Question 1

Which of the following might be an investigation of microclimate?

Accepted Answer

A)  the effect of ambient temperature on the onset of caribou migration 
B)  the seasonal population fluctuation of nurse sharks in coral reef communities 
C)  competitive interactions between various species of songbirds during spring migration 
D)  the effect of sunlight intensity on species composition in a decaying rat carcass 
E)  the effect of different nitrogen applications on corn productivity 
A)  the effect of ambient temperature on the onset of caribou migration 
B)  the seasonal population fluctuation of nurse sharks in coral reef communities 
C)  competitive interactions between various species of songbirds during spring migration 
D)  the effect of sunlight intensity on species composition in a decaying rat carcass 
E)  the effect of different nitrogen applications on corn productivity

Question 2

Which of the following biomes is correctly paired with the description of its climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  savanna-low temperature, precipitation uniform during the year 
B)  tundra-long summers, mild winters 
C)  temperate broadleaf forest-relatively short growing season, mild winters 
D)  temperate grasslands-relatively warm winters, most rainfall in summer 
E)  tropical forests-nearly constant day length and temperature 
A)  savanna-low temperature, precipitation uniform during the year 
B)  tundra-long summers, mild winters 
C)  temperate broadleaf forest-relatively short growing season, mild winters 
D)  temperate grasslands-relatively warm winters, most rainfall in summer 
E)  tropical forests-nearly constant day length and temperature

Question 3

Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis)?

Accepted Answer

A)  pelagic 
B)  abyssal 
C)  neritic 
D)  continental shelf 
E)  intertidal 
A)  pelagic 
B)  abyssal 
C)  neritic 
D)  continental shelf 
E)  intertidal

Question 4

The diagram shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labeled with letters. Choose the letter that best answers the question. Letters may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
  
-Which zone has a condition of constant temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E 
A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E

Question 5

Palm trees and subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End, England, whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada where the local flora is subarctic. Which statement best explains why this apparent anomaly exists between North America and Europe?

Accepted Answer

A)  Labrador does not get enough rainfall to support the subtropical flora found in Land's End. 
B)  Warm ocean currents interact with England, whereas cold ocean currents interact with Labrador. 
C)  Rainfall fluctuates greatly in England; rainfall is consistently high in Labrador. 
D)  Labrador is too windy to support tall plants, such as palm trees. 
E)  Labrador receives sunlight of lower duration and intensity than does Land's End. 
A)  Labrador does not get enough rainfall to support the subtropical flora found in Land's End. 
B)  Warm ocean currents interact with England, whereas cold ocean currents interact with Labrador. 
C)  Rainfall fluctuates greatly in England; rainfall is consistently high in Labrador. 
D)  Labrador is too windy to support tall plants, such as palm trees. 
E)  Labrador receives sunlight of lower duration and intensity than does Land's End.

Question 6

Deserts typically occur in a band at 20 degrees north and south latitude because

Accepted Answer

A)  descending air masses tend to be cool and dry. 
B)  trade winds have a little moisture. 
C)  moisture-laden air is heavier than dry air and is not carried to these latitudes. 
D)  ascending air tends to be moist. 
E)  these locations get the most intense solar radiation of any location on Earth. 
A)  descending air masses tend to be cool and dry. 
B)  trade winds have a little moisture. 
C)  moisture-laden air is heavier than dry air and is not carried to these latitudes. 
D)  ascending air tends to be moist. 
E)  these locations get the most intense solar radiation of any location on Earth.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the ocean pelagic biome is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ocean is a vast, deep storehouse that always provides sustenance; it is the next "frontier" for feeding humanity. 
B)  Because it is so immense, the pelagic ocean biome is globally uniform. 
C)  Globally, more photosynthesis occurs in the ocean neritic biome than in the pelagic biome. 
D)  Pelagic ocean photosynthetic activity is disproportionately low in relation to the size of the biome. 
E)  The most abundant animals are vertebrate fishes. 
A)  The ocean is a vast, deep storehouse that always provides sustenance; it is the next "frontier" for feeding humanity. 
B)  Because it is so immense, the pelagic ocean biome is globally uniform. 
C)  Globally, more photosynthesis occurs in the ocean neritic biome than in the pelagic biome. 
D)  Pelagic ocean photosynthetic activity is disproportionately low in relation to the size of the biome. 
E)  The most abundant animals are vertebrate fishes.

