Question 1

What is the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations?

Accepted Answer

A) Genes for adaptive traits to local conditions make microevolution possible. 
B) The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. 
C) Genetic diversity allows for species stability by preventing speciation. 
D) Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations. 
A) Genes for adaptive traits to local conditions make microevolution possible. 
B) The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. 
C) Genetic diversity allows for species stability by preventing speciation. 
D) Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations.

Question 2

It is estimated that 99% of all species that ever lived are now extinct.Why,then,do we say we are now experiencing an extinction (loss of biodiversity)crisis?

Accepted Answer

A) Humans are ethically responsible for protecting endangered species,but protection is limited. 
B) Most of the species on Earth have been identified,so rates of extinction can be quantified. 
C) The current rate of extinction is high,and human activities threaten biodiversity at all levels. 
D) High human need for plant-based medicinal compounds is leading to plant species extinction. 
E) Most biodiversity hot spots have been destroyed by recent ecological disasters,such as floods. 
A) Humans are ethically responsible for protecting endangered species,but protection is limited. 
B) Most of the species on Earth have been identified,so rates of extinction can be quantified. 
C) The current rate of extinction is high,and human activities threaten biodiversity at all levels. 
D) High human need for plant-based medicinal compounds is leading to plant species extinction. 
E) Most biodiversity hot spots have been destroyed by recent ecological disasters,such as floods.

Question 3

What causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds?

Accepted Answer

A) acid precipitation 
B) biological magnification 
C) greenhouse effect 
D) eutrophication 
A) acid precipitation 
B) biological magnification 
C) greenhouse effect 
D) eutrophication

Question 4

Estimates of current rates of extinction

Accepted Answer

A) indicate that rates of speciation equal extinction,so an equilibrium has been reached. 
B) suggest that one-half of all animal and plant species may be gone by the year 2100. 
C) indicate that rates may be greater than extinction rates seen in the fossil records. 
D) indicate that only 1% of all of the species that have ever lived on Earth are still alive. 
E) suggest that rates of extinction have decreased globally but have increased locally. 
A) indicate that rates of speciation equal extinction,so an equilibrium has been reached. 
B) suggest that one-half of all animal and plant species may be gone by the year 2100. 
C) indicate that rates may be greater than extinction rates seen in the fossil records. 
D) indicate that only 1% of all of the species that have ever lived on Earth are still alive. 
E) suggest that rates of extinction have decreased globally but have increased locally.

Question 5

Which of the following is true about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

Accepted Answer

A) Small patches of forest result in greater biodiversity of forest-interior species. 
B) Large patches of forest result in greater biodiversity of forest-exterior species. 
C) Small patches of forest result in lesser biodiversity of forest-interior species. 
D) Large patches of forest result in lesser biodiversity of forest-exterior species. 
A) Small patches of forest result in greater biodiversity of forest-interior species. 
B) Large patches of forest result in greater biodiversity of forest-exterior species. 
C) Small patches of forest result in lesser biodiversity of forest-interior species. 
D) Large patches of forest result in lesser biodiversity of forest-exterior species.

Question 6

How are movement corridors potentially harmful to certain species?

Accepted Answer

A) They increase inbreeding. 
B) They promote dispersion. 
C) They allow disease transmission. 
D) They permit seasonal migration. 
A) They increase inbreeding. 
B) They promote dispersion. 
C) They allow disease transmission. 
D) They permit seasonal migration.

Question 7

According to the small-population approach,what would be the best strategy for saving a population from extinction in its current environment?

Accepted Answer

A) determining the minimum viable population size 
B) establishing a nature reserve to protect its habitat 
C) translocating the same species from other areas 
D) determining and remedying the cause of decline 
E) reducing the population size of competing species 
A) determining the minimum viable population size 
B) establishing a nature reserve to protect its habitat 
C) translocating the same species from other areas 
D) determining and remedying the cause of decline 
E) reducing the population size of competing species

Question 8

Which of the following conditions is the most likely indicator of a population in an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

A) The population is geographically divided into many populations. 
B) The species is now found only in small pockets of its former range. 
C) The effective population size of the species studied falls below 500. 
D) Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. 
A) The population is geographically divided into many populations. 
B) The species is now found only in small pockets of its former range. 
C) The effective population size of the species studied falls below 500. 
D) Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time.

