Question 1

What is allowing new diseases that are driving the Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus sp.) to extinction?

Accepted Answer

Climate change is altering habitats and environmental conditions, which can facilitate the spread of diseases affecting the Panamanian golden frog.

Question 2

The Panamanian golden frog is in decline from what specific threat?

Accepted Answer

The Panamanian golden frog is primarily threatened by a fungal disease known as chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. This disease has been a significant factor in the decline of amphibian populations worldwide, including the Panamanian golden frog.

Question 3

Abiotic interactions are

Accepted Answer

Abiotic interactions refer to the interactions between organisms and their non-living environment, such as climate, soil, water, and sunlight.

Question 4

Populations are best defined as

Accepted Answer

Populations are best defined as groups of interbreeding organisms of the same species that live in the same area at the same time. This definition encompasses the genetic exchange within a species and the shared environment, distinguishing populations from broader or more loosely defined ecological groupings.

Question 5

The study of species interactions includes

Accepted Answer

The study of species interactions encompasses various relationships including predation, parasitism, and competition, among others.

Question 6

Patterns of species change and succession are one focus of

Accepted Answer

Patterns of species change and succession are a primary focus of community ecology, which studies the interactions and composition of biological communities, including how species populations change over time and space.

Question 7

Invasive Eurasian grass species can outcompete native North American grasses through

Accepted Answer

Eurasian grass species can secrete allelochemicals that inhibit the growth of native plants, giving them a competitive advantage.

Question 8

What is replication in scientific inquiry?

Accepted Answer

Replication in scientific inquiry refers to the practice of performing experiments multiple times to ensure that the results are consistent and reliable.

Question 9

How do corals react when water temperatures are too high?

Accepted Answer

Corals expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues when water temperatures are too high, leading to coral bleaching. This relationship is crucial for the coral's energy needs, and its disruption can severely affect the coral's health.

Question 10

The northern boundary of the distribution of Saguaro cacti is defined by

Accepted Answer

Saguaro cacti are sensitive to frost, and their northern distribution is limited by areas where temperatures do not drop below freezing, as they cannot survive in conditions where the water inside them freezes.

Question 11

Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. What is its current concentration?

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere was around 385 parts per million (ppm), although it has been increasing and may be higher now.

Question 12

The tree line in alpine areas is often determined by a combination of

Accepted Answer

The tree line in alpine areas is primarily determined by low temperatures and high winds, which limit the ability of trees to grow due to harsh environmental conditions and physical damage.

Question 13

A common adaptation of coastal plants that grow on sand dunes is

Accepted Answer

Deep roots help coastal plants growing on sand dunes to extract moisture from deeper soil layers, compensating for the low water retention of sandy soils.

Question 14

The photic zone in aquatic environments is typically about how deep?

Accepted Answer

The photic zone in aquatic environments, where sunlight is sufficient for photosynthesis, typically extends to about 100 meters depth.

Question 15

Freshwater fishes are hypoosmotic.

Accepted Answer

Freshwater fishes are hyperosmotic compared to their environment, meaning their body fluids have a higher concentration of solutes than the surrounding water.

Question 16

The distribution of biomes is primarily determined by weather/wind cycles due to latitudinal gradients in

Accepted Answer

Temperature is the primary factor that determines the distribution of biomes. Different temperatures support different types of vegetation, which in turn support different types of animals.

Question 17

Our understanding of what drives atmospheric circulation and precipitation is based on

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric circulation and precipitation are primarily driven by the movement of air masses, where warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating pressure differences and wind patterns.

Question 18

The deflection by the earth's rotation of atmospheric flow to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, is known as the

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis effect is responsible for the deflection of atmospheric flow to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Earth's rotation.

Question 19

What is adiabatic cooling?

Accepted Answer

Adiabatic cooling occurs when air rises and expands due to a decrease in pressure at higher elevations, leading to a drop in temperature without the exchange of heat with the environment.

Question 20

Ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere such as the Gulf Stream run in what direction?

Accepted Answer

Ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere, including the Gulf Stream, generally flow in a clockwise direction due to the Coriolis effect, which is caused by the Earth's rotation.

Quiz 54: An Introduction to Ecology and Biomes