Question 1

What is one reason that amphibians are especially good biological indicators of environmental conditions?

Accepted Answer

A)  They live in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. 
B)  It is difficult for pollutants to pass through their skin. 
C)  They are declining in number. 
D)  They can tolerate high levels of pollution. 
A)  They live in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. 
B)  It is difficult for pollutants to pass through their skin. 
C)  They are declining in number. 
D)  They can tolerate high levels of pollution. A

Question 2

What evidence led Ruth and Sessions to conclude that parasites could be the cause of some of the deformities in the frogs found in the ponds of Northern California?

Accepted Answer

A)  None of the deformed frogs found in the ponds were infected with the parasites. 
B)  They directly observed the parasites causing the deformities. 
C)  Glass beads placed near the location of limb development in tadpoles mimicked the effect of parasites and caused deformities. 
D)  Deformities in the frogs occurred in nature but not in the laboratory. 
A)  None of the deformed frogs found in the ponds were infected with the parasites. 
B)  They directly observed the parasites causing the deformities. 
C)  Glass beads placed near the location of limb development in tadpoles mimicked the effect of parasites and caused deformities. 
D)  Deformities in the frogs occurred in nature but not in the laboratory. C

Question 3

Which statement about the concept of natural selection is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  During natural selection, different individuals survive and reproduce at different rates based on their specific characteristics. 
B)  During natural selection, organisms who survive and reproduce at a greater rate pass on more of their genes to the next generation. 
C)  The frequency of a trait favored by natural selection will increase over generations whether the trait is heritable or not. 
D)  Only natural selection can produce adaptations consistently. 
A)  During natural selection, different individuals survive and reproduce at different rates based on their specific characteristics. 
B)  During natural selection, organisms who survive and reproduce at a greater rate pass on more of their genes to the next generation. 
C)  The frequency of a trait favored by natural selection will increase over generations whether the trait is heritable or not. 
D)  Only natural selection can produce adaptations consistently. C

Question 4

A scientist monitors both the pollution entering a city's water supply and the changing populations of fish and other organisms thought to be affected by this pollution. He also speaks regularly at city council meetings, giving the results of his studies, and suggests changes in local laws that could help control the pollution. Based on his activities, this person could best be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  an ecologist. 
B)  an environmental scientist. 
C)  a politician. 
D)  an activist. 
A)  an ecologist. 
B)  an environmental scientist. 
C)  a politician. 
D)  an activist.

Question 5

Refer to the figure.
  Vredenburg studied the impact of the introduction of rainbow and brook trout on a species of amphibian, the mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa). After showing greatly decreased frog populations in lakes with trout, he set up an experiment using three categories of lakes: lakes from which he removed trout, lakes that had never had trout, and lakes that still contained trout. He compared the number of adult frogs per 10 m of shoreline in all groups, as shown in the figure. What is the most likely reason that Vredenburg chose to use a large-scale experimental design such as this, rather than a single lake or laboratory experiments?

Accepted Answer

A)  The larger design allowed Vredenburg the ability to do replications. 
B)  A smaller study would not adequately answer the experimental question. 
C)  In a larger study, it is easier to manipulate the various experimental treatments. 
D)  In a real-world situation such as this, all variables can be more easily controlled. 
A)  The larger design allowed Vredenburg the ability to do replications. 
B)  A smaller study would not adequately answer the experimental question. 
C)  In a larger study, it is easier to manipulate the various experimental treatments. 
D)  In a real-world situation such as this, all variables can be more easily controlled.

Question 6

Refer to the figure.
  The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. According to the figure, how did adding 16 parasites per tadpole to a group of tadpoles affect their survival?

Accepted Answer

A)  It caused a 20% increase. 
B)  It resulted in no change. 
C)  It caused a 10% decrease. 
D)  It caused a 20% decrease. 
A)  It caused a 20% increase. 
B)  It resulted in no change. 
C)  It caused a 10% decrease. 
D)  It caused a 20% decrease.

