Question 1

West Nile virus can be considered an example of an unintended consequence of ecological interactions because it

Accepted Answer

A)  originated in Africa. 
B)  is transmitted by mosquitoes. 
C)  emerged due to human impacts on the environment. 
D)  is increasing rapidly due to a rise in trematode populations. 
A)  originated in Africa. 
B)  is transmitted by mosquitoes. 
C)  emerged due to human impacts on the environment. 
D)  is increasing rapidly due to a rise in trematode populations.

Question 2

Refer to the figure.
  The figure represents the results of an experiment by Vredenburg, who compared the numbers of frogs in several categories of lakes: lakes never having trout (control), lakes having trout (control), and lakes from which he removed trout at different times. He observed changes in frog populations over eight years in all lakes. Based on evidence from the figure, which conclusion can be made about the effect of trout removal on frog populations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Frog populations in some lakes overpopulate after the removal of trout. 
B)  Frog populations increase in some removal lakes but not in others. 
C)  Frog populations never recover once trout have been introduced. 
D)  Frog populations begin to recover once trout are removed. 
A)  Frog populations in some lakes overpopulate after the removal of trout. 
B)  Frog populations increase in some removal lakes but not in others. 
C)  Frog populations never recover once trout have been introduced. 
D)  Frog populations begin to recover once trout are removed.

Question 3

In addition to the frogs themselves, which organisms act as hosts for the flatworm that has been linked to deformities in frogs?

Accepted Answer

A)  Birds and snails 
B)  Snails and turtles 
C)  Turtles and birds 
D)  Snails and clams 
A)  Birds and snails 
B)  Snails and turtles 
C)  Turtles and birds 
D)  Snails and clams

Question 4

Refer to the figure.
  The figure represents energy flow and nutrient cycling through the major components of natural ecosystems. Based on the figure, which statement best describes a major difference between nutrient cycling and energy flow?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nutrients flow through producers and consumers but not through the physical environment. 
B)  Energy flows through producers and consumers but not through the physical environment. 
C)  Both nutrients and energy are lost as they travel through the ecosystem. 
D)  Incoming solar radiation plays a limited role in both nutrient cycling and energy flow. 
A)  Nutrients flow through producers and consumers but not through the physical environment. 
B)  Energy flows through producers and consumers but not through the physical environment. 
C)  Both nutrients and energy are lost as they travel through the ecosystem. 
D)  Incoming solar radiation plays a limited role in both nutrient cycling and energy flow.

Question 5

Suppose that individuals of a particular strain of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, reproduces rapidly and uses up its food supply quickly, resulting in a population explosion and rapid die-off within its laboratory container. This phenomenon can be considered evidence that

Accepted Answer

A)  nature requires a balance that must be maintained. 
B)  all species are interconnected and interact with each other. 
C)  all species are dependent on the non-living environment. 
D)  a change in one aspect of a life cycle can alter other parts. 
A)  nature requires a balance that must be maintained. 
B)  all species are interconnected and interact with each other. 
C)  all species are dependent on the non-living environment. 
D)  a change in one aspect of a life cycle can alter other parts.

Question 6

Scientist A works in a laboratory, studying the effects of CO2 levels on algae and zooplankton. Scientist B works at a field station studying how changing CO2 levels in the atmosphere affect algae and zooplankton in the ocean. Scientist C works in Washington, D.C., lobbying members of Congress to pass legislation to lower CO2 emissions from cars and power plants. How would these three scientists most likely be classified?

Accepted Answer

A)  Scientists A and B are ecologists; Scientist C is an environmental scientist. 
B)  Scientist A is an ecologist; Scientists B and C are environmental scientists. 
C)  Scientists A and B are environmental scientists; Scientist C is an ecologist. 
D)  All three are environmental scientists. 
A)  Scientists A and B are ecologists; Scientist C is an environmental scientist. 
B)  Scientist A is an ecologist; Scientists B and C are environmental scientists. 
C)  Scientists A and B are environmental scientists; Scientist C is an ecologist. 
D)  All three are environmental scientists.

