Question 1

How do altruistic behaviors arise through natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  By his or her actions, the altruist increases the likelihood that some of its genes will be passed on to the next generation. 
B)  The altruist is appreciated by other members of the population because its survivability has been enhanced by virtue of its risky behavior. 
C)  Animals that perform altruistic acts are allowed by their population to breed more, thereby passing on their behavior genes to future generations. 
D)  Altruistic behaviors lower stress in populations, which increases the survivability of all the members of the population. 
A)  By his or her actions, the altruist increases the likelihood that some of its genes will be passed on to the next generation. 
B)  The altruist is appreciated by other members of the population because its survivability has been enhanced by virtue of its risky behavior. 
C)  Animals that perform altruistic acts are allowed by their population to breed more, thereby passing on their behavior genes to future generations. 
D)  Altruistic behaviors lower stress in populations, which increases the survivability of all the members of the population.

Question 2

If you ask a question about behavior that concerns how it works or what its mechanism is, you are asking a question that involves ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  ultimate causation 
B)  proximate causation 
C)  adaptive significance 
D)  survival value 
E)  only the neurological level of analysis 
A)  ultimate causation 
B)  proximate causation 
C)  adaptive significance 
D)  survival value 
E)  only the neurological level of analysis

Question 3

A cage containing male mosquitoes has a small earphone placed on top, through which the sound of a female mosquito is played. All the males immediately fly to the earphone and go through all of the steps of copulation. What is the best explanation for this behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  The males learn to associate the sound with females. 
B)  Copulation is a fixed action pattern, and the female flight sound is a sign stimulus that initiates it. 
C)  The sound from the earphone irritates the male mosquitoes, causing them to attempt to sting it. 
D)  The reproductive drive is so strong that when males are deprived of females, they will attempt to mate with anything that has even the slightest female characteristic. 
E)  Through classical conditioning, the male mosquitoes have associated the inappropriate stimulus from the earphone with the normal response of copulation. 
A)  The males learn to associate the sound with females. 
B)  Copulation is a fixed action pattern, and the female flight sound is a sign stimulus that initiates it. 
C)  The sound from the earphone irritates the male mosquitoes, causing them to attempt to sting it. 
D)  The reproductive drive is so strong that when males are deprived of females, they will attempt to mate with anything that has even the slightest female characteristic. 
E)  Through classical conditioning, the male mosquitoes have associated the inappropriate stimulus from the earphone with the normal response of copulation.

Question 4

Use the following information to answer the following question(s).
The following are an abstract and figure from a paper that explores the evolutionary relationship between a protein kinase and behavior (M. Fitzpatrick and M. Sokolowski. 2004. In search of food: Exploring the evolutionary link between cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) and behavior. Integrative and Comparative Biology 44:28-36).
Abstract:
Despite an immense amount of variation in organisms throughout the animal kingdom, many of their genes show substantial conservation in DNA sequence and protein function. Here we explore the potential for a conserved evolutionary relationship between genes and their behavioral phenotypes. We investigate the evolutionary history of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) and its possible conserved function in food-related behaviors. First identified for its role in the foraging behavior of fruit flies, the PKG encoded by the foraging gene had since been associated with the maturation of behavior (from nurse to forager) in honey bees and the roaming and dwelling food-related locomotion in nematodes. These parallels encouraged us to construct protein phylogenies using 32 PKG sequences that include 19 species. Our analyses suggest five possible evolutionary histories that can explain the apparent conserved link between PKG and behavior in fruit flies, honey bees, and nematodes. Three of these raise the hypothesis that PKG influences the food-related behaviors of a wide variety of animals including vertebrates. Moreover it appears that the PKG gene was duplicated some time between the evolution of nematodes and a common ancestor of vertebrates and insects whereby current evidence suggests only the for-like PKG might be associated with food-related behavior.   These are neighbor joining trees that depict the evolutionary relationships of 32 PKG kinase domain and C-terminal amino acid sequences spanning 19 species of protozoans and metazoans. Values at the nodes represent the results of 5000 bootstrap replications. Lineages with known behavioral links with PKG are indicated by gray branches.
-Look at the evolutionary relationship of protein kinases in the figure. Knowing that there is evidence that this particular protein kinase is linked to food-related behaviors in the animals studied, what conclusions can you draw?