Question 9

The scientist wishes to summarize the data in a way that can be compared to other studies on biological magnification of heavy metals in insect-eating birds that live in other forest fragments.What is the best way for the scientist to summarize the data for comparative purposes?

Accepted Answer

A) Calculate the mean concentration of heavy metals measured in the birds that were found in a fragment. 
B) Calculate the mean concentration of heavy metals measured in the birds that were found in a fragment,and divide by the size of the fragment. 
C) Calculate the sum total concentrations of heavy metals across all the birds found in a fragment. 
D) Calculate the sum total concentrations of heavy metals across all the birds found in a fragment,and divide by the size of the fragment. 
A) Calculate the mean concentration of heavy metals measured in the birds that were found in a fragment. 
B) Calculate the mean concentration of heavy metals measured in the birds that were found in a fragment,and divide by the size of the fragment. 
C) Calculate the sum total concentrations of heavy metals across all the birds found in a fragment. 
D) Calculate the sum total concentrations of heavy metals across all the birds found in a fragment,and divide by the size of the fragment.

Question 10

The difference between an endangered species and a threatened one is that

Accepted Answer

A) an endangered species is closer to extinction. 
B) a threatened species is closer to extinction. 
C) endangered species are mainly tropical. 
D) only endangered species are vertebrates. 
A) an endangered species is closer to extinction. 
B) a threatened species is closer to extinction. 
C) endangered species are mainly tropical. 
D) only endangered species are vertebrates.

Question 11

Overharvesting encourages extinction and is most likely to affect

Accepted Answer

A) animals that occupy a very broad ecological niche. 
B) large animals with low intrinsic reproductive rates. 
C) most organisms that live in the lakes and oceans. 
D) terrestrial organisms more than aquatic organisms. 
A) animals that occupy a very broad ecological niche. 
B) large animals with low intrinsic reproductive rates. 
C) most organisms that live in the lakes and oceans. 
D) terrestrial organisms more than aquatic organisms.

Question 12

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Accepted Answer

A) increased worldwide primary production. 
B) increased worldwide standing crop. 
C) increased absorption of infrared radiation. 
D) increased amounts of fossil fuel burning. 
A) increased worldwide primary production. 
B) increased worldwide standing crop. 
C) increased absorption of infrared radiation. 
D) increased amounts of fossil fuel burning.

Question 13

Please use the following information to answer the questions below.
Three forest areas are being considered for a conservation reserve.Each area contains the same number of trees and is the same cumulative size.The area surrounding the forest patches is a mix of agricultural land and residential homes.
  
-Which area(s)would be most suitable for conserving amphibians,which are highly susceptible to a pathogenic (disease-causing)chytrid fungus?

Accepted Answer

A) 1 and 2 
B) 2 and 3 
C) 1 only 
D) 2 only 
E) 3 only 
A) 1 and 2 
B) 2 and 3 
C) 1 only 
D) 2 only 
E) 3 only

Question 14

Many temperate regions are affected by climate change.Which of the following investigations would lend understanding to the future distribution of organisms in temperate regions?

Accepted Answer

A) Remove,to the mineral soil,all the organisms from an experimental plot,and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance. 
B) Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last ice age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted,then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends. 
C) Quantify the impact of humankind's activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction. 
D) There is no scientific investigation that can help make predictions on the future distribution of organisms. 
A) Remove,to the mineral soil,all the organisms from an experimental plot,and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance. 
B) Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last ice age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted,then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends. 
C) Quantify the impact of humankind's activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction. 
D) There is no scientific investigation that can help make predictions on the future distribution of organisms.

Question 15

Humans alter natural ecosystems.Which of the following would be the most likely detrimental effect of human disturbance of a natural ecosystem for the purpose of urban development?

Accepted Answer

A) increases in waste decomposition by soil bacteria 
B) decreases in oxygen release by autotrophic plants 
C) increases in pollination rates by native insects 
D) decrease in toxins in the soil and groundwater 
A) increases in waste decomposition by soil bacteria 
B) decreases in oxygen release by autotrophic plants 
C) increases in pollination rates by native insects 
D) decrease in toxins in the soil and groundwater

Question 16

The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)is endangered through much of its range in North America.As the populations shrink in size,it becomes even more difficult for turtles to find mates,and small populations have steadily become smaller.What best describes what the wood turtles in small populations are experiencing?

