Question 1

To construct a life table for a sexual species, one needs to

Accepted Answer

A)  assess sperm viability for the males in the population. 
B)  keep track of all of the offspring of a cohort. 
C)  keep track of the females in a cohort. 
D)  keep track of all of the offspring of the females in a cohort. 
A)  assess sperm viability for the males in the population. 
B)  keep track of all of the offspring of a cohort. 
C)  keep track of the females in a cohort. 
D)  keep track of all of the offspring of the females in a cohort. C

Question 2

Which of the following causes populations to shift most quickly from an exponential to a logistic population growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  increased birth rate 
B)  removal of predators 
C)  decreased death rate 
D)  competition for resources 
E)  favorable climatic conditions 
A)  increased birth rate 
B)  removal of predators 
C)  decreased death rate 
D)  competition for resources 
E)  favorable climatic conditions D

Question 3

Which of the following is an expected characteristic of K-selected populations?

Accepted Answer

A)  offspring with good chances of survival 
B)  small offspring 
C)  a high intrinsic rate of increase 
D)  early parental reproduction 
A)  offspring with good chances of survival 
B)  small offspring 
C)  a high intrinsic rate of increase 
D)  early parental reproduction A

Question 4

In July 2008, the U.S. population was approximately 302,000,000. Approximately how many Americans were there in July 2009 if the estimated 2008 growth rate was 0.88%?

Accepted Answer

A)  2,700,000 
B)  5,500,000 
C)  303,000,000 
D)  304,700,000 
E)  2,710,800,000 
A)  2,700,000 
B)  5,500,000 
C)  303,000,000 
D)  304,700,000 
E)  2,710,800,000

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Fires maintain the low, widely scattered vegetation found in deserts. 
B)  Many kinds of plants and plant communities have adapted to frequent fires. 
C)  Unlike northern coniferous forests, temperate broadleaf forests contain many species that depend on fire to regenerate. 
D)  Chaparral communities have evolved to the extent that they rarely burn. 
E)  Fire is unnatural in ecosystems and should be prevented. 
A)  Fires maintain the low, widely scattered vegetation found in deserts. 
B)  Many kinds of plants and plant communities have adapted to frequent fires. 
C)  Unlike northern coniferous forests, temperate broadleaf forests contain many species that depend on fire to regenerate. 
D)  Chaparral communities have evolved to the extent that they rarely burn. 
E)  Fire is unnatural in ecosystems and should be prevented.

Question 6

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
The eight climographs in Figure 40.1 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 question.   Figure 40.1
-Which climograph shows the climate for location 4?

Accepted Answer

A)  I 
B)  II 
C)  III 
D)  V 
E)  VI 
A)  I 
B)  II 
C)  III 
D)  V 
E)  VI

Question 7

Uniform spacing patterns in plants such as the creosote bush are most often associated with

Accepted Answer

A)  chance. 
B)  patterns of high humidity. 
C)  the random distribution of seeds. 
D)  competitive interaction between individuals of the same population. 
E)  the concentration of nutrients within the population's range. 
A)  chance. 
B)  patterns of high humidity. 
C)  the random distribution of seeds. 
D)  competitive interaction between individuals of the same population. 
E)  the concentration of nutrients within the population's range.

Question 8

The three basic variables that make up the life history of an organism are

Accepted Answer

A)  life expectancy, birth rate, and death rate. 
B)  number of reproductive females in the population, age structure of the population, and life expectancy. 
C)  age when reproduction begins, how often reproduction occurs, and how many offspring are produced per reproductive episode. 
D)  how often reproduction occurs, life expectancy of females in the population, and number of offspring per reproductive episode. 
E)  the number of reproductive females in the population, how often reproduction occurs, and death rate. 
A)  life expectancy, birth rate, and death rate. 
B)  number of reproductive females in the population, age structure of the population, and life expectancy. 
C)  age when reproduction begins, how often reproduction occurs, and how many offspring are produced per reproductive episode. 
D)  how often reproduction occurs, life expectancy of females in the population, and number of offspring per reproductive episode. 
E)  the number of reproductive females in the population, how often reproduction occurs, and death rate.

