Question 1

According to Grime, under conditions of low stress and low disturbance _______ plants should predominate.

Accepted Answer

A)  ruderal 
B)  ontogenetic 
C)  stress-tolerant 
D)  competitive 
A)  ruderal 
B)  ontogenetic 
C)  stress-tolerant 
D)  competitive

Question 2

Suppose the average adult life span of a shorebird is 15 years, and these shorebirds reach sexual maturity at 5 years of age. Which organism would have a value of c (Charnov's dimensionless ratio) most similar to that of these birds?

Accepted Answer

A)  A fish species that reaches sexual maturity at 6 months and has an average adult life span of 6 months 
B)  A robin that reaches sexual maturity at 2 years and has an average adult life span of 10 years 
C)  A turtle that reaches sexual maturity at 10 years and has an average adult life span of 30 years 
D)  A lion that reaches sexual maturity at 3 years and has an average adult life span of 8 years 
A)  A fish species that reaches sexual maturity at 6 months and has an average adult life span of 6 months 
B)  A robin that reaches sexual maturity at 2 years and has an average adult life span of 10 years 
C)  A turtle that reaches sexual maturity at 10 years and has an average adult life span of 30 years 
D)  A lion that reaches sexual maturity at 3 years and has an average adult life span of 8 years

Question 3

Suppose a fish has just reached sexual maturity and is able to produce 10 eggs per month. It can either reproduce immediately or it can continue to grow. If it continues to grow, it can increase the number of eggs it can produce by 5 per month for every month it delays reproduction. If it delays reproduction for another 6 months, it can lay _______ eggs each month. It could have produced _______ eggs if it had started reproducing immediately and produced eggs for all of those six months.

Accepted Answer

A)  30; 30 
B)  30; 60 
C)  40; 30 
D)  40; 60 
A)  30; 30 
B)  30; 60 
C)  40; 30 
D)  40; 60

Question 4

If sexual reproduction is favored in Species X (which can reproduce both sexually and asexually) because it results in greater genetic diversity that facilitates resistance to pathogen Y, then one would predict that

Accepted Answer

A)  in the absence of pathogen Y, outcrossing would not be favored. 
B)  in the absence of pathogen Y, outcrossing would be favored. 
C)  in the presence of pathogen Y, self-fertilization would be favored. 
D)  in the presence of pathogen Y, outcrossing would not be favored. 
A)  in the absence of pathogen Y, outcrossing would not be favored. 
B)  in the absence of pathogen Y, outcrossing would be favored. 
C)  in the presence of pathogen Y, self-fertilization would be favored. 
D)  in the presence of pathogen Y, outcrossing would not be favored.

Question 5

Refer to the figure.
  
- The figure is based on data from a study of the body size and reproductive output of individual females of two different species (species 1 and species 2) over time. Each figure illustrates the growth and reproduction of each individual over its life span. Suppose that the patterns in the figures stay as they are, but that the number of eggs are instead the number of seeds of different plant species. If smaller individuals produce smaller seeds, which species would you expect to have higher dispersal capabilities? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Species 2 would be expected to have high

Question 6

Refer to the table.
  Three different genotypes of garter snakes (D, E, and F) were reared at different temperatures. Four individuals were in each trial. The table shows their weights (in grams). Based on these data, which genotype(s) appear(s) to show phenotypic plasticity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genotype D only 
B)  Genotype E only 
C)  Genotype F only 
D)  Genotypes D and E 
A)  Genotype D only 
B)  Genotype E only 
C)  Genotype F only 
D)  Genotypes D and E

Question 7

Refer to the table.
  Three different genotypes of garter snakes (A, B, and C) were reared at different temperatures. Four individuals were in each trial. The table presents their weights (in grams). Based on these data, which genotype appears to show phenotypic plasticity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genotype A only 
B)  Genotype B only 
C)  Genotype C only 
D)  None of the genotypes 
A)  Genotype A only 
B)  Genotype B only 
C)  Genotype C only 
D)  None of the genotypes

Question 8

Refer to the figure.
 