Question 7

An example of a trait that cannot evolve by natural selection is a trait that

Accepted Answer

A)  increases the time during which females are capable of reproduction. 
B)  increases the ability of an organism to survive high temperatures but not low temperatures. 
C)  increases the ability of an organism to survive low temperatures but not high temperatures 
D)  results from an individual's life experiences and does not have a genetic basis. 
A)  increases the time during which females are capable of reproduction. 
B)  increases the ability of an organism to survive high temperatures but not low temperatures. 
C)  increases the ability of an organism to survive low temperatures but not high temperatures 
D)  results from an individual's life experiences and does not have a genetic basis.

Question 8

Humans often build dams on rivers for hydroelectric power or other purposes. Dam-building obstructs fish movement and alters fish populations above and below the dam, sometimes leading to declines in threatened species. One effect is delayed movement of fish to new locations. This increases fish densities in certain locations, resulting in greater competition for space and likelihood of spread of diseases. Fish may be slower in reaching spawning or feeding grounds, and have less energy available for reproduction and for later attempts to reach the new location. What unexpected or unintended ecological consequences would occur in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Unexpected consequences are those that o

Question 9

An ecosystem undergoes a disturbance, and as it recovers, its species composition changes: the new ecosystem is different from the original. This suggests that

Accepted Answer

A)  the necessary balance of nature has been maintained. 
B)  ecosystems remain unchanged through time. 
C)  ecosystems may change with changing circumstances. 
D)  the new ecosystem was incorrectly described; it is the same as the original. 
A)  the necessary balance of nature has been maintained. 
B)  ecosystems remain unchanged through time. 
C)  ecosystems may change with changing circumstances. 
D)  the new ecosystem was incorrectly described; it is the same as the original.

Question 10

Which of the following is not part of the scientific method used in studying frog deformities?

Accepted Answer

A)  Observations of nature leading to questions about those observations 
B)  Understanding the social and political consequences of the study 
C)  Use of previous knowledge to develop possible answers to the hypotheses 
D)  Evaluation of competing hypotheses by means of experiments and careful observation 
A)  Observations of nature leading to questions about those observations 
B)  Understanding the social and political consequences of the study 
C)  Use of previous knowledge to develop possible answers to the hypotheses 
D)  Evaluation of competing hypotheses by means of experiments and careful observation

Question 11

Scientists are concerned about the growing problem of dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, which are caused primarily by fertilizer runoff entering the Mississippi River. Which question related to this topic would most likely be studied by an environmental scientist, as opposed to an ecologist?

Accepted Answer

A)  How does the presence of fertilizers in river water affect fish populations along the river? 
B)  What is the total amount of fertilizer runoff reaching the Gulf of Mexico per year? 
C)  What economic incentives might be offered to farmers to encourage them to decrease fertilizer runoff? 
D)  Which types of algae and bacteria undergo population explosions in the Gulf due to increased nutrient content, and during what times of year do they occur? 
A)  How does the presence of fertilizers in river water affect fish populations along the river? 
B)  What is the total amount of fertilizer runoff reaching the Gulf of Mexico per year? 
C)  What economic incentives might be offered to farmers to encourage them to decrease fertilizer runoff? 
D)  Which types of algae and bacteria undergo population explosions in the Gulf due to increased nutrient content, and during what times of year do they occur?

Question 12

Refer to the figure.
  Which figure provides the clearest evidence of a biologically important difference between two treatment groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  Figure a 
B)  Figure b 
C)  Figure c 
D)  Figure d 
A)  Figure a 
B)  Figure b 
C)  Figure c 
D)  Figure d

Question 13

An ecologist is studying the impacts of the aquaculture of a fish species on an estuary. His study involves three experimental setups: 1) A controlled laboratory experiment in which fish are kept in small aquaria, 2) A controlled field experiment in which the fish are kept in large tanks, and 3) A field experiment in the estuary itself, in which the fish are kept in mesh cages so their secretions enter the estuary water. In all cases, the ecologist measures specific chemical factors to determine the fishes' effect on water quality. Later, he will combine results of all experiments into an aquaculture model. Why might the ecologist choose to use this complex set of experimental setups rather than just choosing one?

