Q: A population of frogs in a pond is estimated using the mark-recapture method. In the first capture, 40 frogs are marked and released. In the second capture, 50 frogs are caught, and 10 of them are marked. Using the Lincoln-Peterson index, what is the estimated population size $$N$$?

$$N = \dfrac{40 \times 50}{10} = 200$$

Q: A scientist collects the following data on the number of seeds produced by 10 plants: 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 12, 13, 15. What is the mean number of seeds produced?

$$\text{Mean} = \dfrac{5 + 7 + 8 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 10 + 12 + 13 + 15}{10} = 9.7$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a fundamental niche and a realized niche for a species?

Accepted Answer

A fundamental niche is the full range of environmental conditions and resources a species could theoretically use, while a realized niche is the portion actually occupied due to biotic interactions such as competition.

Question 2

A population of frogs in a pond is estimated using the mark-recapture method. In the first capture, 40 frogs are marked and released. In the second capture, 50 frogs are caught, and 10 of them are marked. Using the Lincoln-Peterson index, what is the estimated population size $$N$$?

Accepted Answer

$$N = \dfrac{40 	imes 50}{10} = 200$$

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A drought that reduces water availability regardless of population size.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why the number of links in a food chain is limited, according to the energetic hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Energy is lost at each trophic level, so only a small fraction is transferred to the next level.

Question 5

A researcher wants to compare the mean heights of two plant species growing in different soil types. Which statistical test should be used, and what is the null hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A t-test; the null hypothesis is that the means of the two groups are equal.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the difference between exponential and logistic population growth?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth occurs when resources are unlimited, while logistic growth incorporates carrying capacity and slows as resources become limited.

Question 7

A scientist collects the following data on the number of seeds produced by 10 plants: 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 12, 13, 15. What is the mean number of seeds produced?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Mean} = \dfrac{5 + 7 + 8 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 10 + 12 + 13 + 15}{10} = 9.7$$

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of Batesian mimicry?

Accepted Answer

A harmless king snake resembling the coloration of a venomous coral snake.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the role of a keystone species in a community?

Accepted Answer

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on community structure and diversity relative to its abundance.

Question 10

A population of rabbits has a per capita birth rate $$b = 0.3$$ and a per capita death rate $$d = 0.1. $$What is the intrinsic rate of increase $$r$$?

Accepted Answer

$$r = b - d = 0.2$$

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of a 95% confidence interval for the mean height of a plant species?

Accepted Answer

If the experiment were repeated many times, 95% of the calculated intervals would contain the true mean.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the process of resource partitioning?

Accepted Answer

Closely related species evolve to use different resources or habitats, reducing competition and allowing coexistence.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a Type III survivorship curve?

Accepted Answer

A fish species where most offspring die early, but survivors live a long time.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the logistic growth model is correct?

Accepted Answer

As population size $$N$$ approaches carrying capacity $$K$$, the growth rate slows and eventually stops.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct formula for the standard error of the mean ($$SE) $$given a sample standard deviation $$s$$ and sample size $$n$$?

Accepted Answer

$$SE = \dfrac{s}{\sqrt{n}}$$

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the difference between macroclimate and microclimate?

Accepted Answer

Macroclimate refers to patterns on a global, regional, or landscape level, while microclimate refers to very fine, localized patterns such as those under a log or in a small patch of forest.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of a p-value less than 0.05 in a statistical test?

Accepted Answer

There is strong evidence against the null hypothesis, so it is rejected at the 0.05 significance level.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the effect of top-down control in a community?

Accepted Answer

Predators regulate the abundance of organisms at lower trophic levels, influencing community structure.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct formula for the logistic growth model?

Accepted Answer

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

Comprehensive Study Guidance for BIOL 6C Exam 1 Topics

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards