Question 1

When climbing a mountain, we can observe transitions in biological communities that are analogous to the changes

Accepted Answer

A)  in biomes at different latitudes. 
B)  at different depths in the ocean. 
C)  in a community through different seasons. 
D)  in an ecosystem as it evolves over time. 
E)  across the United States from east to west. 
A)  in biomes at different latitudes. 
B)  at different depths in the ocean. 
C)  in a community through different seasons. 
D)  in an ecosystem as it evolves over time. 
E)  across the United States from east to west.

Question 2

Which of the following areas of study focuses on the exchange of energy, organisms, and materials between ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A)  population ecology 
B)  organismal ecology 
C)  landscape ecology 
D)  ecosystem ecology 
E)  community ecology 
A)  population ecology 
B)  organismal ecology 
C)  landscape ecology 
D)  ecosystem ecology 
E)  community ecology

Question 3

Generally speaking, deserts are located in places where air masses are usually

Accepted Answer

A)  tropical. 
B)  humid. 
C)  rising. 
D)  descending. 
E)  expanding. 
A)  tropical. 
B)  humid. 
C)  rising. 
D)  descending. 
E)  expanding.

Question 4

The oceans affect the biosphere in all of the following ways except

Accepted Answer

A)  producing a substantial amount of the biosphere's oxygen. 
B)  removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 
C)  moderating the climate of terrestrial biomes. 
D)  regulating the pH of freshwater biomes and terrestrial groundwater. 
E)  being the source of most of Earth's rainfall. 
A)  producing a substantial amount of the biosphere's oxygen. 
B)  removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 
C)  moderating the climate of terrestrial biomes. 
D)  regulating the pH of freshwater biomes and terrestrial groundwater. 
E)  being the source of most of Earth's rainfall.

Question 5

In temperate lakes, the surface water is replenished with nutrients during turnovers that occur in the

Accepted Answer

A)  autumn and spring. 
B)  autumn and winter. 
C)  spring and summer. 
D)  summer and winter. 
E)  summer and autumn. 
A)  autumn and spring. 
B)  autumn and winter. 
C)  spring and summer. 
D)  summer and winter. 
E)  summer and autumn.

Question 6

A certain species of pine tree survives only in scattered locations at elevations above 2,800 m in the western United States. To understand why this tree grows only in these specific places, an ecologist should

Accepted Answer

A)  conclude that lower elevations are limiting to the survival of this species. 
B)  study the anatomy and physiology of this species. 
C)  investigate the various biotic and abiotic factors that are unique to high altitude. 
D)  analyze the soils found in the vicinity of these trees, looking for unique chemicals that may support their growth. 
E)  collect data on temperature, wind, and precipitation at several of these locations for a year. 
A)  conclude that lower elevations are limiting to the survival of this species. 
B)  study the anatomy and physiology of this species. 
C)  investigate the various biotic and abiotic factors that are unique to high altitude. 
D)  analyze the soils found in the vicinity of these trees, looking for unique chemicals that may support their growth. 
E)  collect data on temperature, wind, and precipitation at several of these locations for a year.

Question 7

What is the limiting factor for the growth of trees in the tundra?

Accepted Answer

A)  low precipitation 
B)  cold temperatures 
C)  insufficient minerals in bedrock 
D)  pH of soils 
E)  permafrost 
A)  low precipitation 
B)  cold temperatures 
C)  insufficient minerals in bedrock 
D)  pH of soils 
E)  permafrost

Question 8

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 produces the most global oxygen gas?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question.
  
-How would an ecologist likely explain the expansion of the cattle egret?

