Question 1

Which of the following could be a density-independent factor limiting human population growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  social pressure for birth control 
B)  earthquakes 
C)  plagues 
D)  famines 
E)  pollution 
A)  social pressure for birth control 
B)  earthquakes 
C)  plagues 
D)  famines 
E)  pollution B

Question 2

Consider two forests: one is an undisturbed old-growth forest, while the other has recently been logged. In which forest are species likely to experience exponential growth, and why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Old growth, because of stable conditions that would favor exponential growth of all species in the forest. 
B)  Old growth, because each of the species is well established and can produce many offspring. 
C)  Logged, because the disturbed forest affords more resources for increased specific populations to grow. 
D)  Logged, because the various populations are stimulated to a higher reproductive potential. 
E)  Exponential growth is equally probable in old-growth and logged forests. 
A)  Old growth, because of stable conditions that would favor exponential growth of all species in the forest. 
B)  Old growth, because each of the species is well established and can produce many offspring. 
C)  Logged, because the disturbed forest affords more resources for increased specific populations to grow. 
D)  Logged, because the various populations are stimulated to a higher reproductive potential. 
E)  Exponential growth is equally probable in old-growth and logged forests. C

Question 3

Which of the following is the equation for zero population growth (ZPG)?

Accepted Answer

A)  R = b - m 
B)  dN/dt = rN 
C)  dN/dt =rmₐₓ N (K -N)/K 
D)  dN/dt =rmₐₓ N 
E)  dN/dt = 1.0N 
A)  R = b - m 
B)  dN/dt = rN 
C)  dN/dt =rmₐₓ N (K -N)/K 
D)  dN/dt =rmₐₓ N 
E)  dN/dt = 1.0N A

Question 4

Uniform spacing patterns in plants such as the creosote bush are most often associated with

Accepted Answer

A)  chance. 
B)  patterns of high humidity. 
C)  the random distribution of seeds. 
D)  competitive interaction between individuals of the same population. 
E)  the concentration of nutrients within the population's range. 
A)  chance. 
B)  patterns of high humidity. 
C)  the random distribution of seeds. 
D)  competitive interaction between individuals of the same population. 
E)  the concentration of nutrients within the population's range.

Question 5

In 2008, the population of New Zealand was approximately 4,275,000 people. If the birth rate was 14 births for every 1,000 people, approximately how many births occurred in New Zealand in 2008?

Accepted Answer

A)  6,000 
B)  42,275 
C)  60,000 
D)  140,000 
E)  600,000 
A)  6,000 
B)  42,275 
C)  60,000 
D)  140,000 
E)  600,000

Question 6

Use the survivorship curves in Figure 53.1 to answer the following questions.
   
Figure 53.1
-Which curve best describes survivorship in humans who live in undeveloped nations?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

A population of white-footed mice becomes severely overpopulated in a habitat that has been disturbed by human activity. Sometimes intrinsic factors cause the population to increase in mortality and lower reproduction rates to occur in reaction to the stress of overpopulation. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic population control?

Accepted Answer

A)  Owl populations frequent the area more often because of increased hunting success. 
B)  Females undergo hormonal changes that delay sexual maturation and many individuals suffer depressed immune systems and die due to the stress of overpopulation. 
C)  Clumped dispersion of the population leads to increased spread of disease and parasites, resulting in a population crash. 
D)  All of the resources (food and shelter) are used up by overpopulation and much of the population dies of exposure and/or starvation. 
E)  Because the individuals are vulnerable they are more likely to die off if a drought or flood were to occur. 
A)  Owl populations frequent the area more often because of increased hunting success. 
B)  Females undergo hormonal changes that delay sexual maturation and many individuals suffer depressed immune systems and die due to the stress of overpopulation. 
C)  Clumped dispersion of the population leads to increased spread of disease and parasites, resulting in a population crash. 
D)  All of the resources (food and shelter) are used up by overpopulation and much of the population dies of exposure and/or starvation. 
E)  Because the individuals are vulnerable they are more likely to die off if a drought or flood were to occur.

Question 8

A recent study of ecological footprints concluded that

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's carrying capacity for humans is about 10 billion. 
B)  Earth's carrying capacity would increase if per capita meat consumption increased. 
C)  current demand by industrialized countries for resources is much smaller than the ecological footprint of those countries. 
D)  it is not possible for technological improvements to increase Earth's carrying capacity for humans. 
E)  the ecological footprint of the United States is large because per capita resource use is high. 
A)  Earth's carrying capacity for humans is about 10 billion. 
B)  Earth's carrying capacity would increase if per capita meat consumption increased. 
C)  current demand by industrialized countries for resources is much smaller than the ecological footprint of those countries. 
D)  it is not possible for technological improvements to increase Earth's carrying capacity for humans. 
E)  the ecological footprint of the United States is large because per capita resource use is high.

