Test bank The Economy of Nature 6th Edition

Robert E. Ricklefs

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Sample

Name Test Bank Chapter 03

Description

Instructions The following set of questions challenges you to put to work your knowledge about
adaptations of animals to their environments. We will consider in some detail the ecology of the black-
capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus), a small (10¿12 g) insectivorous bird of temperate North America. It
is a year-round resident in areas of the northern United States, southern Canada, and interior Alaska
having severe winters. Like the hummingbirds discussed in Chapter 3 of your textbook, the black-capped
chickadee is capable of undergoing torpor. It does so during long winter nights, dropping its body
temperature from the norm of 40°C to around 30°C. By reducing its body temperature at night, this animal
reduces its rate of heat loss to the environment and thus conserves energy. As we learned in Chapter 3,
heat loss is reduced because of the decreased difference between ambient temperature and the animal’s
body temperature. Now, put your knowledge of animal adaptations to work and answer the following short
answer/essay questions.

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 Multiple Choice
Question 1

Question Which of the following represents adaptation(s) of the

kangaroo rat to life in a desert environment?

Answer gathering water each morning from the dew that forms on

leaf surfaces

spending daytime hours in a relatively cool, comfortable

burrow

migrating north during the summer months

all of the above

Question 2 Multiple Choice

Question Which of the following traits is of particular significance in

enabling the camel to function well in its extreme desert environment?

Answer The camel can extract water from the desert atmosphere.

The camel requires very little water to eliminate wastes.

The camel’s large body has a low surface-to-volume ratio

and thus heats up relatively slowly during the day.

The camel is equipped with sweat glands that enable it to

exploit evaporative cooling.

Question 3 Multiple Choice

Question Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum exists between

the wavelengths of 400 and 700 nm?

Answer infrared radiation

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 visible light

ultraviolet radiation

x-rays

Question 4 Multiple Choice

Question The energy content of electromagnetic radiation is rela

inversely to its wavelength. Which of the following kinds of

electromagnetic radiation has the highest energy?

Answer infrared radiation

red light

violet light

ultraviolet radiation

Question 5 Multiple Choice

Question The highest recorded albedo, or proportion of light reflected by

a particular surface, is found in:

Answer snow and clouds

sand, dry soils, and deserts

savannas, meadows, and most cro

forests and water surfaces

Question 6 Multiple Choice

Question We perceive water in small amounts to be transparent to

visible light. This observation is deceptive, however. The amoun

visible light penetrating to 10 m depth in pure seawater is actua

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 __________ percent.

Answer 1

10

50

90

Question 7 Multiple Choice

Question Some algae living at shallow depths in the ocean (the g

alga Ulva is an example) have photosynthetic pigments much like

of terrestrial plants, absorbing strongly in the red and blue parts o

visible spectrum and reflecting in the green part of the spectrum

However, algae living deeper in the ocean (the alga Porphyra is

example) have specialized pigments that enable them to absor

__________ light.

Answer violet

orange

green

brown

C4 plants devote less leaf tissue to photosynthesis itself than do C3 plants and thus lose their advantage under conditions where C3 photo

Multiple Choice
Question 8

Question During photosynthesis, oxygen in water serves as an ele

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 donor for reduction of carbon. In this process, oxygen is:

Answer reduced from its form in water to its molecular fo

oxidized from its form in water to its molecular fo

Question 9 Multiple Choice

Question Why is the enzyme RuBP carboxylase-oxidase (Rubisc

important in photosynthetic assimilation of carbon?

Answer This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of

acids into glucose.

This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of

contained in light into energy stored in ATP and N

This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of

into sucrose.

This enzyme is responsible for the incorporation o

(from the atmosphere or water) into an organic co

(glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate or G3P) available for

Benson cycle synthesis of glucose.

Question 10 Multiple Choice

Question When Rubisco binds oxygen, the net result is a reversal of the

light reactions, leading to the production of CO2 and ribulose

bisphosphate (RuBP). What is this process called?

Answer photorespiration

photoreduction

photosensitization

photoreversal

Question 11 Multiple Choice

Question Which of the following types of plants solves the proble

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 photorespiration by supplying the Calvin-Benson cycle with hi

concentrations of carbon dioxide?

Answer C3 plants

C4 plants

Question 12 Multiple Choice

Question Which of the following statements is false?

Answer

C4 photosynthesis confers several advantages on plants, including greater efficiency of carbon

assimilation and greater water-use efficiency.