Accepted Answer

A)  The areas to which the cattle egret has expanded have no cattle egret parasites. 
B)  Climatic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, provide a suitable habitat for cattle egrets. 
C)  There are no predators for cattle egrets in the New World, so they continue to expand their range. 
D)  A habitat left unoccupied by native herons and egrets met the biotic and abiotic requirements of the cattle egret transplants and their descendants. 
E)  The first egrets to colonize South America evolved into a new species capable of competing with the native species of herons and egrets. 
A)  The areas to which the cattle egret has expanded have no cattle egret parasites. 
B)  Climatic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, provide a suitable habitat for cattle egrets. 
C)  There are no predators for cattle egrets in the New World, so they continue to expand their range. 
D)  A habitat left unoccupied by native herons and egrets met the biotic and abiotic requirements of the cattle egret transplants and their descendants. 
E)  The first egrets to colonize South America evolved into a new species capable of competing with the native species of herons and egrets.

Question 10

The success with which plants extend their range northward following glacial retreat is best determined by

Accepted Answer

A)  whether there is simultaneous migration of herbivores. 
B)  their tolerance to shade. 
C)  their seed dispersal rate. 
D)  their size. 
E)  their growth rate. 
A)  whether there is simultaneous migration of herbivores. 
B)  their tolerance to shade. 
C)  their seed dispersal rate. 
D)  their size. 
E)  their growth rate.

Question 11

Trees are not usually found in the tundra biome because of

Accepted Answer

A)  insufficient annual precipitation. 
B)  acidic soils. 
C)  extreme winter temperatures. 
D)  overbrowsing by musk ox and caribou. 
E)  permafrost. 
A)  insufficient annual precipitation. 
B)  acidic soils. 
C)  extreme winter temperatures. 
D)  overbrowsing by musk ox and caribou. 
E)  permafrost.

Question 12

Fire suppression by humans

Accepted Answer

A)  will always result in an increase in species diversity in a given biome. 
B)  can change the species composition within biological communities. 
C)  will result ultimately in sustainable production of increased amounts of forest products for human use. 
D)  is necessary for the protection of threatened and endangered forest species. 
E)  is a management goal of conservation biologists to maintain the healthy condition of forest communities. 
A)  will always result in an increase in species diversity in a given biome. 
B)  can change the species composition within biological communities. 
C)  will result ultimately in sustainable production of increased amounts of forest products for human use. 
D)  is necessary for the protection of threatened and endangered forest species. 
E)  is a management goal of conservation biologists to maintain the healthy condition of forest communities.

Question 13

Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  rising, warm, moist air masses that cool and release precipitation as they rise and then, at high altitude, cool and sink back to the surface as dry air masses after moving north or south of the tropics. 
B)  air masses that are dried and heated over continental areas that rise, cool aloft, and descend over oceanic areas followed by a return flow of moist air from ocean to land, delivering high amounts of precipitation to coastal areas. 
C)  polar, cool, moist high-pressure air masses from the poles that move along the surface, releasing precipitation along the way to the equator where they are heated and dried. 
D)  the revolution of Earth around the sun. 
E)  mountain ranges that deflect air masses containing variable amounts of moisture. 
A)  rising, warm, moist air masses that cool and release precipitation as they rise and then, at high altitude, cool and sink back to the surface as dry air masses after moving north or south of the tropics. 
B)  air masses that are dried and heated over continental areas that rise, cool aloft, and descend over oceanic areas followed by a return flow of moist air from ocean to land, delivering high amounts of precipitation to coastal areas. 
C)  polar, cool, moist high-pressure air masses from the poles that move along the surface, releasing precipitation along the way to the equator where they are heated and dried. 
D)  the revolution of Earth around the sun. 
E)  mountain ranges that deflect air masses containing variable amounts of moisture.

Question 14

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 2?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Which of the following abiotic factors has the greatest influence on the metabolic rates of plants and animals?

Accepted Answer

A)  water 
B)  wind 
C)  temperature 
D)  rocks and soil 
E)  disturbances 
A)  water 
B)  wind 
C)  temperature 
D)  rocks and soil 
E)  disturbances

Question 16

Which of the following levels of ecological organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists

Accepted Answer

A)  determine the abundance of a species in a specified area. 
B)  determine the distribution of a species in a specified area. 
C)  develop mathematical models for distribution and abundance of organisms. 
D)  determine if dispersal is a key factor in limiting distribution of organisms. 
E)  consolidate a landscape region into a single ecosystem. 
A)  determine the abundance of a species in a specified area. 
B)  determine the distribution of a species in a specified area. 
C)  develop mathematical models for distribution and abundance of organisms. 
D)  determine if dispersal is a key factor in limiting distribution of organisms. 
E)  consolidate a landscape region into a single ecosystem.

