Question 1

The necropsy (postmortem analysis) of a freshwater fish that died after being placed accidentally in saltwater would likely show that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  loss of water by osmosis from cells in vital organs resulted in cell death and organ failure 
B)  high amounts of salt had diffused into the fish's cells, causing them to swell and lyse 
C)  the kidneys were not able to keep up with the water removal necessary in this hyperosmotic environment, creating an irrevocable loss of homeostasis 
D)  the gills became encrusted with salt, resulting in inadequate gas exchange and a resulting asphyxiation 
E)  brain cells lysed as a result of increased osmotic pressure in this hyperosmotic environment, leading to death by loss of autonomic function 
A)  loss of water by osmosis from cells in vital organs resulted in cell death and organ failure 
B)  high amounts of salt had diffused into the fish's cells, causing them to swell and lyse 
C)  the kidneys were not able to keep up with the water removal necessary in this hyperosmotic environment, creating an irrevocable loss of homeostasis 
D)  the gills became encrusted with salt, resulting in inadequate gas exchange and a resulting asphyxiation 
E)  brain cells lysed as a result of increased osmotic pressure in this hyperosmotic environment, leading to death by loss of autonomic function A

Question 2

One of the waste products that accumulates during cellular functions is carbon dioxide. It is removed via the respiratory system. What other waste product(s) accumulate during normal physiological functions in vertebrates?
I. ammonia
II. uric acid
III. urea

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Both marine bony fishes and terrestrial animals lose water to the environment. However, a difference is that the bony fishes lose water by ________, while the terrestrial animals lose it by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  osmosis; evaporation 
B)  active transport; osmosis 
C)  osmosis; simple diffusion 
D)  evaporation; active transport 
A)  osmosis; evaporation 
B)  active transport; osmosis 
C)  osmosis; simple diffusion 
D)  evaporation; active transport A

Question 4

How do spiracles contribute to the minimization of water loss in insects?

Accepted Answer

A)  Spiracles contribute to water recovery from the hindgut. 
B)  The spiracles control the opening of the Malpighian tubules. 
C)  The opening of spiracles allows for water uptake during a period of rain. 
D)  The closure of spiracles prevents evaporative water loss from the tracheae. 
A)  Spiracles contribute to water recovery from the hindgut. 
B)  The spiracles control the opening of the Malpighian tubules. 
C)  The opening of spiracles allows for water uptake during a period of rain. 
D)  The closure of spiracles prevents evaporative water loss from the tracheae.

Question 5

Organisms categorized as osmoconformers are most likely ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  found in freshwater lakes and streams 
B)  marine 
C)  amphibious 
D)  found in arid terrestrial environments 
E)  found in terrestrial environments with adequate moisture 
A)  found in freshwater lakes and streams 
B)  marine 
C)  amphibious 
D)  found in arid terrestrial environments 
E)  found in terrestrial environments with adequate moisture

Question 6

In a grasshopper, how does ion composition of pre-urine compare to hemolymph?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pre-urine is significantly higher in osmolarity (especially with respect to Na+ and K+). 
B)  Hemolymph is higher in osmolarity, conserving its Cl−. 
C)  Pre-urine is similar to hemolymph in ion composition. 
D)  The protein pumps and channels of the Malpighian tubules concentrate Cl− in the pre-urine. 
A)  Pre-urine is significantly higher in osmolarity (especially with respect to Na+ and K+). 
B)  Hemolymph is higher in osmolarity, conserving its Cl−. 
C)  Pre-urine is similar to hemolymph in ion composition. 
D)  The protein pumps and channels of the Malpighian tubules concentrate Cl− in the pre-urine.

Question 7

Ammonia is likely to be the primary nitrogenous waste in living conditions that include ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  lots of freshwater flowing across the gills of a fish 
B)  lots of seawater, such as a bird living in a marine environment 
C)  lots of seawater, such as a marine mammal (for example, a polar bear) 
D)  a terrestrial environment, such as that supporting crickets 
E)  a moist system of burrows, such as those of naked mole rats 
A)  lots of freshwater flowing across the gills of a fish 
B)  lots of seawater, such as a bird living in a marine environment 
C)  lots of seawater, such as a marine mammal (for example, a polar bear) 
D)  a terrestrial environment, such as that supporting crickets 
E)  a moist system of burrows, such as those of naked mole rats

Question 8

The body fluids of an osmoconformer would be ________ with its ________ environment

Accepted Answer

A)  hyperosmotic; freshwater 
B)  isoosmotic; freshwater 
C)  hyperosmotic; saltwater 
D)  isoosmotic; saltwater 
E)  hypoosmotic; saltwater 
A)  hyperosmotic; freshwater 
B)  isoosmotic; freshwater 
C)  hyperosmotic; saltwater 
D)  isoosmotic; saltwater 
E)  hypoosmotic; saltwater

Question 9

Normal urine contains very little glucose. Diabetics have elevated glucose levels in their blood and urine. Which statement best explains the presence of glucose in the urine of diabetics?

Accepted Answer

A)  The loop of Henle fails to reabsorb the glucose in diabetics. 
B)  The transport of glucose from the pre-urine within the proximal tubule back to the blood cannot occur at a rate fast enough to remove all of the glucose from the urine. 
C)  Glucose is passing from the blood in the vasa recta into the nephron and entering the pre-urine. 
D)  Diabetics have active transport of glucose from the blood into the pre-urine when blood glucose levels become very high. 
A)  The loop of Henle fails to reabsorb the glucose in diabetics. 
B)  The transport of glucose from the pre-urine within the proximal tubule back to the blood cannot occur at a rate fast enough to remove all of the glucose from the urine. 
C)  Glucose is passing from the blood in the vasa recta into the nephron and entering the pre-urine. 
D)  Diabetics have active transport of glucose from the blood into the pre-urine when blood glucose levels become very high.

Question 10

African lungfish, which are often found in small, stagnant pools of freshwater, produce urea as a nitrogenous waste. What is the advantage of this adaptation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Urea takes less energy to synthesize than ammonia. 
B)  Small, stagnant pools do not provide enough water to dilute the toxic ammonia. 
C)  The highly toxic urea makes the pool uninhabitable to potential competitors. 
D)  Urea forms an insoluble precipitate. 
E)  Urea makes lungfish tissue hypoosmotic to the pool. 
A)  Urea takes less energy to synthesize than ammonia. 
B)  Small, stagnant pools do not provide enough water to dilute the toxic ammonia. 
C)  The highly toxic urea makes the pool uninhabitable to potential competitors. 
D)  Urea forms an insoluble precipitate. 
E)  Urea makes lungfish tissue hypoosmotic to the pool.

Question 11

Non-avian reptiles can produce hyperosmotic urine using which structure?

Accepted Answer

A)  salt glands similar to birds 
B)  the rectum where uric acid is produced 
C)  water-reabsorbing cloaca 
D)  water-reabsorbing ureters 
E)  highly developed kidneys 
A)  salt glands similar to birds 
B)  the rectum where uric acid is produced 
C)  water-reabsorbing cloaca 
D)  water-reabsorbing ureters 
E)  highly developed kidneys

Question 12

Ammonia ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  is soluble in water 
B)  can be stored in the body as a precipitate 
C)  has low toxicity relative to urea 
D)  is metabolically more expensive to synthesize than urea 
E)  is the major nitrogenous waste excreted by insects 
A)  is soluble in water 
B)  can be stored in the body as a precipitate 
C)  has low toxicity relative to urea 
D)  is metabolically more expensive to synthesize than urea 
E)  is the major nitrogenous waste excreted by insects

Question 13

Which nitrogenous waste requires hardly any water for its excretion?