Question 9

Which of the following sets of measurements is the most useful when studying populations?

Accepted Answer

A)  density, dispersion, and demographics of a population 
B)  gene frequency over time and the ratio of reproductive to nonreproductive individuals 
C)  annual precipitation averages and mean annual temperatures 
D)  minimum and maximum amounts of precipitation and annual temperature extremes 
E)  ratio of predators and the number of immigrants and emigrants 
A)  density, dispersion, and demographics of a population 
B)  gene frequency over time and the ratio of reproductive to nonreproductive individuals 
C)  annual precipitation averages and mean annual temperatures 
D)  minimum and maximum amounts of precipitation and annual temperature extremes 
E)  ratio of predators and the number of immigrants and emigrants

Question 10

Which pair of terms most accurately describes life history traits for a stable population of wolves?

Accepted Answer

A)  semelparous; r-selected 
B)  semelparous; K-selected 
C)  iteroparous; r-selected 
D)  iteroparous; K-selected 
E)  iteroparous; N-selected 
A)  semelparous; r-selected 
B)  semelparous; K-selected 
C)  iteroparous; r-selected 
D)  iteroparous; K-selected 
E)  iteroparous; N-selected

Question 11

Which of the following graphs illustrates the growth curve of a small population of rodents that has grown to reach a static carrying capacity?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

Please read the paragraph below and review Figure 53.2 to answer the following question.
Researchers in the Netherlands studied the effects of parental care given in European kestrels over five years. The researchers transferred chicks among nests to produce reduced broods (three or four chicks), normal broods (five or six chicks), and enlarged broods (seven or eight chicks). They then measured the percentage of male and female parent birds that survived the following winter. (Both males and females provide care for chicks.)
   
Figure 53.2: Brood size manipulations in the kestrel: Effects on offspring and parent survival.
-Which of the following is a likely graphic outcome of a population of deer introduced to an island with an adequate herbivory and without natural predators, parasites, or disease?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Which of the following best defines a cohort?

Accepted Answer

A)  a group of individuals that inhabits a small isolated region within the range for the species 
B)  all of the individuals that are annually added to a population by birth and immigration 
C)  the reproductive males and females within the population 
D)  a group of the individuals from the same age group, from birth until they are all dead 
E)  the number of individuals that annually die or emigrate out of a population 
A)  a group of individuals that inhabits a small isolated region within the range for the species 
B)  all of the individuals that are annually added to a population by birth and immigration 
C)  the reproductive males and females within the population 
D)  a group of the individuals from the same age group, from birth until they are all dead 
E)  the number of individuals that annually die or emigrate out of a population

Question 14

Which of the following is the best example of uniform distribution?

Accepted Answer

A)  bees collecting pollen in a wildflower meadow 
B)  snails in an intertidal zone at low tide 
C)  territorial songbirds in a mature forest during mating season 
D)  mushrooms growing on the floor of an old growth forest 
E)  a cultivated cornfield in the Midwest 
A)  bees collecting pollen in a wildflower meadow 
B)  snails in an intertidal zone at low tide 
C)  territorial songbirds in a mature forest during mating season 
D)  mushrooms growing on the floor of an old growth forest 
E)  a cultivated cornfield in the Midwest

Question 15

Use the survivorship curves in Figure 53.1 to answer the following questions.
   
Figure 53.1
-Which curve best describes survivorship in marine molluscs?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Which pattern of reproduction is correctly paired with a species?

Accepted Answer

A)  iteroparity-Pacific salmon 
B)  iteroparity-elephant 
C)  semelparity-oak tree 
D)  semelparity-rabbit 
E)  semelparity-polar bear 
A)  iteroparity-Pacific salmon 
B)  iteroparity-elephant 
C)  semelparity-oak tree 
D)  semelparity-rabbit 
E)  semelparity-polar bear

Question 17

Why do some invertebrates, such as lobsters, show a "stair-step" survivorship curve?

Accepted Answer

A)  Many invertebrates mate and produce offspring on multiyear cycles. 
B)  Within a species of invertebrates, younger individuals have a higher survivorship than older individuals. 
C)  Many invertebrates molt in order to grow, and they are vulnerable to predation during their "soft shell" stage. 
D)  Many invertebrate species have population cycles that go up and down according to the frequency of sunspots. 
E)  The number of fertilized eggs that mature to become females in many species of invertebrates is based on ambient temperature. 
A)  Many invertebrates mate and produce offspring on multiyear cycles. 
B)  Within a species of invertebrates, younger individuals have a higher survivorship than older individuals. 
C)  Many invertebrates molt in order to grow, and they are vulnerable to predation during their "soft shell" stage. 
D)  Many invertebrate species have population cycles that go up and down according to the frequency of sunspots. 
E)  The number of fertilized eggs that mature to become females in many species of invertebrates is based on ambient temperature.

