Question 1

Trees are not usually found in the tundra biome because of

Accepted Answer

A) insufficient annual precipitation. 
B) acidic soils. 
C) extreme winter temperatures. 
D) overbrowsing by musk ox and caribou. 
E) permafrost. 
A) insufficient annual precipitation. 
B) acidic soils. 
C) extreme winter temperatures. 
D) overbrowsing by musk ox and caribou. 
E) permafrost.

Question 2

The growing season would generally be shortest in which of the following biomes?

Accepted Answer

A) savanna 
B) temperate broadleaf forest 
C) temperate grassland 
D) tropical rain forest 
E) coniferous forest 
A) savanna 
B) temperate broadleaf forest 
C) temperate grassland 
D) tropical rain forest 
E) coniferous forest

Question 3

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 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 4

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 5

Which of the following environmental features might influence microclimates?

Accepted Answer

A) forest canopy 
B) freshly ploughed field 
C) log on the forest floor 
D) large boulder 
E) All of the options are correct. 
A) forest canopy 
B) freshly ploughed field 
C) log on the forest floor 
D) large boulder 
E) All of the options are correct.

Question 6

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.
-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 7

What would be the effect on climate in the temperature latitudes if Earth were to slow its rate of rotation from a 24-hour period of rotation to a 48-hour period of rotation?

Accepted Answer

A) Seasons would be longer and more distinct (colder winters and warmer summers). 
B) There would be a smaller range between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures. 
C) Large-scale weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes would no longer be a part of regional climates. 
D) Winter seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres would have more abundant and frequent precipitation events. 
E) The climate would stay the same. The only change would be longer days and nights. 
A) Seasons would be longer and more distinct (colder winters and warmer summers). 
B) There would be a smaller range between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures. 
C) Large-scale weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes would no longer be a part of regional climates. 
D) Winter seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres would have more abundant and frequent precipitation events. 
E) The climate would stay the same. The only change would be longer days and nights.

Question 8

In temperate lakes, the surface water is replenished with nutrients during turnovers that occur in the

Accepted Answer

A) autumn and spring. 
B) autumn and winter. 
C) spring and summer. 
D) summer and winter. 
E) summer and autumn. 
A) autumn and spring. 
B) autumn and winter. 
C) spring and summer. 
D) summer and winter. 
E) summer and autumn.

Question 9

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 produces the most global oxygen gas?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are caused by

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

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 12

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution?

Accepted Answer

A) Average annual temperature and precipitation are sufficient to predict which biome will be found in an area. 
B) Seasonal fluctuation of temperature is not a limiting factor in biome distribution if areas have the same annual temperature and precipitation means. 
C) Not only is the average climate important in determining biome distribution, but so is the pattern of climatic variation. 
D) Temperate forests and grasslands are different biomes because they receive a different quality and quantity of sunlight, even though they have essentially the same annual temperature and precipitation. 
E) Correlation of climate with biome distribution is sufficient to determine the cause of biome patterns. 
A) Average annual temperature and precipitation are sufficient to predict which biome will be found in an area. 
B) Seasonal fluctuation of temperature is not a limiting factor in biome distribution if areas have the same annual temperature and precipitation means. 
C) Not only is the average climate important in determining biome distribution, but so is the pattern of climatic variation. 
D) Temperate forests and grasslands are different biomes because they receive a different quality and quantity of sunlight, even though they have essentially the same annual temperature and precipitation. 
E) Correlation of climate with biome distribution is sufficient to determine the cause of biome patterns.

Question 13

Use this description to answer the following question.
Experts in white-tailed 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

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 15

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

Accepted Answer

A) The likelihood of a wildfire occurring 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 suppression of forest fires by man has prevented certain communities, such as grasslands, from reaching their climax stage. 
D) Chaparral communities have evolved to the extent that they rarely burn. 
E) Fire is unnatural in ecosystems and should be prevented. 
A) The likelihood of a wildfire occurring 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 suppression of forest fires by man has prevented certain communities, such as grasslands, from reaching their climax stage. 
D) Chaparral communities have evolved to the extent that they rarely burn. 
E) Fire is unnatural in ecosystems and should be prevented.

Question 16

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 2?

Accepted Answer

A) B 
B) C 
C) D 
D) F 
E) H 
A) B 
B) C 
C) D 
D) F 
E) H

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A) there is more ice at the poles. 
B) sunlight strikes the poles at a lower angle. 
C) the poles are farther from the sun. 
D) the polar atmosphere is thinner and contains fewer greenhouse gases. 
E) the poles are permanently tilted away from the sun. 
A) there is more ice at the poles. 
B) sunlight strikes the poles at a lower angle. 
C) the poles are farther from the sun. 
D) the polar atmosphere is thinner and contains fewer greenhouse gases. 
E) the poles are permanently tilted away from the sun.

Question 18

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, which of the following marine communities most likely would be least affected?

Accepted Answer

A) deep-sea vent 
B) coral reef 
C) intertidal 
D) pelagic 
E) estuary 
A) deep-sea vent 
B) coral reef 
C) intertidal 
D) pelagic 
E) estuary

Question 19

"How do seed-eating animals affect the distribution and abundance of the trees?" This question

Accepted Answer

A) would require an elaborate experimental design to answer. 
B) would be difficult to answer because a large experimental area would be required. 
C) would be difficult to answer because a long-term experiment would be required. 
D) is one that a present-day ecologist would be likely to ask. 
E) All options are correct. 
A) would require an elaborate experimental design to answer. 
B) would be difficult to answer because a large experimental area would be required. 
C) would be difficult to answer because a long-term experiment would be required. 
D) is one that a present-day ecologist would be likely to ask. 
E) All options are correct.

Question 20

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

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Trees are not usually found in the tundra biome because of

The growing season would generally be shortest in which of the following biomes?

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?

Which of the following environmental features might influence microclimates?

What would be the effect on climate in the temperature latitudes if Earth were to slow its rate of rotation from a 24-hour period of rotation to a 48-hour period of rotation?

In temperate lakes, the surface water is replenished with nutrients during turnovers that occur in the

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 produces the most global oxygen gas?

Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are caused by

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 statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution?

Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists

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

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

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, which of the following marine communities most likely would be least affected?

"How do seed-eating animals affect the distribution and abundance of the trees?" This question

For plants, what are the most important climatic factors?

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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