Biology 112 – Introduction to Ecology

Midterm Exam 1 MTX 1 / Session:
Section:
Class Location:
Days / Time: Instructor: / FALL 2015
54018 3 Units
NVC 2240
M 6:00 PM – 8:50 PM
RIDDELL

1. Environmental Science and Sustainability

1.As the 21st century began, the global human population reached _____ billion.

a) 3

b) 5

c) 7

d) 8

e) 9

2.The interdisciplinary study of humanity’s relationship with other organisms and the non-living physical environment is termed:

a) ecology.

b) sociology.

c) political science.

d) risk analysis.

e) environmental science.

3.Highly developed countries are characterized by:

a) high rates of population growth

b) high per capita incomes

c) simple agricultural bases

d) 50% of the world’s population

e) Thailand, Mexico and South Africa

4.The ability to meet humanity’s current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to

meet their needs is termed:

a) ecology.

b) environmental sustainability.

c) natural balance.

d) synergism.

e) environmental science.

5.Examples of non-sustainable human activities or behaviors include:

a) recycling.

b) attempts to limit human population growth.

c) using technology to improve car mileage.

d) use of nonrenewable resources as if they were present in unlimited quantities.

e) conservation practices.

6.What activity/activities contribute(s) to making the human species the most significant agent of environmental change on Earth?

a) continued population growth

b) consuming non-renewable resources

c) eradicating unique species

d) ignoring the environment

e) All of the above.

7.Non-renewable resource IS TO renewable resource AS;

a) living is to non-living

b) limited supply is to sustainable supply

c) tree is to coal

d) wind energy is to fossil fuel energy

e) conservation is to overexploitation

8.Which of the following represents an idea associated with environmental sustainability?

a) The capacity of the environment to absorb toxins is unlimited.

b) The human population continues to grow.

c) We are using fossil fuels as if they were present in unlimited supply.

d) The Earth's resources are not present in infinite supply

e) None of the above

3. Ecosystems and Energy

9.Which of the following is an abiotic factor of the environment?

a) living spaces

b) disease organisms

c) photosynthesis

d) producers

e) detritivores

10.A species is defined as:

a) organisms that live together.

b) organisms that live in the same area at the same time.

c) a group of similar organisms whose members freely interbreed with one another.

d) all of the organisms that live together in an area, plus the physical environment that they live in.

e) all organisms at a given trophic level within a particular community.

11.Which of the following series is organized according to the levels of organization used by ecologists?

a) population -> ecosystem -> community

b) species -> community -> abiotic factors

c) species -> ecosystem -> population

d) population -> community -> biotic factors

e) population -> community -> ecosystem

12.An ecosystem can be characterized as:

a) populations + community.

b) all species, population, and community interactions for organisms in a given area.

c) the abiotic components of the environment.

d) all of the biological interactions, plus interactions with the abiotic environment, in a given area.

e) interactions between physical processes and the abiotic environment.

13.All of the following are components of the hydrosphere except:

a) sea ice.

b) tropical rainstorms.

c) soil.

d) hail.

e) rivers.

14.The crust of our planet that is made of rock and soil is what layer?

a) hydrosphere.

b) ecosphere.

c) biosphere.

d) lithosphere.

e) atmosphere.

15.A wolf is an example of:

a) a tertiary consumer.

b) an autotroph.

c) a saprotroph.

d) a herbivore.

e) an omnivore.

16.In a pyramid of biomass, the tropic level of which organism would have the LEAST BIOMASS?

Grass, is eaten by grasshoppers, which are eaten by toads, which are eaten by snakes

a) grass

b) grasshoppers

c) toads

d) snakes

e) none of these, all tropic levels would be of equal biomass

17.Which term encompasses the other four?

a) community

b) population

c) species

d) biosphere

e) ecosystem

Refer to the food web above:

18.Which statement best portrays the deer?

a) consumers that eat producers are primary consumers or herbivores

b) secondary consumers eat primary consumers

c) both secondary and tertiary consumers are carnivores

d) tertiary consumers are also called heterotrophs

e) primary consumers are detritus feeders

4. Ecosystems and Living Organisms

19.The common way that a species is defined is that a members of a species includes all organisms that are similar enough to

a) fill the same niche

b) occupy the same community

c) live together

d) freely interbreed in the wild

e) be classified in the same kingdom

20.The relationship between a tick and a dog is an example of:

a) parasitism.

b) mutualism.

c) commensalism.

d) an epiphytic organism and its host.

e) predation.

21.The shape of the bill on the moths in the figure below is most likely the result of:

a) coevolution.

b) intraspecific competition.

c) parasitism.

d) natural selection.

e) a and d

22.The associated figure provides support for which of the following processes?

a) secondary succession

b) competitive exclusion

c) coevolution

d) mutualism

e) resource partitioning

23.Based on the figure below, as the structural complexity of the vegetation decreases, species richness:

a) increases.

b) decreases.

c) remains relatively stable.

d) exponentially oscillates.

e) displays geometric growth.

24.The reason(s) that tropical regions of the world have such high biodiversity is:

a) because they are geologically stable.

b) because they have a high productivity.

c) because there are many ecological niches.

d) All of the above

e) None of the above

Consider species A and B within an ecological community. These species might interact in various ways that represent gains, losses, or no effect to the two species. In the cells below, identify the terms that describe the types of interactions that might be occurring between species A and B in the community.

MATCHING / Classification: Match the CHOICE of Examples with the relationship indicated in the table below.

