Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between proximate and ultimate causes of animal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Proximate causes explain how a behavior occurs or is modified, while ultimate causes explain why a behavior occurs in the context of natural selection.

Question 2

A male stickleback fish attacks other males that enter its territory. What is the proximate cause of this behavior?

Accepted Answer

The red belly of the intruding male acts as a sign stimulus that triggers aggression.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a fixed action pattern?

Accepted Answer

A goose rolling an egg back to its nest when it sees an egg outside the nest.

Question 4

Which type of movement is characterized by a random, undirected response to a stimulus?

Accepted Answer

Kinesis

Question 5

A honeybee performs a waggle dance. What information is it communicating to other bees?

Accepted Answer

The location, distance, and direction of a food source.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes imprinting in animals?

Accepted Answer

A long-lasting behavioral response formed during a sensitive period, involving both innate and learned components.

Question 7

In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiment, what was the conditioned stimulus?

Accepted Answer

The bell

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of operant conditioning?

Accepted Answer

A bird learning to avoid eating monarch butterflies after becoming ill from eating one.

Question 9

According to the optimal foraging model, which equation best represents the strategy that natural selection should favor?

Accepted Answer

$$E_{net} = E_{obtained} - (E_{expended} + R)$$

Question 10

Which mating system is most likely to evolve in a species where offspring require extensive parental care from both parents?

Accepted Answer

Monogamy

Question 11

Why is male parental care more common in species with external fertilization?

Accepted Answer

Because males are more likely to be certain of their paternity.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of altruism in animal behavior?

Accepted Answer

A honeybee worker stinging an intruder and dying as a result.

Question 13

Hamilton’s Rule predicts that altruism will be favored by natural selection if:

Accepted Answer

$$r 	imes B \u003e C$$

Question 14

Which of the following best illustrates reciprocal altruism?

Accepted Answer

Two unrelated birds taking turns incubating each other’s eggs.

Question 15

A blue jay learns to avoid eating monarch butterflies after becoming ill from eating one. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a form of animal communication?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 17

Which scenario best demonstrates kin selection?

Accepted Answer

A squirrel giving an alarm call that warns its siblings of a predator.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of taxis?

Accepted Answer

A moth flying toward a light source.

Question 19

Which statement about learned behaviors is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are modified based on specific experiences and can be flexible.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of pheromones in animal communication?

Accepted Answer

They are chemical signals that can trigger specific behaviors in other members of the same species.

Animal Behavior: Mechanisms, Evolution, and Examples

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards