Question 1

Why are two species unable to share exactly the same niche?

Accepted Answer

The concept that two species are unable

Question 2

Explain how the definition of species has become more complicated. Give an example.

Accepted Answer

The definition of species has become mor

Question 3

How can species interactions increase the rate at which species evolve?

Accepted Answer

A)  Interactions reduce the effects of natural selection. 
B)  Interactions increase the fitness of all individuals. 
C)  Interactions make certain traits more useful. 
D)  Interactions reduce the genetic variety in individuals. 
A)  Interactions reduce the effects of natural selection. 
B)  Interactions increase the fitness of all individuals. 
C)  Interactions make certain traits more useful. 
D)  Interactions reduce the genetic variety in individuals.

Question 4

Which is the correct hierarchy of ecological systems, from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

A)  ecosystem, biosphere, community, population, individual 
B)  individual, community, population, ecosystem, biosphere 
C)  individual, population, ecosystem, biosphere, community 
D)  individual, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere 
E)  biosphere, community, ecosystem, population, individual 
A)  ecosystem, biosphere, community, population, individual 
B)  individual, community, population, ecosystem, biosphere 
C)  individual, population, ecosystem, biosphere, community 
D)  individual, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere 
E)  biosphere, community, ecosystem, population, individual

Question 5

An ultimate hypothesis

Accepted Answer

A)  explains how an organism has adapted its physiology. 
B)  addresses an organism's response to the environment. 
C)  has been tested and revised. 
D)  is a prediction about how an organism might adapt in the future. 
A)  explains how an organism has adapted its physiology. 
B)  addresses an organism's response to the environment. 
C)  has been tested and revised. 
D)  is a prediction about how an organism might adapt in the future.

Question 6

Which interaction is characterized by negative effects on the fitness of both species involved?

Accepted Answer

A)  predation 
B)  herbivory 
C)  commensalism 
D)  competition 
A)  predation 
B)  herbivory 
C)  commensalism 
D)  competition

Question 7

Organisms that use photosynthesis or chemosynthesis are

Accepted Answer

A)  autotrophs. 
B)  consumers. 
C)  heterotrophs. 
D)  herbivores. 
A)  autotrophs. 
B)  consumers. 
C)  heterotrophs. 
D)  herbivores.

Question 8

Most scientific investigations begin with a set of facts about nature. These facts are obtained by

Accepted Answer

A)  observation and description. 
B)  development of mathematical models. 
C)  development of hypotheses. 
D)  experimental testing of hypotheses. 
A)  observation and description. 
B)  development of mathematical models. 
C)  development of hypotheses. 
D)  experimental testing of hypotheses.

Question 9

Use the example of the California sea otter to explain why ecologists must study multiple hierarchical levels to understand most environmental problems.

Accepted Answer

Ecologists must study multiple hierarchi

Question 10

How might one hierarchical level that is not in steady state affect the hierarchical level above it?

Accepted Answer

In a hierarchical system, each level is

Question 11

An organism that does not itself consume its prey but rather its offspring does is termed a

Accepted Answer

A)  parasite. 
B)  parasitoid. 
C)  detritivore. 
D)  decomposer. 
A)  parasite. 
B)  parasitoid. 
C)  detritivore. 
D)  decomposer.

Question 12

Hyphae are structures found in

Accepted Answer

A)  plants. 
B)  animals. 
C)  fungi. 
D)  protists. 
A)  plants. 
B)  animals. 
C)  fungi. 
D)  protists.

Question 13

Explain why the sample variance is larger than the variance of the mean, especially for small samples.

Accepted Answer

The sample variance is larger than the v

Question 14

The relationship between a burdock plant and a fox is

Accepted Answer

A)  competition. 
B)  herbivory. 
C)  predation. 
D)  parasitism. 
E)  commensalism. 
A)  competition. 
B)  herbivory. 
C)  predation. 
D)  parasitism. 
E)  commensalism.

Question 15

The range of biotic and abiotic conditions a species can tolerate is its

Accepted Answer

A)  community. 
B)  habitat. 
C)  niche. 
D)  ecosystem role. 
A)  community. 
B)  habitat. 
C)  niche. 
D)  ecosystem role.

Question 16

If you wanted to understand the impact of an introduced species on existing species in an area, what ecological level should you examine?

Accepted Answer

A)  population 
B)  individual 
C)  community 
D)  biosphere 
A)  population 
B)  individual 
C)  community 
D)  biosphere

Question 17

Explain the role of ecology in efforts to reduce the damage humans do to the environment.

Accepted Answer

Ecology plays a crucial role in efforts

Question 18

At what ecological level does evolution occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  individual 
B)  population 
C)  ecosystem 
D)  community 
E)  biosphere 
A)  individual 
B)  population 
C)  ecosystem 
D)  community 
E)  biosphere

Question 19

All things being equal, one would expect to find _______ species diversity in a stream with a uniform substrate (i.e., bottom bedrock) as compared to a stream with a heterogeneous substrate (i.e., bottom composed of sand, pebbles, stones, cobble, boulders).

Accepted Answer

A)  less 
B)  more 
C)  the same 
D)  There is no way to determine. 
A)  less 
B)  more 
C)  the same 
D)  There is no way to determine.

Question 20

To maintain a dynamic steady state in a community, which two factors must balance?

Accepted Answer

A)  new species arrivals and current species extinctions 
B)  immigration and emigration 
C)  births and deaths 
D)  food consumed and energy expended 
A)  new species arrivals and current species extinctions 
B)  immigration and emigration 
C)  births and deaths 
D)  food consumed and energy expended

Exam 1: Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Why are two species unable to share exactly the same niche?

Explain how the definition of species has become more complicated. Give an example.

How can species interactions increase the rate at which species evolve?

Which is the correct hierarchy of ecological systems, from smallest to largest?

An ultimate hypothesis

Which interaction is characterized by negative effects on the fitness of both species involved?

Organisms that use photosynthesis or chemosynthesis are

Most scientific investigations begin with a set of facts about nature. These facts are obtained by

Use the example of the California sea otter to explain why ecologists must study multiple hierarchical levels to understand most environmental problems.

How might one hierarchical level that is not in steady state affect the hierarchical level above it?

An organism that does not itself consume its prey but rather its offspring does is termed a

Hyphae are structures found in

Explain why the sample variance is larger than the variance of the mean, especially for small samples.

The relationship between a burdock plant and a fox is

The range of biotic and abiotic conditions a species can tolerate is its

If you wanted to understand the impact of an introduced species on existing species in an area, what ecological level should you examine?

Explain the role of ecology in efforts to reduce the damage humans do to the environment.

At what ecological level does evolution occur?

All things being equal, one would expect to find _______ species diversity in a stream with a uniform substrate (i.e., bottom bedrock) as compared to a stream with a heterogeneous substrate (i.e., bottom composed of sand, pebbles, stones, cobble, boulders).

To maintain a dynamic steady state in a community, which two factors must balance?

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Climates and Soils

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviors

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Population Dynamics Over Space and Time

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Competition

Mutualism

Community Structure

Community Succession

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

Filters