Question 1

Which of the following causes Earth's seasons?

Accepted Answer

A) global air circulation 
B) global wind patterns 
C) ocean currents 
D) changes in Earth's distance from the sun 
E) the tilt of Earth's axis 
A) global air circulation 
B) global wind patterns 
C) ocean currents 
D) changes in Earth's distance from the sun 
E) the tilt of Earth's axis

Question 2

Which of the following abiotic factors has the greatest influence on the metabolic rates of plants and animals?

Accepted Answer

A) water 
B) wind 
C) temperature 
D) rocks and soil 
E) disturbances 
A) water 
B) wind 
C) temperature 
D) rocks and soil 
E) disturbances

Question 3

Which of the following statements best describes the interaction between fire and ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A) The chance of fire in a given ecosystem is highly predictable over the short term. 
B) Many kinds of plants and plant communities have adapted to frequent fires. 
C) The prevention of forest fires has allowed more productive and stable plant communities to develop. 
D) Chaparral communities have evolved to the extent that they rarely burn. 
E) Fire is unnatural in ecosystems and should be prevented. 
A) The chance of fire in a given ecosystem is highly predictable over the short term. 
B) Many kinds of plants and plant communities have adapted to frequent fires. 
C) The prevention of forest fires has allowed more productive and stable plant communities to develop. 
D) Chaparral communities have evolved to the extent that they rarely burn. 
E) Fire is unnatural in ecosystems and should be prevented.

Question 4

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
-Which of the following organisms is the most likely candidate for geographic isolation?

Accepted Answer

A) sparrow 
B) bat 
C) squirrel 
D) salt-water fish 
E) land snail 
A) sparrow 
B) bat 
C) squirrel 
D) salt-water fish 
E) land snail

Question 5

In which community would organisms most likely have adaptations enabling them to respond to different photoperiods?

Accepted Answer

A) tropical forest 
B) coral reef 
C) savanna 
D) temperate forest 
E) abyssal 
A) tropical forest 
B) coral reef 
C) savanna 
D) temperate forest 
E) abyssal

Question 6

The main reason polar regions are cooler than the equator is because

Accepted Answer

A) there is more ice at the poles. 
B) sunlight strikes the poles at an lower angle. 
C) the poles are farther from the sun. 
D) the poles have a thicker atmosphere. 
E) the poles are permanently tilted away from the sun. 
A) there is more ice at the poles. 
B) sunlight strikes the poles at an lower angle. 
C) the poles are farther from the sun. 
D) the poles have a thicker atmosphere. 
E) the poles are permanently tilted away from the sun.

Question 7

Which of the following statements best describes the difference in approach to studying the environment by early naturalists compared to present-day ecologists?

Accepted Answer

A) Early naturalists employed a descriptive approach; present-day ecologists generate hypotheses, design experiments, and draw conclusions from their observations. 
B) Early naturalists manipulated the environment and observed changes in plant and animal populations, while modern ecology focuses on population dynamics. 
C) Early naturalists systematically recorded what they observed in their environment; modern ecology is only concerned with man's impact on the environment. 
D) Early naturalists were interested with man's interaction with the natural world; present-day ecologists seek to link ecology to developmental biology. 
E) Early naturalists were interested in interactions between organisms and their environment; present day ecologists are interested in interactions between organisms. 
A) Early naturalists employed a descriptive approach; present-day ecologists generate hypotheses, design experiments, and draw conclusions from their observations. 
B) Early naturalists manipulated the environment and observed changes in plant and animal populations, while modern ecology focuses on population dynamics. 
C) Early naturalists systematically recorded what they observed in their environment; modern ecology is only concerned with man's impact on the environment. 
D) Early naturalists were interested with man's interaction with the natural world; present-day ecologists seek to link ecology to developmental biology. 
E) Early naturalists were interested in interactions between organisms and their environment; present day ecologists are interested in interactions between organisms.

