Question 1

The vertebrates, which include organisms such as humans, birds, and frogs, illustrate that very different forms can evolve from one basic body plan. The observation that these diverse organisms share a general body plan supports the hypothesis that

Accepted Answer

The shared general body plan among diverse organisms supports the hypothesis that they evolved from a common ancestor and form a lineage. This is the basic idea behind the theory of evolution and the concept of common descent. Option A is not supported by the evidence because these organisms are not simply variations of the same species. Option B is a partial explanation for the evolution of specific traits, but it does not account for the overall similarity in body plans. Option D is also a partial explanation for convergent evolution, but it is not relevant to the case of vertebrate body plans that evolved from a common ancestor.

Question 2

Many of the organ systems observed in vertebrates are present in the annelids, the simplest coelomates; an exception is the _____, which helps explain why earthworms leave the soil on rainy days.

Accepted Answer

The respiratory system is not present in annelids, which includes earthworms. This is why earthworms leave the soil on rainy days - the excess water in the environment fills their burrows and reduces the amount of oxygen available for respiration, so they come to the surface where gas exchange is easier.

Question 3

Which arthropod is properly matched with the correct class?

Accepted Answer

Centipedes belong to the class Myriapoda which also includes millipedes. Spiders belong to the class Arachnida and are not insects, scorpions also belong to the class Arachnida but are not crustaceans, and grasshoppers belong to the class Insecta but are not arachnids.

Question 4

How do biologists interpret the pattern of species richness shown below?

Accepted Answer

The pattern of species richness shown is likely due to the highly adaptive basic body plan of insects, allowing them to occupy a wide range of niches and habitats. This adaptability likely contributes to their high diversity compared to other groups of organisms. Additionally, insects may be less susceptible to factors causing biodiversity loss, further contributing to their high species richness. However, the other options listed are not supported by the information provided in the figure.

Question 5

Gastropods make extensive use of the radula; which letter on the diagram below indicates its location?

Accepted Answer

The radula is a specialized tongue-like structure found in gastropods, and it is located in the mouth region of the animal. In the diagram given, option B is the mouth region, and hence it represents the location of the radula.

Question 6

The specifics of metamorphosis vary among the arthropods; when the life cycle is characterized by _____ complete metamorphosis has occurred.

Accepted Answer

Complete metamorphosis involves distinct stages with different appearances and habitat preferences between juveniles and adults. Choices A and D describe incomplete metamorphosis, and choice B refers to reproductive ability rather than life cycle development.

Question 7

Cephalopods are demonstrably the most intelligent invertebrate animals; most biologists suspect that their _____ best account(s)for their intellectual development.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cephalopods are demonstrably the most intelligent invertebrate...

Question 8

Rather than mandibles like most arthropods, spiders have fangs, which explains why most spiders

Accepted Answer

Spiders have fangs instead of mandibles because they use their fangs to inject a toxin into their prey, which liquefies their insides and makes them easier to consume.

Question 9

During the algal blooms called red tides, consumption of bivalves is discouraged and harvesting may be prohibited; what aspect of bivalve life history is responsible for this association?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the algal blooms called red tides,...

Question 10

Two phyla so dominate the diversity of marine ecosystems that any randomly collected animal is likely to be either a _____ or an arthropod.

Accepted Answer

Mollusks and arthropods are the two most diverse phyla in marine ecosystems, accounting for a vast majority of the animals found in the ocean. Bacteria and rotifers are not animals, and vertebrates are a relatively small and less diverse group in marine ecosystems.

Question 11

What occurs during ecdysis or molting?

Accepted Answer

Ecdysis or molting refers to the process of shedding the cuticle, which is the outer layer of some phyla such as arthropods and nematodes, to accommodate additional growth. Mammals and birds do shed hair and feathers, respectively, but this is not considered ecdysis.

Question 12

The life cycle for an insect whose developmental strategy is complete metamorphosis is shown below. What advantages are evident from the illustration?

