Question 1

Which of the following best describes the Biological Species Concept (BSC)?

Accepted Answer

Species are defined by their ability to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Question 2

A population of frogs is split by a newly formed river, and over time, the two groups develop distinct mating calls and cannot interbreed. What type of speciation is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 3

Which of the following is a postzygotic reproductive isolating mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 4

Given the exponential growth equation $$N_t = N_0$ e$$^{rt}$$, what does the variable r$ represent?

Accepted Answer

The intrinsic rate of increase

Question 5

Which scenario best illustrates reinforcement in the context of speciation?

Accepted Answer

Two populations come into contact and selection favors individuals that avoid hybridization.

Question 6

In a phylogenetic tree, what does a monophyletic group (clade) include?

Accepted Answer

An ancestor and all of its descendants

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient?

Accepted Answer

Most energy is lost as heat due to metabolic processes.

Question 8

A population of deer in a forest is limited by food availability and predation. Which type of population growth is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Logistic growth

Question 9

Which equation best represents logistic population growth?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Which of the following is a density-dependent factor that can affect population growth?

Accepted Answer

Competition for resources

Question 11

What is the primary difference between a fundamental niche and a realized niche?

Accepted Answer

A fundamental niche is the full range of conditions a species can tolerate, while a realized niche is the range it actually occupies due to competition.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a trophic cascade?

Accepted Answer

A change in one trophic level that affects multiple other levels in a food web.

Question 13

Which process is most responsible for the cycling of carbon through biotic and abiotic reservoirs?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis and respiration

Question 14

Which of the following is a plausible consequence of global climate change on species distributions?

Accepted Answer

Species may shift their ranges toward the poles or higher elevations.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A large island close to the mainland

Question 16

Which of the following best explains vicariance in biogeography?

Accepted Answer

The separation of populations by a physical barrier, leading to speciation.

Question 17

A scientist is studying two communities: one with high species richness and evenness, and one with low richness and high dominance by a few species. Which community is likely to be more resilient to environmental change?

Accepted Answer

The community with high species richness and evenness

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

Wings in bats and birds

Question 19

Which equation would you use to estimate the net primary productivity (NPP) of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

$$NPP = GPP - R$$

Question 20

A population of insects is introduced to a new environment with unlimited resources. If the initial population is 100 and the intrinsic rate of increase $$r is 0.2 $$per year, what will the population be after 5 years according to the exponential growth model $$N_t = N_0$ e$$^{rt}$$?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 272

General Biology: Evolution, Phylogenetics, Ecology, and Biogeography Study Guide

Guida di studio - Domande di pratica

Study guide - Flashcard