Accepted Answer

A)  amino acids 
B)  urea 
C)  uric acid 
D)  ammonia 
E)  nitrogen gas 
A)  amino acids 
B)  urea 
C)  uric acid 
D)  ammonia 
E)  nitrogen gas

Question 14

What role does Na+/K+-ATPase play in salt excretion by the shark rectal gland?

Accepted Answer

A)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium out and potassium into cells across the apical membrane. 
B)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium in and potassium out of cells across the apical membrane. 
C)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium out and potassium into cells across the basolateral membrane. 
D)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium into and potassium out of cells across the basolateral membrane. 
A)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium out and potassium into cells across the apical membrane. 
B)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium in and potassium out of cells across the apical membrane. 
C)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium out and potassium into cells across the basolateral membrane. 
D)  Na+/K+-ATPase pumps sodium into and potassium out of cells across the basolateral membrane.

Question 15

Birds secrete uric acid as their nitrogenous waste because uric acid ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  is readily soluble in water, permitting its release in dilute urine 
B)  is metabolically intermediate to synthesize than other excretory products, balancing metabolic costs and water loss 
C)  requires little water for nitrogenous waste disposal, thus conserving water and reducing body mass 
D)  is produced from their low-protein diet 
A)  is readily soluble in water, permitting its release in dilute urine 
B)  is metabolically intermediate to synthesize than other excretory products, balancing metabolic costs and water loss 
C)  requires little water for nitrogenous waste disposal, thus conserving water and reducing body mass 
D)  is produced from their low-protein diet

Question 16

To maintain homeostasis freshwater fish must ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  excrete large quantities of electrolytes 
B)  consume large quantities of water 
C)  excrete large quantities of water 
D)  take in electrolytes through simple diffusion 
A)  excrete large quantities of electrolytes 
B)  consume large quantities of water 
C)  excrete large quantities of water 
D)  take in electrolytes through simple diffusion

Question 17

Freshwater fish reside in hypotonic environments. They do not drink water, and they excrete large volumes of hypotonic urine in an effort to osmoregulate. How do they obtain an adequate supply of electrolytes?

Accepted Answer

A)  The rectal gland is specialized to produce the dilute (hypotonic) urine and conserve ions. 
B)  Chloride cells in the gut transport additional electrolytes into the circulation of these organisms. 
C)  Chloride cells on the gill filaments take up additional electrolytes from freshwater. 
D)  There is an increase in Na+/K+-ATPase activity across the basolateral membrane. 
A)  The rectal gland is specialized to produce the dilute (hypotonic) urine and conserve ions. 
B)  Chloride cells in the gut transport additional electrolytes into the circulation of these organisms. 
C)  Chloride cells on the gill filaments take up additional electrolytes from freshwater. 
D)  There is an increase in Na+/K+-ATPase activity across the basolateral membrane.

Question 18

Salmon and sea bass are useful for studies of the role of the gills in osmoregulation in fishes because ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  they live in freshwater and in seawater at different life history stages 
B)  they are unique fishes that osmoconform to seawater 
C)  they excrete extremely high levels of salts in freshwater environments 
D)  they both feed on marine invertebrates, increasing their salt intake 
A)  they live in freshwater and in seawater at different life history stages 
B)  they are unique fishes that osmoconform to seawater 
C)  they excrete extremely high levels of salts in freshwater environments 
D)  they both feed on marine invertebrates, increasing their salt intake

Question 19

When a cell is in equilibrium with its environment, which of the following occurs for substances that can diffuse through the cell?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is random movement of substances into and out of the cell. 
B)  There is directed movement of substances into and out of the cell. 
C)  There is no movement of substances into and out of the cell. 
D)  All movement of molecules is directed by active transport. 
A)  There is random movement of substances into and out of the cell. 
B)  There is directed movement of substances into and out of the cell. 
C)  There is no movement of substances into and out of the cell. 
D)  All movement of molecules is directed by active transport.

Question 20

For filtration to take place through the fenestrated capillaries of the renal corpuscle, ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the concentration of ions must be greater in the capillaries (the glomerulus) than in the renal tubule 
B)  there must be a greater pressure inside the glomerulus than in the renal tubules 
C)  there must be a larger concentration of proteins in the renal tubule than in the glomerulus 
D)  there must be more than one capillary bed in the renal corpuscle 
A)  the concentration of ions must be greater in the capillaries (the glomerulus) than in the renal tubule 
B)  there must be a greater pressure inside the glomerulus than in the renal tubules 
C)  there must be a larger concentration of proteins in the renal tubule than in the glomerulus 
D)  there must be more than one capillary bed in the renal corpuscle

Exam 40: Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals

The necropsy (postmortem analysis) of a freshwater fish that died after being placed accidentally in saltwater would likely show that ________.

One of the waste products that accumulates during cellular functions is carbon dioxide. It is removed via the respiratory system. What other waste product(s) accumulate during normal physiological functions in vertebrates? I. ammonia II. uric acid III. urea

Both marine bony fishes and terrestrial animals lose water to the environment. However, a difference is that the bony fishes lose water by ________, while the terrestrial animals lose it by ________.

How do spiracles contribute to the minimization of water loss in insects?

Organisms categorized as osmoconformers are most likely ________.

In a grasshopper, how does ion composition of pre-urine compare to hemolymph?

Ammonia is likely to be the primary nitrogenous waste in living conditions that include ________.

The body fluids of an osmoconformer would be ________ with its ________ environment

Normal urine contains very little glucose. Diabetics have elevated glucose levels in their blood and urine. Which statement best explains the presence of glucose in the urine of diabetics?

African lungfish, which are often found in small, stagnant pools of freshwater, produce urea as a nitrogenous waste. What is the advantage of this adaptation?

Non-avian reptiles can produce hyperosmotic urine using which structure?

Ammonia ________.

Which nitrogenous waste requires hardly any water for its excretion?

What role does Na+/K+-ATPase play in salt excretion by the shark rectal gland?

Birds secrete uric acid as their nitrogenous waste because uric acid ________.

To maintain homeostasis freshwater fish must ________.

Freshwater fish reside in hypotonic environments. They do not drink water, and they excrete large volumes of hypotonic urine in an effort to osmoregulate. How do they obtain an adequate supply of electrolytes?

Salmon and sea bass are useful for studies of the role of the gills in osmoregulation in fishes because ________.

When a cell is in equilibrium with its environment, which of the following occurs for substances that can diffuse through the cell?

For filtration to take place through the fenestrated capillaries of the renal corpuscle, ________.

Biology and the Tree of Life

Water and Carbon: the Chemical Basis of Life

Protein Structure and Function

Nucleic Acids and the Rna World

An Introduction to Carbohydrates

Ecosystems and Global Ecology

Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells

Inside the Cell

Energy and Enzymes: an Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cellcell Interactions

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis

Mendel and the Gene

Dna and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair

How Genes Work

Transcription, Rna Processing, and Translation

Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria

Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology and Beyond

Genes, Development, and Evolution

Evolution by Natural Selection

Evolutionary Processes

Speciation

Phylogenies and the History of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Green Algae and Land Plants

Fungi

An Introduction to Animals

Protostome Animals

Deuterostome Animals

Viruses

Plant Form and Function

Water and Sugar Transport in Plants

Plant Nutrition

Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses

Plant Reproduction and Development

Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Gas Exchange and Circulation

Animal Nervous Systems

Animal Sensory Systems

Animal Movement

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Reproduction and Development

The Immune System in Animals

An Introduction to Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Filters

Both marine bony fishes and terrestrial animals lose water to the environment. However, a difference is that the bony fishes lose water by , while the terrestrial animals lose it by .

The body fluids of an osmoconformer would be with its environment