Question 8

A certain species of pine tree survives only in scattered locations at elevations above 2,800 m in the western United States. To understand why this tree grows only in these specific places an ecologist should

Accepted Answer

A) conclude that lower elevations are limiting to the survival of this species. 
B) study the anatomy and physiology of this species. 
C) investigate the various biotic and abiotic factors that are unique to high altitude. 
D) analyze the soils found in the vicinity of these trees, looking for unique chemicals that may support their growth. 
E) collect data on temperature, wind, and precipitation at several of these locations for a year. 
A) conclude that lower elevations are limiting to the survival of this species. 
B) study the anatomy and physiology of this species. 
C) investigate the various biotic and abiotic factors that are unique to high altitude. 
D) analyze the soils found in the vicinity of these trees, looking for unique chemicals that may support their growth. 
E) collect data on temperature, wind, and precipitation at several of these locations for a year.

Question 9

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 10

Which of the following is not True about estuaries?

Accepted Answer

A) Estuaries are often bordered by mudflats and salt marshes. 
B) Estuaries contain waters of varying salinity. 
C) Estuaries support a variety of animal life that humans consume. 
D) Estuaries usually contain no or few producers. 
E) Estuaries support many semiaquatic species. 
A) Estuaries are often bordered by mudflats and salt marshes. 
B) Estuaries contain waters of varying salinity. 
C) Estuaries support a variety of animal life that humans consume. 
D) Estuaries usually contain no or few producers. 
E) Estuaries support many semiaquatic species.

Question 11

If Earth's axis of rotation suddenly became perpendicular to the plane of its orbit, 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) a cooling of 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) a cooling of the equator. 
D) a loss of seasonal variation at high latitudes. 
E) the elimination of ocean currents.

Question 12

You are interested in studying how organisms react to a gradient of a variety of abiotic conditions and how they coexist in this gradient. The best location in which to conduct such a study is

Accepted Answer

A) a grassland. 
B) an intertidal zone. 
C) a river. 
D) tropical forest. 
E) an eutrophic lake. 
A) a grassland. 
B) an intertidal zone. 
C) a river. 
D) tropical forest. 
E) an eutrophic lake.

Question 13

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
-Experts in deer ecology generally agree that population sizes of deer that live in temperate climates are limited by winter snow. The deer congregate in "yarding" areas under evergreen trees because venturing out to feed in winter is energetically too expensive when snowfall depths accumulate to above 40 cm. Deer often stay yarded until the spring thaw. Snow depth over 40 inches for more than 60 days results in high mortality due to starvation. This observation best illustrates which of the following principles about factors that limit distribution of organisms?

Accepted Answer

A) Abiotic factors, such as weather extremes, ultimately limit distribution. 
B) Organisms will face extinction unless they adapt to conditions or evolve new mechanisms for survival. 
C) Environmental factors are limiting not only in amount but also in longevity. 
D) Daily accumulations in snow depth gradually add up to cause increased deer mortality. 
E) Temporary extremes in weather conditions usually result in high mortality in the deer population. 
A) Abiotic factors, such as weather extremes, ultimately limit distribution. 
B) Organisms will face extinction unless they adapt to conditions or evolve new mechanisms for survival. 
C) Environmental factors are limiting not only in amount but also in longevity. 
D) Daily accumulations in snow depth gradually add up to cause increased deer mortality. 
E) Temporary extremes in weather conditions usually result in high mortality in the deer population.

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
-Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis)?

Accepted Answer

A) pelagic 
B) abyssal 
C) neritic 
D) continental shelf 
E) intertidal 
A) pelagic 
B) abyssal 
C) neritic 
D) continental shelf 
E) intertidal

Question 15

Of the following examples of ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect (→), which is most correct?

Accepted Answer

A) When seeds are not plentiful → trees produce more seeds. 
B) A few organisms of a larger population survive a drought → these survivors then emigrate to less arid environments. 
C) A few individuals with denser fur survive the coldest days of an ice age → the reproducing survivors all have long fur. 
D) Fish that swim the fastest in running water → catch the most prey and more easily escape predation. 
E) The insects that spend the most time exposed to sunlight → have the most mutations. 
A) When seeds are not plentiful → trees produce more seeds. 
B) A few organisms of a larger population survive a drought → these survivors then emigrate to less arid environments. 
C) A few individuals with denser fur survive the coldest days of an ice age → the reproducing survivors all have long fur. 
D) Fish that swim the fastest in running water → catch the most prey and more easily escape predation. 
E) The insects that spend the most time exposed to sunlight → have the most mutations.

