Question 1

Which statement is true regarding our knowledge about the origin of life?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is explained by the evolutionary theory. 
B)  It is explained by adaptation and natural selection. 
C)  It occurred about 5-8 million years ago. 
D)  It cannot be studied scientifically. 
E)  It occurred about 3.8 billion years ago. 
A)  It is explained by the evolutionary theory. 
B)  It is explained by adaptation and natural selection. 
C)  It occurred about 5-8 million years ago. 
D)  It cannot be studied scientifically. 
E)  It occurred about 3.8 billion years ago.

Question 2

The term ____ specifically refers to species that are introduced to a new area and then compete with and harm other species, as opposed to other introduced species that may be harmless.

Accepted Answer

A)  nonnative species 
B)  keystone species 
C)  native species 
D)  indicator species 
E)  invasive species 
A)  nonnative species 
B)  keystone species 
C)  native species 
D)  indicator species 
E)  invasive species

Question 3

An organism can only consume one type of plant as food and lives in a particular type of forest found only at a high elevation, giving it a very narrow niche. Which term best describes this type of organism?

Accepted Answer

A)  An invasive species 
B)  A non-native species 
C)  A generalist species 
D)  A specialist species 
E)  An indicator species 
A)  An invasive species 
B)  A non-native species 
C)  A generalist species 
D)  A specialist species 
E)  An indicator species

Question 4

Clearly explain the relationship between the geologic process of plate tectonics and the biological process of evolution over geologic time.

Accepted Answer

As the plates that cover the planet have

Question 5

Sharks are important because ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  they all fill similar niches and are all endangered 
B)  they consume alligators in large numbers, threatening alligator populations 
C)  they are keystone species that perform important ecosystem services, such as removing sick and injured animals from the population 
D)  they pose a major threat to human life, killing thousands of people each year 
E)  they are known for preferentially consuming invasive species and are large enough to consume large numbers 
A)  they all fill similar niches and are all endangered 
B)  they consume alligators in large numbers, threatening alligator populations 
C)  they are keystone species that perform important ecosystem services, such as removing sick and injured animals from the population 
D)  they pose a major threat to human life, killing thousands of people each year 
E)  they are known for preferentially consuming invasive species and are large enough to consume large numbers

Question 6

The variety of processes such as energy flow and matter cycling that occur within ecosystems as species interact with one another in food webs is called ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  biome diversity 
B)  genetic diversity 
C)  functional diversity 
D)  ecosystem diversity 
E)  species diversity 
A)  biome diversity 
B)  genetic diversity 
C)  functional diversity 
D)  ecosystem diversity 
E)  species diversity

Question 7

____________________ species are those that have been introduced to an area, become established, and caused harm to native species.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____________________ species are those that have been...

Question 8

How does natural selection change the genetic makeup of a population over time?

Accepted Answer

Genes for adaptive traits improve the ab

Question 9

Scientists estimate that the fossils found so far represent probably only 1% of all species that have ever lived.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

A population of squirrels becomes divided into two halves by a flooding river. Over time, the river becomes larger and the populations are not able to interact for many years. Which of the following is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both groups will become increasingly generalist 
B)  Geographic isolation may lead to speciation 
C)  Reproductive isolation may lead to speciation 
D)  Both species may become extinct 
E)  One group will be considered native and the other will be considered non-native 
A)  Both groups will become increasingly generalist 
B)  Geographic isolation may lead to speciation 
C)  Reproductive isolation may lead to speciation 
D)  Both species may become extinct 
E)  One group will be considered native and the other will be considered non-native

Question 11

Traits that can be passed from one generation to the next are called ____ traits.

Accepted Answer

A)  selection 
B)  native 
C)  adaptive 
D)  heritable 
E)  fitness 
A)  selection 
B)  native 
C)  adaptive 
D)  heritable 
E)  fitness

Question 12

Give an example of artificial selection and an example of natural selection, explaining how they differ.

Accepted Answer

In artificial selection, humans control

Question 13

A species that is found only on one island would be described as ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  adaptive 
B)  the product of artificial selection 
C)  a keystone species 
D)  an indicator species 
E)  endemic 
A)  adaptive 
B)  the product of artificial selection 
C)  a keystone species 
D)  an indicator species 
E)  endemic

Question 14

Which characteristic must be true in order for a trait to be impacted by the forces of natural selection and then play a role in the process of biological evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  The trait must be the result of environmental conditions. 
B)  The trait must be genetically based. 
C)  The trait must impact the social rank of its possessor. 
D)  The trait must be a physical characteristic of the organism. 
E)  The trait must be a behavioral characteristic of the organism. 
A)  The trait must be the result of environmental conditions. 
B)  The trait must be genetically based. 
C)  The trait must impact the social rank of its possessor. 
D)  The trait must be a physical characteristic of the organism. 
E)  The trait must be a behavioral characteristic of the organism.

Question 15

Speciation is the process of a new species evolving.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Most species identified to date are____.

