Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between adaptation and acclimatization in animals?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation is a genetic change in a population over generations, while acclimatization is a phenotypic change in an individual in response to short-term environmental changes.

Question 2

A cube-shaped animal increases its length from 2 cm to 4 cm. What happens to its surface area to volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

It decreases from $$3:1 to$$ $$1.5:1$$

Question 3

Which organ system is primarily responsible for removing metabolic waste from the body?

Accepted Answer

Excretory system

Question 4

Why do small animals, such as shrews, have higher mass-specific metabolic rates than large animals like elephants?

Accepted Answer

Small animals lose heat more rapidly due to a higher surface area to volume ratio, so they must consume more energy per gram to maintain body temperature.

Question 5

Which tissue type is responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the body?

Accepted Answer

Nervous tissue

Question 6

A bird species evolves a larger, stronger beak to crack large seeds. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Adaptation

Question 7

Which of the following is a trade-off observed in animal reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Producing fewer, larger eggs increases the probability of survival for each offspring but reduces the total number of offspring.

Question 8

Which adaptation increases the surface area for nutrient absorption in the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Folded surfaces with projections called villi

Question 9

If the strength of an animal's leg bones is proportional to their cross-sectional area, and the mass of the body is proportional to volume, what scaling problem must large animals overcome?

Accepted Answer

Their bones become disproportionately weaker as body size increases, unless bone thickness increases faster than body length.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes allometry?

Accepted Answer

Structures or physiological processes change with size at different rates, resulting in disproportionate changes.

Question 11

Which equation correctly represents the surface area of a cube with side length $$l$$?

Accepted Answer

$$6l^2$$

Question 12

Why do adaptations such as lamellae in fish gills and villi in the intestine increase surface area?

Accepted Answer

To increase the rate of exchange of gases and nutrients with the environment.

Question 13

Which organ system is responsible for coordinating the functions of other systems to support life?

Accepted Answer

Nervous system

Question 14

A veterinarian must prescribe a drug dosage for a mouse and an elephant. Why can't the same mass-specific dosage be used for both animals?

Accepted Answer

Because metabolic rate per gram is higher in mice than in elephants, so mice require a higher dosage per gram.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a basic tissue type found in animals?

Accepted Answer

Cartilage

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a real-world trade-off in animal biology?

Accepted Answer

A bird that produces fewer, larger eggs increases the survival probability of each chick but reduces the total number of chicks.

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why volume increases more rapidly than surface area as an animal grows?

Accepted Answer

Surface area is proportional to $$l^2$$ while volume is proportional to $$l^3$$

Question 18

Which of the following is a function of epithelial tissue?

Accepted Answer

Lining the surfaces of the body and organs

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of allometry as adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Dogs have larger hearts than cats of the same body mass, reflecting a disproportionate change.

Lecture 12: Animal Form and Function

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards