Question 1

Figure 51.6
Use the following information and Figure 51.6 when answering the corresponding question(s).
The following are an abstract and figure from a paper that explores the evolutionary relationship between a protein kinase and behavior (M.Fitzpatrick and M.Sokolowski.2004.In search of food: Exploring the evolutionary link between cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG)and behavior.Integrative and Comparative Biology 44:28-36).
Abstract:
Despite an immense amount of variation in organisms throughout the animal kingdom many of their genes show substantial conservation in DNA sequence and protein function.Here we explore the potential for a conserved evolutionary relationship between genes and their behavioral phenotypes.We investigate the evolutionary history of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG)and its possible conserved function in food-related behaviors.First identified for its role in the foraging behavior of fruit flies,the PKG encoded by the foraging gene had since been associated with the maturation of behavior (from nurse to forager)in honey bees and the roaming and dwelling food-related locomotion in nematodes.These parallels encouraged us to construct protein phylogenies using 32 PKG sequences that include 19 species.Our analyses suggest five possible evolutionary histories that can explain the apparent conserved link between PKG and behavior in fruit flies,honey bees and nematodes.Three of these raise the hypothesis that PKG influences the food-related behaviors of a wide variety of animals including vertebrates.Moreover it appears that the PKG gene was duplicated some time between the evolution of nematodes and a common ancestor of vertebrates and insects whereby current evidence suggest only the for-like PKG might be associated with food-related behavior.
  
Neighbor joining trees depicting the evolutionary relationships of 32 PKG kinase domain and C-terminal amino acid sequences spanning 19 species of protozoans and metazoans.Values at the nodes represent the results of 5000 bootstrap replications.Lineages with known behavioral links with PKG are indicated by gray branches.
-Using Figure 51.6 and the accompanying paragraph,and knowing that the PKG encoded by the foraging gene has recently been associated with the maturation of out-of-nest behavior in honeybees,what would be a logical explanation for this relationship?

Accepted Answer

The figure suggests that the PKG encoded by the foraging gene is associated with food-related behaviors in a variety of animals, including honeybees. Therefore, a logical explanation would be that as animals mature, they are more likely to forage and therefore, PKG levels must increase.

Question 2

Any process in which a signal from one individual modifies the behavior of a recipient individual is termed _____.

Accepted Answer

The definition given in the question specifically describes communication as the process in which a signal from one individual modifies the behavior of a recipient individual. It is important to note that cognition, reflex, perception, and conditioning may all play a role in communication, but they are not the overarching term for this specific process.

Question 3

Homing pigeons' ability to always return to their home,no matter where they are released,is an excellent example of _____.

Accepted Answer

Homing pigeons use true navigation to return home, relying on their ability to detect the earth's magnetic field and interpret other environmental cues. This behavior is not learned, but rather innate, meaning it is not dependent on experience or training. Piloting and compass orientation may also be used, but are not always necessary for homing pigeons to find their way back home.

Question 4

Scientists believe that the direction birds go when migrating is guided in part by _____.

Accepted Answer

Scientists believe that birds use a combination of celestial cues, such as the stars in the night sky and the Sun during the day, as well as the Earth's magnetic field to guide their migrations. Therefore, the best choice is E, which includes all three options.

Question 5

Why should a female barn swallow choose a male with long tail feathers?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why should a female barn swallow choose...

Question 6

Figure 51.4 
-If the diagram in Figure 51.4 shows the dances of bees in a hive at twelve noon on March 21 in the northern hemisphere,which dance is communicating that the food is to the south of the hive?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Figure 51.4 
-If the diagram in Figure...

Question 7

If a prairie dog had the opportunity to perform an altruistic act (i.e. ,give an alarm call)to help its relatives,which combination of the following relatives would the prairie dog be most likely to help (base your answer solely on the genetic relationships)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a prairie dog had the opportunity...

Question 8

A lizard's bobbing dewlap (a colorful flap of skin hanging from an Anolis lizard's throat)is an example of a(n)_____.

Accepted Answer

A dewlap is a visual signal used by Anolis lizards to communicate with other lizards. It is not a stimulus or reflex, and it is not an innate releasing mechanism or a structure necessary for respiration.

Question 9

The principal prediction that can be made from the expression Br > C is that _____.

Accepted Answer

The expression Br > C is Hamilton's rule, which predicts that natural selection will favor cooperation among close relatives when the benefit to the recipient (B) multiplied by the coefficient of relatedness (r) is greater than the cost to the actor (C).

Question 10

What was the main reason the honeybees switched from the "round dance" to the "waggle dance"?

