Most density-dependent factors show negative feedback relative to population size. Which one of the following is more likely to show positive feedback relative to population size?

Most density-dependent factors show negative feedback relative to population size. Which one of the following is more likely to show positive feedback relative to population size? 

A. competition in small, sink populations
B. competition in large, source populations
C. fecundity in small, sink populations
D. fecundity in large, source populations
E. mortality in large, source populations


Answer: C

Select the description of a population pyramid for a population that has the largest potential for exponential growth.

Select the description of a population pyramid for a population that has the largest potential for exponential growth. 

A. broad at the base, narrow at the top, with more females than males
B. broad at the base, narrow at the top, with more males than females
C. uniform at all age classes, with more females than males
D. broad at the top, narrow at the base, with more males than females
E. broad at the top, narrow at the base, with more females than males



Answer: A

What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be made from data graphed in the figure.

What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be made from data graphed in the figure.

A. After high mortality early in life, survivorship becomes constant for the rest of life.
B. After high mortality late in life, survivorship becomes constant for the rest of life.
C. After high mortality early in life, survivorship increases at a constant rate for the rest of life.
D. After high mortality late in life, survivorship increases at a constant rate for the rest of life.
E. After high mortality early in life, survivorship decreases at a constant rate for the rest of life.

Answer: C

What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be made from data graphed in the figure.

What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be made from data graphed in the figure.

A. Adults that are likely to die soon have more offspring than those not likely to die.
B. Adults with greater fecundity are less likely to die than adults with smaller fecundity.
C. Adults with greater fecundity are more likely to die than adults with smaller fecundity.
D. If the probability that an adult is likely to die is great, its fecundity rate is great.
E. If the probability that an adult is likely to die is great, its fecundity rate is small


Answer: C

A species whose population growth is not well described by the logistic growth equation is likely to have all of the following traits except

A species whose population growth is not well described by the logistic growth equation is likely to have all of the following traits except 

A. first reproduction is early in life.
B. it has a long life span.
C. it provides little parental care.
D. semelparous reproduction.
E. it produces many, small young.


Answer: B

Some population parameters vary directly (as one increases, the second increases) and some vary inversely (as one increases, the second decreases) with population density. Which one of the following would be expected to vary inversely with population density?

Some population parameters vary directly (as one increases, the second increases) and some vary inversely (as one increases, the second decreases) with population density. Which one of the following would be expected to vary inversely with population density? 

A. mortality (death) rate
B. fecundity (birth) rate
C. intraspecific competition
D. predation
E. parasitism


Answer: B

At what point in a population will zero population growth occur?

At what point in a population will zero population growth occur? 

A. when N equals K
B. when N is less than K
C. when dN/dt equals zero
D. when r equals zero
E. when N equals zero

Answer: A

Parental care of the young is usually associated with species with a Type ___ survivorship curve.

Parental care of the young is usually associated with species with a Type ___ survivorship curve. 

A. I
B. II
C. III
D. I or II (depending on the sex ratio)
E. I or III (depending on whether the reproductive strategy if iteroparous or semelparous)

Answer: A

Which one of the following factors that affects population growth is not a direct part of the logistic growth equation?

Which one of the following factors that affects population growth is not a direct part of the logistic growth equation? 

A. intraspecific competition
B. interspecific competition
C. floods and droughts
D. predation
E. disease




Answer: C

Which one of the following is not a correct distinction about source-sink metapopulations?

Which one of the following is not a correct distinction about source-sink metapopulations? 

A. Source populations usually occupy better habitats.
B. Source populations are less likely to go extinct.
C. Sink populations near source populations are less likely to go extinct.
D. Sink populations without access to immigrants from source populations are less likely to go extinct.
E. The emigration rate from source populations exceeds that from sink populations.

Answer: D

Allen's rule states that mammals from colder climates have shorter ears and appendages than individuals of the same species from warmer areas. The related Bergman's rule states that mammal body size varies with latitude, with larger body size in populations located closer to the poles and smaller body size in populations located closer to the equator. Both Allen's and Bergman's rule has to do with the fact that

Allen's rule states that mammals from colder climates have shorter ears and appendages than individuals of the same species from warmer areas. The related Bergman's rule states that mammal body size varies with latitude, with larger body size in populations located closer to the poles and smaller body size in populations located closer to the equator. Both Allen's and Bergman's rule has to do with the fact that 

A. larger bodies can store proportionally more fat as insulation than smaller bodies.
B. smaller bodies can store proportionally more fat as insulation than larger bodies.
C. larger bodies have a proportionally smaller surface area, and heat radiation varies with surface area.
D. larger bodies have a proportionally smaller surface area, and heat radiation varies with volume.
E. smaller bodies have a proportionally smaller surface area, and heat radiation varies with surface area.

