Bio Final Flashcards
Based on the snow placement next to the tree which way is north?
- North will be the side with the snow because of wind patterns and mountains. North sides of mountains (in the northern hemisphere) have more precipitation being brought in from the oceans
in the regions of the rocky mountains a local variety of ponderosa pine predominantly occurs at 5,000-7,000 feet in elevation (half way up the mountains) where it can best tolerate temperatures. Given future climate change predictions which of the following changes might an ecologist predict about that varieties range?
- It will occur at higher elevations
Define the following terms: Thermocline, Aquatic biomes, Rain Shadow, and pelagic zone
Thermocline: Density barrier in lakes and oceans separating warm surface waters from cooler deeper water
Aquatic Biomes: defined by physics and chemistry
Rain Shadow: Coastal mountain ranges are dryer on the interior (leeward) than on the seaward side
Pelagic Zone: Deeper, open water zone of the lakes or oceans
Coral reefs occur on the southeast coast of the United States, near Florida, but not at similar latitudes on the southwest coast near Los Angeles, California. Differences in which of the following most likely account for this?
water temperatures driven by ocean currents
Dr. Doyle grew up on the Amazon River about 1.5 degrees South of the Equator. There, the annual average temperature is hot and varied by less than 5 degrees Celsius (C) over an entire year. In Waco (31.5 degrees North) the temperature varies from very hot to quite cold (40-50 C variation over the year). What best explains this difference? the abundant rainfall in the tropics keeps temperatures more constant?
- the angle of Earth’s rotation causes solar radiation to vary much more at mid-latitudes than at the Equator.
Mountains can impact microclimates. Which of the following is NOT one of the ways mountains consistently impact microclimates?
Mountain soils are consistently more fertile than lowland soils
Select the answer that puts the following factors in a REASONABLE order of importance in regulating the plant community structure of a terrestrial biome. Frequency of disturbance: 1. Frequency of disturbance, 2. moisture, 3. temperature, 4. Soil fertility
3241
Mark each statement as true false:
terrestrial biomes are defined primarily by their animal communities
tropical oceans usually have higher rates of net primary production than artic waters because the waters are warmer near the tropics
moisture and temperature are thought to be the primary variables controlling terrestrial primary production
summers occur during the portion of the earth’s orbit when it is closer to the sun
false
false
true
false
Which ONE factor is most closely associated to the location of the major deserts in North America all being situated about the same latitude (30N)?
Global air circulation patterns
Which ONE factor is most closely associated with seasonal changes on Earth?
The angle of Earth’s axis with respect to the sun (=Tilt of the Earth)
In mountainous areas of North America, south-facing slopes would be expected to… (Select two correct statements, penalty for wrong answers)
receive more sunlight than similar north-facing slopes
- be warmer and dryer than north-facing slopes
Mark each statement as true or false
In deep oceanic water, the net primary production of algae is most likely limited by low nutrient concentration
“Ecology” considers interactions among animals and plants, but not abiotic factors
Deserts do not always have very warm daily average temperatures
About half the water on planet earth is freshwater found in lakes and rivers
false
false
true
false
Where is waco on a climograph and what would happen if climate change results in a temperature increase of 3 C and a rainfall decrease of 25 cm/yr
- Waco is in spot a and it would become a grassland
Subtropical plants are commonplace in Land’s End, England, whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada, where the local flora is instead subarctic. Which statement best explains why this apparent anomaly exists between North America and Europe?
- Warm Gulf Stream currents interact with England, whereas cold arctic ocean currents interact with Labrador
Consider an area that historically been a grassland (like McLennan County, TX). Which characteristic is most likely to be related to the observation of many MORE trees now surviving per acre of land (current tree density)?
- Change in the frequency of fire
Mark each statement as true or false
Natural populations of plants and animals are more likely to have a clumped distribution than a random one.
