Question 1

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 2

You are working for the Environmental Protection Agency and researching the effect of a potentially toxic chemical in drinking water. There is no documented scientific evidence showing that the chemical is toxic, but many suspect it to be a health hazard. Using the precautionary principle, what would be a reasonable environmental policy?

Accepted Answer

A) Establish no regulations until there are conclusive scientific studies. 
B) Set the acceptable levels of the chemical conservatively low, and keep them there unless future studies show that they can be safely raised. 
C) Set the acceptable levels at the highest levels encountered, and keep them there unless future studies demonstrate negative health effects. 
D) Caution individuals to use their own judgment in deciding whether to drink water from a potentially contaminated area. 
E) Establish a contingency fund to handle insurance claims in the event that the chemical turns out to produce negative health effects. 
A) Establish no regulations until there are conclusive scientific studies. 
B) Set the acceptable levels of the chemical conservatively low, and keep them there unless future studies show that they can be safely raised. 
C) Set the acceptable levels at the highest levels encountered, and keep them there unless future studies demonstrate negative health effects. 
D) Caution individuals to use their own judgment in deciding whether to drink water from a potentially contaminated area. 
E) Establish a contingency fund to handle insurance claims in the event that the chemical turns out to produce negative health effects.

Question 3

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bulbulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question.
   
Figure 52.1
-The benthic zone in an aquatic biome

Accepted Answer

A) often supports communities of organisms that feed largely on detritus. 
B) supports communities of highly motile animals. 
C) is where one would most expect to find a thermocline. 
D) has wider seasonal fluctuations in temperature than other aquatic zones. 
E) is always devoid of light. 
A) often supports communities of organisms that feed largely on detritus. 
B) supports communities of highly motile animals. 
C) is where one would most expect to find a thermocline. 
D) has wider seasonal fluctuations in temperature than other aquatic zones. 
E) is always devoid of light.

Question 4

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 33.5 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 5

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bulbulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question.
   
Figure 52.1
-Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the changes that these air masses undergo?

Accepted Answer

A) The cool, moist Pacific air heats up as it rises, releasing its precipitation as it passes the tops of the mountains, and this warm, now dry air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
B) The warm, moist Pacific air rises and cools, releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range, and this cool, now dry air mass heats up as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
C) The cool, dry Pacific air heats and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation as the air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
D) These air masses are blocked by these mountain ranges producing high annual amounts of precipitation on the windward sides of these mountain ranges. 
E) These air masses remain essentially unchanged in moisture content and temperature as they pass over these mountain ranges. 
A) The cool, moist Pacific air heats up as it rises, releasing its precipitation as it passes the tops of the mountains, and this warm, now dry air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
B) The warm, moist Pacific air rises and cools, releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range, and this cool, now dry air mass heats up as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
C) The cool, dry Pacific air heats and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation as the air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range. 
D) These air masses are blocked by these mountain ranges producing high annual amounts of precipitation on the windward sides of these mountain ranges. 
E) These air masses remain essentially unchanged in moisture content and temperature as they pass over these mountain ranges.

Question 6

Which of the following biomes is correctly paired with the description of its climate?

Accepted Answer

A) savanna-low temperature, precipitation uniform during the year 
B) tundra-long summers, mild winters 
C) temperate broadleaf forest-relatively short growing season, mild winters 
D) temperate grasslands-relatively warm winters, most rainfall in summer 
E) tropical forests-nearly constant day length and temperature 
A) savanna-low temperature, precipitation uniform during the year 
B) tundra-long summers, mild winters 
C) temperate broadleaf forest-relatively short growing season, mild winters 
D) temperate grasslands-relatively warm winters, most rainfall in summer 
E) tropical forests-nearly constant day length and temperature

Question 7

You are planning a dive in a lake, and are eager to observe not many underwater organisms but be able to observe them both close up and far away. You would do well to choose

Accepted Answer

A) an oligotrophic lake. 
B) an eutrophic lake. 
C) a relatively shallow lake. 
D) a nutrient-rich lake. 
E) a lake with consistently warm temperatures. 
A) an oligotrophic lake. 
B) an eutrophic lake. 
C) a relatively shallow lake. 
D) a nutrient-rich lake. 
E) a lake with consistently warm temperatures.

Question 8

Which of the following is responsible for the summer and winter stratification of deep temperate lakes?

Accepted Answer

A) Water is densest at 4°C. 
B) Oxygen is most abundant in deeper waters. 
C) Winter ice sinks in the summer. 
D) Stratification is caused by a thermocline. 
E) Stratification always follows the fall and spring turnovers. 
A) Water is densest at 4°C. 
B) Oxygen is most abundant in deeper waters. 
C) Winter ice sinks in the summer. 
D) Stratification is caused by a thermocline. 
E) Stratification always follows the fall and spring turnovers.

Question 9

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bulbulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question.
   
Figure 52.1
-Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are caused by

Accepted Answer

A) rising, warm, moist air masses 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 the Earth around the sun. 
E) Mountain ranges that deflect air masses containing variable amounts of moisture. 
A) rising, warm, moist air masses 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 the Earth around the sun. 
E) Mountain ranges that deflect air masses containing variable amounts of moisture.

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

Probably the most important factor(s)affecting the distribution of biomes is (are)

Accepted Answer

A) wind and ocean water current patterns. 
B) species diversity. 
C) proximity to large bodies of water 
D) climate. 
E) day length and rainfall. 
A) wind and ocean water current patterns. 
B) species diversity. 
C) proximity to large bodies of water 
D) climate. 
E) day length and rainfall.

Question 12

Rachel Carson would most likely have endorsed which of the following statements?

Accepted Answer

A) Conserving wildness will lead to the preservation of the Earth. 
B) The greatest liberty humans have taken is with nature. 
C) Humans have dominion over the Earth and all of its inhabitants. 
D) All pesticides are unsafe and must be banned. 
E) The environment can repair damage created by human activity. 
A) Conserving wildness will lead to the preservation of the Earth. 
B) The greatest liberty humans have taken is with nature. 
C) Humans have dominion over the Earth and all of its inhabitants. 
D) All pesticides are unsafe and must be banned. 
E) The environment can repair damage created by human activity.

Question 13

Which statement best contrasts environmentalism with ecology?

Accepted Answer

A) Ecology is the study of the environment; environmentalism is the study of ecology. 
B) Ecology provides scientific understanding of living things and their environment; environmentalism is more about conservation and preservation of life on Earth. 
C) Environmentalists are only involved in politics and advocating for protecting nature; ecologists are only involved in scientific investigations of the environment. 
D) Ecologists study organisms in environments that have been undisturbed by human activities; environmentalists study the effects of human activities on organisms. 
E) Environmentalism is devoted to applied ecological science; ecology is concerned with basic/theoretical ecological science. 
A) Ecology is the study of the environment; environmentalism is the study of ecology. 
B) Ecology provides scientific understanding of living things and their environment; environmentalism is more about conservation and preservation of life on Earth. 
C) Environmentalists are only involved in politics and advocating for protecting nature; ecologists are only involved in scientific investigations of the environment. 
D) Ecologists study organisms in environments that have been undisturbed by human activities; environmentalists study the effects of human activities on organisms. 
E) Environmentalism is devoted to applied ecological science; ecology is concerned with basic/theoretical ecological science.

Question 14

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bulbulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question.
   
Figure 52.1
-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 suitable habitat for cattle egrets. 
C) There are no natural 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 suitable habitat for cattle egrets. 
C) There are no natural 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 15

Tropical grasslands with scattered trees are also known as

Accepted Answer

A) taigas. 
B) tundras. 
C) savannas. 
D) chaparrals. 
E) temperate plains. 
A) taigas. 
B) tundras. 
C) savannas. 
D) chaparrals. 
E) temperate plains.

Question 16

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 17

Which of the following statements about the ocean pelagic biome is True?

Accepted Answer

A) The ocean is a vast, deep storehouse that always provides sustenance; it is the next "frontier" for feeding humanity. 
B) Because it is so immense, the ocean is a uniform environment. 
C) More photosynthesis occurs in the ocean than in any other biome. 
D) Pelagic ocean photosynthetic activity is disproportionately low in relation to the size of the biome. 
E) The most abundant animals are unicellular zooplankton. 
A) The ocean is a vast, deep storehouse that always provides sustenance; it is the next "frontier" for feeding humanity. 
B) Because it is so immense, the ocean is a uniform environment. 
C) More photosynthesis occurs in the ocean than in any other biome. 
D) Pelagic ocean photosynthetic activity is disproportionately low in relation to the size of the biome. 
E) The most abundant animals are unicellular zooplankton.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about light in aquatic environments is correct?

Accepted Answer

A) Water selectively reflects and absorbs certain wavelengths of light. 
B) Photosynthetic organisms that live in deep water probably use red light. 
C) Longer wavelengths penetrate to greater depths. 
D) Light penetration seldom limits the distribution of photosynthetic species. 
E) Most photosynthetic organisms avoid the surface where the light is not too intense. 
A) Water selectively reflects and absorbs certain wavelengths of light. 
B) Photosynthetic organisms that live in deep water probably use red light. 
C) Longer wavelengths penetrate to greater depths. 
D) Light penetration seldom limits the distribution of photosynthetic species. 
E) Most photosynthetic organisms avoid the surface where the light is not too intense.

Question 19

If a meteor impact or volcanic eruption injected a lot of dust into the atmosphere and reduced the sunlight reaching Earth's surface by 70% for one year, all of the following marine communities most likely would be greatly affected except

Accepted Answer

A) deep-sea vent communities. 
B) coral reef communities. 
C) benthic communities. 
D) pelagic communities. 
E) estuary communities. 
A) deep-sea vent communities. 
B) coral reef communities. 
C) benthic communities. 
D) pelagic communities. 
E) estuary communities.

Question 20

In which of the following terrestrial biome pairs are both 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

Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bulbulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question. Figure 52.1 -The benthic zone in an aquatic biome

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 33.5 degrees?

Which of the following biomes is correctly paired with the description of its climate?

You are planning a dive in a lake, and are eager to observe not many underwater organisms but be able to observe them both close up and far away. You would do well to choose

Which of the following is responsible for the summer and winter stratification of deep temperate lakes?

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bulbulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question. Figure 52.1 -Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are caused by

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

Probably the most important factor(s)affecting the distribution of biomes is (are)

Rachel Carson would most likely have endorsed which of the following statements?

Which statement best contrasts environmentalism with ecology?

Use the following diagram from the text showing the spread of the cattle egret, Bulbulcus ibis, since its arrival in the New World, to answer the following question. Figure 52.1 -How would an ecologist likely explain the expansion of the cattle egret?

Tropical grasslands with scattered trees are also known as

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

Which of the following statements about the ocean pelagic biome is True?

Which of the following statements about light in aquatic environments is correct?

If a meteor impact or volcanic eruption injected a lot of dust into the atmosphere and reduced the sunlight reaching Earth's surface by 70% for one year, all of the following marine communities most likely would be greatly affected except

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

Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and the Fitness of the Environment

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: Harvesting Chemical Energy

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

Control 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 Introduction to Animal Diversity

Invertebrates

Vertebrates

Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

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

Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology

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