Answer: C

Select the feature that is not an important characteristic of a population.

Select the feature that is not an important characteristic of a population. 

A. a population's geographic distribution
B. dispersion of individuals within the population
C. the life history of the population
D. the demography of the population
E. if and how the population interacts with a metapopulation



Answer: C

You construct a life table for a plant species and find that in all cases about the same proportion of the cohort survive to the beginning of the next time interval. Such a plant would have

You construct a life table for a plant species and find that in all cases about the same proportion of the cohort survive to the beginning of the next time interval. Such a plant would have 

A. a Type I survivorship curve.
B. a Type II survivorship curve.
C. a Type III survivorship curve.
D. a semelparous life history adaptation.
E. populations regulated by density-independent events


Answer: B

Which one of the following is not a physical environmental factor that determines where an organism can live?

Which one of the following is not a physical environmental factor that determines where an organism can live? 

A. temperature
B. water
C. insolation (sunlight)
D. soil type
E. intraspecific competition



Answer: E

Spacing within a population for a species that is strongly territorial would be expected to be

Spacing within a population for a species that is strongly territorial would be expected to be 

A. uniform.
B. clumped.
C. random.
D. uniform or clumped depending if it is a source or sink metapopulation.
E. uniform or clumped depending on the life history strategy of the specie




Answer: A

Population pyramids are primarily used to show

Population pyramids are primarily used to show 

A. death rates.
B. birth rates.
C. competition.
D. sex and age composition of a population.
E. the carrying capacity.




Answer: D

All of the following apply to the demography of human populations today except

All of the following apply to the demography of human populations today except 

A. we use almost half of the Earth's land.
B. we use over half of all renewable fresh water sources.
C. we are unevenly distributed and the difference is increasing.
D. we are using distributed resources unevenly—less than 20% of us use over 80% of the energy.
E. our ecological footprint is decreasing.



Answer: E

The human population growth rate has declined over the past 30 years. This means

The human population growth rate has declined over the past 30 years. This means 

A. improved status of women and increased family planning have had an effect.
B. actual population numbers of humans are declining in nearly all countries.
C. density-dependent factors have taken effect as we neared our carrying capacity.
D. density-independent factors have taken effect as we neared our carrying capacity.
E. all of these.



Answer: A

The Allee effect occurs when

The Allee effect occurs when 

A. a density-dependent factor decreases a population.
B. a density-independent factor decreases a population.
C. a density-dependent factor increases a population.
D. a density-independent factor increases a population.
E. a density-independent factor holds a population at its carrying capacity.



Answer: C

A __________ would probably have a Type III life history.

A __________ would probably have a Type III life history. 

A. whale
B. coconut palm
C. lion
D. gorilla
E. pine tree


Answer: E

Which of the following factors is not one that increases the likelihood of population extinction?

Which of the following factors is not one that increases the likelihood of population extinction? 

A. Small population size is a factor contributing to a population's extinction.
B. Isolation of a population from sources of immigrants is a factor contributing to a population's extinction.
C. Isolation of a population from sinks of immigrants is a factor contributing to a population's extinction.
D. Low resource availability is a factor contributing to a population's extinction.
E. Lack of genetic diversity is a factor contributing to a population's extinction.

Answer: C

Many times species are composed of networks of distinct populations called metapopulations. Metapopulations occur in areas where

Many times species are composed of networks of distinct populations called metapopulations. Metapopulations occur in areas where 

A. a population in better habitats continually sends out dispersers to bolster populations in poorer habitats.
B. a population in poor habitat continually sends out dispersers to bolster populations in better habitats.
C. a population in better habitats does not send out colonizers into poorer habitats.
D. suitable habitat is patchily distributed and separated by areas of unsuitable habitat.

Answer: D

An example of clumped distribution of a population is

An example of clumped distribution of a population is 

A. an introduction of a new species into a new environment.
B. a herd of antelope.
C. a behavioral interaction between two members of the same species.
D. not very common in nature.


Answer: B

Populations have three basic types of dispersal patterns—clumped, random, and uniform. One can observe random distributions because

Populations have three basic types of dispersal patterns—clumped, random, and uniform. One can observe random distributions because 

A. individuals of the populations do not interact strongly with one another.
B. individuals of the population are usually in competition for resources.
C. individuals of the population are reacting to uneven distribution of resources.
D. individuals of the population with random distribution display social interactions.