All species we know of stop growing when they reach the environmental carrying capacity and can never exceed this threshold, even for limited periods of time.
the process of “demographic transition” applies only to humans and not to other animal species
Resource competition is a common density-dependent factor for most populations as population density increases
true
false
true
true
Select the TWO true statements about r-selected species
- r-selected species would likely be the first to colonize an abandoned agriculture field and r-selected species would likely dominate environments where frequent density-independent factors are important regulators of population size
Which of the following hypotheses is most consistent with the data shown in this graph with respect to survival and clutch size?
Large clutch size results in low survival.
A species population’s size (N) may vary depending on a number of factors including crowding and resource limitation. As N approaches K (carrying capacity) for a certain population, which of the following outcomes is predicted by the logistic growth model?
The population growth rate will slow and approach zero: The population growth rate will slow and approach zero
define the following terms: strategy of repeated reproduction, maximum population size an environment can support with available resources, metapopulation
- Strategy of repeated reproduction. Mature females reproduce several/many times during their lifetime. Iteroparity
- Maximum population size environment can support with available resources. Carrying capacity
- Long-lived species where parents invest significant energy in care for offspring: K-selected species
- Population composed of geographically separate subpopulations linked by immigration/emigration: metapopulation
Select the TRUE statement about human population growth
- The ecological footprint of the US is much larger than the sustainable global capacity per person
Based on the data shown in the figure below related to hare (=prey) relative to several experimental conditions, which conclusion is best supported by the data?
hare population density is impacted by both predation and food availability
hen populations become excessively crowded, intrinsic factors often become active to limit further population growth. Which ONE of the following is an example of such an intrinsic factor
- Under crowded conditions, the immune system of individuals becomes less efficient.
he human population growth rate (r) has INCREASED during the past 10,000 years until the 1960’s. At that point, population growth rates began to strongly decline and have continued declining until now. What BEST explains this dramatic recent decline in human population growth rates?
- this is due to a social factor; educated women chose to have fewer children
consider these simplified age structure diagrams of plant populations. The layers (bottom to top) are three plant age classes: seedlings, ‘adolescent’ plants, and mature (reproductive) adult plants. MATCH each population (I, II, III) with the statement that BEST describes its likely future population growth
Population I: rapid future growth
Population II: near stable future population growth.
Population III: Negativ future population growth
Select the single false statement regarding human population on Earth.
- At the current rate of growth of 1.1% per year, it will take about 650 years for the population of Earth to reach 15 billion inhabitants
Which of the following graphs illustrate how you would expect the instantaneous growth rate (r) of a population to change over time if the species is growing LOGISTICALLY?
A
How you would expect the DOUBLING TIME of a population to change over time if the species is growing exponentially?
- remain constant, even as the population size increased
Which of the following graphs illustrate how you would expect the annual mortality of adult female sparrows to change as a function of annual fecundity (number of offspring) the previous season?
B
Select the life history most likely to be associated with each of the following traits. (r or k)
- Early age of sexual maturation
- Long lifespan
- High rate of juvenile mortality
- Many reproductive cycles for each individual female
- Early age of sexual maturation: r
- Long lifespan: K
- High rate of juvenile mortality: r
- Many reproductive cycles for each individual female: K
If two organisms have significant overlap of their fundamental niches, what two outcomes could happen?
Resource partitioning. One or both species will adjust their niches so that competition will be minimized and Competitive Exclusion. one will become extinct while the other survives to occupy the niche
Which of the following is an example of aposematic coloration?
the brightly colored patterns of monarch butterfly caterpillars
Consider four communities as shown in the figure. The number of circles represent the abundance of each species. Answer the following questions by selecting the correct community. Which community has the highest diversity?
Which community has the lowest species richness?
Which community has the highest diversity? 2; Which community has the lowest species richness? 1
Which of the following would qualify as a top-down control on a grassland community?
grassland community grazed by bison had higher species diversity than ungrazed area
Which description below is most consistent with the nonequilibrium model of community diversity? communities are constantly changing after being influenced by disturbances and the recovered community may be different from the original community
- communities are constantly changing after being influenced by disturbances and the recovered community may be different from the original community
fill in the word to make each statement true
- Lower diversity communities will recover from disturbance at _______ rate as higher diversity communities.