- The figure shows the relationship between the trunk diameter and the leaf mass of ponderosa pine trees from both moist and desert climates. According to the figure, a tree in a desert climate with a trunk diameter of about 40 cm would have about the same leaf mass as a tree in a cool, moist climate whose trunk diameter is about _______ cm.

Accepted Answer

A)  10 
B)  20 
C)  30 
D)  40 
A)  10 
B)  20 
C)  30 
D)  40

Question 9

A species of turtle grows for several years before becoming sexually mature. It mates, reproduces, and dies soon afterward. This species of turtle would best be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  sporophytic. 
B)  gametophytic. 
C)  iteroparous. 
D)  semelparous. 
A)  sporophytic. 
B)  gametophytic. 
C)  iteroparous. 
D)  semelparous.

Question 10

A particular fish species' larger offspring are less vulnerable to predators. If their offspring are not eaten, then their survival and eventual reproductive success is independent of their size upon emerging from the egg. Based on this scenario, which of the following is not a reasonable prediction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fish living in lakes with predators produce larger eggs than in lakes without predators. 
B)  Fish living in lakes with predators produce more eggs than in lakes without predators. 
C)  Fish living in lakes without predators produce more eggs than in lakes with predators. 
D)  Fish living in lakes without predators produce smaller eggs than in lakes with predators. 
A)  Fish living in lakes with predators produce larger eggs than in lakes without predators. 
B)  Fish living in lakes with predators produce more eggs than in lakes without predators. 
C)  Fish living in lakes without predators produce more eggs than in lakes with predators. 
D)  Fish living in lakes without predators produce smaller eggs than in lakes with predators.

Question 11

Which statement about the r-K continuum is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Most species are at one extreme or the other. 
B)  Most species are intermediate between the two extremes. 
C)  The distinction between r- and K-selection is more useful for comparisons of distantly related species than of closely related species. 
D)  The r- and K-selection classification system makes sense for thinking about plant life histories, but not for mobile animals. 
A)  Most species are at one extreme or the other. 
B)  Most species are intermediate between the two extremes. 
C)  The distinction between r- and K-selection is more useful for comparisons of distantly related species than of closely related species. 
D)  The r- and K-selection classification system makes sense for thinking about plant life histories, but not for mobile animals.

Question 12

Refer to the figure.
   This figure is based on data from a study of how ambient temperature during development affects adult body size. The figure shows data for individuals of a single genotype in a single species. A total of 20 individuals were raised under different temperature treatments. 
-The blue bars show the average body size of individuals for each temperature treatment, and the black bars provide a measure of the variation in body size recorded for each treatment. Which developmental temperature led to the highest variability in offspring size? Which temperature led to the lowest variability in offspring size? How did you assess the effect of temperature on body size variation? What is the term that best describes this pattern?

Accepted Answer

A temperature of 15°C resulted in the hi

Question 13

Which of the following pairs of items does not represent distinct stages of a life cycle?

Accepted Answer

A)  A tadpole and a frog 
B)  A mosquito larva and a blackfly larva 
C)  A moss gametophyte and a moss sporophyte 
D)  A maple tree and a maple tree seed 
A)  A tadpole and a frog 
B)  A mosquito larva and a blackfly larva 
C)  A moss gametophyte and a moss sporophyte 
D)  A maple tree and a maple tree seed

Question 14

Based on the findings of Hansen, which statement about marine gastropods is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The average geographic range of direct-developing species is larger than that of species with swimming larval stages. 
B)  The average geographic range of direct-developing species is smaller than that of species with swimming larval stages. 
C)  According to the fossil record, species with swimming larvae were more prone to extinction than direct-developing species. 
D)  According to the fossil record, species with swimming larvae had smaller geographic ranges and were therefore less prone to extinction. 
A)  The average geographic range of direct-developing species is larger than that of species with swimming larval stages. 
B)  The average geographic range of direct-developing species is smaller than that of species with swimming larval stages. 
C)  According to the fossil record, species with swimming larvae were more prone to extinction than direct-developing species. 
D)  According to the fossil record, species with swimming larvae had smaller geographic ranges and were therefore less prone to extinction.