Accepted Answer

A)  Each spatial scale provides different types of information, resulting in a more thorough and precise picture of the aquaculture ecosystem's impacts. 
B)  Each spatial scale gives one part of the total picture; putting them all together provides complete information on all characteristics of the aquaculture ecosystem. 
C)  Using several types of experimental designs allows the scientist to compare the different sets of data and decide which one is most accurate. 
D)  The different experimental setups represent replications of the aquaculture ecosystem; averaging them gives an accurate picture of the total system. 
A)  Each spatial scale provides different types of information, resulting in a more thorough and precise picture of the aquaculture ecosystem's impacts. 
B)  Each spatial scale gives one part of the total picture; putting them all together provides complete information on all characteristics of the aquaculture ecosystem. 
C)  Using several types of experimental designs allows the scientist to compare the different sets of data and decide which one is most accurate. 
D)  The different experimental setups represent replications of the aquaculture ecosystem; averaging them gives an accurate picture of the total system.

Question 14

Refer to the figure.
  The figure is based on Johnson's controlled experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. The groups in the experiment were the groups containing a specific and different number of parasites per tadpole (0, 16, 32, 48). Which of these groups is the control group?

Accepted Answer

A)  0. 
B)  16 
C)  32 
D)  48 
A)  0. 
B)  16 
C)  32 
D)  48

Question 15

In studies of seed production, why is it important to assign plots of land to either the control group or treatment group at random?

Accepted Answer

A)  It increases the likelihood that the treatment group will show a difference from the control group. 
B)  It decreases the likelihood that plots receiving a particular treatment share other characteristics that might influence seed production. 
C)  It increases the likelihood that the study can be scaled up to a higher level. 
D)  It decreases the likelihood that the results of the study will be challenged. 
A)  It increases the likelihood that the treatment group will show a difference from the control group. 
B)  It decreases the likelihood that plots receiving a particular treatment share other characteristics that might influence seed production. 
C)  It increases the likelihood that the study can be scaled up to a higher level. 
D)  It decreases the likelihood that the results of the study will be challenged.

Question 16

Refer to the figure.
 
- The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. Which claim is supported by the figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  As the number of parasites that the tadpoles were exposed to decreased, the percentage of surviving frogs with deformities increased. 
B)  As the number of parasites that the tadpoles were exposed to increased, the percentage of surviving tadpoles decreased. 
C)  If there were no parasites present, 100% of the tadpoles survived to metamorphosis. 
D)  Tadpoles with moderate levels of parasites had the lowest percent of deformities in adults. 
A)  As the number of parasites that the tadpoles were exposed to decreased, the percentage of surviving frogs with deformities increased. 
B)  As the number of parasites that the tadpoles were exposed to increased, the percentage of surviving tadpoles decreased. 
C)  If there were no parasites present, 100% of the tadpoles survived to metamorphosis. 
D)  Tadpoles with moderate levels of parasites had the lowest percent of deformities in adults.

Question 17

Which statement is least accurate in describing the field of ecology?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ecology involves the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment. 
B)  Ecology is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates concepts from the natural sciences, politics, and ethics. 
C)  Ecology involves the scientific study of interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. 
D)  Ecological research can focus on many scales, from individuals up to biospheres. 
A)  Ecology involves the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment. 
B)  Ecology is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates concepts from the natural sciences, politics, and ethics. 
C)  Ecology involves the scientific study of interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. 
D)  Ecological research can focus on many scales, from individuals up to biospheres.

Question 18

In a desert ecosystem, plants capture 120 units per day of solar energy and they use up to 70 units per day in respiration. Animals consume about 30 units per day of the plants. The NPP of this system is how many units per day?

Accepted Answer

A)  20 
B)  30 
C)  50 
D)  120 
A)  20 
B)  30 
C)  50 
D)  120

Question 19

A rare, highly endangered bird species lives in a very remote area of the Amazonian rainforest. Almost nothing is currently known about this species' diet, behavior, life-span, breeding system, or its interactions with other species. Which ecological level or levels, from organism to biome, would you focus on in a research study? Consider scale when justifying why you would choose this level or levels, and explain why you would not choose the others.

Accepted Answer

Focusing on the individual, population,

Question 20

Which sequence represents the correct order of levels of biological organization, from largest to smallest?

Accepted Answer

A)  Biosphere > ecosystem > population > community 
B)  Biosphere > population > ecosystem > community 
C)  Biosphere > ecosystem > community > population 
D)  Ecosystem > biosphere > community > population 
A)  Biosphere > ecosystem > population > community 
B)  Biosphere > population > ecosystem > community 
C)  Biosphere > ecosystem > community > population 
D)  Ecosystem > biosphere > community > population

West Nile virus can be considered an example of an unintended consequence of ecological interactions because it

In addition to the frogs themselves, which organisms act as hosts for the flatworm that has been linked to deformities in frogs?

Refer to the figure. The figure represents energy flow and nutrient cycling through the major components of natural ecosystems. Based on the figure, which statement best describes a major difference between nutrient cycling and energy flow?

Suppose that individuals of a particular strain of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, reproduces rapidly and uses up its food supply quickly, resulting in a population explosion and rapid die-off within its laboratory container. This phenomenon can be considered evidence that

An example of a trait that cannot evolve by natural selection is a trait that

An ecosystem undergoes a disturbance, and as it recovers, its species composition changes: the new ecosystem is different from the original. This suggests that

Which of the following is not part of the scientific method used in studying frog deformities?

Scientists are concerned about the growing problem of dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, which are caused primarily by fertilizer runoff entering the Mississippi River. Which question related to this topic would most likely be studied by an environmental scientist, as opposed to an ecologist?

Refer to the figure. Which figure provides the clearest evidence of a biologically important difference between two treatment groups?

Refer to the figure. The figure is based on Johnson's controlled experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. The groups in the experiment were the groups containing a specific and different number of parasites per tadpole (0, 16, 32, 48). Which of these groups is the control group?

In studies of seed production, why is it important to assign plots of land to either the control group or treatment group at random?

Refer to the figure. - The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. Which claim is supported by the figure?

Which statement is least accurate in describing the field of ecology?

In a desert ecosystem, plants capture 120 units per day of solar energy and they use up to 70 units per day in respiration. Animals consume about 30 units per day of the plants. The NPP of this system is how many units per day?

Which sequence represents the correct order of levels of biological organization, from largest to smallest?

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

West Nile virus can be considered an example of an unintended consequence of ecological interactions because it

In addition to the frogs themselves, which organisms act as hosts for the flatworm that has been linked to deformities in frogs?

Refer to the figure. The figure represents energy flow and nutrient cycling through the major components of natural ecosystems. Based on the figure, which statement best describes a major difference between nutrient cycling and energy flow?

Suppose that individuals of a particular strain of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, reproduces rapidly and uses up its food supply quickly, resulting in a population explosion and rapid die-off within its laboratory container. This phenomenon can be considered evidence that

An example of a trait that cannot evolve by natural selection is a trait that

An ecosystem undergoes a disturbance, and as it recovers, its species composition changes: the new ecosystem is different from the original. This suggests that

Which of the following is not part of the scientific method used in studying frog deformities?

Scientists are concerned about the growing problem of dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, which are caused primarily by fertilizer runoff entering the Mississippi River. Which question related to this topic would most likely be studied by an environmental scientist, as opposed to an ecologist?

Refer to the figure. Which figure provides the clearest evidence of a biologically important difference between two treatment groups?

In studies of seed production, why is it important to assign plots of land to either the control group or treatment group at random?

Refer to the figure. - The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. Which claim is supported by the figure?

Which statement is least accurate in describing the field of ecology?

In a desert ecosystem, plants capture 120 units per day of solar energy and they use up to 70 units per day in respiration. Animals consume about 30 units per day of the plants. The NPP of this system is how many units per day?

Which sequence represents the correct order of levels of biological organization, from largest to smallest?

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