Question 1

Most extinction is ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  problematic for generalists 
B)  not often a problem for endemics 
C)  the result of slow climate change 
D)  gradual, generally occurring when species cannot adapt genetically to changes in environmental conditions 
E)  the result of environmental catastrophe 
A)  problematic for generalists 
B)  not often a problem for endemics 
C)  the result of slow climate change 
D)  gradual, generally occurring when species cannot adapt genetically to changes in environmental conditions 
E)  the result of environmental catastrophe D

Question 2

The carrying capacity is the ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  maximum sustainable population size that a given environment can support 
B)  average number of offspring carried to term by a species 
C)  greatest number of different niches possible in a given area 
D)  limitation on numbers of species in a community 
E)  potential growth in the number of species in a given area 
A)  maximum sustainable population size that a given environment can support 
B)  average number of offspring carried to term by a species 
C)  greatest number of different niches possible in a given area 
D)  limitation on numbers of species in a community 
E)  potential growth in the number of species in a given area A

Question 3

The two processes that determine the worldʹs current biodiversity are ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  mutation and humidity 
B)  extinction and speciation rates 
C)  endemism and climate change 
D)  allopatric and sympatric speciation 
E)  breeding and ecotourism 
A)  mutation and humidity 
B)  extinction and speciation rates 
C)  endemism and climate change 
D)  allopatric and sympatric speciation 
E)  breeding and ecotourism B

Question 4

-In the initial squirrel population prior to the isolation, it is safe to assume that _____________

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection is not operating on the population 
B)  there is already significant genetic divergence taking place 
C)  the population is interfertile, i.e. any male could successfully mate with any female 
D)  no mutations are occurring in the population 
E)  the population is mating with individuals of other species 
A)  natural selection is not operating on the population 
B)  there is already significant genetic divergence taking place 
C)  the population is interfertile, i.e. any male could successfully mate with any female 
D)  no mutations are occurring in the population 
E)  the population is mating with individuals of other species

Question 5

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
Between 1907 and 1923, cattle grazing in the Kaibab National forest in Arizona was greatly reduced, deer hunting was eliminated, and predators were killed. Over 600 cougars, 11 wolves (most had already been killed in the 1800s), and 3000 coyotes were trapped or shot. In response, the deer herd began to increase. By 1915, the deer were estimated at 25,000; by 1920 at 50,000; and by 1923 at approximately 100,000.
-Mule deer such as the Kaibab population can live 10 to 25 years. In 1920, an age structure diagram of the Kaibab deer population that places the number of young individuals at the base of a pyramid and the oldest age categories at the top, would look like a(n) .

Accepted Answer

A)  wide triangle, very wide at the bottom and very narrow at the top 
B)  inverted pyramid, very wide at the top and very narrow at the bottom 
C)  narrow triangle, somewhat wide at the bottom and narrow at the top 
D)  narrow inverted pyramid, somewhat wide at the top and narrow at the bottom 
E)  rectangle, almost the same size from bottom to top, tapering slightly at the top 
A)  wide triangle, very wide at the bottom and very narrow at the top 
B)  inverted pyramid, very wide at the top and very narrow at the bottom 
C)  narrow triangle, somewhat wide at the bottom and narrow at the top 
D)  narrow inverted pyramid, somewhat wide at the top and narrow at the bottom 
E)  rectangle, almost the same size from bottom to top, tapering slightly at the top

Question 6

Which of the following is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Any damaged ecosystem can be completely restored. 
B)  Ecotourism combines wildlife conservation with economic benefits. 
C)  Our understanding of genetics allows us to replace extinct species. 
D)  Costa Rica has declared national bankruptcy because of its failed ecotourism industry. 
E)  Humans can find and make their own resources if they destroy natural ecosystems. 
A)  Any damaged ecosystem can be completely restored. 
B)  Ecotourism combines wildlife conservation with economic benefits. 
C)  Our understanding of genetics allows us to replace extinct species. 
D)  Costa Rica has declared national bankruptcy because of its failed ecotourism industry. 
E)  Humans can find and make their own resources if they destroy natural ecosystems.

Question 7

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
Between 1907 and 1923, cattle grazing in the Kaibab National forest in Arizona was greatly reduced, deer hunting was eliminated, and predators were killed. Over 600 cougars, 11 wolves (most had already been killed in the 1800s), and 3000 coyotes were trapped or shot. In response, the deer herd began to increase. By 1915, the deer were estimated at 25,000; by 1920 at 50,000; and by 1923 at approximately 100,000.
-Which of these graphs shows the Kaibab deer population between 1900 and 1923?

