Question 1

Dog breeds are a classic example of artificial selection. Which of the following is another example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  breeding wild cabbage to create broccoli and cauliflower 
B)  inserting a gene for herbicide resistance into soybeans 
C)  chimney swifts adapting to human presence and selectively nesting in chimneys 
D)  choosing what kind of holiday greenery to purchase 
E)  crossing a lion and a tiger to get a sterile animal called a liger 
A)  breeding wild cabbage to create broccoli and cauliflower 
B)  inserting a gene for herbicide resistance into soybeans 
C)  chimney swifts adapting to human presence and selectively nesting in chimneys 
D)  choosing what kind of holiday greenery to purchase 
E)  crossing a lion and a tiger to get a sterile animal called a liger A

Question 2

Endemic species _.

Accepted Answer

A)  are generalist organisms 
B)  have high rates of mutations that lead to large numbers of offspring species 
C)  are found only in one place on the planet 
D)  cause disease 
E)  are invasive species that cause extinction 
A)  are generalist organisms 
B)  have high rates of mutations that lead to large numbers of offspring species 
C)  are found only in one place on the planet 
D)  cause disease 
E)  are invasive species that cause extinction C

Question 3

Which of the following is likely to have occurred after 1923?

Accepted Answer

A)  The government has continued the ban on deer hunting and has continued killing cougars and coyotes that immigrate into the preserve. 
B)  The deer overgrazed their environment, decreasing the carrying capacity of the habitat. 
C)  The deer population crashed, and no deer have been seen in the preserve since 1947. 
D)  The preserve was invaded by Eurasian collared doves in 1988. 
E)  The deer population has continued to increase exponentially until the present day. 
A)  The government has continued the ban on deer hunting and has continued killing cougars and coyotes that immigrate into the preserve. 
B)  The deer overgrazed their environment, decreasing the carrying capacity of the habitat. 
C)  The deer population crashed, and no deer have been seen in the preserve since 1947. 
D)  The preserve was invaded by Eurasian collared doves in 1988. 
E)  The deer population has continued to increase exponentially until the present day. B

Question 4

What kind of distribution do we typically see within a population of a species that maintains nesting territories, such as red -winged blackbirds?

Accepted Answer

A)  clumped 
B)  logarithmic 
C)  uniform 
D)  random 
E)  clustered 
A)  clumped 
B)  logarithmic 
C)  uniform 
D)  random 
E)  clustered

Question 5

Unregulated populations tend to increase by .

Accepted Answer

A)  linear growth 
B)  pyramidal growth 
C)  emigration 
D)  exponential growth 
E)  immigration 
A)  linear growth 
B)  pyramidal growth 
C)  emigration 
D)  exponential growth 
E)  immigration

Question 6

The invasive European buckthorn invades a local forest preserve. Initially, the population of buckthorn rapidly increases, and then it begins to level off. This pattern of population growth most closely resembles _ _.

Accepted Answer

A)  exponential growth 
B)  slow and constantly changing growth 
C)  logistic growth 
D)  rapid and steady rate growth 
E)  unlimited growth 
A)  exponential growth 
B)  slow and constantly changing growth 
C)  logistic growth 
D)  rapid and steady rate growth 
E)  unlimited growth

Question 7

A coyote can alter its diet to match seasonal abundance of plants, fruits, or small animals, and would therefore be considered .

Accepted Answer

A)  a specialist, able to specialize on whatever is available at the time 
B)  a generalist 
C)  an organism with a type II survivorship curve 
D)  an endemic 
E)  density independent and resource -neutral 
A)  a specialist, able to specialize on whatever is available at the time 
B)  a generalist 
C)  an organism with a type II survivorship curve 
D)  an endemic 
E)  density independent and resource -neutral

Question 8

Which of the following would best represent a clumped population distribution pattern?

Accepted Answer

A)  a pod of 40 migrating gray whales in the Bering Sea 
B)  pine trees within a pine plantation 
C)  earthworms within the soil of a garden 
D)  eagles nesting in the tallest trees in the Grand Canyon 
E)  oaks planted on city streets 
A)  a pod of 40 migrating gray whales in the Bering Sea 
B)  pine trees within a pine plantation 
C)  earthworms within the soil of a garden 
D)  eagles nesting in the tallest trees in the Grand Canyon 
E)  oaks planted on city streets

