Chapter 55: Behavioral Ecology (Book Questions) Flashcards
The study of how behavior contributes to the differential survival and reproduction of organisms is called behavioral ________.
ecology
Specific genetic and physiological mechanisms that produce a behavior are called _____ causes of the behavior.
Multiple choice question.
ultimate
proximate
definite
approximate
proximate
Which of the following would be a proximate cause of behavior?
Multiple choice question.
Increased nerve stimulation
Decreased number of offspring
Increased ability to mate
Increased survival
Increased nerve stimulation
Male deer fight to determine which deer will mate with the most female deer and pass on their genes. This is an example of:
Multiple choice question.
an ultimate cause of behavior
a proximate cause of behavior
an ultimate cause of behavior
True or false: Behavior may be influenced by both genetics and the environment.
True false question.
True
False
True
The observable response of organisms to external or internal stimuli is called ________
behavior
Question Mode
Multiple Choice Question
What type of behavior is genetically programmed?
Multiple choice question.
Instantaneous
Innate
Innervated
Individual
Innate
Multiple Choice Question
The modification of behavior based on prior experience is called:
Multiple choice question.
adjustment behavior
a fixed action pattern
learning
navigation
innate behavior
learning
An ultimate cause of behavior would be:
Multiple choice question.
Increased number of offspring
Gene for increased aggression
Increased response of pituitary gland
Decreased day length
Increased number of offspring
Which below is an example of cognitive learning?
Multiple choice question.
A chimp strips leaves off twigs to use to poke into and retrieve ants from their nests.
A goose rolls an egg back into its nest.
A rat presses a lever repeatedly for a food treat.
A blue jay avoids eating a certain insect that it found noxious in the past.
A chimp strips leaves off twigs to use to poke into and retrieve ants from their nests.
Birds sing to attract a mate. This is an example of:
Multiple choice question.
a proximate cause of behavior
an ultimate cause of behavior
imprinting
an ultimate cause of behavior
Which below is an example of the role of both genetics and learning in behavior?
Multiple choice question.
Chimps stack boxes to reach bananas hanging from a hook
A goose rolls an egg-shaped stone into her nest without ever watching another goose do this
White-crowned sparrows learn to sing full adult song only with an adult to listen to
Blue jays avoid insects that tasted noxious
White-crowned sparrows learn to sing full adult song only with an adult to listen to
How do genes influence behavior?
Multiple choice question.
There is no evidence that genes influence behavior.
Behaviors may be influenced by one or more genes.
Most behaviors can be attributed to variation in a single gene.
Behaviors may be influenced by one or more genes.
Continual movement within a habitat to find food, water, or nesting sites is called _______, whereas seasonal movement to breeding or wintering grounds is called _______.
Multiple choice question.
migration; kinesis
local migration; long-distance movement
kinesis; migration
local movement; migration
local movement; migration
The simplest form of ________ is habituation.
learning
Movement in response to stimuli that is not directed toward or away from the source of the stimulus is called __________.
kinesis
The ability to solve problems with conscious thought is _______ learning
cognitive
Which below is true for most behaviors?
Multiple choice question.
Entirely due to genetics
Entirely due to learning
Influenced by both genetics and learning
Influenced by neither genetics nor learning
Influenced by both genetics and learning
The act of searching for food or provisions is called ________
foraging
Optimal foraging theory predicts that animals feed in such a way as to:
Multiple choice question.
maximize net energy intake
maximize risk of predation
spend as much time as possible feeding
minimize net energy intake
maximize net energy intake
The regular back and forth movement of animals between two geographic areas at particular times of the year is:
Multiple choice question.
local movement
search for mate
migration
search for nest
migration
Kinesis is best defined as which of the following?
Multiple choice question.
A specific stimulus that initiates a behavioral sequences that typically occur in a fixed stereotyped fashion
A responsive movement either toward or away from an external stimulus
A movement that is a response to a stimulus but is not oriented with respect to the source of stimulation
A movement that is a response to a stimulus but is not oriented with respect to the source of stimulation
An area that an individual defends and from which other members of the same species are usually excluded is called a(n):
Multiple choice question.
landmark
home or nest
territory
community
territory
Migration involves the movement of animals:
Multiple choice question.
from one region to another in search of breeding or overwintering grounds
across short distances in search of a mate and nesting site
usually less than a hundred miles from their nesting sites to obtain food or water
within their habitat to find food or water
from one region to another in search of breeding or overwintering grounds
_______ involves using signals or displays to modify the behavior of other individuals.
Multiple choice question.