Question 18

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution?

Accepted Answer

A)  Average annual temperature and precipitation are sufficient to predict which biome will be found in an area. 
B)  Seasonal fluctuation of temperature is not a limiting factor in biome distribution if areas have the same annual temperature and precipitation means. 
C)  Not only is the average climate important in determining biome distribution but so is the pattern of climatic variation. 
D)  Temperate forests and grasslands are different biomes because they receive a different quality and quantity of sunlight, even though they have essentially the same annual temperature and precipitation. 
E)  Correlation of climate with biome distribution is sufficient to determine the cause of biome patterns. 
A)  Average annual temperature and precipitation are sufficient to predict which biome will be found in an area. 
B)  Seasonal fluctuation of temperature is not a limiting factor in biome distribution if areas have the same annual temperature and precipitation means. 
C)  Not only is the average climate important in determining biome distribution but so is the pattern of climatic variation. 
D)  Temperate forests and grasslands are different biomes because they receive a different quality and quantity of sunlight, even though they have essentially the same annual temperature and precipitation. 
E)  Correlation of climate with biome distribution is sufficient to determine the cause of biome patterns.

Question 19

"How do seed-eating animals affect the distribution and abundance of the trees?" This question

Accepted Answer

A)  would require an elaborate experimental design to answer. 
B)  would be difficult to answer because a large experimental area would be required. 
C)  would be difficult to answer because a long-term experiment would be required. 
D)  is one that a present-day ecologist would be likely to ask. 
E)  All options are correct. 
A)  would require an elaborate experimental design to answer. 
B)  would be difficult to answer because a large experimental area would be required. 
C)  would be difficult to answer because a long-term experiment would be required. 
D)  is one that a present-day ecologist would be likely to ask. 
E)  All options are correct.

Question 20

Imagine some cosmic catastrophe jolts Earth so that its axis is perpendicular to the orbital plane between Earth and the sun. The most obvious effect of this change would be

Accepted Answer

A)  the elimination of tides. 
B)  an increase in the length of night. 
C)  an increase in the length of a year. 
D)  a decrease in temperature at the equator. 
E)  the elimination of seasonal variation. 
A)  the elimination of tides. 
B)  an increase in the length of night. 
C)  an increase in the length of a year. 
D)  a decrease in temperature at the equator. 
E)  the elimination of seasonal variation.

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

When climbing a mountain, we can observe transitions in biological communities that are analogous to the changes

Which of the following areas of study focuses on the exchange of energy, organisms, and materials between ecosystems?

Generally speaking, deserts are located in places where air masses are usually

The oceans affect the biosphere in all of the following ways except

In temperate lakes, the surface water is replenished with nutrients during turnovers that occur in the

A certain species of pine tree survives only in scattered locations at elevations above 2,800 m in the western United States. To understand why this tree grows only in these specific places, an ecologist should

What is the limiting factor for the growth of trees in the tundra?

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 produces the most global oxygen gas?

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question. -How would an ecologist likely explain the expansion of the cattle egret?

The success with which plants extend their range northward following glacial retreat is best determined by

Trees are not usually found in the tundra biome because of

Fire suppression by humans

Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are caused by

Which of the following abiotic factors has the greatest influence on the metabolic rates of plants and animals?

Which of the following levels of ecological organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?

Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution?

"How do seed-eating animals affect the distribution and abundance of the trees?" This question

Imagine some cosmic catastrophe jolts Earth so that its axis is perpendicular to the orbital plane between Earth and the sun. The most obvious effect of this change would be

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

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