Answer: A

In the logistic growth model, as the number of individuals in the population (N) approaches the carrying capacity (K), the intrinsic rate of growth (r)

In the logistic growth model, as the number of individuals in the population (N) approaches the carrying capacity (K), the intrinsic rate of growth (r) 

A. will be affected by an increased birth rate.
B. will be affected by a decreased death rate from predation.
C. will be affected by increased competition with other species.
D. will be affected by increased competition within the species.
E. will not change.



Answer: E

There are three aspects of entire populations that are important and often studied. Select the best choice from the ones listed.

There are three aspects of entire populations that are important and often studied. Select the best choice from the ones listed. 

A. a population's range, the dispersal of individuals within the range, and the size that the population
B. a population's range, the amount of food available within the range, and the size that the population attains
C. a population's range, the parental care received by each offspring within the population, and the size that the population attains
D. a population's range, the size home range of an individual in the population, and the parental care expended for each offspring

Answer: A

In the logistic growth model, as the number of individuals in the population (N) approaches the carrying capacity (K), the rate of growth (dN/dt)

In the logistic growth model, as the number of individuals in the population (N) approaches the carrying capacity (K), the rate of growth (dN/dt) 

A. increases rapidly until N far surpasses K.
B. increases rapidly until N reaches K and then stops.
C. increases at the same rate it has been, continuing on until N is beyond K for some distance before regulating.
D. approaches zero as N approaches K.
E. stops well before N reaches K and stabilizes.




Answer: D

Examples of organisms showing K-selected adaptations include all of the following except

Examples of organisms showing K-selected adaptations include all of the following except 

A. dandelions.
B. whooping cranes.
C. whales.
D. humans.
E. coconut palms




Answer: A

Which of the following is not an example of organisms displaying r-selected adaptations?

Which of the following is not an example of organisms displaying r-selected adaptations? 

A. dandelions
B. whales
C. aphids
D. mice
E. cockroaches




Answer: B

The r-selected populations are characterized by all of the following except

The r-selected populations are characterized by all of the following except 

A. early age of first reproduction.
B. large brood size/numerous offspring.
C. little or no parental care.
D. short generation time.
E. Type I survivorship curves




Answer: E

Populations of organisms that have sigmoid growth curves limited by the carrying capacity are called

Populations of organisms that have sigmoid growth curves limited by the carrying capacity are called 

A. K-selected.
B. r-selected.
C. predators.
D. parasites.
E. perennials.



Answer: A

Density-independent factors do not include

Density-independent factors do not include 

A. weather.
B. earthquakes.
C. intraspecific competition.
D. volcanism.
E. introduction of non-native species.





Answer: C

Ranges of a population

Ranges of a population 

A. are very fluid and change frequently in a random fashion.
B. are stable and almost never change.
C. only change after a disaster has wiped out a former range.
D. change over time due to external events.
E. only change due to iteroparity.

Answer: D

The number of individuals of a species that can be supported indefinitely in a particular place is called its

The number of individuals of a species that can be supported indefinitely in a particular place is called its 

A. niche.
B. biotic potential.
C. carrying capacity.
D. maximum size.
E. habitat usage.



Answer: C

Clumped or patched populations that undergo local periodic extinction and recolonization are called

Clumped or patched populations that undergo local periodic extinction and recolonization are called 

A. randomly spaced populations.
B. uniformly spaced populations.
C. metapopulations.
D. over sized populations.
E. endangered populations.





Answer: C

Demographic studies include all of the following except

Demographic studies include all of the following except 

A. age structure.
B. growth rates.
C. mortality and survivorship curves.
D. sex ratio.
E. measurements of interspecific competition




Answer: E

Population studies include all of the following features except

Population studies include all of the following features except 

A. size.
B. biodiversity.
C. density.
D. dispersion.
E. demography.



Answer: B

A community and the nonliving factors with which it interacts is called a(n)

A community and the nonliving factors with which it interacts is called a(n) 

A. population.
B. race.
C. cline.
D. environment.
E. ecosystem.



Answer: E

A small group of mice are released on an island without mice but with abundant food for mice and no predators. After the population size stabilizes for several years, a hurricane drastically reduces it, we can now say that

A small group of mice are released on an island without mice but with abundant food for mice and no predators. After the population size stabilizes for several years, a hurricane drastically reduces it, we can now say that 

A. the biotic potential of the population has been reduced.
B. its new population size is a result of density-dependent regulation.
C. its new population size is a result of density-independent regulation.
D. it can now act as a sink metapopulation.
E. it can now act as a source metapopulation.

