APES Midterm Review
Answering each of the following questions will help prepare you for the midterm.
Multiple Choice:
1) Differentiate between the following theories:
a) Punctuated equilibrium
b) Gradualism
c) Natural selection
d) Reproductive isolation
e) Use and disuse
2) Differentiate between the following:
f) Divergent evolution
g) Convergent evolution
h) Straight-line evolution
i) macroevolution
j) adaptive evolution
3) Approximately how many years ago did multicellular organisms appear on land?
4) Differentiate between facultative and obligatory types of species interactions such as commensalism, parasitism and mutualism. Give examples of each.
5) Research and sketch the age structure diagrams of the following countries:
a) United States
b) India
c) Mexico
d) Sweden
e) China
6) Define saprophytism. Give an example.
7) Describe the characteristics of each region of the Earth:
a) Troposphere
b) Lithosphere
c) Crust
d) Mantle
e) Core
8) Define the following words:
a) Gene pool
b) Sinks and sources
c) Point source
d) Low quality energy
e) Ore
f) Nuclear fusion and fission
g) Half life
h) 1st and 2nd laws of Thermodynamics
i) Leaching
j) Loam
k) Aquifer
l) ENSO
m) Salt water intrusion
n) Sustainability
o) R-strategist
p) K-Strategist
q) Fecal colifrom
r) Nitrogen fixation
s) Particulate matter
t) Negative feedback
u) Age structure diagrams
v) Silt
w) Humus
x) Estuary
y) Coastal wetlands
z) Carrying capacity
aa) Tragedy of the Commons
bb) Frontier ethics
9) Describe the characteristics of the primitive Earth. How must have the first heterotrophs obtain their energy?
10) Describe the environmental issues surrounding coral reefs.
11) Explain how environmental resistance affects a population’s growth rate.
12) Write the formula for calculating the net annual growth rate percentage.
13) Rank the major biomes in order from most productive to least productive, as measured by biomass produced per acre.
14) When looking at a food pyramid, at what level would you find the greatest amount of energy.
15) How does the energy change as you move up levels on a food pyramid?
16) Define primary and secondary consumers and producers. Give examples of each.
17) Describe the 3 types of survivorship curves. Give examples of organisms for each.
18) Sketch the climatograms (temperature/precipitation) for each biome.
19) What areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program?
20) Describe the importance of each of the following in the environmental movement:
a) John Muir
b) CCC
c) EPA
d) President Franklin D. Roosevelt
e) Sagebrush rebellion
f) Jimmy Carter
g) President Nixon
h) Endangered Species Act
Free-Response Questions:
21) Define the characteristics of the various types of soil: gravel, silty clay, sand, clay, loam
22) Write the equation for calculating doubling time of a population.
23) Give 2 causes for the variation in temperature/salinity of an estuary.
24) Give 2 ecologically important and economically important roles of coastal wetlands.
25) Explain 3 ways humans have had a negative impact on coastal wetlands
26) Explain 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage to using inorganic commercial fertilizers.
27) Describe 2 soil conservation practices use to decrease soil erosion.
28) Describe humus and how it affects plant growth. Where do you find it?
29) Describe an incentive a country, like India for example, could use to reduce its population growth. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this incentive?
30) Identify and describe one chemical and one physical soil test that can be conducted on soil samples that will allow organizations to give specific recommendations for sustainable agriculture.
DUE: Monday, January 11th
Worth 5 points EXTRA CREDIT on Midterm!
(There is NO partial credit! You must answer every question to earn extra credit!)