Question 9

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevadas and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass?

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 up and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation when the air cools while descending on the leeward side of the range. 
D)  These air masses are blocked by the 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 up and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation when the air cools while descending on the leeward side of the range. 
D)  These air masses are blocked by the 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 10

Which of the following is an intrinsic physiological factor that can regulate population size?

Accepted Answer

A)  transmission rate of a disease 
B)  competition for territories 
C)  flooding by a river 
D)  hormonal changes in response to aggression 
A)  transmission rate of a disease 
B)  competition for territories 
C)  flooding by a river 
D)  hormonal changes in response to aggression

Question 11

Which of the following would most likely promote random distribution?

Accepted Answer

A)  territorial species 
B)  species that secrete chemicals to attract or inhibit other individuals 
C)  flocking and schooling behaviors 
D)  spacing during the breeding season 
E)  homogeneous chemical and physical factors in the environment 
A)  territorial species 
B)  species that secrete chemicals to attract or inhibit other individuals 
C)  flocking and schooling behaviors 
D)  spacing during the breeding season 
E)  homogeneous chemical and physical factors in the environment

Question 12

Figure 40.2 shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labeled with letters. Choose the number that best answers the question(s).   Figure 40.2
-Which zone has a condition of constant temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  3 
D)  4 
E)  5 
A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  3 
D)  4 
E)  5

Question 13

Which of the following pairs of reproductive strategies is consistent with energetic trade-off and reproductive success?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pioneer species of plants produce many very small, highly airborne seeds, whereas large elephants that are very good parents produce many large offspring. 
B)  Female rabbits that suffer high predation rates may produce several litters per breeding season, and coconuts produce few fruits, but most survive when they encounter proper growing conditions. 
C)  Species that have to broadcast to distant habitats tend to produce seeds with heavy protective seed coats, and animals that are caring parents produce fewer offspring with lower infant mortality. 
D)  A free-living insect lays thousands of eggs and provides no parental care, whereas a flowering plant takes good care of its thousands of seeds until they are ready to germinate. 
E)  Some mammals will not reproduce when environmental resources are low so they can survive until conditions get better, and plants that produce many small seeds are likely found in stable environments. 
A)  Pioneer species of plants produce many very small, highly airborne seeds, whereas large elephants that are very good parents produce many large offspring. 
B)  Female rabbits that suffer high predation rates may produce several litters per breeding season, and coconuts produce few fruits, but most survive when they encounter proper growing conditions. 
C)  Species that have to broadcast to distant habitats tend to produce seeds with heavy protective seed coats, and animals that are caring parents produce fewer offspring with lower infant mortality. 
D)  A free-living insect lays thousands of eggs and provides no parental care, whereas a flowering plant takes good care of its thousands of seeds until they are ready to germinate. 
E)  Some mammals will not reproduce when environmental resources are low so they can survive until conditions get better, and plants that produce many small seeds are likely found in stable environments.

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

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
In areas of permafrost, stands of black spruce are frequently observed in the landscape, whereas 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.
-According to the logistic growth equation
[&*frac*{dN}{dt}|=|rN|thn|*frac*{(K|-|N)}{K}&]

Accepted Answer

A)  the number of individuals added per unit time is greatest when N is close to zero. 
B)  the per capita growth rate increases as N approaches K. 
C)  population growth is zero when N equals K. 
D)  the population grows exponentially when K is small. 
A)  the number of individuals added per unit time is greatest when N is close to zero. 
B)  the per capita growth rate increases as N approaches K. 
C)  population growth is zero when N equals K. 
D)  the population grows exponentially when K is small.

Question 16

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
In areas of permafrost, stands of black spruce are frequently observed in the landscape, whereas 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)  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)  tropical forests-nearly constant day length and temperature

Question 17

Which statement best describes how climate might change if Earth were 75% land and 25% water?

Accepted Answer

A)  Terrestrial ecosystems would likely experience more precipitation. 
B)  Earth's daytime temperatures would be higher and nighttime temperatures lower. 
C)  Summers would be longer and winters shorter at midlatitude locations. 
D)  Earth would experience an unprecedented global warming. 
E)  More terrestrial microclimates would be created because of daily fluctuations in climate. 
A)  Terrestrial ecosystems would likely experience more precipitation. 
B)  Earth's daytime temperatures would be higher and nighttime temperatures lower. 
C)  Summers would be longer and winters shorter at midlatitude locations. 
D)  Earth would experience an unprecedented global warming. 
E)  More terrestrial microclimates would be created because of daily fluctuations in climate.

Question 18

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
The eight climographs in Figure 40.1 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 question.   Figure 40.1
-Which climograph shows the climate for location 3?

Accepted Answer

A)  II 
B)  III 
C)  IV 
D)  V 
E)  VI 
A)  II 
B)  III 
C)  IV 
D)  V 
E)  VI

Question 19

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
The eight climographs in Figure 40.1 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 question.   Figure 40.1
-Which of the following best substantiates why location 3 is an equatorial (tropical) climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has a monsoon season during the winter months. 
B)  It has consistent monthly averages for rainfall. 
C)  The temperature is high for each monthly average. 
D)  The temperatures reach 100°F during some months. 
E)  The temperatures are lower in June, July, and August. 
A)  It has a monsoon season during the winter months. 
B)  It has consistent monthly averages for rainfall. 
C)  The temperature is high for each monthly average. 
D)  The temperatures reach 100°F during some months. 
E)  The temperatures are lower in June, July, and August.

Question 20

What is one application of the metapopulation concept?

Accepted Answer

A)  It provides a framework for species conservation when those species live in a network of habitat fragments and reserves. 
B)  It demonstrates how the many populations of different species can coexist within a community. 
C)  It predicts the carrying capacity of populations that exhibit limited growth. 
D)  It explains why some populations have a clumped dispersion pattern. 
A)  It provides a framework for species conservation when those species live in a network of habitat fragments and reserves. 
B)  It demonstrates how the many populations of different species can coexist within a community. 
C)  It predicts the carrying capacity of populations that exhibit limited growth. 
D)  It explains why some populations have a clumped dispersion pattern.

Exam 40: Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms

To construct a life table for a sexual species, one needs to

Which of the following causes populations to shift most quickly from an exponential to a logistic population growth?

Which of the following is an expected characteristic of K-selected populations?

In July 2008, the U.S. population was approximately 302,000,000. Approximately how many Americans were there in July 2009 if the estimated 2008 growth rate was 0.88%?

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

Uniform spacing patterns in plants such as the creosote bush are most often associated with

The three basic variables that make up the life history of an organism are

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevadas and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass?

Which of the following is an intrinsic physiological factor that can regulate population size?

Which of the following would most likely promote random distribution?

Figure 40.2 shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labeled with letters. Choose the number that best answers the question(s). Figure 40.2 -Which zone has a condition of constant temperature?

Which of the following pairs of reproductive strategies is consistent with energetic trade-off and reproductive success?

Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists

Which statement best describes how climate might change if Earth were 75% land and 25% water?

What is one application of the metapopulation concept?

Introduction: Evolution and the Foundations of Biology

The Chemical Context of Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Development, Stem Cells, and Cancer

Viruses

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent With Modification

Phylogeny

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

Broad Patterns of Evolution

Early Life and the Diversification of Prokaryotes

The Origin and Diversification of Eukaryotes

The Colonization of Land by Plants and Fungi

The Rise of Animal Diversity

Plant Structure and Growth

Resource Acquisition, Nutrition, and Transport in Vascular Plants

Reproduction and Domestication of Flowering Plants

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Homeostasis and Endocrine Signaling

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Reproduction and Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous and Sensory Systems

Motor Mechanisms and Behavior

Species Interactions

Ecosystems and Energy

Global Ecology and Conservation Biology

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