Answer: C

A small group of mice are released on an island without mice but with abundant food for mice and no predators. When the population stabilizes

A small group of mice are released on an island without mice but with abundant food for mice and no predators. When the population stabilizes 

A. the birth rate is zero.
B. the birth rate plus the death rate is zero.
C. the population has reached its biotic potential.
D. the population size equals the carrying capacity.
E. the intrinsic rate of increase is zero.


Answer: D

A small group of mice are released on an island without mice but with abundant food for mice and no predators. Initially, the growth of the mouse population will be limited mainly by

A small group of mice are released on an island without mice but with abundant food for mice and no predators. Initially, the growth of the mouse population will be limited mainly by 

A. the carrying capacity.
B. its birth rate.
C. its biotic potential.
D. only density-dependent factors.
E. only independent-dependent factors



Answer: C

The trade-off between investments in current reproduction and in growth that promotes future reproduction is referred to as the total cost of

The trade-off between investments in current reproduction and in growth that promotes future reproduction is referred to as the total cost of 

A. adaptation.
B. selection.
C. reproduction.
D. genetic change.
E. fitness.




Answer: C

Effects that are dependent on the size of the population and regulate the growth of populations are called ___________ effects.

Effects that are dependent on the size of the population and regulate the growth of populations are called ___________ effects. 

A. K-related
B. density-independent
C. environmental resistance
D. density-dependent
E. demographic




Answer: D

Organisms that produce offspring several times over many seasons exhibit a life history adaptation called

Organisms that produce offspring several times over many seasons exhibit a life history adaptation called 

A. semelparity.
B. iteroparity.
C. biparity.
D. polyparity.
E. alloparity.


Answer: B

Organisms such as lizards that need to maintain body temperature through external means do so by

Organisms such as lizards that need to maintain body temperature through external means do so by 

A. shivering to produce heat.
B. sunbathing.
C. swimming in geothermal pools.
D. running frequently to warm up.
E. eating large meals to provide calories for heat production.





Answer: B

A group of individuals of a single species living together is a

A group of individuals of a single species living together is a 

A. deme.
B. phenotype.
C. genome.
D. biotic community.
E. population.




Answer: E

A group of population members all of the same age is called a _________.

A group of population members all of the same age is called a _________. 

A. deme
B. species
C. cohort
D. tribe



Answer: C

The statistical study of populations including sex ratio, age structure, and predicting growth rates is called __________.

The statistical study of populations including sex ratio, age structure, and predicting growth rates is called __________. 

A. ethology
B. demography
C. population genetics
D. biometrics



Answer: B

Species that have a delayed reproductive stage, are competing for limited resources, and have smaller numbers of slowly maturing large offspring show ______ selected adaptations.

Species that have a delayed reproductive stage, are competing for limited resources, and have smaller numbers of slowly maturing large offspring show ______ selected adaptations. 

A. K-
B. r-


Answer: A

Life history adaptations of ____ selected populations are characterized by an early age of first reproduction and short maturation time and life span.

Life history adaptations of ____ selected populations are characterized by an early age of first reproduction and short maturation time and life span. 

A. r-
B. K-



Answer: A

The size at which a population stabilizes in a particular place is defined as the __________ for that species.

The size at which a population stabilizes in a particular place is defined as the __________ for that species. 

A. growth potential
B. optimum
C. range
D. carrying capacity



Answer: D

The rate at which a population of a given species will increase when no limits are placed on its rate of growth is called its __________.

The rate at which a population of a given species will increase when no limits are placed on its rate of growth is called its __________. 

A. maximum growth
B. carrying capacity
C. biotic potential
D. optimal growth




Answer: C

Based on surface-area to volume considerations, we would predict that populations of mammals that live in colder climates should have _______ bodies than populations of the same species in warm climates.

Based on surface-area to volume considerations, we would predict that populations of mammals that live in colder climates should have _______ bodies than populations of the same species in warm climates. 

A. smaller
B. larger
C. leaner
D. taller



Answer: A

Populations of endotherms that live in colder climates tend to have shorter ears and limbs than populations of the same species in warm climates. This is called ____________ Rule.

Populations of endotherms that live in colder climates tend to have shorter ears and limbs than populations of the same species in warm climates. This is called ____________ Rule. 

A. Allen's
B. the K-Selected
C. the r-Selected
D. Edward's



Answer: A