- What does the term “biotic potential” refer to?
A) The ability of an organism to adapt to environmental changes.
B) The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions.
C) The interaction between different species in an ecosystem.
D) The role an organism plays in an ecosystem.
Answer: B) The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions.
Explanation:
Biotic potential refers to the highest possible reproductive rate of a species under ideal conditions, without any limiting factors like predators or resource shortages.
- Which of the following is a primary characteristic of a K-strategist?
A) Rapid reproduction with a large number of offspring.
B) Slow growth, with fewer offspring and higher parental care.
C) Little or no parental care.
D) High migration rates.
Answer: B) Slow growth, with fewer offspring and higher parental care.
Explanation:
K-strategists reproduce more slowly, produce fewer offspring, and invest significant time and resources in raising their young. Examples include humans and elephants.
- In which of the following cases will a population likely experience logistic growth?
A) When resources are unlimited.
B) When the population grows beyond the carrying capacity.
C) When the population size is constrained by limited resources.
D) When immigration exceeds emigration.
Answer: C) When the population size is constrained by limited resources.
Explanation:
Logistic growth occurs when a population’s growth rate slows down as it approaches the environment’s carrying capacity, typically due to limited resources.
- Which of the following best defines an ecosystem?
A) A large geographic area characterized by the same climate and species.
B) A group of individuals of the same species living together.
C) A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
D) A group of animals living in the same habitat.
Answer: C) A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Explanation:
An ecosystem includes all the living organisms and the physical factors (like soil, water, and air) that interact in a specific environment.
- What is an example of mutualism?
A) A lion hunting a zebra.
B) A bee pollinating a flower.
C) A tick feeding on a dog’s blood.
D) A hawk preying on a mouse.
Answer: B) A bee pollinating a flower.
Explanation:
Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit. In this case, the bee benefits from nectar while pollinating the flower, which benefits from increased reproduction.
- Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor affecting population growth?
A) Predation
B) Disease
C) Climate change
D) Competition
Answer: C) Climate change
Explanation:
Density-independent factors affect populations regardless of their size. Climate change, natural disasters, and extreme weather events are examples that can impact populations without regard to density.
- Which of the following is true about logistic growth?
A) The population grows exponentially without any limitation.
B) The growth rate slows as the population reaches the carrying capacity.
C) The population will always exceed the carrying capacity.
D) The growth rate is constant throughout the population’s existence.
Answer: B) The growth rate slows as the population reaches the carrying capacity.
Explanation:
Logistic growth starts exponentially, but as resources become limited and the population size nears the environment’s carrying capacity, the growth rate slows and eventually stabilizes.
- A species of bird feeds primarily on a specific species of insect that is found in only one habitat. This bird is considered to have a:
A) Generalized niche
B) Broad niche
C) Specialized niche
D) Non-ecological niche
Answer: C) Specialized niche
Explanation:
A species with a specialized niche has specific requirements, such as feeding on a single species of insect, and may only survive in a particular habitat.
- In a population, the number of births is greater than the number of deaths. Which of the following would happen?
A) The population size will decrease.
B) The population size will increase.
C) The population size will stabilize.
D) The population will experience logistic growth.
Answer: B) The population size will increase.
Explanation:
When births exceed deaths, the population size will increase, leading to positive growth.
- Which of the following types of survivorship curve is most typical of species that produce many offspring but provide little parental care?
A) Type I
B) Type II
C) Type III
D) Type IV
Answer: C) Type III
Explanation:
Type III survivorship curves are typical of species that produce many offspring but invest little in their care. Many offspring die early in life, but those that survive tend to live long lives.
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