- Species richness is highest at _________ level of disturbance.
- Temperate ecosystems typically have ______ community diversity than a similar size tropical ecosystem.
- Compared to a high biodiversity community, a community of low biodiversity would be expected to have _____ year to year fluctuations.
- Lower diversity communities will recover from disturbance at a slower rate as higher diversity communities.
- Species richness is highest at Intermediate level of disturbance.
- Temperate ecosystems typically have lower community diversity than a similar size tropical ecosystem
- Compared to a high biodiversity community, a community of low biodiversity would be expected to have higher year to year fluctuations.
Which TWO of the following is an example of Batesian mimicry?
- a nonvenomous larva of a moth that moves like a venomous snake and a non-poisonous frog mimics the color of a poisonous one
Use the following diagram of five islands (A-E) formed at around the same time near a particular mainland, as well as MacArthur and Wilson’s island equilibrium model principles to evaluate if each statement below is T/F or provide correct response to a question. Island with the highest diversity
Island with highest rate of extinction and lowest species diversity
E and F are the same size, so they will have similar species diversity
It is impossible to say if island B or E will have a higher species diversity
Island with the highest diversity: A;
Island with highest rate of extinction and lowest species diversity: F;
E and F are the same size, so they will have similar species diversity: False;
It is impossible to say if island B or E will have a higher species diversity: True
define the following terms: character displacement, resource partitioning, predation, Mullerian mimicry
- Beaks of finches evolve to be larger or smaller to minimize competition: Character displacement
- As you study two closely related predatory insect species, the two-spot and the three-spot avenger beetles, you notice that each species seeks prey at dawn in areas without the other species. However, where their ranges overlap, the two-spot avenger beetle hunts at night and the three-spot hunts in the morning.: Resource partitioning
- Certain woodpecker-like African birds have become specialized for removing and eating ticks and parasitic insects from the bodies of large herbivores. The relationship between the birds and the ticks is an example of….: predation
- Multiple wasp species evolve to resemble each other: Mullerian mimicry
Fill in the term that matches: batesian mimicry, primary succession, mutualism, intermediate distubrance hypothesis
- A palatable (=edible) tropical frog evolves to closely resemble the notorious ‘poison dart frog’: Batesian mimicry
- Colonization of land recently exposed by retreating glacier Secondary succession, : Primary succession
- Termites and microorganisms in their gut: Mutualism
- Diversity of a prairie that burns about every 5 years is significantly higher than prairies which burn annually or prairies that are never allowed to burn Intermediate disturbance hypothesis: Intermediate disturbance hypothesis
What is the major factor explaining why food chains are relatively short?
Energy transfer between levels is inefficient.
Use the graph to answer the following question. In 1963 the keystone predator was removed from one area, but not the other. What does the graph tell you about the effect of a keystone species?
Removing a keystone species from the community reduces species richness.
Consider this food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem (arrows represent energy flow and letters represent species). Match the species trophic level with the letter that most likely represents it.
Decomposer:
Photosynthetic plant:
Carnivore:
Decomposer: E; Photosynthetic plant: A; Carnivore: D
Identify the TWO FALSE statements
- Increased CO2 in the atmosphere caused the recent appearance of the “ozone hole” and Oceanic productivity is higher near the North and South Poles because these areas have much clearer water than tropical oceans.
Consider a jaguar, a catfish and a termite. Rank these organisms from LOWEST to HIGHEST production efficiency.
Lowest: Jaguar, Middle: Catfish, Highest: Termite
MATCH the nutrient with the term or statement most uniquely identified with it.