Accepted Answer

A)  PKG influences food-related behaviors in a wide variety of animals. 
B)  There is enormous variation in amino acid sequences between taxa. 
C)  There is likely a conserved evolutionary relationship between these genes and their behavioral phenotype. 
D)  PKG influences food-related behaviors in a wide variety of animals, and there is enormous variation in amino acid sequences between taxa. 
E)  PKG influences food-related behaviors in a wide variety of animals, and there is likely a conserved evolutionary relationship between these genes and their behavioral phenotype. 
A)  PKG influences food-related behaviors in a wide variety of animals. 
B)  There is enormous variation in amino acid sequences between taxa. 
C)  There is likely a conserved evolutionary relationship between these genes and their behavioral phenotype. 
D)  PKG influences food-related behaviors in a wide variety of animals, and there is enormous variation in amino acid sequences between taxa. 
E)  PKG influences food-related behaviors in a wide variety of animals, and there is likely a conserved evolutionary relationship between these genes and their behavioral phenotype.

Question 5

Which of the following might affect the foraging behavior of an animal in the context of optimal foraging?
I. risk of predation
II. prey size
III. prey defenses
IV. prey density

Accepted Answer

A)  only I and III 
B)  only II and IV 
C)  only II, III, and IV 
D)  only I, II, and III 
E)  I, II, III, and IV 
A)  only I and III 
B)  only II and IV 
C)  only II, III, and IV 
D)  only I, II, and III 
E)  I, II, III, and IV

Question 6

Feeding behavior with a high-energy intake-to-expenditure ratio is called ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  herbivory 
B)  autotrophy 
C)  heterotrophy 
D)  search scavenging 
E)  optimal foraging 
A)  herbivory 
B)  autotrophy 
C)  heterotrophy 
D)  search scavenging 
E)  optimal foraging

Question 7

In Belding's ground squirrels, it is mostly the females that behave altruistically by sounding alarm calls. What is the likely reason for this distinction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Males have smaller vocal cords and are less likely to make sounds. 
B)  Females invest more in foraging and food stores, so they are more defensive. 
C)  Females settle in the area in which they were born, so the alarm is more likely to warn kin. 
D)  The sex ratio is biased. 
E)  Males forage in areas separate from females; therefore, alarm calls are useless. 
A)  Males have smaller vocal cords and are less likely to make sounds. 
B)  Females invest more in foraging and food stores, so they are more defensive. 
C)  Females settle in the area in which they were born, so the alarm is more likely to warn kin. 
D)  The sex ratio is biased. 
E)  Males forage in areas separate from females; therefore, alarm calls are useless.

Question 8

A pied kingfisher in its first year of life helps in the feeding of three full siblings who would not have made it without the helper's efforts. In this first year the bird does not raise any of its own offspring. In the second year of its life the pied kingfisher mates and raises two of its own offspring. After the first two years, what is the inclusive fitness of the pied kingfisher?

Accepted Answer

A)  0.75 
B)  1.50 
C)  2.50 
D)  3.00 
A)  0.75 
B)  1.50 
C)  2.50 
D)  3.00

Question 9

Animal communication involves what type of sensory information?
I. visual
II. auditory
III. olfactory
IV. tactile

Accepted Answer

A)  only I and III 
B)  only II and IV 
C)  only II, III, and IV 
D)  only I, II, and III 
E)  I, II, III, and IV 
A)  only I and III 
B)  only II and IV 
C)  only II, III, and IV 
D)  only I, II, and III 
E)  I, II, III, and IV

Question 10

Animals that help other animals of the same species ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  have excess energy reserves 
B)  are bigger and stronger than the other animals 
C)  are usually related to the other animals helped 
D)  are always male 
E)  have defective genes controlling their behavior 
A)  have excess energy reserves 
B)  are bigger and stronger than the other animals 
C)  are usually related to the other animals helped 
D)  are always male 
E)  have defective genes controlling their behavior

Question 11

The presence of altruistic behavior is most likely due to kin selection, a theory maintaining that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  aggression between sexes promotes the survival of the fittest individuals 
B)  genes enhance survival of copies of themselves by directing organisms to assist others who share those genes 
C)  companionship is advantageous to animals because in the future they can help each other 
D)  critical thinking abilities are normal traits for animals and they have arisen, like other traits, through natural selection 
E)  natural selection has generally favored the evolution of exaggerated aggressive and submissive behaviors to resolve conflict without grave harm to participants 
A)  aggression between sexes promotes the survival of the fittest individuals 
B)  genes enhance survival of copies of themselves by directing organisms to assist others who share those genes 
C)  companionship is advantageous to animals because in the future they can help each other 
D)  critical thinking abilities are normal traits for animals and they have arisen, like other traits, through natural selection 
E)  natural selection has generally favored the evolution of exaggerated aggressive and submissive behaviors to resolve conflict without grave harm to participants

Question 12

If the accompanying figure shows the dances of bees in a hive at twelve noon on March 21 in the northern hemisphere, which dance is communicating that the food is to the south of the hive?