Question 9

Which of the following scenarios best describes a density -dependent factor limiting population growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  An April blizzard kills off many migrating barn swallows, which could not tolerate the cold and snow. 
B)  A particularly dry summer shrinks and dries up many ponds in central Canada, causing increased aggression and competition for limited nest sites among female common goldeneyes (ducks). 
C)  A tropical storm strikes one of the Hawaiian Islands and wipes out a population of nénés that had been recovering from near -extinction. 
D)  A particularly snowy winter makes it difficult for female deer to find food, thus affecting their ability to reproduce. 
E)  A homeowner sprays her lawn with broadleaf herbicide to kill the dandelions that have started growing there that spring. 
A)  An April blizzard kills off many migrating barn swallows, which could not tolerate the cold and snow. 
B)  A particularly dry summer shrinks and dries up many ponds in central Canada, causing increased aggression and competition for limited nest sites among female common goldeneyes (ducks). 
C)  A tropical storm strikes one of the Hawaiian Islands and wipes out a population of nénés that had been recovering from near -extinction. 
D)  A particularly snowy winter makes it difficult for female deer to find food, thus affecting their ability to reproduce. 
E)  A homeowner sprays her lawn with broadleaf herbicide to kill the dandelions that have started growing there that spring.

Question 10

Populations in which the probability of dying is constant at every age exemplify .

Accepted Answer

A)  type III survivorship 
B)  arithmetic growth 
C)  type I survivorship 
D)  type II survivorship 
E)  natural selection 
A)  type III survivorship 
B)  arithmetic growth 
C)  type I survivorship 
D)  type II survivorship 
E)  natural selection

Question 11

Population distribution describes .

Accepted Answer

A)  the placement of a species within a country's boundaries 
B)  the spatial arrangement of multiple species within a particular area 
C)  how near or far away individuals in a population are from a resource, such as water 
D)  the spatial arrangement of individuals of a single species within a particular area or ecosystem 
E)  the placement of a species around the globe 
A)  the placement of a species within a country's boundaries 
B)  the spatial arrangement of multiple species within a particular area 
C)  how near or far away individuals in a population are from a resource, such as water 
D)  the spatial arrangement of individuals of a single species within a particular area or ecosystem 
E)  the placement of a species around the globe

Question 12

How do feral pigs relate to the malaria problem in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pigs dig holes in the rainforest floor, creating water holes where mosquitoes can breed. 
B)  Feral pig farmers spend time outdoors and put themselves at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes that carry malaria. 
C)  The pig problem and the malaria problem in Hawaii are unrelated. 
D)  Pigs help destroy the eggs of mosquitoes by wallowing in mosquito -infested mudholes. 
E)  Malaria is spread from pigs to mosquitoes to humans in Hawaii because pigs are an alternate host for malaria. 
A)  Pigs dig holes in the rainforest floor, creating water holes where mosquitoes can breed. 
B)  Feral pig farmers spend time outdoors and put themselves at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes that carry malaria. 
C)  The pig problem and the malaria problem in Hawaii are unrelated. 
D)  Pigs help destroy the eggs of mosquitoes by wallowing in mosquito -infested mudholes. 
E)  Malaria is spread from pigs to mosquitoes to humans in Hawaii because pigs are an alternate host for malaria.

Question 13

Which of the following is likely to be a direct or indirect effect of removing top predators from an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A)  conversion of grassland into forest 
B)  a decrease in the populations of their prey 
C)  a decrease in ground -level vegetation such as tree saplings 
D)  greater competition among the remaining top predators in the ecosystem 
E)  a decrease in the carrying capacity of their prey 
A)  conversion of grassland into forest 
B)  a decrease in the populations of their prey 
C)  a decrease in ground -level vegetation such as tree saplings 
D)  greater competition among the remaining top predators in the ecosystem 
E)  a decrease in the carrying capacity of their prey

Question 14

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Until recent history, extinctions have always happened gradually and on a small scale. 
B)  The number of species existing at one time has decreased throughout history. 
C)  Natural selection always favors complexity and a larger body size. 
D)  Species on Earth today are just a fraction of all species that ever lived. 
E)  Most organisms present early in Earth's prehistory were more complex than modern organisms. 
A)  Until recent history, extinctions have always happened gradually and on a small scale. 
B)  The number of species existing at one time has decreased throughout history. 
C)  Natural selection always favors complexity and a larger body size. 
D)  Species on Earth today are just a fraction of all species that ever lived. 
E)  Most organisms present early in Earth's prehistory were more complex than modern organisms.

Question 15

Groups of organisms with low biotic potential, such as gray whales, .

Accepted Answer

A)  are r -selected 
B)  show the initial stages of the extinction process 
C)  have escaped from the processes of natural selection and adaptation 
D)  are K -selected 
E)  are not subject to density -dependent limiting factors 
A)  are r -selected 
B)  show the initial stages of the extinction process 
C)  have escaped from the processes of natural selection and adaptation 
D)  are K -selected 
E)  are not subject to density -dependent limiting factors

Question 16

A population is .