Accepted Answer

A)  A ʺsine waveʺ curving up, down, up, down. 
B)  A J-shaped upward curve with a very rapid increase. 
C)  A rapidly decreasing slope from left to right. 
D)  An S-shaped curve that shows a smooth, rapid increase and then levels off. 
E)  A straight line slanting upward, showing a steady increase over time. 
A)  A ʺsine waveʺ curving up, down, up, down. 
B)  A J-shaped upward curve with a very rapid increase. 
C)  A rapidly decreasing slope from left to right. 
D)  An S-shaped curve that shows a smooth, rapid increase and then levels off. 
E)  A straight line slanting upward, showing a steady increase over time.

Question 8

An ecosystem ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  is a regional grouping of plants, animals and other biotic factors 
B)  is a grouping of plants and animals that interacts with one another in a way that causes the grouping to die 
C)  is the total population of a specific kind of plant, animal or microbe and all members of which do or potentially can interbreed and produce young 
D)  encompasses all the organisms and the physical and chemical environment within an area 
E)  is a collection of interacting species living in a specific area 
A)  is a regional grouping of plants, animals and other biotic factors 
B)  is a grouping of plants and animals that interacts with one another in a way that causes the grouping to die 
C)  is the total population of a specific kind of plant, animal or microbe and all members of which do or potentially can interbreed and produce young 
D)  encompasses all the organisms and the physical and chemical environment within an area 
E)  is a collection of interacting species living in a specific area

Question 9

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
-Many interacting species that live in the same area

Accepted Answer

A) population density 
B) habitat 
C) environmental cooperation 
D) community 
E) niche
F)environmental resistance
G)biotic potential
H)ecosystems
I)r-selected
J)carrying capacity
K)population
L)endemic 
A) population density 
B) habitat 
C) environmental cooperation 
D) community 
E) niche
F)environmental resistance
G)biotic potential
H)ecosystems
I)r-selected
J)carrying capacity
K)population
L)endemic

Question 10

A population is a group of ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  individuals of several interacting species that live in one area 
B)  all individuals of a species in all locations 
C)  individuals of a single species that live and interact in one area 
D)  cells that have similar function 
E)  individuals of several interacting species that interact in multiple ecosystems 
A)  individuals of several interacting species that live in one area 
B)  all individuals of a species in all locations 
C)  individuals of a single species that live and interact in one area 
D)  cells that have similar function 
E)  individuals of several interacting species that interact in multiple ecosystems

Question 11

Of the following, ______________ would represent a clumped population dispersion pattern.

Accepted Answer

A)  a forest of pine trees 
B)  earthworms in the soil of a garden 
C)  eagles nesting in the tallest trees in the Grand Canyon 
D)  oaks planted on city streets 
E)  a pod of 40 migrating gray whales 
A)  a forest of pine trees 
B)  earthworms in the soil of a garden 
C)  eagles nesting in the tallest trees in the Grand Canyon 
D)  oaks planted on city streets 
E)  a pod of 40 migrating gray whales

Question 12

An example of a density-independent factor would be ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  suitable nest sites for a flock of warblers 
B)  cold weather causing a lake to freeze 
C)  a specialist searching for the one species of plant that is its food 
D)  blight (a mold disease) in a wheat field 
E)  a plant parasite, such as mistletoe 
A)  suitable nest sites for a flock of warblers 
B)  cold weather causing a lake to freeze 
C)  a specialist searching for the one species of plant that is its food 
D)  blight (a mold disease) in a wheat field 
E)  a plant parasite, such as mistletoe

Question 13

Density-dependent factors ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  include the effects of a hard freeze on a single species within a community 
B)  include the effects of disease, predators, and food on a single species within a community 
C)  include the effects of rainfall on an entire community 
D)  include the effects of a hard freeze on an entire community 
E)  cause decreases in the number of species in an ecosystem 
A)  include the effects of a hard freeze on a single species within a community 
B)  include the effects of disease, predators, and food on a single species within a community 
C)  include the effects of rainfall on an entire community 
D)  include the effects of a hard freeze on an entire community 
E)  cause decreases in the number of species in an ecosystem

Question 14

Describe the sixth mass extinction event, when it occurred, and its specific causes.