Question 7

Refer to the figure.
  
-The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. Which statement best describes the control group in the experiment?

Accepted Answer

A)  Tadpoles were grown in the absence of trematode parasites. 
B)  Tadpoles were allowed to grow in nets in their natural environment. 
C)  Tadpoles were grown in the presence of only one trematode parasite. 
D)  Tadpoles were grown in a tank in which the concentration of trematode parasites was similar to the parasite concentration of ponds in which deformed frogs were found. 
A)  Tadpoles were grown in the absence of trematode parasites. 
B)  Tadpoles were allowed to grow in nets in their natural environment. 
C)  Tadpoles were grown in the presence of only one trematode parasite. 
D)  Tadpoles were grown in a tank in which the concentration of trematode parasites was similar to the parasite concentration of ponds in which deformed frogs were found.

Question 8

Refer to the figure.
  Vredenburg studied the impact of introduction of rainbow and brook trout on a species of amphibian, the mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa). After showing greatly decreased frog populations in lakes with trout, he set up an experiment using three categories of lakes: lakes from which he removed trout, lakes that had never had trout, and lakes that still contained trout. He compared the number of adult frogs per 10 m of shoreline in all groups, as shown in the figure. In Vredenburg's experimental design, why did he use two control groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  To be doubly sure his results were correct 
B)  To ensure that he had enough data for statistical analysis 
C)  To control for unknown factors that might be present in the lakes 
D)  To control for the effects of two known natural conditions 
A)  To be doubly sure his results were correct 
B)  To ensure that he had enough data for statistical analysis 
C)  To control for unknown factors that might be present in the lakes 
D)  To control for the effects of two known natural conditions

Question 9

The most appropriate spatial scale for a study of world climatic processes would likely be

Accepted Answer

A)  cubic millimeters. 
B)  cubic centimeters. 
C)  cubic meters. 
D)  cubic kilometers. 
A)  cubic millimeters. 
B)  cubic centimeters. 
C)  cubic meters. 
D)  cubic kilometers.

Question 10

Net primary production (NPP) is the amount of

Accepted Answer

A)  heat lost through respiration, minus the energy gained by photosynthesis or other means. 
B)  energy that producers fix by photosynthesis or other means, minus the amount lost as heat in cellular respiration. 
C)  energy gained through consumption, minus the amount lost as heat in cellular respiration. 
D)  energy that producers fix by photosynthesis or other means, minus the amount lost through death of tissue. 
A)  heat lost through respiration, minus the energy gained by photosynthesis or other means. 
B)  energy that producers fix by photosynthesis or other means, minus the amount lost as heat in cellular respiration. 
C)  energy gained through consumption, minus the amount lost as heat in cellular respiration. 
D)  energy that producers fix by photosynthesis or other means, minus the amount lost through death of tissue.

Question 11

Refer to the figure.
 
- The figure is based on studies of the effects of pesticides on the tadpole immune system. In a laboratory experiment, wood frog (Rana sylvatica) tadpoles were exposed to low or high concentrations of a pesticide, and then Ribeiroia parasites. The tadpoles were then examined for (A) numbers of eosinophils and (B) numbers of Ribeiroia cysts. Error bars show one SE of the mean. Compared with the control group, the frogs exposed to low concentrations of pesticides showed an increase _______ percent in the number of eosinophils.

Accepted Answer

A)  18 
B)  32 
C)  55 
D)  78 
A)  18 
B)  32 
C)  55 
D)  78

Question 12

In 1878, seal hunters introduced rabbits to Macquarie Island, between Australia and Antarctica. The rabbit population soared and the Myxoma virus was then introduced to kill off rabbits. It worked, but the islands' cats, which had depended on the rabbits for food, began eating seabirds instead. To save the seabirds, scientists started a program to kill off the cats. Twenty-four years later, in 2009, the rabbit population had exploded again, and rabbits were ravaging native plant species and devastating the island's ecosystem. This story appears to be an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  sound, responsible ecological management. 
B)  unintended ecological consequences. 
C)  predictable but unavoidable consequences. 
D)  a series of catastrophes resulting from random chance. 
A)  sound, responsible ecological management. 
B)  unintended ecological consequences. 
C)  predictable but unavoidable consequences. 
D)  a series of catastrophes resulting from random chance.

Question 13

Many species live in the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, and these different species interact to varying degrees. This is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  biosphere. 
B)  community. 
C)  ecosystem. 
D)  population. 
A)  biosphere. 
B)  community. 
C)  ecosystem. 
D)  population.

Question 14

Refer to the figure.
  
-The figure is based on Kiesecker's field experiments testing the effects of parasites and pesticides on frogs. Which statement is the most valid interpretation of the results?

Accepted Answer

A)  Exposure to parasites was necessary for the frogs to become deformed. 
B)  All frogs exposed to parasites were deformed. 
C)  Exposure to pesticides was necessary for frogs to become deformed. 
D)  Exposure to pesticides had no effect on the percentage of frogs that became deformed. 
A)  Exposure to parasites was necessary for the frogs to become deformed. 
B)  All frogs exposed to parasites were deformed. 
C)  Exposure to pesticides was necessary for frogs to become deformed. 
D)  Exposure to pesticides had no effect on the percentage of frogs that became deformed.

Question 15

Which statement about the relationship between consumers and producers is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms; producers obtain energy by decomposing dead matter. 
B)  Consumers obtain energy from an external source to produce their own food; producers obtain energy by decomposing dead matter. 
C)  Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms; producers use energy from an external source to produce their own food. 
D)  Consumers and producers both obtain energy by eating other organisms; the difference lies in what types of organisms they eat. 
A)  Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms; producers obtain energy by decomposing dead matter. 
B)  Consumers obtain energy from an external source to produce their own food; producers obtain energy by decomposing dead matter. 
C)  Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms; producers use energy from an external source to produce their own food. 
D)  Consumers and producers both obtain energy by eating other organisms; the difference lies in what types of organisms they eat.

Question 16

Refer to the figure.
  The figure shows three types of experimental setups: laboratory, small-scale field study, and large-scale field study. In which of the following cases would the large-scale field study be the most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)  When very detailed, precise measurements are required 
B)  When the organisms being studied are small and rare 
C)  When events being studied are long-term or cover large geographic areas 
D)  When the study is being conducted by environmental scientists rather than ecologists 
A)  When very detailed, precise measurements are required 
B)  When the organisms being studied are small and rare 
C)  When events being studied are long-term or cover large geographic areas 
D)  When the study is being conducted by environmental scientists rather than ecologists

Question 17

Would you use an observational, experimental, or modeling approach to study a rare, endangered bird species? Why would the approach you chose be a better choice than the others for your study?

Accepted Answer

An observational approach would likely b

Question 18

A team of researchers investigated the effects of fertilizer on the growth of forest trees. They used an old Christmas tree plantation with pine trees of the same species and age, dividing it into plots and testing growth rates at different levels of fertilization. They calculate averages from their treatment groups, and see that the low-fertilizer group had a higher growth rate than the high-fertilizer group. They conclude that applying a small amount of fertilizer always causes all trees to grow faster than applying a large amount. Is this conclusion valid? Explain.

Accepted Answer

No, the conclusion is not valid. First,

Question 19

It is difficult to study the process of evolution in most species of organisms because

Accepted Answer

A)  evolution occurs over many generations, so time scales required for studies are very long. 
B)  the effects of evolution are usually difficult or impossible to observe. 
C)  evolutionary studies require collecting data on many species at the same time. 
D)  there is no way to know what a species' ancestors were like. 
A)  evolution occurs over many generations, so time scales required for studies are very long. 
B)  the effects of evolution are usually difficult or impossible to observe. 
C)  evolutionary studies require collecting data on many species at the same time. 
D)  there is no way to know what a species' ancestors were like.