Accepted Answer

A)  dance A 
B)  dance B 
C)  dance C 
D)  It is not possible to tell if any of the dances indicate the food is to the south of the hive. 
A)  dance A 
B)  dance B 
C)  dance C 
D)  It is not possible to tell if any of the dances indicate the food is to the south of the hive.

Question 13

Which of the following has a coefficient of relatedness of 0.25? Assume all are blood relatives.

Accepted Answer

A)  a father to his daughter 
B)  a mother to her son 
C)  an uncle to his nephew 
D)  a brother to his brother 
E)  a sister to her brother 
A)  a father to his daughter 
B)  a mother to her son 
C)  an uncle to his nephew 
D)  a brother to his brother 
E)  a sister to her brother

Question 14

Why would you expect some white-fronted bee-eaters to fly very far away from their nests to forage when there are food sources nearby? Base your answer on your knowledge of cost-benefit analyses,

Accepted Answer

A)  There might be some plentiful food sources further away. 
B)  Competition for food is too intense near the nest. 
C)  Food near the nest is usually of lower quality. 
D)  Predation is highest closest to the nest. 
A)  There might be some plentiful food sources further away. 
B)  Competition for food is too intense near the nest. 
C)  Food near the nest is usually of lower quality. 
D)  Predation is highest closest to the nest.

Question 15

From the accompanying figure, what can we determine about the location of the food source?

Accepted Answer

A)  The waggle dance in the top figure indicates that the food is directly under the hive. 
B)  The waggle dance in the bottom figure indicates that the food is to the west of the hive. 
C)  The waggle dance in the top figure indicates that the food is close to the hive. 
D)  The waggle dance in the bottom figure indicates that the food is 90 degrees to the right of the Sun. 
E)  The vigor of the waggle dance indicates the location of the food relative to the Sun. 
A)  The waggle dance in the top figure indicates that the food is directly under the hive. 
B)  The waggle dance in the bottom figure indicates that the food is to the west of the hive. 
C)  The waggle dance in the top figure indicates that the food is close to the hive. 
D)  The waggle dance in the bottom figure indicates that the food is 90 degrees to the right of the Sun. 
E)  The vigor of the waggle dance indicates the location of the food relative to the Sun.

Question 16

In house sparrows (Passer domesticus) it is generally found that both males and females care for the eggs and young. However, some male house sparrows do not provide parental care. In addition, it is known that young that receive parental care from both the male and female are more likely to survive to fledging (leaving the nest). Which of the following activities by males that do NOT provide parental care would represent the most beneficial trade-off for the reduced survival of their offspring?

Accepted Answer

A)  attacking the nests of neighboring males 
B)  mating with additional females and fathering more eggs 
C)  eating to build up energy stores for migration 
D)  grooming to eliminate parasites from their feathers 
A)  attacking the nests of neighboring males 
B)  mating with additional females and fathering more eggs 
C)  eating to build up energy stores for migration 
D)  grooming to eliminate parasites from their feathers

Question 17

The proximate causes of behavior are interactions with the environment, but behavior is ultimately shaped by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  hormones 
B)  evolution 
C)  sexuality 
D)  pheromones 
E)  the nervous system 
A)  hormones 
B)  evolution 
C)  sexuality 
D)  pheromones 
E)  the nervous system

Question 18

According to Hamilton's rule, ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection does not favor altruistic behavior that causes the death of the altruist 
B)  natural selection favors altruistic acts when the resulting benefit to the beneficiary, corrected for relatedness, exceeds the cost to the altruist 
C)  natural selection is more likely to favor altruistic behavior that benefits an offspring than altruistic behavior that benefits a sibling 
D)  the effects of kin selection are larger than the effects of direct natural selection on individuals 
E)  altruism is always reciprocal 
A)  natural selection does not favor altruistic behavior that causes the death of the altruist 
B)  natural selection favors altruistic acts when the resulting benefit to the beneficiary, corrected for relatedness, exceeds the cost to the altruist 
C)  natural selection is more likely to favor altruistic behavior that benefits an offspring than altruistic behavior that benefits a sibling 
D)  the effects of kin selection are larger than the effects of direct natural selection on individuals 
E)  altruism is always reciprocal

Question 19

The accompanying graph shows data collected to test the hypothesis that the dewlap extension and the push-up displays of Anolis lizards play a role in sexual selection. Given this data, what can you conclude?