Question 15

Refer to the figure.
   This figure is based on data from a study of how ambient temperature during development affects adult body size. The figure shows data for individuals of a single genotype in a single species. A total of 20 individuals were raised under different temperature treatments. 
-The blue bars show the average body size of individuals for each temperature treatment, and the black bars provide a measure of the variation in body size recorded for each treatment. Suppose that this species is an animal. In this animal species, larger individuals have a much higher reproductive output, but smaller individuals are better at surviving unpredictable weather (especially colder temperatures). Over a long time scale, how might the average size of individuals of this species be affected by the predictability of average temperatures?

Accepted Answer

If environmental conditions are predicta

Question 16

Refer to the figure.   The figure shows the results of an experiment where wild type and obligate selfing (i.e. self-fertilizing) C. elegans nematode worms were reared across many generations, with and without their lethal bacterial pathogen, Serratia marcescens. Which of the following is not a reasonable inference from this figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  C. elegans populations with very limited genetic variation are more vulnerable to pathogens. 
B)  Outcrossing may be advantageous only under particular conditions. 
C)  After 30 generations, mortality rate from S. marcescens for a treatment "Wild type (no bacteria)" would probably be around 0%. 
D)  After 30 generations, mortality rate from S. marcescens for a treatment "Wild type (no bacteria)" would probably be around 100%. 
A)  C. elegans populations with very limited genetic variation are more vulnerable to pathogens. 
B)  Outcrossing may be advantageous only under particular conditions. 
C)  After 30 generations, mortality rate from S. marcescens for a treatment "Wild type (no bacteria)" would probably be around 0%. 
D)  After 30 generations, mortality rate from S. marcescens for a treatment "Wild type (no bacteria)" would probably be around 100%.

Question 17

All plants and some algae have a complicated life cycle that includes both a multicellular diploid _______ stage and a multicellular haploid _______ stage. This type of life cycle is called _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  sporophyte; gametophyte; metamorphosis 
B)  sporophyte; gametophyte; alternation of generations 
C)  gametophyte; sporophyte; alternation of generations 
D)  gametophyte; sporophyte; metamorphosis 
A)  sporophyte; gametophyte; metamorphosis 
B)  sporophyte; gametophyte; alternation of generations 
C)  gametophyte; sporophyte; alternation of generations 
D)  gametophyte; sporophyte; metamorphosis

Question 18

Which statement about life histories is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  For most organisms, some life history variation within the species is determined genetically. 
B)  The life history strategy of a species consists of the nature and timing of life history events averaged across all individuals in the species. 
C)  The variation in life history within the species Homo sapiens makes it impossible to make generalizations about the life history of the species as a whole. 
D)  Heritable variation in life history is the raw material on which natural selection can act. 
A)  For most organisms, some life history variation within the species is determined genetically. 
B)  The life history strategy of a species consists of the nature and timing of life history events averaged across all individuals in the species. 
C)  The variation in life history within the species Homo sapiens makes it impossible to make generalizations about the life history of the species as a whole. 
D)  Heritable variation in life history is the raw material on which natural selection can act.

Question 19

Which statement about size-number trade-offs is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Size-number trade-offs are rarely, if ever, seen in organisms that lack parental care. 
B)  Size-number trade-offs are seen in animals, but rarely in plants. 
C)  Size-number trade-offs are rarely observed when comparing different animal species that have parental care. 
D)  Size-number trade-offs can result in different average egg or offspring sizes for different populations of a species evolving under different predation or climatic regimes. 
A)  Size-number trade-offs are rarely, if ever, seen in organisms that lack parental care. 
B)  Size-number trade-offs are seen in animals, but rarely in plants. 
C)  Size-number trade-offs are rarely observed when comparing different animal species that have parental care. 
D)  Size-number trade-offs can result in different average egg or offspring sizes for different populations of a species evolving under different predation or climatic regimes.

Question 20

Which of the following is a specialized form of phenotypic plasticity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Anisogamy 
B)  Morphs 
C)  Isogamy 
D)  Direct development 
A)  Anisogamy 
B)  Morphs 
C)  Isogamy 
D)  Direct development

According to Grime, under conditions of low stress and low disturbance _______ plants should predominate.