Question 20

Which of the following is an abiotic feature of the environment?

Accepted Answer

A)  The average minimum temperature at night 
B)  The number of days during which a predator is actively hunting 
C)  The prevalence of parasites in an area 
D)  The density of plants in an area 
A)  The average minimum temperature at night 
B)  The number of days during which a predator is actively hunting 
C)  The prevalence of parasites in an area 
D)  The density of plants in an area

What is one reason that amphibians are especially good biological indicators of environmental conditions?

What evidence led Ruth and Sessions to conclude that parasites could be the cause of some of the deformities in the frogs found in the ponds of Northern California?

Which statement about the concept of natural selection is false?

Refer to the figure. The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. According to the figure, how did adding 16 parasites per tadpole to a group of tadpoles affect their survival?

Refer to the figure. -The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. Which statement best describes the control group in the experiment?

The most appropriate spatial scale for a study of world climatic processes would likely be

Net primary production (NPP) is the amount of

Many species live in the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, and these different species interact to varying degrees. This is an example of a(n)

Refer to the figure. -The figure is based on Kiesecker's field experiments testing the effects of parasites and pesticides on frogs. Which statement is the most valid interpretation of the results?

Which statement about the relationship between consumers and producers is true?

Refer to the figure. The figure shows three types of experimental setups: laboratory, small-scale field study, and large-scale field study. In which of the following cases would the large-scale field study be the most appropriate?

Would you use an observational, experimental, or modeling approach to study a rare, endangered bird species? Why would the approach you chose be a better choice than the others for your study?

It is difficult to study the process of evolution in most species of organisms because

Which of the following is an abiotic feature of the environment?

The Physical Environment

The Biosphere

Coping With Environmental Variation:

Coping With Environmental Variation: Energy

Evolution and Ecology

Life History

Behavioral Ecology

Population Distribution and Abundance

Population Dynamics

Population Growth and Regulation

Predation

Parasitism

Competition

Mutualism and Commensalism

The Nature of Communities

Change in Communities

Biogeography

Species Diversity in Communities

Production

Energy Flow and Food Webs

Nutrient Supply and Cycling

Conservation Biology

Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Management

Global Ecology

Filters

Exam 1: The Web of Life

What is one reason that amphibians are especially good biological indicators of environmental conditions?

What evidence led Ruth and Sessions to conclude that parasites could be the cause of some of the deformities in the frogs found in the ponds of Northern California?

Which statement about the concept of natural selection is false?

Refer to the figure. The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. According to the figure, how did adding 16 parasites per tadpole to a group of tadpoles affect their survival?

Refer to the figure. -The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. Which statement best describes the control group in the experiment?

The most appropriate spatial scale for a study of world climatic processes would likely be

Net primary production (NPP) is the amount of

Many species live in the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, and these different species interact to varying degrees. This is an example of a(n)

Refer to the figure. -The figure is based on Kiesecker's field experiments testing the effects of parasites and pesticides on frogs. Which statement is the most valid interpretation of the results?

Which statement about the relationship between consumers and producers is true?

Refer to the figure. The figure shows three types of experimental setups: laboratory, small-scale field study, and large-scale field study. In which of the following cases would the large-scale field study be the most appropriate?

Would you use an observational, experimental, or modeling approach to study a rare, endangered bird species? Why would the approach you chose be a better choice than the others for your study?

It is difficult to study the process of evolution in most species of organisms because

Which of the following is an abiotic feature of the environment?

The Physical Environment

The Biosphere

Coping With Environmental Variation:

Coping With Environmental Variation: Energy

Evolution and Ecology

Life History

Behavioral Ecology

Population Distribution and Abundance

Population Dynamics

Population Growth and Regulation

Predation

Parasitism

Competition

Mutualism and Commensalism

The Nature of Communities

Change in Communities

Biogeography

Species Diversity in Communities

Production

Energy Flow and Food Webs

Nutrient Supply and Cycling

Conservation Biology

Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Management

Global Ecology

Filters