Question 1

Which of the following best explains why sexual reproduction is generally favored in rapidly changing environments compared to asexual reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Sexual reproduction increases genetic variation, enhancing the population's ability to adapt to new challenges.

Question 2

A researcher observes a population of frogs where individuals breed only once in their lifetime, producing hundreds of eggs, most of which do not survive. Which reproductive strategy does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Semelparity

Question 3

Which hormone is primarily responsible for triggering ovulation in the human menstrual cycle, and what is the feedback mechanism involved?

Accepted Answer

Luteinizing hormone (LH); positive feedback from high estrogen levels

Question 4

A female shark kept in isolation for years gives birth to offspring that are genetically identical to her. What is the most likely explanation for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Parthenogenesis

Question 5

Which of the following best distinguishes a fixed action pattern (FAP) from learned behavior?

Accepted Answer

A FAP is a sequence of behaviors that is genetically programmed and triggered by a specific stimulus.

Question 6

In a population of birds, some individuals learn to avoid eating monarch butterflies after experiencing their unpleasant taste, while others avoid them innately. Which two types of behavior are being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning and innate behavior

Question 7

A population of rabbits in a fenced reserve grows rapidly at first, but as resources become limited, the growth rate slows and stabilizes. Which equation best models this population's growth?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN \left(1 - \frac{N}{K}\right)$$

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor affecting a population?

Accepted Answer

A severe drought reduces the population size regardless of its density.

Question 9

Two species of barnacles can both survive on the lower rocks of the intertidal zone, but only one is found there because it outcompetes the other. What concept does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Competitive exclusion principle

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the difference between a keystone species and a dominant species in a community?

Accepted Answer

A keystone species has a large effect on community structure despite low abundance, while a dominant species is the most abundant or has the highest biomass.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a major threat to biodiversity identified by conservation biology?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 12

A small population of an endangered bird species is experiencing reduced genetic diversity and increased susceptibility to random events, leading to further population decline. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Extinction vortex

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

Human birth weights are most commonly in the intermediate range, with very low and very high weights having higher mortality.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of ADH (antidiuretic hormone) in the mammalian kidney?

Accepted Answer

ADH increases water reabsorption in the collecting duct, reducing urine volume.

Question 15

Which nitrogenous waste product is most energetically expensive to produce but conserves the most water, and in which group is it commonly found?

Accepted Answer

Uric acid; birds and reptiles

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why tropical regions generally have higher species diversity than temperate regions?

Accepted Answer

Tropical regions have more stable climates and higher productivity, supporting more niches.

Question 17

A researcher finds that two distantly related species of butterflies both have bright warning coloration and are toxic to predators. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Müllerian mimicry

Question 18

Which of the following equations represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a gene with two alleles, $$p$$ and $$q$$?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between homology and analogy?

Accepted Answer

Homology is similarity due to shared ancestry; analogy is similarity due to shared function.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the function of the loop of Henle in the mammalian nephron?

Accepted Answer

It creates a concentration gradient in the medulla, allowing for water reabsorption from the collecting duct.

BIOL 1202 Final Exam Study Guide: Animal Reproduction, Behavior, Ecology, Conservation, Evolution, Osmoregulation

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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