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102 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
A population is growing when
Births > deaths Ro < 1 Sex ratio is equal There is a Type III survival curve |
Births > deaths
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Which of the following is not a demographic process that determines the number of individuals in a population?
Death rate Birth rate Immigration Migration |
Migration
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The number of individuals alive at the beginning of a 1-year to 2-year age interval is 800. During this interval 200 individuals die. What is the survivorship for this interval?
0.25 0.75 1.0 0.5 |
0.75
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When net reproductive rate > 1.0, the population
is shrinking is growing has a Type II survivorship curve has a death rate > birth rate |
is growing
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Metapopulations
retard extinctions have uniform dispersion have a male-dominated sex ratio do not have dispersal |
retard extinctions
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A group of individuals of a single species living together is a
deme. phenotype. genome. biotic community. population. |
population
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A community and the nonliving factors with which it interacts is called a(n)
population. race. cline. environment. ecosystem. |
ecosystem
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Many times species are composed of networks of distinct populations called metapopulations. Metapopulations occur in areas where
a population in better habitats continually sends out dispersers to bolster populations in poorer habitats. a population in poor habitat continually sends out dispersers to bolster populations in better habitats. a population in better habitats does not send out colonizers into poorer habitats. suitable habitat is patchily distributed and separated by areas of unsuitable habitat. |
suitable habitat is patchily distributed and separated by areas of unsuitable habitat.
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Populations of endotherms that live in colder climates tend to have shorter ears and limbs than populations of the same species in warm climates. This is called ____________ Rule.
Allen's the K-Selected the r-Selected Edward's |
Allen's
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The rate at which a population of a given species will increase when no limits are placed on its rate of growth is called its _________.
maximum growth carrying capacity biotic potential optimal growth |
biotic potential
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Species that have a delayed reproductive stage, are competing for limited resources, and have smaller numbers of slowly maturing large offspring show ______ selected adaptations.
K- r- |
K-
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Organisms that produce offspring several times over many seasons exhibit a life history adaptation called
semelparity. iteroparity. biparity. polyparity. alloparit |
iteroparity
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Effects that are dependent on the size of the population and regulate the growth of populations are called ___________ effects.
K-related density-independent environmental resistance density-dependent demographic |
density-dependent
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The number of individuals of a species that can be supported indefinitely in a particular place is called its
niche. biotic potential. carrying capacity. maximum size. habitat usage. |
carrying capacity.
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Which of the following concerning exponential growth is true?
Population crashes when resources are exhausted Growth slows as population reaches its maximum size Common in large, slow growing species such as elephants Includes a component of environmental resistance |
Population crashes when resources are exhausted
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_______ capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species an environment can support.
Habitat Growth Carrying Population |
Carrying
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If a population’s birth rate is negatively density- _______, the birth rate will _______ as the population increases.
independent, increase independent, decrease dependent, increase dependent, decrease |
dependent, decrease
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An r-selected species
Has a Type I survival curve reproduces few times in its lifetime Is very long lived Occurs in stable habitats |
reproduces few times in its lifetime
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Agave and yucca plants appear similar and grow in the same environments, but agaves reproduce once and die, whereas yuccas reproduce several times before dying. Compared to agave, each yucca plant should put_______ energy into growth and produce _______ seeds each year.
more, more more, fewer less, more less, fewer |
more, fewer
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All organisms living together in a place are called a __________.
community population species ecosystem |
community
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Competition shapes communities because there are usually limited __________.
species resources interactions nutrients |
resources
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The attempt of two organisms trying to utilize the same resource is called __________.
synergy parasitism competition interference |
competition
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No two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely without competition driving one to ________.