Habituation
Eusociality
Communication
Imprinting
Communication
The concept that an animal seeks to obtain the most energy possible by expending the least amount of energy is called _________ __________
optimal foraging
Multiple Select Question
Select all that apply
The two most common uses of chemical communication among animals include ____.
Multiple select question.
deterring competitors
strengthening social bonds
attracting food sources
marking territories
attracting mates
marking the location of a predator
marking territories
attracting mates
An area of land that a group of twenty to thirty lions hunt, mate, and defend is an example of a ______
territory
Courtship songs produced by some animals are examples of using ______ communication to attract mates.
Multiple choice question.
chemical
visual
tactile
auditory
auditory
Multiple Select Question
Select all that apply
Select examples of how visual communication is often used by animals.
Multiple select question.
to identify nest sites
to produce haploid males
during aggressive displays
in courtship
during aggressive displays
in courtship
_______ communication is often used to strengthen social bonds, especially among primates, canines, and felines.
Multiple choice question.
Visual
Tactile
Chemical
Tactile
Decreased predator success, better access to mates, assistance rearing offspring are all _______.
Multiple choice question.
advantages of being eusocial
advantages of group living
advantages of polygamy
advantages of being a solitary individual
advantages of group living
Multiple Select Question
Select all that apply
Select all of the following that are examples of auditory communication.
Multiple select question.
elaborate ornamentation to attract a mate
patterns of light flashes in fireflies
bird songs to establish territories
a predator locating prey by listening to their calls
bird songs to establish territories
a predator locating prey by listening to their calls
Multiple Select Question
Select all that apply
What are disadvantages of living in a social group? Choose all that apply.
Multiple select question.
Decreased defenses against predators
Increased competition for food
Spread of illness and parasites
Group hunting and food gathering
Increased competition for food
Spread of illness and parasites
One of the advantages of living in a large group is that:
Multiple choice question.
an individual forager can devote less time to vigilance and less time to feeding
an individual forager can devote more time to vigilance and less time to feeding
an individual forager can devote less time to vigilance and more time to feeding
an individual forager can devote more time to vigilance and more time to feeding
an individual forager can devote less time to vigilance and more time to feeding
The idea that a larger group size decreases predator success because of increased ability to detect a predator is called _________.
Multiple choice question.
the many-eyes hypothesis
Hamilton’s rule
optimality theory
territory defense paradigm
the many-eyes hypothesis
Multiple Select Question
Select all that apply
Which of the following are benefits that an animal receives from living in a social group?
Multiple select question.
help in avoiding predators
group food gathering
spread of illness and parasites
help in raising young
help in avoiding predators
group food gathering
help in raising young
_______ describes a behavior that appears to benefit others at the cost to oneself.
altruism
Selection for behavior that lowers an individual’s own fitness but enhances the reproductive success of a relative is known as _________ selection
kin
Select all that apply
Advantages to group living include:
Multiple select question.
reduced likelihood of disease
cooperative hunting
reduced predator success
access to mates
access to more resources
cooperative hunting
reduced predator success
access to mates
The most extreme form of altruism involves
Multiple choice question.
assisting an injured member of the colony at one’s own expense.
migrating out of the population.
the evolution of sterile individuals in social insects.
attracting the attention of a predator so other colony members can escape.
the evolution of sterile individuals in social insects.
___________ altruism occurs when the cost of behaving altruistically is offset by the likelihood of a return benefit.
Reciprocal
In _______, one male mates with one female over a breeding season or longer, while in _______, either males or females mate with more than one partner in a single breeding season.
polygyny; monogamy
polygamy; monogamy
polyandry; polygyny
monogamy; polygamy
monogamy; polygamy
Which of the following is more likely to be observed in nature?
Multiple choice question.
Altruistic behaviors are more likely to occur than individual selfish behaviors.
