Question 1

Which of the following best describes Darwin's two main observations that led to his theory of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Organisms produce more offspring than the environment can support, and individuals vary in their heritable traits.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation in populations?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 3

A population of beetles has the following genotypic frequencies: $$p^2 = 0.36$, 2pq = 0.48$, q^2$ = 0.16. $$According to the Hardy-Weinberg theorem, what is the frequency of the dominant allele?

Accepted Answer

$$p = 0.6$$

Question 4

Which of the following mechanisms can cause a population to evolve away from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a postzygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 6

A population of frogs is separated by a newly formed river, and over time, the two groups evolve into distinct species. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 7

Which two abiotic factors have the greatest influence on the distribution of terrestrial biomes?

Accepted Answer

Temperature and precipitation

Question 8

In aquatic biomes, which zone is characterized by sufficient light for photosynthesis and is closest to the surface?

Accepted Answer

Photic zone

Question 9

Which process describes the vertical mixing of water in lakes during spring and autumn, redistributing nutrients and oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Turnover

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the competitive exclusion principle?

Accepted Answer

Two species competing for the same limiting resource cannot coexist in the same place.

Question 11

A bee pollinating a flower while obtaining nectar is an example of which type of interspecific interaction?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Question 12

Which of the following is a keystone species in a marine ecosystem, known for maintaining species diversity by preying on mussels?

Accepted Answer

Sea star

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows in one direction, from primary producers to consumers and is eventually lost as heat.

Question 14

If the net primary production (NPP) of a grassland is $$5000\ \mathrm{kg}\ \mathrm{C}/\mathrm{m}^2/\mathrm{yr}$$ and the gross primary production (GPP) is $$8000\ \mathrm{kg}\ \mathrm{C}/\mathrm{m}^2/\mathrm{yr}$$, what is the amount of energy used in plant respiration?

Accepted Answer

$$3000\ \mathrm{kg}\ \mathrm{C}/\mathrm{m}^2/\mathrm{yr}$$

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next?

Accepted Answer

Energy is lost as heat and through metabolic processes at each trophic level.

Question 16

Which process in the nitrogen cycle is carried out by bacteria and converts atmospheric $$N_2$$ into ammonia ($$NH_3$$)?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Question 17

A scientist is restoring a polluted wetland by adding specific plants that absorb heavy metals from the soil. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Bioremediation

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Farmers breeding cows that produce more milk

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

Accepted Answer

Microevolution involves changes in allele frequencies within a population, while macroevolution involves the origin of new species and higher taxonomic groups.

BIO 1070 Exam 4 Study Guide: Evolution, Speciation, Ecology, Communities, and Ecosystems

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