migrate overpopulate speciation extinction |
extinctionq
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The pattern of living or the function of an organism in a community is called its
niche. habitat. hierarchy. speciation. predation. |
niche
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Competitive exclusion
inevitably leads to extinction of one of the species may result when resource partitioning is not possible only occurs in organisms with behavior, such as animals is impossible to observe in nature |
may result when resource partitioning is not possible
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Resource partitioning
minimizes competition only occurs in ecotones results in interference competition makes realized niches larger |
minimizes competition
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When two species experience niche overlap,
they coexist indefinitely their fundamental niches are smaller both species usually experience increases in population size natural selection may result in character displacement |
natural selection may result in character displacement
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Character displacement is
only observed in lab experiments an evolutionary result of competition a precursor to competitive exclusion the only possible outcome of resource partitioning |
an evolutionary result of competition
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Cattle egrets follow cattle because cattle disturb insects as they walk, making insects easier for the egrets to catch. There is no cost or benefit to the cattle from this ________ interaction
competitive predator-prey mutualistic commensal |
commensal
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Many tree species and mycorrhizal fungi cannot survive unless they are associated with one another suggesting a _______ relationship
mutualistic parasitic competitive commensal |
mutualistic
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Competition differs from commensalism in that competition entails ______
a positive effect on one species a negative effect on one species zero effect on one species a negative effect on both species |
a negative effect on both species
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Parasitism can be thought of becoming predation when the
parasite kills the host parasite and host coevolve host evolves resistance parasite is an ectoparasite |
parasite kills the host
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Müllerian mimicry protects mimics by
having lots of palatable species that mimic distasteful models overwhelming predators with many distasteful mimic species chemical defenses commensalism |
overwhelming predators with many distasteful mimic species
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In ________ mimicry, two or more unrelated but protected species resemble one another, thus achieving a kind of group defense.
Batesian disruptive Müllerian cooperative |
Müllerian
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A _________ relationship is one in which two or more kinds of organisms live together in often elaborate and more or less permanent association.
symbiotic parasitic mutualistic synergistic |
symbiotic
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Some animals are ______ colored and blend in with their surroundings.
aposematically cryptically asymmetrically randomly |
cryptically
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A relationship in which both members benefit is called
predation. parasitism. mutualism. commensalism. sympatric. |
mutualism
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The symbiotic relationship between cattle egrets and cape buffalo is an example of
mutualism. parasitism. commensalism. predation. competition. |
commensalism
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If removal of a species from a community has a greater effect on structure and functioning of the community than predicted from species’ abundance, then that species is most likely a(n)
predator keystone species early succession species species involved in indirect interactions |
keystone species
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During primary succession, what process is most important for the reestablishment of the soil and the colonization of a plant community?
Predation Disturbance Secondary succession Nitrogen fixation |
Nitrogen fixation
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Which characteristic is not true of ecological succession?
Species composition changes through time Physical conditions change through time Rate of change is rapid (just a few years) Primary succession begins with non-organic substrate |
Rate of change is rapid (just a few years)
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The intermediate disturbance hypothesis states that
Communities with high rates of disturbance have greater species diversity Communities with low rates of disturbance have greater species diversity Communities with intermediate rates of disturbance have reduced competition Communities with intermediate rates of disturbance have greater species diversity |
Communities with intermediate rates of disturbance have greater species diversity
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A volcano in Hawaii has decimated a significant portion of the ecosystem around it by covering it with lava. Following this disturbance, what process is likely to proceed?
Secondary succession Tertiary succession Primary succession Heterotrophic succession |
Primary succession
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The reintroduction of wolves (which eat elk) into Yellowstone would have _______ effect on aspen and _______ effect on elk (which eat the aspen).
a direct; a direct a direct; an indirect an indirect; a direct an indirect; an indirect |
an indirect; a direct
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A species that interacts in critical ways with many other elements of an ecosystem is called a ___________ species.
predatory keystone primary dominant succeeding |
keystone
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Communities evolve to have greater biomass and species richness in a process called
symbiosis. higher productivity. spatial heterogeneity. predictability. succession. |
succession
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Lakes become eutrophic by
accumulation of organic matter. loss of organic matter. circulation of water in the lake. free exchange of water with outside sources. an increase in the number of organisms. |
accumulation of organic matter.
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Intermediate amounts of disturbance appear to increase species diversity by
keeping communities in primary stages of succession. increasing the level of immigration of new species making the habitat more homogenous. keeping communities out of the final stages of succession. |
keeping communities out of the final stages of succession.