Altruistic behaviors and selfish behaviors are equally likely to occur.
Individual selfish behaviors are more likely to occur than altruistic behaviors.
Selfish behaviors are only apparent when finding a mate and then altruistic behaviors are favored by the group.
Individual selfish behaviors are more likely to occur than altruistic behaviors.
Selection for altruistic behavior among relatives is called
Multiple choice question.
the coefficient of relatedness.
inclusive fitness.
optimality theory.
kin selection.
kin selection.
Mating is called _______ when each male mates with many females and each female mates with many males during a breeding season.
Multiple choice question.
polyandry
monogamous
promiscuous
polyandrous
promiscuous
The cost to the animal of behaving altruistically to unrelated individuals is often offset by the likelihood of a return benefit from the other individual. This is known as:
Multiple choice question.
selfish altruism
social altruism
reciprocal altruism
kin selection
reciprocal altruism
True or False: When an individual mates exclusively with a single partner for at least one breeding season, it is called polygamy.
True false question.
True
False
False
___________ is a mating system in which one male mates with more than one female during a single breeding season.
polygyny
What is a polyandrous mating system?
Multiple choice question.
When a male mates with several females in a breeding season.
When a female has several male partners in a breeding season.
When a male mates with a different female each breeding season.
When a female mates with a different male each breeding season.
When a female has several male partners in a breeding season.
Sexual dimorphism is when
Multiple choice question.
there are two different mating systems observed within the same species.
there are distinct differences between the sexes within the same species.
a single individual in a species has both male and female characteristics.
a female becomes male after the dominant male of the group dies.
there are distinct differences between the sexes within the same species.
There are various levels of ecology that can be used to study organisms and their interactions with the environment. What type of ecologist would be likely to study how the pine forest of the Rocky Mountains recovers after a forest fire?
Question 1 options:
Community Ecologist
Organismal Ecologist
Physiological Ecologist
Ecosystems Ecologist
Population Ecologist
Community Ecologist
There are various levels of ecology that can be used to study organisms and their interactions with the environment. What type of ecologist would be likely to compare the numbers of Northern Sawwhet Owls that migrate through the Midwest as compared to the Northeast?
Question 2 options:
Community Ecologist
Population Ecologist
Physiological Ecologist
Organismal Ecologist
Ecosystems Ecologist
Population Ecologist
An ecologist is interested in examining the effect of annual rainfall on grasshopper abundance. She looks at historical rainfall records for 30 years and compares them to grasshopper abundances that have been measured over the same time period. Why did she use 30 years of data?
Question 3 options:
It adds replication to her study
It increases the chance that the effect she sees is due to random chance
It removes the problem of simply correlating rainfall with abundance
It allows her to prove that rainfall affects grasshopper abundance
It removes the problem of simply correlating rainfall with abundance WRONG
It adds replication to her study
A typical human yawn lasts for about six seconds and once initiated, is nearly impossible to stop. Although there are many hypotheses for why we yawn, it is accepted that yawning is contagious - when we see someone else yawn, we often find ourselves yawning as well. This happens across all cultures and even in infants! In this case, the yawn an individual observes is ____________, while their own yawn is ____________.
Question 4 options:
an association, a conditioned response
a sign stimulus, a fixed action pattern
innate behavior, habituation
reflex response, learned behavior
a sign stimulus, a fixed action pattern
All rainforests are tropical.
Question 5 options:
True
False
False
Mantled howler monkeys have been found to obtain most of their food from relatively rare trees, even though finding these trees takes much longer than finding common trees. Nutritional analyses of both rare and common trees found that the rare trees tended to be higher in protein and water, while the common trees tended to be higher in crude fiber and plant secondary compounds. This is a clear example of
Question 6 options:
Habituation
Imprinting
Innate behavior
Optimal foraging
Optimal foraging
The coefficient of relatedness of a human child to its full sibling is, on average,
Question 7 options:
- 25
- 5
- 75
1
1.5
0.5
What is the main difference between habituation and conditioning?