- Nitrogen:
- Phosphorus:
- Carbon:
- Nitrogen: Heavily used to make amino acids and proteins
- Phosphorus: Becomes biologically available by weathering or rock
- Carbon: Becomes biologically available via photosynthesis
If you applied a fungicide to a cornfield, what would you expect to happen to the rate of decomposition(=respiration) and net ecosystem production (NEP)? (assume no change to plant productivity)
- The rate of decomposition(=respiration) would: decrease. The NEP would: increase
provide examples for the following terms: bioremediation, biological augmentation, restoration
- Use of wetlands to remove contaminants from water: Bioremediation
- Plant nitrogen-fixing legumes to increase nitrogen in soil: Biological augmentation
- Replanting a prairie with native species after many years of use as a crop field: Restoration
Select the response that correctly identifies the statements as T/F or correctly completes the statement.
- In a terrestrial community food chain, the biomass of the carnivore trophic level is usually much lower than that of the herbivores.
- Most plant biomass in a community is never eaten by the herbivores
- Human bodies in Irish bogs may be 6,000 years old. Select one factor that explains why these bodies not decompose?
- Food chains are generally short because energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient and longer chains are less stable.
- In a terrestrial community food chain, the biomass of the carnivore trophic level is usually much lower than that of the herbivores.: True
- Most plant biomass in a community is never eaten by the herbivores.: True
- Human bodies in Irish bogs may be 6,000 years old. Select one factor that explains why these bodies not decompose?: bottom of bogs in Ireland lack oxygen
- Food chains are generally short because energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient and longer chains are less stable.: True
Select the TWO TRUE statements
- Production of ozone in the upper level of the atmosphere is a natural process (not caused by humans) and human activities DID NOT create the greenhouse effect on planet Earth but HAS altered the composition of the atmosphere.
Several undergraduates in Dr. Doyle’s lab recently measured the Net Ecosystem Production (NEP) of a small farm pond and found it to be negative. What BEST explains this finding?
Farm ponds are receiving an organic carbon subsidy from the surrounding landscape.
Which of the following organisms is correctly paired with its trophic level?
algae—primary producer
You know from previous research that a Robin (common bird!) has a production efficiency of 20%. Under experimental conditions, you observe during a period of time that the robin consumed 200 grams of worms. What (if any) ADDITIONAL information would you need to compute the weight gain (=net secondary production) of the Robin?
Mass of worms excreted
Which of the following are considered the three major threats to global biodiversity listed in your textbook and discussed in class? 1. zoonotic diseases; 2. Habitat loss; 3. Ozone depletion in upper atmosphere, 4. Invasive exotic species, 5. Human overexpoitation
- 2, 4, 5
Select the TWO TRUE statements
- Production of ozone in the stratosphere is dependent on input of light energy and The “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico (TX LA coast) is not caused by highly toxic chemicals coming in from the Mississippi River
If all individuals in the last remaining population of a particular frog species were all highly related, which type of diversity would be of greatest concern when planning to prevent the species from going extinct?
genetic diversity
Ecologist were concerned about the declining growth rate of a small and isolated bighorn sheep population and feared the population was entering an extinction vortex. Five new individuals were added to a small population of bighorn sheep in 1986, and ten more were added between 1990 and 1994. Based upon evidence in the figure, which of the following changes in this population can probably be attributed to the additions?
the population growth rate began to increase
Which of the following outcomes is caused by excessive nutrient runoff into aquatic ecosystems?
- eutrophication
Select the graph that best shows how level of Ecosystem Function (Services) changes as number of species in the ecosystem
a
The textbook used an example of the Greater Prairie Chicken (GPC) to illustrate aspects of recovering at-risk small populations. In that example, the GPC showed very low population numbers and the primary problem was low genetic diversity while the eventual solution found was adding healthy individuals from another population to increase gene flow
- low genetic diversity and adding healthy individuals from another population to increase gene flow
Which of the following conditions is the BEST indicator that a population is in an extinction vortex? Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic diversity over time.
Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic diversity over time
Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex? Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species.
- Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species.
