Question 1

The distinguished ecologist G. Evelyn Hutchinson provided one of the most important explanations for how competing species can coexist. Explain his fundamental niche concept, and how he would account for closely related species coexisting.

Accepted Answer

Hutchinson suggested that each species has a fundamental niche, a range of environmental conditions (such as its requirement for temperature, food, and water), over which the species might possibly exist. Hutchinson noted that few species actually grow and reproduce in all parts of their theoretical range. Rather, each species usually exists only where they are able to compete effectively against other species: its realized niche. In the 1930s, the biologist G. F. Gause studied interspecific competition, ultimately postulating the competitive exclusion principle: when two species directly compete for essential resources, one species will eventually displace the other. In other words, Hutchinson explained that when the fundamental niche of two species significantly overlaps, these potential competitors are able to coexist because they divide up the fundamental niche, as no two species can occupy the same realized niche.

Question 2

In the hierarchical system of classification, a family can be defined as________.

Accepted Answer

A)   a major subdivision of an order containing one or more genera
B)   a major subdivision of a phylum or a division containing one or more orders
C)   a group of individuals that are able to interbreed with one another
D)   a group of organisms that are very closely related to one another
E)   an overall category containing organisms that share fundamental structures and functions  A

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a prokaryote?

Accepted Answer

A)   fungi
B)   algae
C)   protozoa
D)   bacteria
E)   plants  D

Question 4

It is estimated that the ratio of the population of developing countries to developed countries by 2050 will be________.

Accepted Answer

A)   1:2
B)   1:6
C)   1:4
D)   2:1
E)   6:1

Question 5

By what percentage has the Earth's population grown in the last 20 years

Accepted Answer

A)   20%
B)   40%
C)   30%
D)   50%
E)   10%

Question 6

In an age- structure pyramid, the most critical age span for women in order to determine the current fertility rate potential is________.

Accepted Answer

A)   25- 49
B)   15- 49
C)   21- 45
D)   25- 45
E)   15- 35

Question 7

The infant mortality rate is the percentage of children who die before the age of________.

Accepted Answer

A)   6 months
B)   5 years
C)   2 years
D)   1 month
E)   1 year

Question 8

In order for a human population to be sustainable, its actual numbers must be________.

Accepted Answer

A)   above its biocapacity
B)   below its ecological footprint
C)   above the carrying capacity
D)   above its ecological footprint
E)   below the carrying capacity

Question 9

In succession, facilitation refers to________	.

Accepted Answer

A)   species sharing space, environment, and resources
B)   species altering the environment around them in ways that make it more habitable for other species
C)   the migration of plant species
D)   competition for space by different populations of species
E)   species creating competition for food and water making it harder for species succession

Question 10

What was one of the main causes of the Galapagos Island finches' death in 1977?

Accepted Answer

A)   a tsunami
B)   an earthquake
C)   a drought
D)   a hurricane
E)   a tropical storm

Question 11

Match the following terms with the correct definition.
-Infant Mortality Rate

Accepted Answer

A)   The number of individuals dying per unit of time expressed as a percentage of the population size
B)   The number of children born in a year per 1,000 women in a defined age group
C)   The number of births in the population expressed as a percentage of the population size
D)   The potential number of offspring that an average female in a population can produce
E)   The percent of infants within a population that die before age one

Question 12

In the hierarchical system of classification, species are defined as________.

Accepted Answer

A)   a group of individuals that are able to interbreed with one another, producing fertile offspring
B)   an overall category containing organisms that share very similar fundamental structures and functions
C)   a major subdivision of a family containing one or more related groups
D)   a major subdivision of an order containing one or more genera and their subgroups
E)   a major subdivision of a phylum or a division containing one or more orders of their subgroup

Question 13

Match the following terms with the correct definition.
-Death Rate

Accepted Answer

A)   The multiple by which an exponentially growing population increases
B)   The number of individuals dying per unit of time expressed as a percentage of the population size
C)   The number of births in the population expressed as a percentage of the population size
D)   The number of new individuals added to a population in each generation
E)   The potential number of offspring that an average female in a population can produce

Question 14

When considering the world population as a whole, birth rates and death rates enable one to calculate ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   the increase or decrease in the population
B)   the causes of infant mortality in a population
C)   the causes of death in a population
D)   the proportions of fertile women in a population
E)   the relative rates of immigration and emigration

Question 15

In the early stages of fertility transition, what is happening with birth and death rates in this demographic transition graph?

Accepted Answer

A)   Birth rates are decreasing and death rates are increasing.
B)   Birth and death rates are decreasing.
C)   Birth and death rates are increasing.
D)   Birth and death rates are stable.
E)   Birth rates are increasing and death rates are decreasing.

Question 16

A large scale wildfire that clears a large area of forest would begin the process of________	 succession.

Accepted Answer

A)   tertiary
B)   secondary
C)   climax
D)   restoration
E)   primary

Question 17

Match the following terms with the correct definition.
-Population Growth Rate

Accepted Answer

A)   The multiple by which an exponentially growing population increases
B)   The number of individuals dying per unit of time expressed as a percentage of the population size
C)   The number of births in the population expressed as a percentage of the population size
D)   The number of new individuals added to a population in each generation
E)   The potential number of offspring that an average female in a population can produce

Question 18

-The greatest terrestrial net primary production can be seen to occur________.

Accepted Answer

A)   in South America
B)   in Eurasia
C)   in equatorial latitudes
D)   in Africa
E)   in North America

Question 19

The mating ritual of the blue- footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands includes a complex dance. The birds will not mate with other birds that do not know the dance. This is an example of________ .

Accepted Answer

A)   behavioral isolation
B)   mechanical isolation
C)   reproductive isolation
D)   geographic isolation
E)   structural isolation

Question 20

Most organisms feed on something in their ecological community. Match the organism with what they feed on or live on in the ecosystem.
-Consumer

Accepted Answer

A)   Carry a parasite to other organisms
B)   Feed on other living organisms
C)   Hunt and kill animals for food
D)   Live on plants and animals but usually do not kill them
E)   Feed on plants

Exam 2: Organism and Population Ecology and Evolution, Human Population Growth, and Communities and Ecosystems