CHOICE / EXAMPLE for A and B Species
25._____
26._____
27._____
28._____
29._____
30._____ / Ferns that support orchids
Homo neanderthalensis vs Homosapiens
Elk overgrazing Scrub vegetation
Bacteria that live in your colon
You and your unending demand for Salmon
Separate species of Birds roosting in same tree
CLASSIFICATION OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPECIES
For Species A / For Species A / For Species A
For Species B / Positive for A / Neutral for A / Negative for A
And Positive for B / Mutualism
A / Commensalism
B / Competitive Exclusion
C
And Neutral for B / Resource partitioning D
And Negative for B / Predation
E / Competitive Limited Resources
AC

5. Ecosystems and the Physical Environment

31.Which of the following is not one of the biogeochemical cycles considered of particular importance for

organisms?

a) carbon

b) hydrogen

c) nitrogen

d) phosphorus

e) water

32.In the carbon cycle, carbon can be found in:

a) limestone, animals, and plants.

b) oil, bicarbonate, and sugar.

c) carbon dioxide and coal.

d) the atmosphere.

e) All of the above

33.Approximately what percentage of the atmosphere is CO2?

a) 0.001%

b) 0.037%

c) 10%

d) 30%

e) 75%

34.Which of the following is not a source of carbon for the carbon cycle?

a) shells of marine organisms

b) oil

c) decomposers

d) fertilizer

e) the atmosphere

35.The nitrogen cycle is one of the most important and complex of the biogeochemical cycles. It is important because nitrogen:

a) is a greenhouse gas

b) is an essential part of biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids (DNA)

c) is the most toxic element to living organisms

d) dilutes the oxygen in the atmosphere causing respiratory problems

e) is a crucial part of the process of photosynthesis

36.Solar radiation:

a) powers the hydrologic and other biogeochemical cycles.

b) is essential for photosynthesis.

c) is the product of a massive nuclear fusion reaction.

d) is captured by plants and may eventually become the energy available from fossil fuels.

e) All of the above

37.The Earth's atmosphere is important because:

a) it is primarily composed of oxygen, essential for our survival.

b) it is composed of approximately twenty different layers.

c) it protects us from UV radiation and X-rays.

d) it is a stable and unchanging part of our global environment.

e) the most dense outer layer shields the Earth's surface from dangerous forms of energy.

38.The phenomenon in which high levels of carbon dioxide cause global warming is known as:

a) the Gaia theory.

b) acid deposition.

c) the greenhouse effect.

d) global distillation.

e) the El Niño—Southern Oscillation.

39. Complex horizontal movements of the atmosphere are commonly known as:

a) gyres.

b) wind.

c) climate.

d) The Coriolis effect.

e) upwelling.

40.The Coriolis effect is due to:

a) variations in the amount of solar radiation reaching different locations.

b) seasonal changes in the levels of solar radiation at a given location.

c) The density of the oceans.

d) the Earth's orbit.

e) the Earth's rotation.

41.Which of the following accurately represents a carbon source and the process that releases carbon from that source?

a) fossil fuels, respiration

b) animals, photosynthesis

c) plants, cellular respiration

d) bicarbonate, combustion

e) limestone, combustion

42.El Niño and La Niña are similar in that both events

a) originate in the Atlantic Ocean

b) affect weather patterns

c) are predictable every year

d) cause global cooling

e) are associated with Christmas

Chapter 6 Major Ecosystems of the World

43.Which of the following is characteristic of desert animals?

a) They tend to be quite large in size.

b) They remain inactive during the driest months of the year.

c) They are active throughout the day and night.

d) Rodents are the only group of mammals represented in this biome.

e) Amphibians and reptiles are absent.

44.Chaparral biomes occur:

a) only in the immediate area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

b) in regions with low levels of annual precipitation.

c) in areas with very fertile soil and a deep topsoil layer.

d) in areas where fires are almost nonexistent.

e) in regions around the globe with mild, wet winters, followed by hot, dry summers.

45.Which of the following organizational hierarchies is correct?

a) ecosystem  population  community  biome

b) biome  community  population  ecosystem

c) community  population  ecosystem  biome

d) population  community  ecosystem  biome

e) ecosystem  biome  community  population

46. A relatively distinct terrestrial region characterized by similar environmental factors regardless of where it occurs in the world is called a/an:

a) biome.

b) community.

c) ecosystem.

d) habitat.

e) population.

47.The biome most suitable for the development of farmland is:

a) taiga.

b) tropical rain forest

c) temperate grassland.

d) chaparral.

e) tundra.

48.Hot summers and cold winters, topsoil rich in organic material, annual precipitation of 75 to 125 cm (30-50 in), and many hardwood trees are characteristics of the:

a) temperate deciduous forest.

b) temperate grassland.

c) temperate rain forest.

d) boreal forest.

e) chaparral.

49.The biome with considerable organic material in the soil, annual precipitation of 10-30 inches, and periodic wildfires to maintain the dominant vegetation is the:

a) temperate deciduous forest.

b) chaparral.

c) temperate grassland.

d) boreal forest.

e) temperate rain forest.

50.Which of the following biomes has the highest biodiversity?

a) temperate deciduous forest

b) savanna

c) taiga

d) tropical rain forest

e) tropical desert

51.According to the diagram below, chapparal biomes would fall into the area marked by the letter:

a) a

b)b

c)c

d)d

e)e

Using the color Chart below, identify the major biomes indicated by the intersection of boundaries on the Precipitation and Temperature graph

52.Desert

53.Forest Boreal

54.Forest Temperate Deciduous

55.Forest Temperate Rain

56.Forest Tropical Rain

57.Grassland

58.Permanent Ice

59.Tundra

1 BIO 112 F 2015 MX 1 Q 150928.2.doc