Question 1

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 2

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

Question 3

Which of the following investigations would shed the most light on the distribution of organisms in temperate regions that are faced with climate change?

Accepted Answer

A) Remove, to the mineral soil, all of the organisms from an experimental plot and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance. 
B) Look back at the changes that occurred since the Ice Age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends. 
C) Compare and contrast the flora and fauna of warm/cold/dry/wet climates to shed light on how they evolved to be suited to their present-day environment. 
D) Quantify the impact of human activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction. 
E) There is no scientific investigation that can help make predictions on the future distribution of organisms. 
A) Remove, to the mineral soil, all of the organisms from an experimental plot and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance. 
B) Look back at the changes that occurred since the Ice Age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends. 
C) Compare and contrast the flora and fauna of warm/cold/dry/wet climates to shed light on how they evolved to be suited to their present-day environment. 
D) Quantify the impact of human activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction. 
E) There is no scientific investigation that can help make predictions on the future distribution of organisms.

Question 4

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 5

Which of the following is an important feature of temperate broadleaf forests?

Accepted Answer

A) annual average rainfall in excess of 200 centimeters annually 
B) are found only in the northern hemisphere 
C) summers are cool and dry 
D) vegetation shows vertical layering 
A) annual average rainfall in excess of 200 centimeters annually 
B) are found only in the northern hemisphere 
C) summers are cool and dry 
D) vegetation shows vertical layering

Question 6

Coral reefs can be found on the southern east coast of the United States but not at similar latitudes on the southern west coast.Differences in which of the following most likely account for this?

Accepted Answer

A) sunlight intensity 
B) precipitation 
C) day length 
D) ocean currents 
E) salinity 
A) sunlight intensity 
B) precipitation 
C) day length 
D) ocean currents 
E) salinity

Question 7

The diagram shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labelled with letters.Choose the letter that best answers the question.Letters may be used once,more than once,or not at all.
  
-Which zone experiences the most abiotic change over a 24-hour period?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

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 9

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.

Question 10

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 11

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 questions 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 12

Which series is correctly layered from top to bottom in a tropical rain forest?

Accepted Answer

A) ground layer, shrub/immature layer, understory, canopy, emergent layer 
B) canopy, emergent layer, understory, shrub/immature layer, ground layer 
C) canopy, understory, shrub/immature layer, emergent layer, ground layer 
D) emergent layer, canopy, understory, shrub/immature layer, ground layer 
E) emergent layer, understory, canopy, ground layer, shrub/immature layer 
A) ground layer, shrub/immature layer, understory, canopy, emergent layer 
B) canopy, emergent layer, understory, shrub/immature layer, ground layer 
C) canopy, understory, shrub/immature layer, emergent layer, ground layer 
D) emergent layer, canopy, understory, shrub/immature layer, ground layer 
E) emergent layer, understory, canopy, ground layer, shrub/immature layer

Question 13

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 14

Which of the examples below provides appropriate abiotic and biotic factors that might determine the distribution of the species in question?

Accepted Answer

A) the amount of nitrate and phosphate in the soil, and wildflower abundance and diversity 
B) the number of frost-free days, and competition between species of introduced grasses and native alpine grasses 
C) increased predation and decreased food availability, and a prairie dog population after a prairie fire 
D) available sunlight and increased salinity in the top few metres of the ocean, and the abundance and diversity of phytoplankton communities 
E) the pH and dissolved oxygen concentration, and the streams in which brook trout can live 
A) the amount of nitrate and phosphate in the soil, and wildflower abundance and diversity 
B) the number of frost-free days, and competition between species of introduced grasses and native alpine grasses 
C) increased predation and decreased food availability, and a prairie dog population after a prairie fire 
D) available sunlight and increased salinity in the top few metres of the ocean, and the abundance and diversity of phytoplankton communities 
E) the pH and dissolved oxygen concentration, and the streams in which brook trout can live

Question 15

The oceans affect the biosphere by
I.producing a substantial amount of the biosphere's oxygen.
II.adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
III.being the source of most of Earth's rainfall.
IV.regulating the pH of freshwater biomes and terrestrial groundwater.

Accepted Answer

A) only I and III 
B) only II and IV 
C) only I, II, and IV 
D) only I, II, and III 
A) only I and III 
B) only II and IV 
C) only I, II, and IV 
D) only I, II, and III

Question 16

For plants,what are the most important climatic factors?

Accepted Answer

A) sunlight, temperature, snow 
B) sunlight, soil type, precipitation 
C) sunlight, soil type, elevation 
D) sunlight, temperature, precipitation 
E) sunlight, temperature, wind 
A) sunlight, temperature, snow 
B) sunlight, soil type, precipitation 
C) sunlight, soil type, elevation 
D) sunlight, temperature, precipitation 
E) sunlight, temperature, wind

Question 17

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 18

Which of the following events might you predict to occur if the tilt of Earth's axis relative to its plane of orbit was increased to 33 1/2 degrees?

Accepted Answer

A) Summers and winters in the United States would likely become warmer and colder, respectively. 
B) Winters and summers in Australia would likely become less distinct seasons. 
C) Seasonal variation at the equator might decrease. 
D) Both northern and southern hemispheres would experience summer and winter at the same time. 
E) Both poles would experience massive ice melts. 
A) Summers and winters in the United States would likely become warmer and colder, respectively. 
B) Winters and summers in Australia would likely become less distinct seasons. 
C) Seasonal variation at the equator might decrease. 
D) Both northern and southern hemispheres would experience summer and winter at the same time. 
E) Both poles would experience massive ice melts.

Question 19

Use this description to answer the following question.
In areas of permafrost,stands of black spruce are frequently observed in the landscape,while other tree species are noticeably absent.Often these stands are referred to as "drunken forests" because many of the black spruce are displaced from their normal vertical alignment.
-Which lake zone would be absent in a very shallow lake?

Accepted Answer

A) benthic zone 
B) aphotic zone 
C) pelagic zone 
D) littoral zone 
E) limnetic zone 
A) benthic zone 
B) aphotic zone 
C) pelagic zone 
D) littoral zone 
E) limnetic zone

Question 20

In which of the following terrestrial biome pairs are both parts dependent upon periodic burning?

Accepted Answer

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

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

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

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

Which of the following investigations would shed the most light on the distribution of organisms in temperate regions that are faced with climate change?

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

Which of the following is an important feature of temperate broadleaf forests?

Coral reefs can be found on the southern east coast of the United States but not at similar latitudes on the southern west coast.Differences in which of the following most likely account for this?

The diagram shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labelled with letters.Choose the letter that best answers the question.Letters may be used once,more than once,or not at all. -Which zone experiences the most abiotic change over a 24-hour period?

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

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

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

Which series is correctly layered from top to bottom in a tropical rain forest?

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?

Which of the examples below provides appropriate abiotic and biotic factors that might determine the distribution of the species in question?

The oceans affect the biosphere by I.producing a substantial amount of the biosphere's oxygen. II.adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. III.being the source of most of Earth's rainfall. IV.regulating the pH of freshwater biomes and terrestrial groundwater.

For plants,what are the most important climatic factors?

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

Which of the following events might you predict to occur if the tilt of Earth's axis relative to its plane of orbit was increased to 33 1/2 degrees?

In which of the following terrestrial biome pairs are both parts dependent upon periodic burning?

Introduction: Evolution and Themes of Biology

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

DNA Tools and 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 Signalling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behaviour

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

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