Accepted Answer

A) overharvesting 
B) an extinction vortex 
C) habitat loss 
D) climate change 
A) overharvesting 
B) an extinction vortex 
C) habitat loss 
D) climate change

Question 17

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that

Accepted Answer

A) it is a population of a rare,top-level predator species. 
B) it is effective population is less than total population. 
C) it is a small population with a loss of genetic diversity. 
D) it is not well adapted to edge-fragment conditions. 
A) it is a population of a rare,top-level predator species. 
B) it is effective population is less than total population. 
C) it is a small population with a loss of genetic diversity. 
D) it is not well adapted to edge-fragment conditions.

Question 18

Review the formula for effective population size: Ne (effective population)=   .Imagine a total population of 1,000 small rodents.Of these,300 are breeding females,300 are breeding males,and 400 are nonbreeding juveniles.What is the effective population size?

Accepted Answer

A) 1,000 
B) 1,200 
C) 600 
D) 400 
E) 300 
A) 1,000 
B) 1,200 
C) 600 
D) 400 
E) 300

Question 19

Brown-headed cowbirds,an edge-adapted species,utilize fragmented forests effectively by

Accepted Answer

A) feeding on the fruits of shrubs that tend to grow at the forest/open-field interface. 
B) parasitizing forest bird nests and feeding on open-field insects in their patches. 
C) roosting in forest trees during mating season and nesting in grassy edge fields. 
D) outcompeting other songbird species for insects in fragmented communities. 
E) using forest cover to escape from predators in their normal grassland habitat. 
A) feeding on the fruits of shrubs that tend to grow at the forest/open-field interface. 
B) parasitizing forest bird nests and feeding on open-field insects in their patches. 
C) roosting in forest trees during mating season and nesting in grassy edge fields. 
D) outcompeting other songbird species for insects in fragmented communities. 
E) using forest cover to escape from predators in their normal grassland habitat.

Question 20

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

A) Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat from any external pressures. 
B) Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species. 
C) Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population,so that they cannot reproduce. 
D) Control populations of the endangered population's predators and competitors. 
A) Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat from any external pressures. 
B) Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species. 
C) Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population,so that they cannot reproduce. 
D) Control populations of the endangered population's predators and competitors.

Exam 43: Conservation Biology and Global Change

What is the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations?

It is estimated that 99% of all species that ever lived are now extinct.Why,then,do we say we are now experiencing an extinction (loss of biodiversity)crisis?

What causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds?

Estimates of current rates of extinction

Which of the following is true about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

How are movement corridors potentially harmful to certain species?

According to the small-population approach,what would be the best strategy for saving a population from extinction in its current environment?

Which of the following conditions is the most likely indicator of a population in an extinction vortex?

The scientist wishes to summarize the data in a way that can be compared to other studies on biological magnification of heavy metals in insect-eating birds that live in other forest fragments.What is the best way for the scientist to summarize the data for comparative purposes?

The difference between an endangered species and a threatened one is that

Overharvesting encourages extinction and is most likely to affect

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Many temperate regions are affected by climate change.Which of the following investigations would lend understanding to the future distribution of organisms in temperate regions?

Humans alter natural ecosystems.Which of the following would be the most likely detrimental effect of human disturbance of a natural ecosystem for the purpose of urban development?

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that

Review the formula for effective population size: Ne (effective population)= .Imagine a total population of 1,000 small rodents.Of these,300 are breeding females,300 are breeding males,and 400 are nonbreeding juveniles.What is the effective population size?

Brown-headed cowbirds,an edge-adapted species,utilize fragmented forests effectively by

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

Introduction: Evolution and the Foundations of Biology

The Chemical Context of Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Development,stem Cells,and Cancer

Viruses

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent With Modification

Phylogeny

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

Broad Patterns of Evolution

Early Life and the Diversification of Prokaryotes

The Origin and Diversification of Eukaryotes

The Colonization of Land by Plants and Fungi

The Rise of Animal Diversity

Plant Structure and Growth

Resource Acquisition,nutrition,and Transport in Vascular Plants

Reproduction and Domestication of Flowering Plants

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Homeostasis and Endocrine Signaling

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Reproduction and Development

Neurons,synapses,and Signaling

Nervous and Sensory Systems

Motor Mechanisms and Behavior

Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms

Ecological Communities

Ecosystems and Energy

Filters

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Review the formula for effective population size: N_e (effective population)= .Imagine a total population of 1,000 small rodents.Of these,300 are breeding females,300 are breeding males,and 400 are nonbreeding juveniles.What is the effective population size?