Accepted Answer

A)  insects 
B)  birds 
C)  mammals 
D)  reptiles 
E)  amphibians 
A)  insects 
B)  birds 
C)  mammals 
D)  reptiles 
E)  amphibians

Question 17

There are many forms of biological diversity, including functional diversity, ecological diversity, genetic diversity, and species diversity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

When environmental conditions change dramatically or rapidly, a population of a species faces three possible futures: adapt to the new conditions through natural selection, migrate (if possible) to another area with more favorable conditions, or ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  wait until conditions improve 
B)  crossbreed with another species 
C)  become extinct 
D)  control environmental conditions 
E)  become invasive 
A)  wait until conditions improve 
B)  crossbreed with another species 
C)  become extinct 
D)  control environmental conditions 
E)  become invasive

Question 19

____ is the most common cause of speciation.

Accepted Answer

A)  Mass extinction 
B)  Geographic isolation 
C)  The arrival of a nonnative species 
D)  An overlap between ecological niches 
E)  The loss of a keystone species 
A)  Mass extinction 
B)  Geographic isolation 
C)  The arrival of a nonnative species 
D)  An overlap between ecological niches 
E)  The loss of a keystone species

Question 20

Generalist species are more prone to extinction when environmental changes change rapidly than specialist species.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Which statement is true regarding our knowledge about the origin of life?

The term ____ specifically refers to species that are introduced to a new area and then compete with and harm other species, as opposed to other introduced species that may be harmless.

An organism can only consume one type of plant as food and lives in a particular type of forest found only at a high elevation, giving it a very narrow niche. Which term best describes this type of organism?

Clearly explain the relationship between the geologic process of plate tectonics and the biological process of evolution over geologic time.

Sharks are important because ____.

The variety of processes such as energy flow and matter cycling that occur within ecosystems as species interact with one another in food webs is called ________.

____________________ species are those that have been introduced to an area, become established, and caused harm to native species.

How does natural selection change the genetic makeup of a population over time?

Scientists estimate that the fossils found so far represent probably only 1% of all species that have ever lived.

A population of squirrels becomes divided into two halves by a flooding river. Over time, the river becomes larger and the populations are not able to interact for many years. Which of the following is the most likely outcome?

Traits that can be passed from one generation to the next are called ____ traits.

Give an example of artificial selection and an example of natural selection, explaining how they differ.

A species that is found only on one island would be described as ____.

Which characteristic must be true in order for a trait to be impacted by the forces of natural selection and then play a role in the process of biological evolution?

Speciation is the process of a new species evolving.

Most species identified to date are____.

There are many forms of biological diversity, including functional diversity, ecological diversity, genetic diversity, and species diversity.

When environmental conditions change dramatically or rapidly, a population of a species faces three possible futures: adapt to the new conditions through natural selection, migrate (if possible) to another area with more favorable conditions, or ____.

____ is the most common cause of speciation.

Generalist species are more prone to extinction when environmental changes change rapidly than specialist species.

The Environment and Sustainability

Science, Matter, Energy and Systems

Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work

Species Interactions, Ecological Succession and Population Control

The Human Population and Urbanization

Climate and Biodiversity

Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Species

Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Ecosystems

Food Production and the Environment

Water Resources and Water Pollution

Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources

Energy Resources

Environmental Hazards and Human Health

Air Pollution, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Environmental Economics, Politics and Worldviews

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Exam 4: Biodiversity and Evolution

Which statement is true regarding our knowledge about the origin of life?

The term ____ specifically refers to species that are introduced to a new area and then compete with and harm other species, as opposed to other introduced species that may be harmless.

An organism can only consume one type of plant as food and lives in a particular type of forest found only at a high elevation, giving it a very narrow niche. Which term best describes this type of organism?

Clearly explain the relationship between the geologic process of plate tectonics and the biological process of evolution over geologic time.

Sharks are important because ____.

The variety of processes such as energy flow and matter cycling that occur within ecosystems as species interact with one another in food webs is called ________.

____________________ species are those that have been introduced to an area, become established, and caused harm to native species.

How does natural selection change the genetic makeup of a population over time?

Scientists estimate that the fossils found so far represent probably only 1% of all species that have ever lived.

A population of squirrels becomes divided into two halves by a flooding river. Over time, the river becomes larger and the populations are not able to interact for many years. Which of the following is the most likely outcome?

Traits that can be passed from one generation to the next are called ____ traits.

Give an example of artificial selection and an example of natural selection, explaining how they differ.

A species that is found only on one island would be described as ____.

Which characteristic must be true in order for a trait to be impacted by the forces of natural selection and then play a role in the process of biological evolution?

Speciation is the process of a new species evolving.

Most species identified to date are____.

There are many forms of biological diversity, including functional diversity, ecological diversity, genetic diversity, and species diversity.

When environmental conditions change dramatically or rapidly, a population of a species faces three possible futures: adapt to the new conditions through natural selection, migrate (if possible) to another area with more favorable conditions, or ____.

____ is the most common cause of speciation.

Generalist species are more prone to extinction when environmental changes change rapidly than specialist species.

The Environment and Sustainability

Science, Matter, Energy and Systems

Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work

Species Interactions, Ecological Succession and Population Control

The Human Population and Urbanization

Climate and Biodiversity

Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Species

Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Ecosystems

Food Production and the Environment

Water Resources and Water Pollution

Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources

Energy Resources

Environmental Hazards and Human Health

Air Pollution, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Environmental Economics, Politics and Worldviews

Filters