Question 1

Which meristem is responsible for the primary growth (increase in length) of a plant's roots and shoots?

Accepted Answer

Apical meristem

Question 2

In the context of plant secondary growth, what is the main function of the vascular cambium?

Accepted Answer

To generate secondary xylem and secondary phloem, increasing stem thickness

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the role of the cork cambium in woody plants?

Accepted Answer

It forms a tough, protective outer layer called periderm (bark)

Question 4

In the diagrams of tree communities, Community 1 and Community 2 have the same species richness. What is the main difference between them?

Accepted Answer

Community 1 has higher relative abundance evenness

Question 5

Which pattern of dispersion is most likely to result from territorial behavior among individuals of a species?

Accepted Answer

Uniform

Question 6

A survivorship curve that is flat at first and then drops steeply at old age (Type I) is most likely to be observed in which type of organism?

Accepted Answer

Humans

Question 7

In the classic predator-prey graph showing snowshoe hares and lynx, what typically happens to the lynx population after the hare population increases?

Accepted Answer

The lynx population increases after a short lag

Question 8

Which of the following best describes top-down control in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Predators regulate the abundance of organisms at lower trophic levels

Question 9

The Anolis lizard example demonstrates which ecological concept?

Accepted Answer

Resource partitioning

Question 10

In the barnacle study, Chthamalus occupies a smaller vertical range on the shore when Balanus is present. What does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Chthamalus' realized niche

Question 11

Which of the following statements about energy flow and chemical cycling in ecosystems is correct?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows one way through ecosystems, while chemicals are recycled

Question 12

According to the energy pyramid, why are there fewer tertiary consumers than primary producers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient, with only about 10% passed on at each step

Question 13

Which biogeochemical cycle does NOT have a significant atmospheric (gaseous) component?

Accepted Answer

Phosphorus cycle

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the relationship between ecological and evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary change alters selective pressures, which can then alter ecological interactions

Comprehensive Study Notes for College Biology: Genetics, Evolution, Plant Biology, and Ecology

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