In the mid 1980’s ecologist studying albatross (a marine bird that eats fish) were dismayed to discover that the bird population was declining due to high levels of toxic PCB’s in the birds. What likely explains this finding?
biological magnification
Researchers have been studying a rare population of 87 voles in an isolated area. They feared the population was entering an extinction vortex. So, ten voles from a larger population were introduced into this isolated population. Besides having ten more individuals, which of the following is another major benefit of the addition that might help save the population?
Increasing the population’s genetic diversity.
So, WHY does it get colder as you go up a mountain even though (1) hot air rises, (2) the mountain is closer to the sun, and (3) the top of the mountain receives MORE light energy than the base of the mountain?
- The atmosphere is thinner and retains less heat
Which is the definition of a ‘biodiversity hot spot’?
- relatively small area with great number of endemic species
True or False
- Climate change is thought to be related to the changing composition of Earth’s atmosphere by increasing concentration of gases that are better heat insulators:
- Climate change will likely change the frequency of severe weather events like droughts and floods:
- Climate change will likely result in higher biodiversity since animals and plants prefer warmer weather:
- Sea levels are unlikely to be impacted by climate change since the increase from melting glaciers will be offset by higher evapotranspiration:
Climate change is thought to be related to the changing composition of Earth’s atmosphere by increasing concentration of gases that are better heat insulators: True
Climate change will likely change the frequency of severe weather events like droughts and floods: True
Climate change will likely result in higher biodiversity since animals and plants prefer warmer weather: False
Sea levels are unlikely to be impacted by climate change since the increase from melting glaciers will be offset by higher evapotranspiration: False
Which TWO of the following factors MUST be true for a compound to biomagnify in the food chain?
Compound must be lipid soluble and Compound must be stable
what are two factors that do not occur exclusively in animals
- eukaryotic cells
- nerve cells
- gastrulation of embryonic development
- multicellularity
eukaryotic cells and multicellularity
Mark each statement as true or false
- most animals are heterotrophic, but a few are autotrophic and can photosynthesize
- no animals have a cell wall made of cellulose
- in animals sperm and egg cells are produced directly from 2n cells via meiosis
- most animals form a hollow ball of cells known as a blastula during embryonic development
- most animals are heterotrophic, but a few are autotrophic and can photosynthesize: false
- no animals have a cell wall made of cellulose: true
- in animals sperm and egg cells are produced directly from 2n cells via meiosis: true
- most animals form a hollow ball of cells known as a blastula during embryonic development: true
match the evolutionary period with the evolutionary development that occurred during that period
ediacaran biota, reptile division, mammalian diversification, and arthropod colonization of land
neoproterozoic era: ediacaran biota
paleozoic era: arthropod colonization of land
mesozoic era: reptile diversification
cenozoic era: mammalian diversification
match the embryonic layer shown with tissues or organ that arises from it
central nervous system, lining of the digestive tract, muscles, skin
central nervous system: ectoderm
lining of the digestive tract: endoderm
muscles: mesoderm
skin: ectoderm
for each developmental characteristic listed below, select if it is associated with protostome or deuterostome development
blastopore becomes the anus
coelom forms by splitting of mesoderm cells during gastrulation
initial cleavage of embryonic cells is the determinate
cell cleavages to form blastula show spinal spiral cleavage pattern
blastopore becomes the anus: deuterostome
coelom forms by splitting of mesoderm cells during gastrulation: protostome
initial cleavage of embryonic cells is the determinate: protostome
cell cleavages to form blastula show spinal spiral cleavage pattern: protostome
select the only structures which could correctly be categorized as homologous to the human coccyx
which of the following pairs is not an example of analogous structures due to convergent evolution
select the only structures which could correctly be categorized as homologous to the human coccyx: spider monkey prehensile tail
which of the following pairs is not an example of analogous structures due to convergent evolution: bones in the batwing and bones in the human forelimb
the 1700s geologist contributed which 2 key concepts to the developing ideas about the origins of the earth
- deeper strata carry fossils that are older than fossils close to the land surface
- the earth was likely much older than previously imagined
The colonization of land by primitive plans was facilitate by a symbiotic relationship. Which relationship was key to land colonization?