Accepted Answer

A)  a group of individuals of a single species that live and interact in one area 
B)  a group of individuals of several interacting species that live in one area 
C)  a group of cells that have similar function 
D)  a group of individuals of several interacting species that interact in multiple ecosystems 
E)  the sum of all individuals of a species in all locations 
A)  a group of individuals of a single species that live and interact in one area 
B)  a group of individuals of several interacting species that live in one area 
C)  a group of cells that have similar function 
D)  a group of individuals of several interacting species that interact in multiple ecosystems 
E)  the sum of all individuals of a species in all locations

Question 17

At Hakalau Forest in , ranchland is being restored to forest, invasive plants are being removed and native ones are being planted, and néné are being protected while new populations of them are being established.

Accepted Answer

A)  Hawaii 
B)  Guam 
C)  Japan 
D)  Tuvalu 
E)  Marshall Islands 
A)  Hawaii 
B)  Guam 
C)  Japan 
D)  Tuvalu 
E)  Marshall Islands

Question 18

A species has evolved an asexual mode of reproduction by having offspring develop from unfertilized eggs. Which of the following will be TRUE of this species' response to natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  The species will increase in numbers because genetic variation is increased. 
B)  The species will compensate for loss of genetic variation by hybridizing with other species. 
C)  There will be fewer deaths from natural selection because sexual recombination always leads to extinction. 
D)  There will be less genetic variation from recombination and a risk of not adapting quickly to environmental change. 
E)  There will be more deaths from natural selection because there is no mutation. 
A)  The species will increase in numbers because genetic variation is increased. 
B)  The species will compensate for loss of genetic variation by hybridizing with other species. 
C)  There will be fewer deaths from natural selection because sexual recombination always leads to extinction. 
D)  There will be less genetic variation from recombination and a risk of not adapting quickly to environmental change. 
E)  There will be more deaths from natural selection because there is no mutation.

Question 19

Which of the following has been an effect of ecotourism in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

A)  The trash from millions of visitors has choked out mangrove forests on the island of Oahu. 
B)  Conservation efforts have become more financially feasible because of increased tourist dollars. 
C)  Ecotourism has always been banned in Hawaii, but other Pacific islands have experienced myriad negative effects of ecotourism. 
D)  A large marine reserve in Hawaii was forced to close because of the increased need to feed tourists. 
E)  Tourists have irreparably damaged sensitive coral reef ecosystems. 
A)  The trash from millions of visitors has choked out mangrove forests on the island of Oahu. 
B)  Conservation efforts have become more financially feasible because of increased tourist dollars. 
C)  Ecotourism has always been banned in Hawaii, but other Pacific islands have experienced myriad negative effects of ecotourism. 
D)  A large marine reserve in Hawaii was forced to close because of the increased need to feed tourists. 
E)  Tourists have irreparably damaged sensitive coral reef ecosystems.

Question 20

Which of the following pairs lists an r -selected organism followed by a K -selected organism?

Accepted Answer

A)  elephant; whale 
B)  grasshopper; whale 
C)  pine tree; dandelion 
D)  dandelion; pine tree 
E)  elephant; pine tree 
A)  elephant; whale 
B)  grasshopper; whale 
C)  pine tree; dandelion 
D)  dandelion; pine tree 
E)  elephant; pine tree

Exam 3: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Dog breeds are a classic example of artificial selection. Which of the following is another example of artificial selection?

Endemic species _.

Which of the following is likely to have occurred after 1923?

What kind of distribution do we typically see within a population of a species that maintains nesting territories, such as red -winged blackbirds?

Unregulated populations tend to increase by .

The invasive European buckthorn invades a local forest preserve. Initially, the population of buckthorn rapidly increases, and then it begins to level off. This pattern of population growth most closely resembles _ _.

A coyote can alter its diet to match seasonal abundance of plants, fruits, or small animals, and would therefore be considered .

Which of the following would best represent a clumped population distribution pattern?

Which of the following scenarios best describes a density -dependent factor limiting population growth?

Populations in which the probability of dying is constant at every age exemplify .

Population distribution describes .

How do feral pigs relate to the malaria problem in Hawaii?

Which of the following is likely to be a direct or indirect effect of removing top predators from an ecosystem?

Which of the following is TRUE?

Groups of organisms with low biotic potential, such as gray whales, .

A population is .

At Hakalau Forest in , ranchland is being restored to forest, invasive plants are being removed and native ones are being planted, and néné are being protected while new populations of them are being established.

A species has evolved an asexual mode of reproduction by having offspring develop from unfertilized eggs. Which of the following will be TRUE of this species' response to natural selection?

Which of the following has been an effect of ecotourism in Hawaii?

Which of the following pairs lists an r -selected organism followed by a K -selected organism?

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Sustainable Solutions

Answers to Data Analysis Questions

How to Interpret Graphs

Metric System

Periodic Table of the Elements

Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index

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