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Photosynthesis and respiration are central to the ________ cycle?
water nitrogen carbon phosphorus |
carbon
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The phosphorus cycle differs from the carbon cycle in that
phosphorus does not enter living organisms, whereas carbon does the phosphorus cycle does not include a gaseous phase, whereas the carbon cycle does. the primary reservoir of the phosphorus cycle is the atmosphere, whereas the primary reservoir for the carbon cycle is rock. phosphorus passes through living organisms many times, whereas carbon flows through living organisms only once |
phosphorus does not enter living organisms, whereas carbon does
the phosphorus cycle does not include a gaseous phase, whereas the carbon cycle does. |
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In light, a plant fixes 0.12 ml of CO2 per hour. However, in the dark the same plant releases 0.04 ml of CO2 per hour. What is the estimated net primary production of this plant?
0.08 ml/hour 0.12 ml/hour 0.16 ml/hour 0.0048 ml/hour |
0.08 ml/hour
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__________ becomes available to organisms almost entirely through the metabolic activities of a few genera of bacteria.
Phosphorus Sulfur Nitrogen Iron |
Nitrogen
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______ is defined as the total amount of energy fixed per unit of time minus the amount of energy expended by the metabolic activities of the photosynthetic organisms in the community.
Net primary productivity Gross primary productivity Carrying capacity Net metabolism |
Net primary productivity
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Organisms that break down organic matter are called
detritivores. omnivores. herbivores. carnivores. |
detritivores
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All of the following undergo biogeochemical cycles except
carbon. energy. nitrogen. sulfur. water. |
energy
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The net weight of all of the organisms living in an ecosystem is its
productivity. biomass. vital force. photosynthesis minus metabolism. combined output of metabolism and photosynthesis. |
biomass
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Which of the following statements about food chains and energy flow through ecosystems is false?
A single organism can feed at several trophic levels The lower the trophic level at which an organism feeds, the more energy is available Detritivores feed at all trophic levels, except producers Food webs contain two or more food chains |
Detritivores feed at all trophic levels, except producers
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Species richness is influenced by primary productivity. Which of the following statements regarding this phenomenon is true?
Species richness and primary production are positively related Species richness and primary production are negatively related Species richness is highest at intermediate levels of primary production Species richness is not influenced by primary production |
Species richness is highest at intermediate levels of primary production
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In bottom-up control of trophic structure
effects by predators are most important control is exerted by primary producers a trophic cascade begins with removal of predators there are few trophic levels |
control is exerted by primary producers
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In bottom-up control of trophic structure
effects by predators are most important control is exerted by primary producers a trophic cascade begins with removal of predators there are few trophic levels |
control is exerted by primary producers
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Fragmented habitats with high biodiversity
are small in area are close to “mainlands” have extinction rates higher than colonization rates have extinction rates equal to colonization rates |
are close to “mainlands”
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According to MacArthur and Wilson's island biogeography theory, which of the following would be expected to have the smallest species diversity?
the mainland a large island near the mainland a large island far from the mainland a small island near the mainland a small island far from the mainland |
a small island far from the mainland
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Which one of the following explanations for why the tropics have greater species diversity than the temperate zone is least convincing?
Seasonality variability is less in the tropics. Niches are narrower in the tropics. Fewer predators in the tropics allow more prey species to flourish. Greater spatial heterogeneity in the tropics creates more niches. The tropics have greater plant production, which supports greater overall species richness. |
Fewer predators in the tropics allow more prey species to flourish.
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Which one of the following observations was not an outcome of studies by David Tilman and coworkers at Cedar Creek, Minnesota on ecosystem stability?
Plots with more species showed less year-to-year variation in biomass. Species rich plots were less affected by drought than species poor plots. More diverse plots were less susceptible to invasion by new species. Nitrogen uptake and total biomass produced were negatively correlated to species richness. Overyielding was observed in more recent work at Cedar Creek. |
Nitrogen uptake and total biomass produced were negatively correlated to species richness.
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All of the following apply to the demography of human populations today except
we use almost half of the Earth's land. we use over half of all renewable fresh water sources. we are unevenly distributed and the difference is increasing. we are using distributed resources unevenly—less than 20% of us use over 80% of the energy. our ecological footprint is decreasing. |
our ecological footprint is decreasing.