C4 plants physically separate the first step of photosynthetic carbon assimilation (in mesophyll cells) from
the other steps of photosynthesis (in bundle sheath cells).

The first chemical product of photosynthetic carbon fixation in C4 plants is glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
(G3P), a 3-carbon molecule.

Essay
Question 13

Question What conflicts arise when plants meet their dual needs of

obtaining carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while conserving water?

Answer The uptake of carbon dioxide and the loss of water from plants

are both problems of diffusive gas exchange with the

atmosphere, and both transfers occur through openings in the

leaves called stomates. The concentration of carbon dioxide in

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 the atmosphere is relatively low, so flux of carbon dioxide into

the leaf is slow because of the small difference between

external and internal concentrations. To obtain sufficient carbon

dioxide for photosynthetic needs, most plants must open their

stomates during the day, when the atmospheric water potential

is extremely low relative to that within the leaves. The latter

gradient results in a rapid flux of water out of the leaves, a

necessary consequence of the plant’s need to obtain carbon

dioxide.

Question 14 Essay

Question What are the costs versus benefits of homeostatic regulation

of internal conditions, such as body temperature?

Answer Homeostatic regulation is costly in the sense that energy is

required to maintain a differential between internal and external

conditions (for example, a homeotherm must expend energy to

stay warm when outside temperatures are low). There are many

advantages to maintaining constant internal conditions. Internal

systems (such as chemical reactions controlled by enzymes)

can operate under optimal conditions and the organism can

remain active under a wide range of external conditions.

Question 15 Essay

Question Is there a general rule that governs the rate of flux of heat or

materials between an organism’s tissues and the external environment?

Answer Yes, the rule is that rate of flux is proportional to the difference between external and internal
conditions. For example, heat flux between an organism and its environment is proportional to the
temperature differential. The rate of flux of a material (such as water) is proportional to the difference in
potential of that material between the external environment and the organism’s tissues.

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 Essay
Question 16

Question Because of their lower surface-to-volume ratio, larger an

lose (or gain) heat less rapidly across their surfaces than smalle

animals. We thus say that larger animals exhibit thermal inertia. Di

the advantages and disadvantages of thermal inertia.

Answer Larger individuals lose heat less rapidly, an advantage in

environments. However, in hot environments, anim

cannot lose heat rapidly risk overheating. Overall,

inertia is advantageous, because larger individuals a

able to maintain a constant internal temperature in th

rapidly varying external conditions.

Question 17 Essay

Question “The physical world provides the context for life, but a

constrains its expression.” Using an example from this chapter, sh

that you understand the meaning of this quotation. Answer: There

many possible answers. Each kind of habitat provides space an

resources for organisms, but also constrains these organisms. Pla

growing in wetlands have access to abundant water, but waterlog

soils and sediments quickly become anoxic, requiring specialize

adaptations for acquisition of oxygen. Birds nesting on Tern Island

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are surrounded by an ocean wit

abundant fish, but must cope with the island’s harsh environment w

brooding their eggs.

Answer This question has not yet been scored.

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 Question 18 Multiple Choice

Question Plants with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) exhib

temporal separation of carbon fixation (carried on at night) from th

of the photosynthetic process (carried on during daylight hours

Otherwise, however, CAM plants are most similar to which of t

following in their photosynthetic chemistry?

Answer C3 plants

C4 Plants

Question 19 Multiple Choice

Question A dense layer of spines or hairs assists plants of cool de

by:

Answer reducing attacks by herbivorous insects.

attracting pollinators and other beneficial insec

minimizing absorption of direct sunlight and reducing

evaporation of water.

reducing wind resistance during periods of high winds.

Multiple Choice
Question 20

Question A dense layer of spines or hairs creates a thick “bound

layer” of still air adjacent to a plant’s surface. This boundary layer

have deleterious effects in a hot desert environment because it wo

Answer foster the development of fungi and bacte

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 make the plant attractive to herbivores

retard heat loss.

shed rainwater that might be absorbed directly

plant.

Question 21 Multiple Choice

Question Which of the following represent(s) plant adaptations

minimize transpiration (and thus water loss) in arid environmen

Answer dense spines and hairs

thick, waxy cuticle

recessed stomates

all of the above

Question 22 Multiple Choice

Question Although the concentration of carbon dioxide in air and in most

aquatic systems is similar, aquatic systems have an additional, m

abundant, source of inorganic carbon that is lacking in the atmosp

In the pH range typical of most natural bodies of water (6-9), which

following represents this “additional” reservoir of inorganic carb

Answer bicarbonate ion, HCO3–

carbonate ion, CO3 2-

carbide ion, C22-

glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)

Question 23 Multiple Choice

Question Inorganic carbon is abundant in water, but this does n

necessarily mean that aquatic plants have ready access to carbon

particular, what attribute of the water adjacent to the plant surface

limit diffusion of inorganic carbon molecules from the water into

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 plant?