Question 8 options:
Habituation involves learning, while conditioning does not
Habituation involves genetic imprinting, while conditioning involves only learned behavior
Habituation involves a stimulus with no association, while conditioning involves a stimulus with an association
Habituation involves an increase in the intensity of response, while conditioning involves a decrease in intensity of response
Habituation lacks an external stimulus, while conditioning involves both external and internal stimuli
Habituation involves a stimulus with no association, while conditioning involves a stimulus with an association
After removing some freshly baked cookies from the oven, you accidentally brush the side of the pan with your bare hand. Your reflexes kick in and you immediately draw your hand away. What is the proximate cause of this behavior?
Question 9 options:
For millions of years, your ancestors survived in part because they avoided damaging heat, and thus were able to pass on heat-avoiding genes to you
Drawing your hand away quickly when it encounters high heat prevents injury, thereby increasing your chances to survive and reproduce
Sensory receptors in the skin of your hand sent a signal to interneurons in your spinal cord, which subsequently signaled the motor neurons in your arm and hand to contract muscles to draw your hand away
You perceived the heat, judged that it would cause a burn if you left your hand in place too long, and made a conscious decision to pull your hand away
Sensory receptors in the skin of your hand sent a signal to interneurons in your spinal cord, which subsequently signaled the motor neurons in your arm and hand to contract muscles to draw your hand away
After removing some freshly baked cookies from the oven, you accidentally brush the side of the pan with your bare hand. Your reflexes kick in and you immediately draw your hand away. What is the ultimate cause of this behavior?
Question 10 options:
For millions of years, your ancestors survived in part because they avoided damaging heat, and thus were able to pass on heat-avoiding genes to you
Drawing your hand away quickly when it encounters high heat prevents injury, thereby increasing your chances to survive and reproduce
Sensory receptors in the skin of your hand sent a signal to interneurons in your spinal cord, which subsequently signaled the motor neurons in your arm and hand to contract, drawing your hand away
You perceived the heat, judged that it would cause a burn if you left your hand in place too long, and made a conscious decision to pull your hand away
Drawing your hand away quickly when it encounters high heat prevents injury, thereby increasing your chances to survive and reproduce
Praying mantis females often eat the males following copulation (similar to the redback spiders). One hypothesis for this behavior in the male mantids is that by doing so, the male benefits because the female can then produce more, larger offspring. These offspring then have better survival and reproductive success. If this hypothesis is true, what is the best prediction?
Question 11 options:
Females that consume males will have more, larger offspring than females that do not consume males
Larger mantids have higher survival rates
Males that avoid being eaten during copulation are able to mate with multiple females
All of the above
A and B only
Females that consume males will have more, larger offspring than females that do not consume males WRONG
A white crown sparrow who listened to the songs of his parents will sing the typical white crown song. A white crown sparrow who listened to the songs of robins will not sing the song of the robin, but also cannot quite sing the correct white crown song. What does this tell you about singing in white crown sparrows?
Question 12 options:
It is controlled by genetics only
It is only a learned behavior
It is due to the interaction between genetics and the environment (learning)
It is critical for the survival of the individual
It is due to the interaction between genetics and the environment (learning)
Organisms are adapted to the environmental conditions to which they are exposed. The diversity of organisms that is found in any particular area is largely determined by the limiting abiotic factors of that region. Which abiotic factor is most likely responsible for the fact that reptiles, which are ectothermic, are more common and diverse in the southern US than in Canada?
Question 13 options:
Temperature
Salinity
Rainfall
Wind
pH
Temperature
Praying mantis females often eat the males following copulation (similar to the redback spiders). One hypothesis for this behavior in the male mantids is that by doing so, the male benefits because the female can then produce more, larger offspring. These offspring then have better survival and reproductive success. Which data provided below supports this hypothesis?
Question 14 options:
Females that consume larger males have more, larger offspring
There is not significant difference in reproductive success for smaller mantids
Males that are eaten are always the father of the offspring
Smaller males are eaten more often than larger males
Smaller males are eaten more often than larger males WRONG
A male meadow lark needs to sing to attract a mate. Which would be the best option for the male to choose?
Question 15 options:
Sing during the middle of the day from the tallest grass available
Sing at dawn from the tallest grass available
Sing at dawn from its nest on the ground
Sing during the middle of the day from its nest on the ground
Sing at dawn from the tallest grass available
