Chapter 4 Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology Review Questions

QUESTION: Review Which of the following is NOT a part of the process of natural selection? a) Organisms struggle to survive b) Organisms produce more young than can survive c) Individuals of a species tend to have very similar genetic characteristics d) Some individuals are better suited to their environment than others e) Surviving individuals pass their genes on to their offspring Answer: c

QUESTION: Review Which of the following is NOT true about genetic mutations? a) They are accidental changes in DNA b) They are always lethal c) They can be passed on to future generations d) They can lead to genetic variation e) Mutations, along with sexual reproduction, lead to variation in individuals Answer: b

QUESTION: Review Biological diversity includes all of the following EXCEPT: a) Species diversity b) Genetic diversity c) Population diversity d) Community diversity e) All of these are included in the concept of biodiversity. Answer: e

QUESTION: Review Allopatric speciation would NOT occur in : a) Half of a population that mates in May, and the other half that mates in June b) A population separated by the Mississippi River c) A population separated by a glacier d) A population separated by the Rocky Mountains e) It would occur in all of these populations. Answer: a

QUESTION: Review The disappearance of a species from Earth is called: a) Endemism b) Speciation c) Extinction d) Phylogenetics e) Randomization Answer: c

QUESTION: Review An ecosystem is defined as: a) All living things on Earth b) Members of the same population that can interbreed c) Interacting species in an area d) Communities and the non-living material they interact with e) Members of the same species that live in the same area Answer: d

QUESTION: Review ________ is defined as “the number of individuals of a population per unit area.” a) Population size b) Population density c) Population distribution d) Sex ratio e) Age structure Answer: b

QUESTION: Review ________ is defined as “the proportion of males to females.” a) Population size b) Population density c) Population distribution d) Sex ratio e) Age structure Answer: d

QUESTION: Review Which of the following is a limiting factor? a) Water b) Space c) Food d) Predators e) All of these are limiting factors. Answer: e

QUESTION: Review A “K” selected species generally has all of the following characteristics EXCEPT: a) Large size b) Short-lived c) Good competitor d) Constant population size e) Slow population growth Answer: b

QUESTION: Viewpoints Should we care whether a species goes extinct? Yes, because all life is important and valuable. Yes, because we are causing this wave of extinction, so we should fix it. We should not, because it’s a natural process. I don’t care; it really does not affect me. Answer: any

QUESTION: Viewpoints Do you think humans are subject to limiting factors and, ultimately, a fixed carrying capacity? Yes, although we have raised the carrying capacity, there are limits to the number of humans the Earth can support. Yes, but technology will keep raising the carrying capacity, so it’s not much of a problem. No, humans are no longer constrained by environmental limits, due to our technology and ability to manipulate the environment. I don’t care. It really does not affect me. Answer: any

QUESTION: Interpreting Graphs and Data Which of the following graphs shows a population that will have lots more individuals in the future? Answer: a (a) (b) (c) (d)

QUESTION: Interpreting Graphs and Data Which type of distribution shows individuals arranged according to the availability of resources? a) Random b) Uniform c) Clumped d) None of these Answer: c

QUESTION: Interpreting Graphs and Data What does this graph show? a) The effects of carrying capacity on population growth b) A population that keeps growing until all individuals die c) The effects of exponential growth d) The effects of increasing carrying capacity e) None of these Answer: a