Question 1

Which statement is not correct in regards to the basic tenets of ecology?
A) At some point, every population will experience checks on its growth and resource use.
B) Whatever affects one organism can affect others as well.
C) Evolution took place in the past, but it is no longer occurring.
D) Ecosystems change over space and time.

Accepted Answer

Evolution is an ongoing process that continues to occur as species adapt to changing environments and conditions.

Question 2

Which of the following is an abiotic feature of the environment?
A) The average minimum temperature at night
B) The number of days during which a predator is actively hunting
C) The prevalence of parasites in an area
D) The density of plants in an area

Accepted Answer

Abiotic features are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment, such as temperature.

Question 3

In a desert ecosystem, plants capture 120 units per day of solar energy and they use up to 70 units per day in respiration. Animals consume about 30 units per day of the plants. The NPP of this system is how many units per day?
A) 20
B) 30
C) 50
D) 120

Accepted Answer

Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is calculated as the total energy captured by plants (Gross Primary Productivity, GPP) minus the energy used in plant respiration. Here, NPP = 120 units (GPP) - 70 units (respiration) = 50 units per day.

Question 4

Refer to the figure.
 The figure represents an ecological study done by Carson and Root to study how herbivorous insects affected a plant community. Based on the figure, what type of study were Carson and Root most likely performing?
A) A controlled field experiment
B) An uncontrolled field experiment
C) A laboratory experiment
D) An observational study

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure.
 The figure represents...

Question 5

Refer to the figure.
 Vredenburg studied the impact of the introduction of rainbow and brook trout on a species of amphibian, the mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa). After showing greatly decreased frog populations in lakes with trout, he set up an experiment using three categories of lakes: lakes from which he removed trout, lakes that had never had trout, and lakes that still contained trout. He compared the number of adult frogs per 10 m of shoreline in all groups, as shown in the figure. What is the most likely reason that Vredenburg chose to use a large-scale experimental design such as this, rather than a single lake or laboratory experiments?
A) The larger design allowed Vredenburg the ability to do replications.
B) A smaller study would not adequately answer the experimental question.
C) In a larger study, it is easier to manipulate the various experimental treatments.
D) In a real-world situation such as this, all variables can be more easily controlled.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure.
 Vredenburg studied the...

Question 6

Refer to the figure.
 The figure is based on Johnson's controlled experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. The groups in the experiment were the groups containing a specific and different number of parasites per tadpole (0, 16, 32, 48). Which of these groups is the control group?
A) 0.
B) 16
C) 32
D) 48

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure.
 The figure is...

Question 7

Biologists find that tomato plants treated with an insecticide produce 2.2% more tomatoes compared to untreated plants. To assess whether these differences are significant, the biologists would most likely use
A) a control group.
B) statistical analysis.
C) replication.
D) mathematical modeling.

Accepted Answer

Statistical analysis is used to determine if the observed differences in tomato production are significant or could have occurred by chance.

Question 8

Refer to the figure.
 Vredenburg studied the impact of introduction of rainbow and brook trout on a species of amphibian, the mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa). After showing greatly decreased frog populations in lakes with trout, he set up an experiment using three categories of lakes: lakes from which he removed trout, lakes that had never had trout, and lakes that still contained trout. He compared the number of adult frogs per 10 m of shoreline in all groups, as shown in the figure. In Vredenburg's experimental design, why did he use two control groups?
A) To be doubly sure his results were correct
B) To ensure that he had enough data for statistical analysis
C) To control for unknown factors that might be present in the lakes
D) To control for the effects of two known natural conditions

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure.
 Vredenburg studied the...

Quiz 1: The Web of Life

Which statement is not correct in regards to the basic tenets of ecology?

Which of the following is an abiotic feature of the environment?

In a desert ecosystem, plants capture 120 units per day of solar energy and they use up to 70 units per day in respiration. Animals consume about 30 units per day of the plants. The NPP of this system is how many units per day?

Refer to the figure. The figure represents an ecological study done by Carson and Root to study how herbivorous insects affected a plant community. Based on the figure, what type of study were Carson and Root most likely performing?

Biologists find that tomato plants treated with an insecticide produce 2.2% more tomatoes compared to untreated plants. To assess whether these differences are significant, the biologists would most likely use