Question 1

What is the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genes for traits conferring an advantage to local conditions are unlikely. 
B)  The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. 
C)  Genetic diversity reduces the probability of extinction. 
D)  Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations. 
A)  Genes for traits conferring an advantage to local conditions are unlikely. 
B)  The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. 
C)  Genetic diversity reduces the probability of extinction. 
D)  Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations.

Question 2

Which of the following criteria have to be met for a species to qualify as invasive?

Accepted Answer

A)  endemic to the area, spreads rapidly, and displaces foreign species 
B)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces native species 
C)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces other invasive species 
D)  endemic to the area, spreads slowly, and displaces native species 
A)  endemic to the area, spreads rapidly, and displaces foreign species 
B)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces native species 
C)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces other invasive species 
D)  endemic to the area, spreads slowly, and displaces native species

Question 3

Elevated carbon dioxide levels have been shown to contribute to the greenhouse effect, resulting in an increase in mean global temperature. Ecosystems where the largest warming has already occurred include snow-covered northern coniferous forests, tundra, and arctic sea ice habitats. Which statement best explains how the elimination of ice-covered ecosystems affects the rise or fall in global temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Melting ice releases dissolved ozone gas, which adds to the greenhouse effect. 
B)  More reflective surfaces of ice are replaced with darker, more absorptive surfaces, thereby contributing to the warming trend. 
C)  Large-scale ice melts actually contribute toward lowering global temperatures by decreasing salinity of the oceans. 
D)  Carbon dioxide levels are lowered as a result of the greater volume of water to accommodate greater levels of dissolved gas. 
A)  Melting ice releases dissolved ozone gas, which adds to the greenhouse effect. 
B)  More reflective surfaces of ice are replaced with darker, more absorptive surfaces, thereby contributing to the warming trend. 
C)  Large-scale ice melts actually contribute toward lowering global temperatures by decreasing salinity of the oceans. 
D)  Carbon dioxide levels are lowered as a result of the greater volume of water to accommodate greater levels of dissolved gas.

Question 4

To better comprehend the magnitude of current extinctions, it will be necessary to ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  differentiate between plant extinction and animal extinction numbers 
B)  focus on identifying more species of mammals and birds 
C)  identify more of the yet unknown species of organisms on Earth 
D)  use the average extinction rates of vertebrates as a baseline 
A)  differentiate between plant extinction and animal extinction numbers 
B)  focus on identifying more species of mammals and birds 
C)  identify more of the yet unknown species of organisms on Earth 
D)  use the average extinction rates of vertebrates as a baseline

Question 5

Managing southeastern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  required periodic forest burning to reduce the growth of a dense understory of trees and shrubs 
B)  contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest plant species 
C)  required the construction of nest boxes in the forest to promote successful nesting 
D)  focused on the removal of standing dead longleaf pine to promote growth of young longleaf pine 
A)  required periodic forest burning to reduce the growth of a dense understory of trees and shrubs 
B)  contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest plant species 
C)  required the construction of nest boxes in the forest to promote successful nesting 
D)  focused on the removal of standing dead longleaf pine to promote growth of young longleaf pine

Question 6

Which of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  About 25 percent of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B)  Developing nations have a larger ecological footprint than developed nations, thus protected areas should be primarily established in developing nations. 
C)  Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
D)  It is only important to protect land within biodiversity hot spots. 
A)  About 25 percent of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B)  Developing nations have a larger ecological footprint than developed nations, thus protected areas should be primarily established in developing nations. 
C)  Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
D)  It is only important to protect land within biodiversity hot spots.

Question 7

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

Accepted Answer

A)  Costa Rica 
B)  China 
C)  United States 
D)  Mexico 
A)  Costa Rica 
B)  China 
C)  United States 
D)  Mexico

Question 8

Researchers have been studying a rare population of 87 voles in an isolated area. Ten voles from a larger population were added to this isolated population. Besides having ten additional animals, what benefits are there to importing individuals?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is no benefit other than increasing the overall population size. 
B)  Additional voles will strengthen competition and increase the survival of the fittest. 
C)  Additional animals would increase beneficial genetic drift. 
D)  Additional voles from a distant population will likely increase genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding. 
A)  There is no benefit other than increasing the overall population size. 
B)  Additional voles will strengthen competition and increase the survival of the fittest. 
C)  Additional animals would increase beneficial genetic drift. 
D)  Additional voles from a distant population will likely increase genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding.

Question 9

Tropical forests are being converted to farm or pasture land at an alarming rate, and one major focus is on the biodiversity and the impact to these ecosystems. What is a direct benefit to humans that helps explain why these forests need to be preserved?

Accepted Answer

A)  This diversity provides areas for coffee growing. 
B)  Natural and undisturbed areas are important wildlife habitats. 
C)  The diversity could contain novel drugs for consumers. 
D)  The plant diversity provides shade, which lowers global warming. 
A)  This diversity provides areas for coffee growing. 
B)  Natural and undisturbed areas are important wildlife habitats. 
C)  The diversity could contain novel drugs for consumers. 
D)  The plant diversity provides shade, which lowers global warming.

Exam 56: Conservation Biology and Global Change

What is the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations?

Which of the following criteria have to be met for a species to qualify as invasive?

To better comprehend the magnitude of current extinctions, it will be necessary to ________.

Managing southeastern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker ________.

Which of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity is correct?

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

Researchers have been studying a rare population of 87 voles in an isolated area. Ten voles from a larger population were added to this isolated population. Besides having ten additional animals, what benefits are there to importing individuals?

Tropical forests are being converted to farm or pasture land at an alarming rate, and one major focus is on the biodiversity and the impact to these ecosystems. What is a direct benefit to humans that helps explain why these forests need to be preserved?

Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific Inquiry

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

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

Viruses

DNA Tools and Biotechnology

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

The History of Life on Earth

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

Fungi

An Overview of Animal Diversity

An Introduction to Invertebrates

The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants

Soil and Plant Nutrition

Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behavior

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

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