You find a green organism in a pond near your house. Even thought it doesn’t have distinct leaves you believe it is a plant, not an alga. Which of the following characteristics would best support your identification of the organism as a plant and not an alga?
fungi to help anchor the plant and obtain water and nutrients
the body of the organism is covered by a waxy cuticle
Which of the following is DERIVED trait unique to plants and not shared with algae or charophytes?
alternation of generation
Which one trait do plants share with charophytes but not other algae?
Sporopollenin polymer to prevent desiccation
Match the four key steps in plant evolutionary history to their correct location in the chronographic (time) sequence.
first step:
second step
third step
fourth step
first step: cuticle
second step: vascular tissue
third step: seeds
fourth step: flowers
Mark each statement about the plant phylogenetic tree below as T/F.
Plants collectively form a clade.
The two lineages that comprise the seedless vascular plants (Lycophytes and Monilophytes) are sister taxa.
Flowering plants (Angiosperm) share a more recent common ancestor with Gymnosperms than they do with Hornworts.
Vascular plants (including the vascular plant ancestor 425 mya) would most correctly be categorized as a monophyletic taxa.
Plants collectively form a clade.: true
The two lineages that comprise the seedless vascular plants (Lycophytes and Monilophytes) are sister taxa.: false
Flowering plants (Angiosperm) share a more recent common ancestor with Gymnosperms than they do with Hornworts.: true
Vascular plants (including the vascular plant ancestor 425 mya) would most correctly be categorized as a monophyletic taxa.: true
Match each descriptor provided with the appropriate term.
Waxy covering over epidermis of plants
Pore in epidermis of plants that allows gas exchange
Polymer present in spore walls that help prevent dessication
Molecule which mostly comprises cell wall of plants
Waxy covering over epidermis of plants: cuticle
Pore in epidermis of plants that allows gas exchange: stomata
Polymer present in spore walls that help prevent dessication: sporpollenin
Molecule which mostly comprises cell wall of plants: cellulose
Which of the following TWO statements correctly describe differences between a spore and seed?
a. Spores have a protective cell wall while the embryo within a seed is not protected
b. Spores are unicellular while seeds are multicellular.
c. Spores are diploid while all the seed cells are haploid.
d. Seeds have substantial stored nutrition while spores do not.
b and d
Which of the following is NOT a derived trait unique to seed plants?
stomata
Which of the following plant groups are homosporous?
nonvascular plants
Consider the evolutionary development trajectory of plants and mark each statement as T/F.
The evolution of flowers happened only after the evolution of seeds.
Mosses and other nonvascular plants have a life cycle dominated by the sporophyte generation
Ferns produce seeds.
Ferns and other seedless vascular plants often have a free-living gametophyte stage
The evolution of flowers happened only after the evolution of seeds.: true
Mosses and other nonvascular plants have a life cycle dominated by the sporophyte generation: true
Ferns produce seeds.: false
Ferns and other seedless vascular plants often have a free-living gametophyte stage: true
Match the description with the term to which it is most related.
Production of two types of spores giving rise to separate male and female gametophytes
Contains male gametophyte of seed plants
Structure in seed plants that contains and protects the female gametophyte
An embryo with a food supply packaged in a protective coat.
Production of two types of spores giving rise to separate male and female gametophytes: Heterospory
Contains male gametophyte of seed plants: pollen
Structure in seed plants that contains and protects the female gametophyte: ovule
An embryo with a food supply packaged in a protective coat.: seed
Select the TWO traits below which are derived traits of seed plants (found only in seed plants).
Pollen
Seeds
Cuticle
Cellulose
Free-living gametophyte
pollen and seeds
The innermost layer of the root cortex is the
endodermis