Accepted Answer

All of the advantages mentioned in options A, B, and C are evident from the illustration of complete metamorphosis, where the larval stage is generally adapted for feeding and growth, while the adult stage is adapted for reproduction and dispersal. This strategy can reduce competition between the immature and mature stages for resources and habitat, increase the chances of survival for both stages, and allow for greater diversity and adaptability within the insect species.

Question 13

Of the four animals shown below, which is believed to be most closely related to humans?

Accepted Answer

Chimpanzees (choice C) are the most closely related animals to humans, sharing about 98% of our DNA. They are part of the same family as humans, Hominidae, whereas the other animals shown (orangutan, koala, and ring-tailed lemur) are not.

Question 14

The success of mammals is due in large part to several highly effective reproductive strategies, which include

Accepted Answer

All of the above strategies (the mammary gland for nourishing their young, the placenta for supporting the growth of the embryo, and internal fertilization) have played a key role in the success and proliferation of mammalian species. The development of the mammary gland allowed for the nourishment of offspring with milk, providing them with essential nutrients and immune factors. The placenta allowed for the development of a highly efficient means of embryonic nourishment and waste disposal, promoting successful fetal development. Finally, internal fertilization enabled greater agility and mobility in mating behaviors and offered greater protection against external threats to reproductive success.

Question 15

Fruit flies, blow flies, and black flies share a similar life history strategy; they first appear as maggots, pupate, and eventually emerge as adult files. This type of development is called

Accepted Answer

This is because fruit flies, blow flies, and black flies go through complete metamorphosis where they have four distinct life stages: egg, larva (or maggot), pupa, and adult. In this type of development, the larval form (maggot) is completely different than the adult form and undergoes a drastic transformation during the pupa stage to become an adult fly. In contrast, incomplete metamorphosis only has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult, and the nymph form is similar to the adult form. Somatic differentiation refers to the process where cells specialize and become different from each other in terms of structure and function. Hermaphroditic development refers to organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs.

Question 16

Mollusks have evolved a variety of defenses; which group is properly matched with its appropriate defensive strategy?

Accepted Answer

Each option listed matches a defensive strategy employed by a different group of mollusks. Bivalves rely on their protective shells to shelter themselves from predators, nudibranchs use bright warning coloration to discourage consumption, and cephalopods have the ability to rapidly move themselves away from danger through jet propulsion. Therefore, all three options are correct and the best choice is D: all of the above.

Question 17

What features identify the animal shown in the diagram below as an insect?

Accepted Answer

Insects are characterized by having a head, thorax, and abdomen, three pairs of legs that originate from the thorax, and the presence of wings. Therefore, all of the options (A, B, and C) are unique insect features.

Question 18

Chitin occurs in several kingdoms and numerous animal phyla but its greatest adaptive expression is seen in the

Accepted Answer

Chitin is a major component of the exoskeleton in arthropods, which is essential for their survival and adaptation to various environments. Chitin provides strength and support to the exoskeleton, protects against predators and environmental stressors, and enables attachment of muscles for movement. Chitin is also found in other taxa, but its adaptive significance is most evident in arthropods.

Question 19

Which mollusk is properly matched with the correct class?

Accepted Answer

The common garden slug belongs to the class Gastropoda, which includes snails, slugs, and limpets. Nautilus belongs to the class Cephalopoda, which includes squids, octopuses, and cuttlefishes. Scallop also belongs to the class Bivalvia, which includes clams, oysters, and mussels. Nudibranch belongs to the class Gastropoda. Therefore, the only option that is properly matched is A) common garden slug-gastropod.

Question 20

Biologists might have been able to predict that raising lobsters in captivity would be unsuccessful; once a lobster

Accepted Answer

Lobsters become vulnerable to predation by other lobsters when they molt, making it difficult to raise them in captivity without significant losses.

Quiz 4: Animalia