Ecology Flashcards
Organisms respond to environmental changes (such as global warming) in several ways. Which response is the slowest, and thus least likely in the event of rapid environmental change?
evolutionary adaptation
Which biome is able to support many large animals despite receiving moderate amounts of rainfall?
savanna
Phytoplankton is most frequently found in which of the following zones?
tidal photic benthic abyssal intertidal
photic
When the environment of an animal changes, the animal may respond in several ways. Which of the following represents a correct sequence (from most rapid to slowest) of potential animal responses?
- migration, acclimation, morphological change, evolution
- acclimation, migration, evolution, morphological change
- migration, evolution, acclimation, morphological change
- migration, evolution, morphological change, acclimation
- acclimation, morphological change, migration, evolution
migration, acclimation, morphological change, evolution
Which ecological unit incorporates abiotic factors?
community ecosystem population species symbiosis
ecosystem
The growing season would generallly be shortest in which of the following biomes?
savanna deciduous forest temperate grassland tropical rain forest taiga
taiga
Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis)?
pelagic abyssal neritic estuary intertidal
abyssal
Which of the following are important biotic factors that can affect the structure and organization of biological communities?
A. precipitation, wind, temperature
B. nutrient availability, soil pH, light intensity
C. predation, competition, disease
D. A and B are both true.
E. All of the above are important biotic factors that can affect community structure and organization.
C. predation, competition, disease
Which of the following is TRUE about imprinting?
- It may be triggered by visual or chemical stimuli.
- It happens to many adult animals, but not to their young.
- It is a type of learning involving no innate behavior.
- It occurs only in birds.
- It causes behaviors that last for only a short time (the critical period).
It may be triggered by visual or chemical stimuli.
Fred and Joe, two unrelated, mature male gorillas, encounter one another. Fred is courting a female. Fred grunts as Joe comes near. As Joe continues to advance, Fred begins drumming (pounding his chest) and bares his teeth. At this, Joe rolls on the ground on his back, then gets up and quickly leaves. This behavioral pattern is repeated several times during the mating season. What is the specific behavior described by this example?
agonistic behavior
Learning to ignore unimportant stimuli is called:
habituation
A type of learning that can occur only during a brief period of early life and results in a behavior that is difficult to modify through later experiences is called:
imprinting
How would the dispersion of humans in the United States best be described?
clumped
All of the following phrases could characterize a population EXCEPT:
- fluctuating numbers
- variable dispersion
- measurable numbers
- several species
- geographical boundaries
several species
Which of the following is a density-independent factor limiting human population growth?
- social pressure for birth control
- plagues
- earthquakes
- famines
earthquakes
Carrying capacity (K)
- is calculated as the product of annual per capita birth rate (r).
- remains constant in the presence of density-dependent population regulation.
- differs among species, but does not vary within a given species.
- is often determined by energy limitation.
is often determined by energy limitation.
Which of the following could cause a realized niche to differ from a fundamental niche?
- suitable habitat
- food size and availability
- temperature limitations
- water availability
- competition from other species
competition from other species
Which of the following types of species interaction is INCORRECTLY paired to its effects on the density of the two interacting populations?
- predation - one increases, one decreases
- parasitism - one increases, one decreases
- commensalism - both increase
- mutualism - both increase
- competition - both decrease
commensalism - both increase
An example of Batesian mimicry is:
A. An insect that resembles a twig.
B. A butterfly that resembles a leaf.
C. A nonvenomous snake that looks like a venomous snake.
D. A fawn with fur coloring that camouflages it in the forest environment.
E. A snapping turtle that uses it’s tongue to mimic a worm, thus attracting fish.
C. A nonvenomous snake that looks like a venomous snake.
According to the competitive exclusion principle, two species cannot continue to occupy the same
A. Habitat B. Niche C. Territory D. Range E. Biome
B. Niche
An example of aposematic coloration is the
A. Stripes of a skunk B. Eye color in humans C. Green color of a plant D. Colors of an insect-pollinated flower E. Mottled coloring of peppered moths living in the unpolluted regions of England.
A. Stripes of a skunk
The relationship existing between cattle egrets and cattle:
A. Parasitism B. Mutualism C. Inhibition D. Facilitation E. Commensalism
E. Commensalism
Following clear-cutting of a deciduous forest several hundred years ago, the land was colonized by herbaceous species which, over time, were replaced largely by shrubs, then by forest trees. Which of the following processes best describe the progression from herbaceous plants to forest trees?
A. Primary succession; facilitation
B. Primary succession; inhibition
C. Secondary succession; facilitation
D. Secondary succession; inhibition
C. Secondary succession; facilitation
The high levels of pesticides found in birds of prey is an example of
A. Eutrophication B. Predation C. Biological magnification D. The Gaia hypothesis E. Chemical cycling through an ecosystem
C. Biological magnification