Suppose the average adult life span of a shorebird is 15 years, and these shorebirds reach sexual maturity at 5 years of age. Which organism would have a value of c (Charnov's dimensionless ratio) most similar to that of these birds?

If sexual reproduction is favored in Species X (which can reproduce both sexually and asexually) because it results in greater genetic diversity that facilitates resistance to pathogen Y, then one would predict that

Refer to the table. Three different genotypes of garter snakes (D, E, and F) were reared at different temperatures. Four individuals were in each trial. The table shows their weights (in grams). Based on these data, which genotype(s) appear(s) to show phenotypic plasticity?

Refer to the table. Three different genotypes of garter snakes (A, B, and C) were reared at different temperatures. Four individuals were in each trial. The table presents their weights (in grams). Based on these data, which genotype appears to show phenotypic plasticity?

A species of turtle grows for several years before becoming sexually mature. It mates, reproduces, and dies soon afterward. This species of turtle would best be described as

Which statement about the r-K continuum is true?

Which of the following pairs of items does not represent distinct stages of a life cycle?

Based on the findings of Hansen, which statement about marine gastropods is true?

All plants and some algae have a complicated life cycle that includes both a multicellular diploid ___ stage and a multicellular haploid _ stage. This type of life cycle is called _____.

Which statement about life histories is false?

Which statement about size-number trade-offs is true?

Which of the following is a specialized form of phenotypic plasticity?

The Web of Life

The Physical Environment

The Biosphere

Coping With Environmental Variation:

Coping With Environmental Variation: Energy

Evolution and Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Population Distribution and Abundance

Population Dynamics

Population Growth and Regulation

Predation

Parasitism

Competition

Mutualism and Commensalism

The Nature of Communities

Change in Communities

Biogeography

Species Diversity in Communities

Production

Energy Flow and Food Webs

Nutrient Supply and Cycling

Conservation Biology

Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Management

Global Ecology

Filters

Exam 7: Life History

According to Grime, under conditions of low stress and low disturbance _______ plants should predominate.

Suppose the average adult life span of a shorebird is 15 years, and these shorebirds reach sexual maturity at 5 years of age. Which organism would have a value of c (Charnov's dimensionless ratio) most similar to that of these birds?

If sexual reproduction is favored in Species X (which can reproduce both sexually and asexually) because it results in greater genetic diversity that facilitates resistance to pathogen Y, then one would predict that

Refer to the table. Three different genotypes of garter snakes (D, E, and F) were reared at different temperatures. Four individuals were in each trial. The table shows their weights (in grams). Based on these data, which genotype(s) appear(s) to show phenotypic plasticity?

Refer to the table. Three different genotypes of garter snakes (A, B, and C) were reared at different temperatures. Four individuals were in each trial. The table presents their weights (in grams). Based on these data, which genotype appears to show phenotypic plasticity?

A species of turtle grows for several years before becoming sexually mature. It mates, reproduces, and dies soon afterward. This species of turtle would best be described as

Which statement about the r-K continuum is true?

Which of the following pairs of items does not represent distinct stages of a life cycle?

Based on the findings of Hansen, which statement about marine gastropods is true?

All plants and some algae have a complicated life cycle that includes both a multicellular diploid _______ stage and a multicellular haploid _______ stage. This type of life cycle is called _______.

Which statement about life histories is false?

Which statement about size-number trade-offs is true?

Which of the following is a specialized form of phenotypic plasticity?

The Web of Life

The Physical Environment

The Biosphere

Coping With Environmental Variation:

Coping With Environmental Variation: Energy

Evolution and Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Population Distribution and Abundance

Population Dynamics

Population Growth and Regulation

Predation

Parasitism

Competition

Mutualism and Commensalism

The Nature of Communities

Change in Communities

Biogeography

Species Diversity in Communities

Production

Energy Flow and Food Webs

Nutrient Supply and Cycling

Conservation Biology

Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Management

Global Ecology

Filters

All plants and some algae have a complicated life cycle that includes both a multicellular diploid ___ stage and a multicellular haploid _ stage. This type of life cycle is called _____.