Question 1

Which of the following best explains why biomes change with increasing altitude on a mountain?

Accepted Answer

Temperature and precipitation patterns change with altitude, creating conditions similar to those found at higher latitudes.

Question 2

A population of deer in a forest is observed to have a clumped dispersion pattern. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this pattern?

Accepted Answer

Resources such as food and water are unevenly distributed, causing deer to gather in certain areas.

Question 3

Which of the following equations correctly represents the exponential growth of a population?

Accepted Answer

$N_t = N_0 e^{rt}$

Question 4

In the logistic growth model, what does the carrying capacity ($K$) represent?

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes an r-strategist species?

Accepted Answer

Produces many offspring with little parental care and thrives in unpredictable environments.

Question 6

A population of bacteria doubles every hour. If you start with 100 bacteria, how many will there be after 5 hours? (Use the exponential growth equation: $N_t = N_0 e^{rt}$, where $r = \ln(2)$ per hour)

Accepted Answer

3200

Question 7

Which of the following is a primary producer in an aquatic ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Phytoplankton

Question 8

Why are there rarely more than four or five trophic levels in a food chain?

Accepted Answer

Energy is lost at each trophic level, so there is not enough energy to support more levels.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes biological amplification (biomagnification)?

Accepted Answer

The increase in concentration of a toxin as it moves up the food chain.

Question 10

Which of the following is a direct effect of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Destruction of ozone molecules, leading to increased UV radiation reaching Earth's surface.

Question 11

Which of the following best explains the greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent factor that can limit population growth?

Accepted Answer

Competition for food

Question 13

If a population grows according to the logistic model, which equation best describes its growth rate?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the concept of ecological footprint?

Accepted Answer

The amount of land and resources required to support a person's lifestyle.

Question 15

Which of the following is a likely consequence of increased greenhouse gas emissions?

Accepted Answer

Rising global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why top predators are more affected by biological amplification of toxins?

Accepted Answer

Toxins accumulate at each trophic level, so top predators receive the highest concentrations.

Question 17

Which of the following is a major difference between K-strategists and r-strategists?

Accepted Answer

K-strategists invest more in parental care and have fewer offspring, while r-strategists produce many offspring with little care.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

They break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Question 19

Which of the following is a likely effect of deforestation on the carbon cycle?

Accepted Answer

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide due to reduced photosynthesis.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why aquatic biomes are classified by physical and chemical factors?

Accepted Answer

Physical factors like light and depth, and chemical factors like salinity and nutrient availability, determine the types of organisms that can live there.

Ecology and Ecosystems: Study Guide for General Biology

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