species diversity? (p.1186) A) It may prevent the final stage of succession from being reached. B) Patches of habitat will exist at different successional stages with different compositions of species. C) An equilibrium state will never be reached. D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Keystone species play an especially important in a community because they may: (p.1183) A) be food for many different species. B) be predators and prevent one species from outcompeting another. C) manipulate the environment in ways that create new habitat for other species. D) both b and c

D) both b and c

The number of individuals that a particular place can support indefinitely is called the A) biotic potential B) survivorship C) cohort D) carrying capacity E) community

D) carrying capacity

A barnacle grows on a whale, doing it no harm. This is an example of A) vitalism B) mutualism C) parasitism D) commensalism

D) commensalism

Over the vast majority of human history human population growth can be described as: (p. 1161) A) exponential B) explosive C) slow D) logistic E) lognormal

D) logistic

Commensalism is a type of symbiosis in which: (p. 1179) A) both species benefit equally. B) one species benefits while the other is harmed. C) both species are harmed. D) one species benefits while the other is not affected either positively or negatively.

D) one species benefits while the other is not affected either positively or negatively.

Ecological succession occurs because: (p. 1184) A) the environment is always changing. B) of competition between species. C) it takes a long time to reach an equilibrium state. D) species alter the habitat in ways that favour other species. E) all of the above

D) species alter the habitat in ways that favour other species.

The benefits to an animal of defending a territory may include: A. food. B. sheltered nesting sites. C. mates. D. Answers A, B and C are correct. E. None of these answers are correct

D. Answers A, B and C are correct.

Which of the following gases is most associated with global warming? A. oxygen B. ozone C. nitrous oxides D. carbon dioxide E. chlorofluorocarbons

D. carbon dioxide

Primary succession can occur on all of the following except a(n) A. bare surface. B. rock. C. area sterilized by a lava flow. D. fire-ravaged soil. E. lifeless substrate.

D. fire-ravaged soil.

Tropical regions have greater biodiversity than temperate regions. What hypothesis could account for this? (p. 1207) A) Tropics have greater overall productivity due to more solar energy. B) Tropics have more stable conditions. C) Tropics have more intense predation leading to less competition. D) Tropics have many complex microhabitats. E) All are plausible

E) All are plausible

Why is species richness thought to contribute to ecosystem stability? (p. 1205 - 1206) A) It can lead to greater productivity. B) It makes the ecosystem more resistant to invasion by new species. C) The proportion of predators will be lower. D) both a and b E) all are plausible

E) all are plausible

Global warming and cooling episodes have occurred in the past. The global warming occurring presently is thought to be different from previous episodes because: (p. 1233) A) It is not different. B) it is more rapid than in the past. C) it will impact humans for the first time. D) it is probably caused by human activity. E) both b and d

E) both b and d

When members of a population move out of a given area, it is called A) survivorship B) immigration C) mortality D) demography E) emigration

E) emigration

Fighting over shared resources is called A) character displacement B) competitive exclusion C) predation D) exploitative competition E) interference competition

E) interference competition

Organisms depend on nutrient cycling. Nutrient cycling involves all of the following processes except A. respiration. B. photosynthesis. C. decomposition. D. feeding. E. heat radiation

E. heat radiation

Which of the following are Abiotic Factors A. temperature B. wind C. water D.light E. salinity F. pH G. None H. A,B,D I: All of the above

I: Temperature, wind, water, light, salinity and pH.

How is it possible to get an inverted pyramid of biomass (e.g. biomass of copepods greater than that of algae)? (p. 1201) A) It is not possible. B) It's possible if each individual primary producer is very rich in energy. C) It's possible if the system is very productive and the primary producer is consumed as it is produced. D) This is the usual condition.

It's possible if the system is very productive and the primary producer is consumed as it is produced.

Carrying Capacity is represented by which letter: C, K, N, P

K

An accurate interpretation of the outcome in an ecosystem when a major predator is removed:

The diversity of the ecosystem decreases since there is an increase in competition.

An oak tree can support hundreds of beetles, caterpillars and other primary consumers. This is an example of

an inverted pyramid.

Heterotrophs must obtain organic molecules that have been synthesized by ____________.

autotrophs

All of the following are types of symbiosis except: a. commensalism. b. camouflage. c. predation. d. parasitism. e. mutualism.

b. camouflage.

Cattle egrets follow African ungulates such as African buffalo around and catch insects that the buffalo flush. Oxpeckers perch on the backs of buffalo and feed on ectoparasites that infest the buffalo. Which one of the following shows the ecological interaction that the buffalo has with each bird? a. cattle egret: mutualism; oxpecker: commensalism b. cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: mutualism c. cattle egret: competition; oxpecker: mutualism d. cattle egret: mutualism; oxpecker: mutualism e. cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: commensalism

b. cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: mutualism

Which of the following feed directly on the green plants? a. primary producers b. primary consumers c. secondary consumers d. secondary producers e. decomposer

b. primary consumers

The net weight of all of the organisms living in an ecosystem is its

biomass.

An insect that has evolved to resemble a plant twig will probably be able to avoid a. parasitism. b. symbiosis. c. predation. d. competition. e. commensalism.

c. predation

Which of the following are consequences of an Increase in the Greenhouse Effect a. Melting of glaciers b. Rising sea levels c. El Nino d. Changes in weather patterns e. All of the above are consequences

c. El Nino

Secondary succession takes place in all of the following except: an abandoned agricultural field. b. an area burnt off by a fire. c. an area exposed by a melting glacier. d. an abandoned landfill. e. a pile of cow manure ("cow flop.")

c. an area exposed by a melting glacier.

Which of the following is NOT a measure to Reduce Greenhouse Effect a. Reforestation of ecosystems. Photosynthesis decreases atmospheric CO2. b. Spread nutrients such as iron in the sea to encourage algal growth. c. Reduce energy consumption (especially of those energy sources that release greenhouse gases). d. Convert from use of fossil fuels to solar, wind or nuclear power. e. All are possible ways of reducing greenhouse effect

e. All are possible ways of reducing greenhouse effect

Which of the following statements about predation is false? a. Cycling of predator and prey populations is not commonly observed. b. For the mimic, Batesian mimicry is a coevolutionary adaptation to predation. c. Predation can induce coevolutionary changes in prey species. d. Animal predation on plants is called herbivory. e. Removal of a predator often leads to increased community stability.

e. Removal of a predator often leads to increased community stability.

In global terms, the production of CO2 by respiration and its fixation by photosynthesis are balanced, but the balance has been shifted towards accumulation of CO2 by the increase in use of

fossil fuels.

Which one of the links in the food chain shown below is the producer? grass—cricket—garden spider—blue jay—red-tailed hawk

grass

The Precautionary Principle

if the effects of a human-induced change would be very large or catastrophic, those responsible for the change must prove that it will not do harm before proceeding.

Alligators excavate holes in the bottom of bodies of water. During times of severe drought these holes act as refugia for various aquatic organisms that might perish if there were no water available. Thus, alligators in this system can be classified as a(n)

keystone species.

About 40% of the world's photosynthetic productivity occurs in ________ floating in the oceans.

phytoplankton

What are the most important transformers of energy in ecosystems?

plant and algae

Which one of the links in the food chain shown below does the cricket represent? grass—cricket—garden spider—blue jay—red-tailed hawk

primary consumer

Which one of the links in the food chain shown below does the garden spider represent? grass—cricket—garden spider—blue jay—red-tailed hawk

secondary consumer

Describe what happens to species diversity during the course of primary succession.

species diversity is low during the pioneer plant stage. Diversity slowly increases as succession occurs, with the greatest species diversity during the climax phase of succession

If primary production increases in an ecosystem, it would be reasonable to expect that

the biomass of herbivores would increase.

The richest land biome in terms of the number of different species is the...

tropical rain forest.