Accepted Answer

A)  The dewlap extension does not play a role in sexual selection, but push-up frequencies do. 
B)  Both the dewlap extension and the push-up frequencies play a role in sexual selection. 
C)  Neither the dewlap extension nor the push-up frequencies play a role in sexual selection. 
D)  The dewlap extension plays a role in sexual selection, but the push-up frequencies do not. 
A)  The dewlap extension does not play a role in sexual selection, but push-up frequencies do. 
B)  Both the dewlap extension and the push-up frequencies play a role in sexual selection. 
C)  Neither the dewlap extension nor the push-up frequencies play a role in sexual selection. 
D)  The dewlap extension plays a role in sexual selection, but the push-up frequencies do not.

Question 20

A lizard's bobbing dewlap (a colorful flap of skin hanging from an Anolis lizard's throat) is an example of a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  reflex 
B)  signal 
C)  innate releasing mechanism 
D)  structure necessary for respiration 
A)  reflex 
B)  signal 
C)  innate releasing mechanism 
D)  structure necessary for respiration

Exam 50: Behavioral Ecology

How do altruistic behaviors arise through natural selection?

If you ask a question about behavior that concerns how it works or what its mechanism is, you are asking a question that involves ________.

A cage containing male mosquitoes has a small earphone placed on top, through which the sound of a female mosquito is played. All the males immediately fly to the earphone and go through all of the steps of copulation. What is the best explanation for this behavior?

Which of the following might affect the foraging behavior of an animal in the context of optimal foraging? I. risk of predation II. prey size III. prey defenses IV. prey density

Feeding behavior with a high-energy intake-to-expenditure ratio is called ________.

In Belding's ground squirrels, it is mostly the females that behave altruistically by sounding alarm calls. What is the likely reason for this distinction?

Animal communication involves what type of sensory information? I. visual II. auditory III. olfactory IV. tactile

Animals that help other animals of the same species ________.

The presence of altruistic behavior is most likely due to kin selection, a theory maintaining that ________.

If the accompanying figure shows the dances of bees in a hive at twelve noon on March 21 in the northern hemisphere, which dance is communicating that the food is to the south of the hive?

Which of the following has a coefficient of relatedness of 0.25? Assume all are blood relatives.

Why would you expect some white-fronted bee-eaters to fly very far away from their nests to forage when there are food sources nearby? Base your answer on your knowledge of cost-benefit analyses,

From the accompanying figure, what can we determine about the location of the food source?

The proximate causes of behavior are interactions with the environment, but behavior is ultimately shaped by ________.

According to Hamilton's rule, ________.

The accompanying graph shows data collected to test the hypothesis that the dewlap extension and the push-up displays of Anolis lizards play a role in sexual selection. Given this data, what can you conclude?

A lizard's bobbing dewlap (a colorful flap of skin hanging from an Anolis lizard's throat) is an example of a(n) ________.

Biology and the Tree of Life

Water and Carbon: the Chemical Basis of Life

Protein Structure and Function

Nucleic Acids and the Rna World

An Introduction to Carbohydrates

Ecosystems and Global Ecology

Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells

Inside the Cell

Energy and Enzymes: an Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cellcell Interactions

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis

Mendel and the Gene

Dna and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair

How Genes Work

Transcription, Rna Processing, and Translation

Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria

Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology and Beyond

Genes, Development, and Evolution

Evolution by Natural Selection

Evolutionary Processes

Speciation

Phylogenies and the History of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Green Algae and Land Plants

Fungi

An Introduction to Animals

Protostome Animals

Deuterostome Animals

Viruses

Plant Form and Function

Water and Sugar Transport in Plants

Plant Nutrition

Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses

Plant Reproduction and Development

Animal Form and Function

Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals

Animal Nutrition

Gas Exchange and Circulation

Animal Nervous Systems

Animal Sensory Systems

Animal Movement

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Reproduction and Development

The Immune System in Animals

An Introduction to Ecology

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Filters