Chapter 54: Introduction to Ecology (Book Questions)

Question 1

Match Them:

Abiotic interactions

Interactions among organisms

Biotic interactions

Interactions between organisms and their nonliving environment

Answer 1

1 & 4

2 & 3

Question 2

The distribution of _________ , the major types of habitat on Earth, is largely determined by regional climatic conditions.

Answer 2

biomes

Question 3

Which of the following levels of organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?

Multiple choice question.

Population, ecosystem, individual, community

Individual, community, population, ecosystem

Ecosystem, community, population, individual

Community, ecosystem, individual, population

Answer 3

Ecosystem, community, population, individual

Question 4

Ecology as a discipline directly deals with all of the following levels of biological organization except:

Multiple choice question.

ecosystem

population

cellular

organismal

Answer 4

cellular

Question 5

The main objective of studying population ecology is to understand the factors that affect

Multiple choice question.

the effect of selection pressure on the genetic makeup of populations.

the behavior of individuals and determine reproductive success.

a population’s growth and determine its size and density.

Answer 5

a population’s growth and determine its size and density.

Question 6

The focus of __________ ecology is to determine the basis of differences in species richness.

Answer 6

community

Question 7

A(n) __________ is a community of organisms and its interactions with the physical environment.

Answer 7

ecosystem

Question 8

The study of the physiological response of an organism to its environment and the impact of the environment on the species distribution is called:

Multiple choice question.

community ecology

organismal ecology

ecosystem ecology

population ecology

Answer 8

organismal ecology

Question 9

All the following are steps used in conducting an experiment via the scientific method except one. Which?

Multiple choice question.

Data analysis

Acceptance or rejection of hypothesis

Submission of results to a scientific journal

Observation

Answer 9

Submission of results to a scientific journal

Question 10

_______ ecology focuses on groups of interbreeding individuals in an attempt to understand factors that determine group size and density.

Multiple choice question.

Physiological

Behavioral

Population

Ecosystem

Answer 10

Population

Question 11

Community ecological studies focus on how:

Multiple choice question.

populations of species interact with each other.

biomes interact with each other.

individuals within a species interact with each other.

Answer 11

populations of species interact with each other.

Question 12

The interacting system of a community of organisms and the physical environment in which they live is called:

Multiple choice question.

competition

succession

an ecosystem

Answer 12

an ecosystem

Question 13

Which of the following steps is NOT used to test a hypothesis?

Multiple choice question.

Data collection

Prediction

Experimentation

Data analysis

Correct Answer
Prediction

Answer 13

Prediction

Question 14

In general, abiotic factors have powerful effects in most ecological systems. Which of the following is an abiotic factor?

Multiple choice question.

Competition

Parasites

Predation

Salinity

Answer 14

Salinity

Question 15

What abiotic factor affects osmosis in marine and freshwater environments?

Multiple choice question.

Temperature

Light

Salinity

Wind

Answer 15

Salinity

Question 16

True or false: Temperature is not an important factor in the distribution of organisms because most organisms can regulate their body temperatures precisely.

True false question.
True
False

Answer 16

False

Question 17

You hypothesize that predators have a significant effect on a winter moth population. What are your experimental and control groups in your experimental design?

Multiple choice question.

One group in which the prey are removed (control), and one in which predators are removed (experimental).

One group in which the predators are removed (control), and one in which the prey are removed (experimental).

One group in which the predators are removed (experimental), and one in which the predators are present (control).

Answer 17

One group in which the predators are removed (experimental), and one in which the predators are present (control).

Question 18

Performing an experiment several times is called ________.

Answer 18

replication

Question 19

Select all that apply

Choose all abiotic factors that limit distribution patterns and abundance of organisms.

Multiple select question.

Wind

Water

Temperature

Salinity

Pathogens

Answer 19

Wind

Water

Temperature

Salinity

Question 20

As air heats up, it rises, allowing cooler air to rush in and take its place. This temperature gradient creates

Multiple choice question.

flooding.

the greenhouse effect.

global warming.

wind.

Answer 20

wind.

Question 21

Which abiotic factor amplifies cool temperatures?

Multiple choice question.

Light

Salinity

Water

Wind

Answer 21

Wind

Question 22

In plants and in some invertebrates, ________ acts as a hydrostatic skeleton.

Answer 22

water or H2O

Question 23

Temperature is a very critical factor in how organisms are distributed. Why?

Multiple choice question.

Most organisms cannot regulate their body temperature precisely

Metabolic enzymes are denatured at low temperatures

Temperature can affect decomposition and nutrient availability

Answer 23

Most organisms cannot regulate their body temperature precisely

Question 24

Select all that apply

Select all of the following that accurately describe effects of water on organisms.

Multiple select question.

Insufficient water limits plant growth.

Excess water drowns plants.

Insufficient water limits animal abundance.

Excess water increases salinity levels.

Answer 24

Insufficient water limits plant growth.

Excess water drowns plants.

Insufficient water limits animal abundance.

Question 25

In addition to gases such as carbon dioxide and water, photosynthesis also requires __________, which can be a limiting resource for plants.

Answer 25

light

Question 26

Select all that apply

Compared to rivers, oceans contain considerably more dissolved minerals because:

Multiple select question.

the sun evaporates pure water from ocean surfaces

more oceanic animals die, decompose and minerals are release in the ocean

oceans continually receive the nutrient-rich waters of rivers

the more diverse and dense aquatic population of animals excrete more minerals

Answer 26

the sun evaporates pure water from ocean surfaces

oceans continually receive the nutrient-rich waters of rivers

Question 27

How is wind created?

Multiple choice question.

Dense hot air rushes in to replace less dense cool air that rises.

Less dense cool air rushes in to replace dense hot air that rises.

Less dense hot air rushes in to replace dense cool air that rises.

Dense cool air rushes in to replace less dense hot air that rises.

Answer 27

Dense cool air rushes in to replace less dense hot air that rises.

Question 28

Which of the following is not a function of water?

Multiple choice question.

Water is the mean by which animals eliminate waste

Water catalyzes many cellular reactions

Water acts as a solvent for chemical reactions

In plants and in some invertebrates water acts as a hydrostatic skeleton

Answer 28

Water catalyzes many cellular reactions

Question 29

Climate includes the temperature, wind, precipitation, and light patterns in a region of the world and affects the

Multiple choice question.

distribution and abundance of organisms in that region.

types of atmospheric gases that will settle there.

amount of acid rain that falls in that area.

warming potential of carbon dioxide in that region.

Answer 29

distribution and abundance of organisms in that region.

Question 30

Select all that apply

Select all reasons why there is less heat at high latitudes.

Multiple select question.

The sun’s rays travel a greater distance through the atmosphere.

There is less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The sun’s rays hit the Earth obliquely.

The thinner air in the mountains cannot retain the heat.

Answer 30

The sun’s rays travel a greater distance through the atmosphere.

The sun’s rays hit the Earth obliquely.

Question 31

Which of the following geographical regions have the largest fluctuations in yearly temperatures?

Multiple choice question.

Southern hemisphere

Northern hemisphere

Tropical regions

Answer 31

Northern hemisphere

Question 32

On the windward side of the mountain warm, moist air flows upward and cools. This increases ______ on the windward side of a mountain.

Multiple choice question.

precipitation

soil salinity

temperature

evaporation

Answer 32

precipitation

Question 33

In mountains, when air is blown across the Earth’s surface and up over the mountains, it cools as air expands because of:

Multiple choice question.

reduced pressure

increased pressure

Answer 33

reduced pressure

Question 34

Water is at its most dense at __________ degrees C and becomes less dense as it warms or cools.

Answer 34

4

Question 35

A large naturally occurring community of animals and plants occupying a major habitat is best defined as a(n)

Multiple choice question.

biome.

population.

ecosystem.

domain.

Answer 35

biome.

Question 36

What accounts for a distribution of similar plant and animal species and fossils in South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, and Australia?

Multiple choice question.

A massive volcano eruption

Continental drift

Migration

Severe flooding

Answer 36

Continental drift

Question 37

At ______ water freezes and is in its ______ dense state.

Multiple choice question.

0o C; most

4o C; most

-4o C; least

0o C; least

Answer 37

0o C; least

Question 38

Select mechanisms underlying disjunct distributions.

Multiple select question.

Continental drift

Extinction

Human formation of zoos

Change in the existence of land bridges

Change in climate patterns

Answer 38

Continental drift

Extinction

Change in the existence of land bridges

Change in climate patterns

Question 39

The distribution patterns of some groups of animals are confined to a region that corresponds largely to continents but more exactly to areas bounded by major barriers to dispersal. This region is called:

Multiple choice question.

a biome

tropical region

the intertropical convergence zone

biogeographical region

Answer 39

biogeographical region

Question 40

True or false: Biogeographical regions are not bounded by major barriers to dispersal.

True false question.
True
False

Answer 40

False

Question 41

Bonus: What do you call the species of compositions of most ecosystems are not constant but change over time in a predicatable sequence?

Answer 41

Ecological succession.

Question 42

Bouns: How does ecological succession primarily occur?

Answer 42

As dominant species alter the environment, producing favorable conditions for other species to colonize the area.

For example, the roots of grasses can stabilize loose soils, allowing for the colonization of woody plants. As woody plants increase, new habitat is created for arboreal organisms.

Question 43

What, after much time, is called when an ecosystem may become a relatively stable combination of species?

Answer 43

Climax community

Climax communities are considered the final stage of ecological succession.

Question 44

When or where are ecological successions inititated?

Answer 44

In areas where no life exists, or where existing ecosystems have been disturbed.