Question 1

The need for intense parental care of offspring favors mating systems that are

Accepted Answer

A)  polygamous. 
B)  diurnal. 
C)  monogamous. 
D)  promiscuous. 
A)  polygamous. 
B)  diurnal. 
C)  monogamous. 
D)  promiscuous.

Question 2

Squirrels seem to be able to figure out how to steal seeds from bird feeders no matter what people do to try to stop them. One day, Jeremy put out a bird feeder with a new design, and sure enough, by the end of the day the squirrels were snacking on the seeds. The squirrels most likely figured out how to get the seeds through

Accepted Answer

A)  trial-and-error learning. 
B)  the use of alarm calls. 
C)  imprinting. 
D)  spatial learning. 
A)  trial-and-error learning. 
B)  the use of alarm calls. 
C)  imprinting. 
D)  spatial learning.

Question 3

Cross-fostering experiments with Norway rat pups showed that in their response to stress,

Accepted Answer

A)  environment was the critical factor, not just their genes. 
B)  genetics was the critical factor, not environment. 
C)  cross-fostered pups resembled their biological mothers more than their foster mothers. 
A)  environment was the critical factor, not just their genes. 
B)  genetics was the critical factor, not environment. 
C)  cross-fostered pups resembled their biological mothers more than their foster mothers.

Question 4

Baby bobcats watched as their mother stalked a rabbit and pounced, catching a meal that was shared by all. The next day, two of the young bobcats were seen stalking a field mouse, which easily escaped from the inexperienced hunters. The young bobcats were learning how to hunt by the process of

Accepted Answer

A)  social learning. 
B)  imprinting. 
C)  habituation. 
D)  associative learning. 
A)  social learning. 
B)  imprinting. 
C)  habituation. 
D)  associative learning.

Question 5

When a nipple is placed in a newborn baby's mouth, the infant will immediately begin to suckle. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  imprinted behavior. 
B)  classical conditioning. 
C)  innate behavior. 
D)  imitation. 
A)  imprinted behavior. 
B)  classical conditioning. 
C)  innate behavior. 
D)  imitation.

Question 6

Several primates have been taught to communicate with humans using sign language. This supports the view that animals other than humans can learn through the process of

Accepted Answer

A)  social learning. 
B)  cognition. 
C)  trial-and-error learning. 
D)  imprinting. 
A)  social learning. 
B)  cognition. 
C)  trial-and-error learning. 
D)  imprinting.

Question 7

After many hours of observation, Jennifer noticed that a squirrel in her backyard retreated up a certain tree every time it was frightened. At the base of that tree was a wheelbarrow. Jennifer wondered how the squirrel found the same tree each time. That night, she moved the wheelbarrow to the base of another tree. The next day, the squirrel retreated up the new tree. This experiment suggests that the squirrel was using

Accepted Answer

A)  spatial learning. 
B)  imprinting. 
C)  habituation. 
D)  social learning. 
A)  spatial learning. 
B)  imprinting. 
C)  habituation. 
D)  social learning.

Question 8

When building a nest, a female Fisher's lovebird cuts long strips of vegetation and carries them to the nest site one at a time in her beak. The female peach-faced lovebird cuts short strips and carries them to the nest tucked under her back feathers. Hybrid female offspring cut intermediate-sized strips and attempt to tuck them under back feathers before carrying them in their beak. What does this demonstrate about behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  Behavior can be learned from parents. 
B)  There is a genetic basis to behavior. 
C)  Environment is important in forming behaviors. 
D)  Lovebirds can be trained easily. 
A)  Behavior can be learned from parents. 
B)  There is a genetic basis to behavior. 
C)  Environment is important in forming behaviors. 
D)  Lovebirds can be trained easily.

Question 9

Scientists interested in applying the optimal foraging model to wagtail birds' feeding behavior gathered data on the prey (flies) and calories consumed while the prey was being handled (the time the prey is caught until it is consumed) by the wagtails. Which conclusion is supported by this graph?

Accepted Answer

A)  Prey size does not affect the number of calories gained per second of handling time by wagtails. 
B)  Wagtails get more calories per second of handling time with larger flies than with smaller ones. 
C)  Wagtails get more calories per second of handling time with smaller flies than with larger ones. 
D)  Wagtails get more calories per second of handling time with 7-mm flies than with either larger or smaller ones. 
A)  Prey size does not affect the number of calories gained per second of handling time by wagtails. 
B)  Wagtails get more calories per second of handling time with larger flies than with smaller ones. 
C)  Wagtails get more calories per second of handling time with smaller flies than with larger ones. 
D)  Wagtails get more calories per second of handling time with 7-mm flies than with either larger or smaller ones.

Question 10

Which term broadly describes any kind of interaction between two or more animals?