Question 8

If you are interested in observing a relatively simple community structure in a clear water lake, you would do well to choose diving into

Accepted Answer

A)  an oligotrophic lake. 
B)  a eutrophic lake. 
C)  a relatively shallow lake. 
D)  a nutrient-rich lake. 
E)  a lake with consistently warm temperatures. 
A)  an oligotrophic lake. 
B)  a eutrophic lake. 
C)  a relatively shallow lake. 
D)  a nutrient-rich lake. 
E)  a lake with consistently warm temperatures.

Question 9

The eight climographs below show yearly temperature (line graph and left vertical axis) and precipitation (bar graph and right vertical axis) averages for each month for some locations on Earth. Choose the climograph that best answers the question or completes the statement. Climographs may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
  
-Which climograph shows the climate for location 4?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  E 
E)  G 
A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  E 
E)  G

Question 10

If the direction of Earth's rotation reversed, the most predictable effect would be

Accepted Answer

A)  no more night and day. 
B)  a big change in the length of the year. 
C)  winds blowing from west to east along the equator. 
D)  a loss of seasonal variation at high latitudes. 
E)  the elimination of ocean currents. 
A)  no more night and day. 
B)  a big change in the length of the year. 
C)  winds blowing from west to east along the equator. 
D)  a loss of seasonal variation at high latitudes. 
E)  the elimination of ocean currents.

Question 11

Two plant species live in the same biome but on different continents. Although the two species are not at all closely related, they may appear quite similar as a result of

Accepted Answer

A)  parallel evolution. 
B)  convergent evolution. 
C)  allopatric speciation. 
D)  introgression. 
E)  gene flow. 
A)  parallel evolution. 
B)  convergent evolution. 
C)  allopatric speciation. 
D)  introgression. 
E)  gene flow.

Question 12

If global warming continues at its present rate, which biomes will likely take the place of the coniferous forest (taiga)?

Accepted Answer

A)  tundra and polar ice 
B)  temperate broadleaf forest and grassland 
C)  desert and chaparral 
D)  tropical forest and savanna 
E)  chaparral and temperate broadleaf forest 
A)  tundra and polar ice 
B)  temperate broadleaf forest and grassland 
C)  desert and chaparral 
D)  tropical forest and savanna 
E)  chaparral and temperate broadleaf forest

Question 13

In mountainous areas of western North America, north-facing slopes would be expected to

Accepted Answer

A)  receive more sunlight than similar southern exposures. 
B)  be warmer and drier than comparable southern exposed slopes. 
C)  consistently be steeper than southern exposures. 
D)  support biological communities similar to those found at lower elevations on similar south-facing slopes. 
E)  support biological communities similar to those found at higher elevations on similar south-facing slopes. 
A)  receive more sunlight than similar southern exposures. 
B)  be warmer and drier than comparable southern exposed slopes. 
C)  consistently be steeper than southern exposures. 
D)  support biological communities similar to those found at lower elevations on similar south-facing slopes. 
E)  support biological communities similar to those found at higher elevations on similar south-facing slopes.

Question 14

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass?

Accepted Answer

A)  The cool, moist Pacific air heats up as it rises, releasing its precipitation as it passes the tops of the mountains, and this warm, now dry air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
B)  The warm, moist Pacific air rises and cools, releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range, and this cool, now dry air mass heats up as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
C)  The cool, dry Pacific air heats up and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation when the air cools while descending on the leeward side of the range. 
D)  These air masses are blocked by the mountain ranges, producing high annual amounts of precipitation on the windward sides of these mountain ranges. 
E)  These air masses remain essentially unchanged in moisture content and temperature as they pass over these mountain ranges. 
A)  The cool, moist Pacific air heats up as it rises, releasing its precipitation as it passes the tops of the mountains, and this warm, now dry air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
B)  The warm, moist Pacific air rises and cools, releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range, and this cool, now dry air mass heats up as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
C)  The cool, dry Pacific air heats up and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation when the air cools while descending on the leeward side of the range. 
D)  These air masses are blocked by the mountain ranges, producing high annual amounts of precipitation on the windward sides of these mountain ranges. 
E)  These air masses remain essentially unchanged in moisture content and temperature as they pass over these mountain ranges.