Question 18

Which of the following pairs of reproductive strategies is consistent with energetic trade-off and reproductive success?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pioneer species of plants produce many very small, highly airborne seeds, whereas large elephants that are very good parents produce many offspring. 
B)  Female rabbits that suffer high predation rates may produce several litters per breeding season, and coconuts produce few fruits, but most survive when they encounter proper growing conditions. 
C)  Species that have to broadcast to distant habitats tend to produce seeds with heavy protective seed coats, and animals that are caring parents produce fewer offspring with lower infant mortality. 
D)  Free-living insects lay thousands of eggs and provide no parental care, whereas flowers take good care of their seeds until they are ready to germinate. 
E)  Some mammals will not reproduce when environmental resources are low so they can survive until conditions get better, and plants that produce many small seeds are likely found in stable environments. 
A)  Pioneer species of plants produce many very small, highly airborne seeds, whereas large elephants that are very good parents produce many offspring. 
B)  Female rabbits that suffer high predation rates may produce several litters per breeding season, and coconuts produce few fruits, but most survive when they encounter proper growing conditions. 
C)  Species that have to broadcast to distant habitats tend to produce seeds with heavy protective seed coats, and animals that are caring parents produce fewer offspring with lower infant mortality. 
D)  Free-living insects lay thousands of eggs and provide no parental care, whereas flowers take good care of their seeds until they are ready to germinate. 
E)  Some mammals will not reproduce when environmental resources are low so they can survive until conditions get better, and plants that produce many small seeds are likely found in stable environments.

Question 19

Population ecologists are primarily interested in

Accepted Answer

A)  studying interactions among populations of organisms that inhabit the same area. 
B)  understanding how biotic and abiotic factors influence the density, distribution, size, and age structure of populations. 
C)  how humans affect the size of wild populations of organisms. 
D)  how populations evolve as natural selection acts on heritable variations among individuals and changes in gene frequency. 
E)  the overall vitality of a population of organisms. 
A)  studying interactions among populations of organisms that inhabit the same area. 
B)  understanding how biotic and abiotic factors influence the density, distribution, size, and age structure of populations. 
C)  how humans affect the size of wild populations of organisms. 
D)  how populations evolve as natural selection acts on heritable variations among individuals and changes in gene frequency. 
E)  the overall vitality of a population of organisms.

Question 20

Refer to Figure 53.4 and then answer the following questions.
   
Figure 53.4: Infant mortality and life expectancy at birth in developed and developing countries (data as of 2005).
-In terms of demographics, which country is likely to experience the greatest population growth problem over the next ten years?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mexico, because there are fewer pre-reproductive individuals in their population 
B)  China, whose population is more than a billion, but whose expected fertility rate is 1.8 children 
C)  Germany, where the growth rate of the population is 0.1% per year 
D)  United States (2009 population ~ 205,000,000, where 200,000 Americans are added to the population each day) 
E)  Afghanistan, with a 3.85 annual growth rate 
A)  Mexico, because there are fewer pre-reproductive individuals in their population 
B)  China, whose population is more than a billion, but whose expected fertility rate is 1.8 children 
C)  Germany, where the growth rate of the population is 0.1% per year 
D)  United States (2009 population ~ 205,000,000, where 200,000 Americans are added to the population each day) 
E)  Afghanistan, with a 3.85 annual growth rate

Exam 53: Population Ecology

Which of the following could be a density-independent factor limiting human population growth?

Consider two forests: one is an undisturbed old-growth forest, while the other has recently been logged. In which forest are species likely to experience exponential growth, and why?

Which of the following is the equation for zero population growth (ZPG)?

Uniform spacing patterns in plants such as the creosote bush are most often associated with

In 2008, the population of New Zealand was approximately 4,275,000 people. If the birth rate was 14 births for every 1,000 people, approximately how many births occurred in New Zealand in 2008?

Use the survivorship curves in Figure 53.1 to answer the following questions. Figure 53.1 -Which curve best describes survivorship in humans who live in undeveloped nations?

A recent study of ecological footprints concluded that

Which of the following sets of measurements is the most useful when studying populations?

Which pair of terms most accurately describes life history traits for a stable population of wolves?

Which of the following graphs illustrates the growth curve of a small population of rodents that has grown to reach a static carrying capacity?

Which of the following best defines a cohort?

Which of the following is the best example of uniform distribution?

Use the survivorship curves in Figure 53.1 to answer the following questions. Figure 53.1 -Which curve best describes survivorship in marine molluscs?

Which pattern of reproduction is correctly paired with a species?

Why do some invertebrates, such as lobsters, show a "stair-step" survivorship curve?

Which of the following pairs of reproductive strategies is consistent with energetic trade-off and reproductive success?

Population ecologists are primarily interested in

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

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

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