Accepted Answer

The waggle dance is used to communicate the distance and direction to a food source, and is used when the preferred food source is farther away. The round dance is used for closer food sources.

Question 11

You observe that by flashing a small light in a particular sequence,you can attract male fireflies of a certain species.You begin to think how this signal may be used against these males.Which of the hypotheses seems to be the most logical?

Accepted Answer

Certain firefly species mimic the flashing patterns of other species to lure and prey on males, making this hypothesis logical.

Question 12

Which of the following experiments best addresses the hypothesis that moths stop flying in response to high-intensity bat sounds?

Accepted Answer

Playing prerecorded high-intensity bat sounds to flying moths directly tests the hypothesis that moths stop flying in response to such sounds. Isolating neurons that control flight muscle or observing responses of moths to bats in nature do not directly test this hypothesis. Putting bats and moths in an enclosure and making detailed observations of predator-prey interactions may provide useful information, but it is not the best choice for addressing this particular hypothesis.

Question 13

Figure 51.3 
-From Figure 51.3 what can we determine about the location of the food source?

Accepted Answer

The waggle dance in the bottom figure indicates that the food is 90 degrees to the right of the Sun.

Question 14

In red-winged blackbirds,which of the following stimuli elicited the greatest territorial defense response?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that presenting both the model and playing the recording of a blackbird call in the territory elicited the greatest territorial defense response in red-winged blackbirds. This suggests that both visual and auditory cues are important for territorial defense in this species.

Question 15

Figure 51.5 
-In Figure 51.5,which is the most logical conclusion from the data?

Accepted Answer

The data likely shows that young children living with stepparents are at a higher risk of abuse, making this the most logical conclusion.

Question 16

Looking at this evolutionary relationship of protein kinases (Figure 51.6)and knowing there is evidence that this particular protein kinase is linked to food-related behaviors in the animals studied,what conclusions can you draw?

Accepted Answer

The evolutionary relationship of protein kinases suggests that there is likely a conserved relationship between these genes and their behavioral phenotype. Additionally, there is evidence that PKG influences food-related behaviors in a variety of animals. Therefore, the best choice is E, which combines these two conclusions. Choice A is too broad and doesn't take into account the evolutionary relationship shown in the figure. Choice B is true but not relevant to the conclusions that can be drawn. Choice D is a possible choice, but it doesn't take into account the idea of a conserved evolutionary relationship.

Question 17

Which animal is best known for migration using chemotaxis?

Accepted Answer

Salmon are best known for migration using chemotaxis, which is the ability to detect and follow chemical signals. They use their sense of smell to navigate back to the streams where they were born in order to spawn. Pigeons and arctic terns use navigation based on magnetic fields and visual cues, while monarch butterflies use visual cues and celestial navigation.

Quiz 51: Behavioral Ecology

Any process in which a signal from one individual modifies the behavior of a recipient individual is termed _____.

Homing pigeons' ability to always return to their home,no matter where they are released,is an excellent example of _____.

Scientists believe that the direction birds go when migrating is guided in part by _____.

Why should a female barn swallow choose a male with long tail feathers?

Figure 51.4 -If the diagram in Figure 51.4 shows the dances of bees in a hive at twelve noon on March 21 in the northern hemisphere,which dance is communicating that the food is to the south of the hive?

If a prairie dog had the opportunity to perform an altruistic act (i.e. ,give an alarm call) to help its relatives,which combination of the following relatives would the prairie dog be most likely to help (base your answer solely on the genetic relationships) ?

A lizard's bobbing dewlap (a colorful flap of skin hanging from an Anolis lizard's throat) is an example of a(n) _____.

The principal prediction that can be made from the expression Br > C is that _____.

What was the main reason the honeybees switched from the "round dance" to the "waggle dance"?

You observe that by flashing a small light in a particular sequence,you can attract male fireflies of a certain species.You begin to think how this signal may be used against these males.Which of the hypotheses seems to be the most logical?

Which of the following experiments best addresses the hypothesis that moths stop flying in response to high-intensity bat sounds?

Figure 51.3 -From Figure 51.3 what can we determine about the location of the food source?

In red-winged blackbirds,which of the following stimuli elicited the greatest territorial defense response?

Figure 51.5 -In Figure 51.5,which is the most logical conclusion from the data?

Looking at this evolutionary relationship of protein kinases (Figure 51.6) and knowing there is evidence that this particular protein kinase is linked to food-related behaviors in the animals studied,what conclusions can you draw?

Which animal is best known for migration using chemotaxis?