Question 1

Which of the following best describes the ecological niche of a species, according to G. Evelyn Hutchinson?

Accepted Answer

An n-dimensional hypervolume defined by all relevant environmental variables affecting a species

Question 2

Why do occurrence maps often under-predict the true occupied area of a species?

Accepted Answer

They only show where the species has been observed, missing unsurveyed but suitable areas

Question 3

Which of the following is a key advantage of habitat suitability models over simple occurrence or county records maps?

Accepted Answer

They can predict suitable habitat in areas that have not been surveyed

Question 4

A researcher is using GIS to combine occurrence data and environmental layers to predict where pandas might live. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Habitat suitability modeling

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of the six habitat quality impact factors used in panda habitat suitability models?

Accepted Answer

Annual rainfall

Question 6

The distribution of the Argentine ant is limited by which of the following abiotic factors?

Accepted Answer

Moisture

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why the sickle cell allele is common in certain human populations?

Accepted Answer

It provides resistance to malaria when present in one copy

Question 8

Which of the following is a direct measure of metabolic rate in animals?

Accepted Answer

Measuring the amount of heat produced using calorimetry

Question 9

The equation for aerobic metabolism of glucose is:

$$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$ + 6O_2 ightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + 	ext{heat}}$$

What does this equation help us measure indirectly in animal physiology?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen consumption as a proxy for metabolic rate

Question 10

Which of the following statements about endotherms and ectotherms is correct?

Accepted Answer

Ectotherms can sometimes be homeotherms if they live in stable environments

Question 11

A wood frog is found in both Virginia and Alaska. Which concept best explains its wide distribution?

Accepted Answer

It has a broad ecological niche that allows it to tolerate a wide range of environmental variables

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a condition required for evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

All individuals have equal reproductive success

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the relationship between animal and plant distributions?

Accepted Answer

Animal distribution is often linked to plant distribution because animals depend on plants for food and habitat

Question 14

Which of the following is a real-world example of a biotic factor limiting a species' distribution?

Accepted Answer

Competition between Argentine ants and native ants

Question 15

Which of the following equations correctly represents the calculation of heat produced by a gerbil in a calorimetry experiment?

Let $$m be $$the mass of water melted (in grams):

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Heat produced} = m 	imes 335\ \mathrm{J}$$

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why habitat suitability models are important for conservation biology?

Accepted Answer

They allow predictions about species presence in unsurveyed areas, guiding conservation efforts

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a multi-step process in habitat suitability modeling?

Accepted Answer

Combining occurrence data with environmental variables in GIS to predict suitable habitat

Question 18

Which of the following is a plausible reason why a species might become invasive when introduced to a new area?

Accepted Answer

The new area has a suitable climate and lacks natural competitors or predators

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between homeothermy and poikilothermy?

Accepted Answer

Homeotherms maintain a constant body temperature, while poikilotherms have body temperatures that fluctuate with the environment

Question 20

A closed system respirometry experiment starts with 1 L of air at 20% $$O_2$$ and ends with 15% $$O_2$$ after 1 hour. What is the volume of $$O_2$$ consumed per hour?

Accepted Answer

$$1\ \mathrm{L} 	imes (0.20 - 0.15) = 0.05\ \mathrm{L} = 50\ \mathrm{mL}$$

Environmental Variation, Species Distribution, and Animal Physiology

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