Question 16

Which of the following is characteristic of most terrestrial biomes?

Accepted Answer

A) annual average rainfall in excess of 250 cm 
B) a distribution predicted almost entirely by rock and soil patterns 
C) clear boundaries between adjacent biomes 
D) vegetation demonstrating stratification 
E) cold winter months 
A) annual average rainfall in excess of 250 cm 
B) a distribution predicted almost entirely by rock and soil patterns 
C) clear boundaries between adjacent biomes 
D) vegetation demonstrating stratification 
E) cold winter months

Question 17

Coral animals

Accepted Answer

A) are a diverse group of cnidarians often forming mutualistic symbiotic relationships with dinoflagellate algae. 
B) are predominantly photosynthetic, multicellular algae. 
C) can tolerate low oxygen and nutrient levels, and varying levels of salinity. 
D) can only survive in tropical waters 30oC and above. 
E) build coral reefs by glueing sand particles together. 
A) are a diverse group of cnidarians often forming mutualistic symbiotic relationships with dinoflagellate algae. 
B) are predominantly photosynthetic, multicellular algae. 
C) can tolerate low oxygen and nutrient levels, and varying levels of salinity. 
D) can only survive in tropical waters 30oC and above. 
E) build coral reefs by glueing sand particles together.

Question 18

Which of the following environmental features might influence microclimates?

Accepted Answer

A) a discarded soft-drink can 
B) a tree 
C) a fallen log 
D) a stone 
E) all of the above 
A) a discarded soft-drink can 
B) a tree 
C) a fallen log 
D) a stone 
E) all of the above

Question 19

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 steeper than southern exposures 
D) support biological communities similar to those found 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 steeper than southern exposures 
D) support biological communities similar to those found lower elevations on similar south-facing slopes. 
E) support biological communities similar to those found at higher elevations on similar south-facing slopes.

Question 20

After studying the experiment of W. J. Fletcher described in Figure 52.8 from your textbook, you decide to study feeding relationships among sea otters, sea urchins, and kelp on your own. You know that sea otters prey on sea urchins and that urchins eat kelp. At four coastal sites you measure kelp abundance. Then you spend one day at each site and mark whether otters are present or absent every 5 minutes during daylight hours. Make a graph that shows how otter density depends on kelp abundance, using the data shown below. Then formulate a hypothesis to explain the pattern you observed.
Kelp abundance Otter density
Site (% cover) (# sightings per day)
1 75 100
2 15 20
3 60 80
4 25 33

Accepted Answer

The answer of After studying the experiment of W. J....

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Which of the following causes Earth's seasons?

Which of the following abiotic factors has the greatest influence on the metabolic rates of plants and animals?

Which of the following statements best describes the interaction between fire and ecosystems?

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 -Which of the following organisms is the most likely candidate for geographic isolation?

In which community would organisms most likely have adaptations enabling them to respond to different photoperiods?

The main reason polar regions are cooler than the equator is because

Which of the following statements best describes the difference in approach to studying the environment by early naturalists compared to present-day ecologists?

A certain species of pine tree survives only in scattered locations at elevations above 2,800 m in the western United States. To understand why this tree grows only in these specific places an ecologist should

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?

Which of the following is not True about estuaries?

If Earth's axis of rotation suddenly became perpendicular to the plane of its orbit, the most predictable effect would be

You are interested in studying how organisms react to a gradient of a variety of abiotic conditions and how they coexist in this gradient. The best location in which to conduct such a study is

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 -Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis)?

Of the following examples of ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect (→), which is most correct?

Which of the following is characteristic of most terrestrial biomes?

Coral animals

Which of the following environmental features might influence microclimates?

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

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

Filters