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As the global concentration of carbon dioxide increases, the world's temperature is rising, with great potential direct impact on the world's _________.
climate biodiversity biogeochemistry ozone layer |
climate
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The most serious and rapidly accelerating of all global environmental problems is the loss of
biodiversity. fossil fuels. fresh water. unused land for agriculture. small farms. |
biodiversity
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Biological magnification of persistent toxins should be greatest in
herbivores. primary carnivores. secondary carnivores. detritivores. keystone species. |
secondary carnivores.
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Non-biodegradable material that still remains largely unchanged in the solid waste dumps.
chlorofluorocarbons ozone layer carbon dioxide and sulfur coal, natural gas, oil plastics |
plastics
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The size at which a population stabilizes in a particular place is defined as the __________ for that species.
A. growth potential B. optimum C. range D. carrying capacity |
D. carrying capacity
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Organisms such as lizards that need to maintain body temperature through external means do so by
A. shivering to produce heat. B. sunbathing. C. swimming in geothermal pools. D. eating large meals to provide calories for heat production. |
B. sunbathing.
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A small group of mice are released on an island without mice but with abundant food for mice and no predators. After the population size stabilizes for several years, a hurricane drastically reduces it, we can now say that
A. the biotic potential of the population has been reduced. B. its new population size is a result of density-dependent regulation. C. its new population size is a result of density-independent regulation. D. it can now act as a sink metapopulation. |
C. its new population size is a result of density-independent regulation.
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Clumped or patched populations that undergo local periodic extinction and recolonization are called
A. randomly spaced populations. B. uniformly spaced populations. C. metapopulations. D. endangered populations. |
C. metapopulations.
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The biotic potential representing growth without limits at its maximal rate is given the symbol
A. r. B. N. C. K. D. dN/dt. |
A. r.
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Populations of organisms that have sigmoid growth curves limited by the carrying capacity are called
A. K-selected. B. r-selected. C. predators. D. perennials |
A. K-selected.
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Which of the following is not an example of organisms displaying r-selected adaptations?
A. dandelions B. whales C. mice D. cockroaches |
B. whales
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The statistical study of populations including sex ratio, age structure, and predicting growth rates is called __________.
A. ethology B. demography C. population genetics D. biometrics |
B. demography
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All organisms living together in a place are called a ___________.
A. community B. population C. species D. ecosystem |
A. community
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The attempt of two organisms trying to utilize the same resource is called ___________.
A. synergy B. parasitism C. competition D. interference |
C. competition
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In _______ mimicry, unprotected species resemble others that are distasteful.
A. Müllerian B. competitive C. Batesian D. aposematic |
C. Batesian
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The way in which an organism utilizes its environment may be called
A. resource partitioning. B. its habitat. C. competitive exclusion. D. its niche. |
D. its niche.
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In this relationship, one organism serves as a host to another organism, usually to the host's disadvantage.
A. predation B. parasitism C. mutualism D. commensalism |
B. parasitism
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A relationship, which occurs when one member of the relationship is neither helped nor harmed and the other member derives some benefit, is called
A. predation. B. parasitism. C. mutualism. D. commensalism. |
D. commensalism.
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The actual niche the organism is able to occupy in the presence of competitors is called its
A. fundamental niche. B. realized niche. C. interference niche. D. intraspecific niche. E. exploitative niche. |
B. realized niche.
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Insects that feed on milkweed plants are generally brightly colored. Such coloration is called
A. Batesian mimicry. B. apoptosis. C. cryptic coloration. D. warning coloration. |
D. warning coloration.
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Alligators excavate holes in the bottom of bodies of water. During times of severe drought these holes act as refugia for various aquatic organisms that might perish if there were no water available. Thus, alligators in this system can be classified as a(n)
A. keystone species. B. symbiotic species. C. sympatric species. D. allopatric species. |
A. keystone species.
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Primary succession can occur on all of the following except a(n)
A. bare surface. B. rock. C. area sterilized by a lava flow. D. fire-ravaged soil. |
D. fire-ravaged soil.
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In studies of two species of barnacles in the marine intertidal zone it was observed that Chthamalus can live in the upper intertidal zone and the lower intertidal zone if Semibalanus is absent, and Semibalanus can only live in the lower zone because it is more subject to dehydration. Based on this, which of the following statements is false?
A. The realized niches of the two species differ. B. The fundamental niche of Chthamalus is larger than its realized niche. C. The fundamental niche of Chthamalus is larger than the fundamental niche of Semibalanus. D. The fundamental and the realized niches of Chthamalus are the same. |
D. The fundamental and the realized niches of Chthamalus are the same.
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Heterotrophs must obtain organic molecules that have been synthesized by _____________.
A. biogeochemical cycles B. bacteria C. decomposers D. autotrophs |
D. autotrophs
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Secondary consumers such as _________ and the parasites of animals, feed on the herbivores.
A. decomposers B. carnivores C. herbivores D. bacteria |
B. carnivores
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Organisms that break down organic matter are called
A. detritivores. B. omnivores. C. herbivores. D. carnivores. |
A. detritivores.
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All of the following undergo biogeochemical cycles except
A. carbon. B. energy. C. nitrogen. D. water. |
B. energy.
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In global terms, the production of CO2 by respiration and its fixation by photosynthesis are balanced, but the balance has been shifted towards accumulation of CO2 by the increase in use of
A. meat products. B. vegetable products. C. fossil fuels. D. all types of foods. |
C. fossil fuels.
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With almost no exceptions, the nitrogen fixers are
A. beans. B. green plants. C. insects. D. prokaryotes. |
D. prokaryotes.
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The net weight of all of the organisms living in an ecosystem is its
A. productivity. B. biomass. C. vital force. D. photosynthesis minus metabolism. |
B. biomass.
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The primary consumers are
A. carnivores. B. decomposers. C. detritivores. D. herbivores. |
D. herbivores.
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During the 1960s, a group of scientists in the northeastern United States conducted an experiment at Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire. A 38-acre watershed was completely deforested and the runoff (water flow) monitored for several years. It was compared to an adjacent watershed that was left untouched. The scientists collected data during those years and found that
A. there was no difference in the amount of runoff from the two areas. B. there was a difference but it was not significant, and there was less nitrogen in the runoff from Hubbard Brook than at the control site. C. there was a tremendous increase in the total amount of runoff but the nitrogen levels were fairly constant in both areas. D. there was a tremendous increase in the amount of runoff and the nitrogen levels in the runoff were huge compared with the control. |
D. there was a tremendous increase in the amount of runoff and the nitrogen levels in the runoff were huge compared with the control.
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Which of the following choices best describes the relationship that exists between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
A. Photosynthesis captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere. Cellular respiration releases carbon back into the atmosphere. B. Photosynthesis captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere as does cellular respiration. C. Photosynthesis releases carbon into the atmosphere. Cellular respiration captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere. D. Photosynthesis releases carbon into the atmosphere as does cellular respiration. |
A. Photosynthesis captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere. Cellular respiration releases carbon back into the atmosphere.
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According to MacArthur and Wilson's island biogeography theory, which of the following would be expected to have the smallest species diversity?
A. a large island near the mainland B. a large island far from the mainland C. a small island near the mainland D. a small island far from the mainland |
D. a small island far from the mainland
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CO2 and other gases, which absorb the longer wavelengths of infrared light and radiated heat from Earth, are responsible in causing the _________.
A. ozone layer depletion B. greenhouse effect C. decreased biodiversity D. acid rain |
B. greenhouse effect
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Most of the ultraviolet radiation reaching the upper atmosphere is absorbed by
A. CFCs. B. ozone. C. nitrogen. D. carbon dioxide. |
B. ozone.
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Acid precipitation (rain, snow, and fog) is caused by sulfur and nitrous oxides in the atmosphere combining with water to produce sulfur and nitrogen acids. Which statement concerning acid precipitation is accurate?
A. Acid precipitation is currently not a major environmental issue. Utility companies worldwide have identified the problem and will have solutions within the next century. B. Acid precipitation in some parts of the world has actually increased agricultural production by freeing locked minerals from the soil. C. Acid precipitation has increased over the last fifty years and in some areas has caused extensive forest damage and lake wildlife extinctions. D. Acid precipitation will cause environments to have a higher pH, especially in lake ecosystems. |
C. Acid precipitation has increased over the last fifty years and in some areas has caused extensive forest damage and lake wildlife extinctions.
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