Question 15

What would be the effect on climate in the temperature latitudes if Earth were to slow its rate of rotation from a 24-hour period of rotation to a 48-hour period of rotation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Seasons would be longer and more distinct (colder winters and warmer summers). 
B)  There would be a smaller range between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures. 
C)  Large scale weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes would no longer be a part of regional climates. 
D)  Winter seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres would have more abundant and frequent precipitation events. 
E)  The climate would stay the same. The only change would be longer days and nights. 
A)  Seasons would be longer and more distinct (colder winters and warmer summers). 
B)  There would be a smaller range between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures. 
C)  Large scale weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes would no longer be a part of regional climates. 
D)  Winter seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres would have more abundant and frequent precipitation events. 
E)  The climate would stay the same. The only change would be longer days and nights.

Question 16

The eight climographs below show yearly temperature (line graph and left vertical axis) and precipitation (bar graph and right vertical axis) averages for each month for some locations on Earth. Choose the climograph that best answers the question or completes the statement. Climographs may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
  
-Which climograph shows the climate for location 5?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  C 
C)  D 
D)  E 
E)  H 
A)  A 
B)  C 
C)  D 
D)  E 
E)  H

Question 17

The eight climographs below show yearly temperature (line graph and left vertical axis) and precipitation (bar graph and right vertical axis) averages for each month for some locations on Earth. Choose the climograph that best answers the question or completes the statement. Climographs may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
  
-Which climograph shows the climate for location 3?

Accepted Answer

A)  B 
B)  C 
C)  D 
D)  E 
E)  F 
A)  B 
B)  C 
C)  D 
D)  E 
E)  F

Question 18

Which of the following are important biotic factors that can affect the structure and organization of biological communities?

Accepted Answer

A)  precipitation, wind 
B)  nutrient availability, soil pH 
C)  predation, competition 
D)  temperature, water 
E)  light intensity, seasonality 
A)  precipitation, wind 
B)  nutrient availability, soil pH 
C)  predation, competition 
D)  temperature, water 
E)  light intensity, seasonality

Question 19

The diagram shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labeled with letters. Choose the letter that best answers the question. Letters may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
  
-Which zone has the lowest biomass per unit of area?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E 
A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E

Question 20

Imagine that a deep temperate zone lake did not "turn over" during the spring and fall seasons. Based on the physical and biological properties of limnetic ecosystems, what would be the difference from normal seasonal turnover?

Accepted Answer

A)  The lake would be uniformly cold during the winter and summer. 
B)  The lake would fail to freeze over in winter. 
C)  An algal bloom of algae would result every spring. 
D)  Lakes would suffer a nutrient depletion in surface layers. 
E)  The pH of the lake would become increasingly alkaline. 
A)  The lake would be uniformly cold during the winter and summer. 
B)  The lake would fail to freeze over in winter. 
C)  An algal bloom of algae would result every spring. 
D)  Lakes would suffer a nutrient depletion in surface layers. 
E)  The pH of the lake would become increasingly alkaline.

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Which of the following might be an investigation of microclimate?

Which of the following biomes is correctly paired with the description of its climate?

Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis)?

The diagram shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labeled with letters. Choose the letter that best answers the question. Letters may be used once, more than once, or not at all. -Which zone has a condition of constant temperature?

Palm trees and subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End, England, whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada where the local flora is subarctic. Which statement best explains why this apparent anomaly exists between North America and Europe?

Deserts typically occur in a band at 20 degrees north and south latitude because

Which of the following statements about the ocean pelagic biome is true?

If you are interested in observing a relatively simple community structure in a clear water lake, you would do well to choose diving into

If the direction of Earth's rotation reversed, the most predictable effect would be

Two plant species live in the same biome but on different continents. Although the two species are not at all closely related, they may appear quite similar as a result of

If global warming continues at its present rate, which biomes will likely take the place of the coniferous forest (taiga)?

In mountainous areas of western North America, north-facing slopes would be expected to

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass?

What would be the effect on climate in the temperature latitudes if Earth were to slow its rate of rotation from a 24-hour period of rotation to a 48-hour period of rotation?

Which of the following are important biotic factors that can affect the structure and organization of biological communities?

The diagram shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labeled with letters. Choose the letter that best answers the question. Letters may be used once, more than once, or not at all. -Which zone has the lowest biomass per unit of area?

Imagine that a deep temperate zone lake did not "turn over" during the spring and fall seasons. Based on the physical and biological properties of limnetic ecosystems, what would be the difference from normal seasonal turnover?

Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Viruses

Biotechnology

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

The History of Life on Earth

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

Fungi

An Overview of Animal Diversity

An Introduction to Invertebrates

The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants

Soil and Plant Nutrition

Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behavior

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

Filters