Question 1

A map shows a region at 60°N latitude with high annual precipitation and moderate temperatures. Which biome is most likely found in this region?

Accepted Answer

Temperate rainforest

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why deserts are often found at 30° latitude north and south of the equator?

Accepted Answer

Descending dry air masses at these latitudes inhibit precipitation.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.2$$

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a realized niche?

Accepted Answer

A plant species can grow in both sun and shade, but in nature is only found in the shade due to competition.

Question 5

According to the theory of island biogeography, which island would be expected to have the highest species richness?

Accepted Answer

A large island close to the mainland

Question 6

A population of bacteria doubles every hour in a laboratory culture. Which model best describes this growth, and what is the general equation for population size at time $$t$$?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth; $$N_t = N_0$ e$$^{rt}$$

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a fitness trade-off in population ecology?

Accepted Answer

A plant species allocates more energy to producing seeds, resulting in fewer resources for growth.

Question 8

In a food web, which of the following best describes the role of decomposers?

Accepted Answer

They recycle nutrients from dead organisms back into the ecosystem.

Question 9

A population of deer in a forest is limited by food availability. As the population approaches the carrying capacity $$K$$, which growth model applies and what happens to the growth rate?

Accepted Answer

Logistic growth; growth rate decreases as $$N$$ approaches $$K$$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the competitive exclusion principle?

Accepted Answer

Two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely.

Question 11

A scientist observes that two species of finches on an island have different beak sizes when living together, but similar beak sizes when living apart. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Character displacement

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct statement about energy flow and nutrient cycling in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows through ecosystems, while nutrients cycle.

Question 13

Which of the following interactions is correctly matched with its effect on the fitness of the two species involved?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism: (+/+)

Question 14

A grassland ecosystem receives 10,000 kJ of solar energy. If only 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels, how much energy is available to secondary consumers?

Accepted Answer

$$100 kJ$$

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why ocean currents can influence the climate of coastal regions?

Accepted Answer

Ocean currents transport heat, warming or cooling the air above coastal areas.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

A hurricane destroys a coastal bird population regardless of its size.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the process of niche differentiation?

Accepted Answer

Competing species evolve to use different resources, reducing competition.

Question 18

Which of the following is a direct human impact on the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Application of synthetic fertilizers increases nitrogen runoff into waterways.

Question 19

A population of fish in a lake is closed to immigration and emigration. If the population starts at $$N_0 = 500$, with r = 0.05$, what will the population size be after 10 years, assuming exponential growth? (Use N_t$$ = $$N_0$$ $$e^{rt})$$

Accepted Answer

$$N_{10} = 500 	imes e$$^{0.5}$$ \approx 824$$

Question 20

Which of the following best describes a biogeochemical reservoir?

Accepted Answer

A location where a nutrient is stored for a long period, such as carbon in fossil fuels.

General Biology: Ecology, Biomes, and Ecosystem Dynamics Study Guide

Guida di studio - Domande di pratica

Study guide - Flashcard