Question 1

Which of the following best explains why sexual reproduction is favored in variable environments?

Accepted Answer

Sexual reproduction increases genetic variation through recombination, enhancing adaptability to new conditions.

Question 2

A population of fish is experiencing intense fishing pressure that removes the largest individuals each year. Over several generations, what evolutionary change would you expect to observe in the population?

Accepted Answer

A decrease in the average age at sexual maturity.

Question 3

Which of the following is a disadvantage of asexual reproduction, as illustrated by the Acropora coral bleaching event?

Accepted Answer

Asexual reproduction results in low genetic diversity, making populations vulnerable to environmental changes.

Question 4

In bees, the queen can produce both male and female offspring. Which reproductive mechanism allows unfertilized eggs to develop into males?

Accepted Answer

Parthenogenesis

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the tradeoff observed in the number of offspring per reproductive event in seagulls (Larus fuscus)?

Accepted Answer

Smaller clutches allow parents to provision more, increasing chick survival.

Question 6

Which of the following is a characteristic of K-selected species compared to r-selected species?

Accepted Answer

They are typically found in stable environments with high survival rates.

Question 7

A species of fish exhibits protandry. According to the size advantage hypothesis, what is the likely pattern of fertility with respect to body size?

Accepted Answer

Female fertility increases with body size, surpassing male fertility at larger sizes.

Question 8

Which of the following scenarios would most likely favor the evolution of semelparity in a species?

Accepted Answer

High adult mortality and unpredictable environments.

Question 9

Why do females generally invest more in reproduction than males in most animal species?

Accepted Answer

Females produce larger gametes and often provide resources to offspring before birth.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of inter-sexual selection?

Accepted Answer

Female choice based on male plumage coloration.

Question 11

A coral colony can reproduce both by budding and by releasing gametes. Which statement best describes the advantage of this dual strategy?

Accepted Answer

Budding allows rapid local expansion, while sexual reproduction increases genetic variation for adaptation.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why r-selected species are more common in variable environments?

Accepted Answer

They reproduce quickly and in large numbers, allowing rapid population recovery after disturbances.

Question 13

In a population of Daphnia, which reproductive strategy would you expect to be most common during a drought?

Accepted Answer

Sexual reproduction to produce resting eggs capable of surviving harsh conditions.

Question 14

Which of the following is a likely consequence of removing large, older fish from a population, based on the vermillion rockfish example?

Accepted Answer

A decrease in the total number of offspring produced by the population.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about hermaphroditism is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hermaphroditism allows low-mobility organisms to maximize reproductive opportunities.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the cost of sex in sexually reproducing populations?

Accepted Answer

Sexual populations grow half as fast as asexual populations due to the production of males.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a life history tradeoff?

Accepted Answer

Producing many small offspring, most of which die, versus producing few large offspring, most of which survive.

Question 18

In which scenario would you expect female choosiness to be reduced or absent?

Accepted Answer

When males and females invest equally in raising offspring, such as in penguins.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes iteroparity?

Accepted Answer

An organism reproduces multiple times over its lifespan.

Question 20

Which of the following is a likely benefit of parental care in animals such as elephants or bicolor damselfish?

Accepted Answer

Higher survival rate of offspring due to increased investment.

4.1 Life History Strategies and Reproduction in Organisms

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