Accepted Answer

A)  competition 
B)  dominance hierarchy 
C)  foraging behavior 
D)  social behavior 
A)  competition 
B)  dominance hierarchy 
C)  foraging behavior 
D)  social behavior

Question 11

Which statement about behavior is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  In examining proximate behavior in the octopus, scientists might look at behavior in close relatives, like squid, to seek evidence for the kinds of behaviors demonstrated by ancestral molluscs. 
B)  In examining ultimate behavior in bird territory defense, scientists might look at how the surrounding environment has changed over time. 
C)  In examining proximate behavior in humans, scientists might examine how reproduction is affected by endocrine disrupters. 
D)  In examining ultimate behavior in penguins, scientists might examine how melting arctic ice caps change feeding behavior over many generations. 
A)  In examining proximate behavior in the octopus, scientists might look at behavior in close relatives, like squid, to seek evidence for the kinds of behaviors demonstrated by ancestral molluscs. 
B)  In examining ultimate behavior in bird territory defense, scientists might look at how the surrounding environment has changed over time. 
C)  In examining proximate behavior in humans, scientists might examine how reproduction is affected by endocrine disrupters. 
D)  In examining ultimate behavior in penguins, scientists might examine how melting arctic ice caps change feeding behavior over many generations.

Question 12

Which situation represents an example of territorial behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  Digger wasps are able to recognize the pattern of landmarks around their nests. 
B)  Sow bugs become more active and move around randomly if they find themselves in a dry area. 
C)  Gannets breed in dense colonies. Each gannet defends the area within the beak's reach of its nest, but gannets feeding at sea are indifferent to each other. 
D)  Troops of monkey species use well-defined, widely overlapping ranges. Troops avoid encountering each other and are aggressive if they meet. 
A)  Digger wasps are able to recognize the pattern of landmarks around their nests. 
B)  Sow bugs become more active and move around randomly if they find themselves in a dry area. 
C)  Gannets breed in dense colonies. Each gannet defends the area within the beak's reach of its nest, but gannets feeding at sea are indifferent to each other. 
D)  Troops of monkey species use well-defined, widely overlapping ranges. Troops avoid encountering each other and are aggressive if they meet.

Question 13

In some social insects, there are individuals that do not mate or may not be fertile but help look after other members of their group. Which statement regarding this situation is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Natural selection cannot act on the genes of nonreproducers since they do not leave offspring. 
B)  The ultimate cause of this behavior is the need to keep their group safe. 
C)  By protecting relatives, the nonreproducers increase the probability that their genes will be passed to the next generation. 
D)  Lack of mating is an agonistic behavior. 
A)  Natural selection cannot act on the genes of nonreproducers since they do not leave offspring. 
B)  The ultimate cause of this behavior is the need to keep their group safe. 
C)  By protecting relatives, the nonreproducers increase the probability that their genes will be passed to the next generation. 
D)  Lack of mating is an agonistic behavior.

Question 14

Answers to questions about the immediate mechanisms for a behavior are called

Accepted Answer

A)  conclusions. 
B)  proximate causes. 
C)  habituation. 
D)  ultimate causes. 
A)  conclusions. 
B)  proximate causes. 
C)  habituation. 
D)  ultimate causes.

Exam 35: Behavioral Adaptations to the Environment

The need for intense parental care of offspring favors mating systems that are

Cross-fostering experiments with Norway rat pups showed that in their response to stress,

Baby bobcats watched as their mother stalked a rabbit and pounced, catching a meal that was shared by all. The next day, two of the young bobcats were seen stalking a field mouse, which easily escaped from the inexperienced hunters. The young bobcats were learning how to hunt by the process of

When a nipple is placed in a newborn baby's mouth, the infant will immediately begin to suckle. This is an example of

Several primates have been taught to communicate with humans using sign language. This supports the view that animals other than humans can learn through the process of

Scientists interested in applying the optimal foraging model to wagtail birds' feeding behavior gathered data on the prey (flies) and calories consumed while the prey was being handled (the time the prey is caught until it is consumed) by the wagtails. Which conclusion is supported by this graph?

Which term broadly describes any kind of interaction between two or more animals?

Which statement about behavior is false?

Which situation represents an example of territorial behavior?

In some social insects, there are individuals that do not mate or may not be fertile but help look after other members of their group. Which statement regarding this situation is true?

Answers to questions about the immediate mechanisms for a behavior are called

Biology: Exploring Life

The Chemical Basis of Life

The Molecules of Cells

A Tour of the Cell

The Working Cell

How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy

Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food

The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance

Patterns of Inheritance

Molecular Biology of the Gene

How Genes Are Controlled

DNA Technology and Genomics

How Populations Evolve

The Origin of Species

Tracing Evolutionary History

Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists

The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity

The Evolution of Invertebrate Diversity

The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity

Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function

Nutrition and Digestion

Gas Exchange

Circulation

The Immune System

Control of Body Temperature and Water Balance

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Reproduction and Embryonic Development

Nervous Systems

The Senses

How Animals Move

Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction

Plant Nutrition and Transport

Control Systems in Plants

The Biosphere: an Introduction to Earths Diverse Environments

Population Ecology

Communities and Ecosystems

Conservation Biology

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