Accepted Answer

Currently, most biologists believe that

Question 15

-The barrier between the squirrel populations _____________

Accepted Answer

A)  will produce distinct species as soon as the barrier becomes impassible 
B)  should not greatly interfere with both populations accessing both mountaintops 
C)  is the first part of an extinction event for both populations 
D)  is an effective barrier to mating and gene-flow between the two populations 
E)  will cause completely different mutations to occur in the two populations 
A)  will produce distinct species as soon as the barrier becomes impassible 
B)  should not greatly interfere with both populations accessing both mountaintops 
C)  is the first part of an extinction event for both populations 
D)  is an effective barrier to mating and gene-flow between the two populations 
E)  will cause completely different mutations to occur in the two populations

Question 16

In a population of field mice, an example of an adaptive trait that could help with reproduction and/or survival would be ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  being brightly colored so other mice could see it 
B)  having a bit more fur to withstand cold weather 
C)  spending less time searching when food is scarce 
D)  needing to eat more food than other mice its size 
E)  having shorter legs to be lower to the ground 
A)  being brightly colored so other mice could see it 
B)  having a bit more fur to withstand cold weather 
C)  spending less time searching when food is scarce 
D)  needing to eat more food than other mice its size 
E)  having shorter legs to be lower to the ground

Question 17

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
-Communities and the abiotic material with which their members interact

Accepted Answer

A) population density 
B) habitat 
C) environmental cooperation 
D) community 
E) niche
F)environmental resistance
G)biotic potential
H)ecosystems
I)r-selected
J)carrying capacity
K)population
L)endemic 
A) population density 
B) habitat 
C) environmental cooperation 
D) community 
E) niche
F)environmental resistance
G)biotic potential
H)ecosystems
I)r-selected
J)carrying capacity
K)population
L)endemic

Question 18

The fossil record clearly shows that ______________

Accepted Answer

A)  several different species can hybridize to produce a single new species 
B)  new species appear suddenly and fully differentiated, without an ancestral species 
C)  nearly all species that have existed in the past still exist today 
D)  all species evolve from pre-existing species 
E)  large complex organisms evolved long before simple organisms 
A)  several different species can hybridize to produce a single new species 
B)  new species appear suddenly and fully differentiated, without an ancestral species 
C)  nearly all species that have existed in the past still exist today 
D)  all species evolve from pre-existing species 
E)  large complex organisms evolved long before simple organisms

Question 19

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following:
-Stabilizes a population at its carrying capacity

Accepted Answer

A) population density 
B) habitat 
C) environmental cooperation 
D) community 
E) niche
F)environmental resistance
G)biotic potential
H)ecosystems
I)r-selected
J)carrying capacity
K)population
L)endemic 
A) population density 
B) habitat 
C) environmental cooperation 
D) community 
E) niche
F)environmental resistance
G)biotic potential
H)ecosystems
I)r-selected
J)carrying capacity
K)population
L)endemic

Question 20

-The major force(s) causing the genetic divergence of the two isolated squirrel populations is/are _____________

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection and the variety of other species with which each population interbreeds 
B)  mutation alone 
C)  the complete lack of sexual reproduction in the two populations 
D)  mutation and natural selection 
E)  mating and gene-flow between the two populations 
A)  natural selection and the variety of other species with which each population interbreeds 
B)  mutation alone 
C)  the complete lack of sexual reproduction in the two populations 
D)  mutation and natural selection 
E)  mating and gene-flow between the two populations

Most extinction is ______________

The carrying capacity is the ______________

The two processes that determine the worldʹs current biodiversity are ______________

-In the initial squirrel population prior to the isolation, it is safe to assume that _____________

Which of the following is accurate?

An ecosystem ______________

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -Many interacting species that live in the same area

A population is a group of ______________

Of the following, ______________ would represent a clumped population dispersion pattern.

An example of a density-independent factor would be ______________

Density-dependent factors ______________

Describe the sixth mass extinction event, when it occurred, and its specific causes.

-The barrier between the squirrel populations _____________

In a population of field mice, an example of an adaptive trait that could help with reproduction and/or survival would be ______________

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -Communities and the abiotic material with which their members interact

The fossil record clearly shows that ______________

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -Stabilizes a population at its carrying capacity

-The major force(s) causing the genetic divergence of the two isolated squirrel populations is/are _____________

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Epilogue

Filters

Exam 3: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Most extinction is ______________

The carrying capacity is the ______________

The two processes that determine the worldʹs current biodiversity are ______________

-In the initial squirrel population prior to the isolation, it is safe to assume that _____________

Which of the following is accurate?

An ecosystem ______________

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -Many interacting species that live in the same area

A population is a group of ______________

Of the following, ______________ would represent a clumped population dispersion pattern.

An example of a density-independent factor would be ______________

Density-dependent factors ______________

Describe the sixth mass extinction event, when it occurred, and its specific causes.

-The barrier between the squirrel populations _____________

In a population of field mice, an example of an adaptive trait that could help with reproduction and/or survival would be ______________

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -Communities and the abiotic material with which their members interact

The fossil record clearly shows that ______________

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -Stabilizes a population at its carrying capacity

-The major force(s) causing the genetic divergence of the two isolated squirrel populations is/are _____________

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Epilogue

Filters