Question 1

This figure shows the tail shape developed by three tadpole genotypes (M, N, and O) when raised in an environment with predators and an environment without predators. In the presence of predators, tadpoles with large tails have high fitness and tadpoles with small tails have low fitness. When predators are not present, tadpoles with large tails have low fitness and tadpoles with small tails have high fitness.  Which genotype(s) exhibit(s) phenotypic plasticity in response to predators?

Accepted Answer

A)   M only
B)   N only
C)   O only
D)   both M and N
E)   both N and O C

Question 2

Over the course of a day, a snake will move from place to place to reach its preferred body temperature. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   microhabitat use.
B)   acclimation.
C)   aestivation.
D)   migration. A

Question 3

Consider the figure, which shows how Virginia pepperweed responds to herbivores. Which of the following conclusions can we make solely using the data shown?  I. Plants increased glucosinolate production when aphids were present.
II) Plants with more glucosinolate and trichomes had fewer aphids.
III) Producing glucosinolate and trichomes reduced plant fitness when aphids were absent.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

A risk to a migratory species like the monarch butterfly may include all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A)   increased predation at their overwintering sites.
B)   lack of suitable refueling (feeding)  habitat along the migration route.
C)   loss of overwintering sites due to habitat fragmentation.
D)   increased probability for inbreeding depression as the monarch population overwinters in the same small area in Mexico.

Question 5

Which of the following are phenotypically plastic responses of plants to reduced water availability?
I. develop trichomes and produce more glucosinolate
II. close stomata in leaves
III. increase the root/shoot ratio

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

Explain why many prey species reduce activity when they detect predators but have high activity when they do not detect predators.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why many prey species reduce activity...

Question 7

What would the characteristics of an optimal foraging species be?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What would the characteristics of an optimal...

Question 8

Plants develop trichomes and produce glucosinolates as adaptive phenotypic plasticity to

Accepted Answer

A)   reduce competition for resources.
B)   attract pollinators for reproduction.
C)   protect against herbivores.
D)   survive harsh drought conditions.

Question 9

Based on the central-place foraging theory and the figure, identify the optimal number of prey for a forager to catch. In the figure the straight orange line indicates the optimal rate of prey capture.

Accepted Answer

A)   5 prey
B)   8 prey
C)   10 prey
D)   5, 8, and 10 prey are equally optimal

Question 10

Many Arctic animals accumulate fat as an energy reserve that allows them to survive winter when food is difficult to obtain. This strategy is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   migration.
B)   storage.
C)   dormancy.
D)   diapause.

Question 11

Red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) occur simultaneously in several different color morphs in nature. Individuals may be red backed (having a red stripe down the back), lead backed (a blackish stripe) and erocrystic (a yellow stripe). If these color morphs conferred differing fitness levels in differing environments, this would be considered an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   phenotypic plasticity.
B)   phenotypic trade-off.
C)   spatial variation.
D)   temporal variation.

Question 12

One cost of self-fertilization in the absence of mates is

Accepted Answer

A)   inbreeding depression.
B)   physiological acclimation.
C)   migration.
D)   handling time.

Question 13

Consider a species of squirrel that eats acorns and maple seeds. Define the diet-mixing hypothesis and describe an experiment that would test whether squirrels eat both acorns and seeds because of the diet-mixing hypothesis. As part of your answer, describe the experimental treatments, the response variable that would be measured, and results that would both support and reject the diet-mixing hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider a species of squirrel that eats...

Question 14

When a given phenotype has higher fitness in one environment and different phenotypes have higher fitness in other environments, this is considered to be

Accepted Answer

A)   phenotypic plasticity.
B)   an environmental cue.
C)   a phenotypic trade-off.
D)   acclimation.

Question 15

What types of plants and animals are able to reproduce even if they cannot find a mate?

Accepted Answer

A)   predators
B)   competitors
C)   hermaphrodites
D)   inbred organisms

Question 16

In response to a specific type of environmental variation, the Burmese python can drastically increase the size of its heart and length of its intestines in fewer than 2 days. What environmental variation causes this drastic change?

Accepted Answer

A)   variation in predators
B)   variation in availability of food
C)   variation in availability of mates
D)   variation in temperature

Question 17

Explain the differences and similarities between storage and dormancy as adaptive strategies, and provide an example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the differences and similarities between storage...

Question 18

Which type of variation refers to the typical atmospheric conditions that occur throughout the year and are measured over multiple years?

Accepted Answer

A)   weather
B)   climate
C)   phenotype
D)   spatial variation

Question 19

Why is it beneficial for birds and mammals with high surface-area-to-volume ratios to reduce their body temperature for short periods?

Accepted Answer

A)   Reducing body temperature makes them less vulnerable to predators.
B)   Reducing body temperature saves energy that would be consumed producing body heat.
C)   Reducing body temperature allows them to gather more food.
D)   Reducing body temperature prevents water loss.

Question 20

A specific location within the area where an animal lives and typically contains more favorable abiotic conditions than other locations in the area is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)   microhabitat.
B)   torpor.
C)   acclimation.
D)   climate.

Exam 4: Adaptations to Variable Environments