Answer the boundary layer of unstirred water adjacen

plant surface

the much higher temperature of water adjacent to the

plant surface

the much higher salinity of water adjacent to the plant

surface

the much higher acidity of water adjacent to the plant

surface

Multiple Choice
Question 24

Question The availability (concentration) of oxygen in water is fa

than that in the atmosphere. Why is this so?

Answer Oxygen has low solubility in water.

Oxygen diffuses slowly through water.

Below the photic zone, there is no production of ox

photosynthesis.

all of the above

Question 25 Multiple Choice

Question What is the main premise of the metabolic theory of eco

Answer Availability of glucose limits most life proces

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 Respiration is typically harmful to living thin

The Calvin-Benson cycle is fundamentally ineff

Temperature has consistent effects on a range of p

important to ecology and evolution.

Question 26 Multiple Choice

Question Proteins, such as enzymes, are susceptible to deleterious

structural changes (denaturation) at high temperatures. How do ce

thermophilic bacteria adapt to this challenge?

Answer Their enzymes are simple inorganic compounds th

denature.

Their enzymes are tiny proteins that are less susce

denaturation.

Their enzymes consist of proteins with greater pro

of amino acids that form strong within-protein bon

resisting denaturation.

Their enzymes “melt” at high temperatures and a

function better in a liquid form.

Question 27 Multiple Choice

Question Which of the following can be used effectively by organi

cold environments to prevent the disruptive effects caused by freez

cells and tissues?

Answer concentration of glycerol (as an antifreeze solute)

and tissues

concentration of glycoproteins (as an antifreeze solute) in cells and tissues

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coating of developing ice crystals (“seeds”) with

glycoproteins

all of the above

Multiple Choice
Question 28

Question Most organisms typically perform well only under a na

range of conditions because of the specific requirements of man

essential systems, such as reactions controlled by enzymes. This n

range of conditions defines which of the following?

Answer the optimum

the limit cycle

the restricted subset

the range of acclimation

Question 29 Multiple Choice

Question Because chemical reactions proceed more rapidly at hi

temperatures, does it stand to reason that fish living in cold environ

(such as the Antarctic) swim more sluggishly than their counterpa

tropical waters?

Answer Yes, because swimming is ultimately the result o

chemical processes whose rates are temperatu

dependent.

No, because Antarctic fish have adaptations (high

of substrate, greater amounts of enzymes, different

enzymes, etc.) that enable them to swim just as ac

their tropical counterparts.

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 Question 30 Multiple Choice

Question Many organisms have to cope with dramatically varyi

environmental conditions throughout the year. Rainbow trout, f

example, experience water temperatures near the freezing point in w

and much higher temperatures in summer. How do they accommo

these fluctuations in their environment?

Answer by producing enzymes that have acceptable lev

activity over wide ranges of temperature

by producing multiple forms of certain enzymes, w

form functioning best within a different range

temperatures

Question 31 Multiple Choice

Question All objects on earth both absorb and emit electromagnetic

radiation. How rapidly an object loses energy by radiation depend

which property of the object’s surface?

Answer its color

its texture (rough or smooth)

its temperature

its moisture content

Multiple Choice
Question 32

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 Question Conduction is the transfer of heat between substances

contact with one another. How is convection distinguished from

conduction?

Answer Convection is the transfer of heat by the mov

liquids and gases.

Convection can occur in a vacuum; conductio

Convection only occurs when the temperature

20oC.

Convection and conduction are identical pro

Question 33 Multiple Choice

Question The rate of heat loss from a warm organism exposed to

air depends greatly on the wind speed, leading to the familiar

phenomenon of “wind chill.” Which of the following is responsible

increasingly greater rate of heat loss from an organism as wind sp

increases?

Answer Wind currents disrupt the boundary layer, red

insulating effect and increasing convecti

As an air mass is stirred by wind currents, its te

drops in direct proportion to the wind sp

As an air mass is stirred by wind currents, th

vacuum created removes heat by convect

Wind chill is an illusion; the rate of heat loss is

by wind speed.

Question 34 Multiple Choice

Question When we determine the change in heat content of an

organism as a function of metabolism, evaporation of water, net rad

balance, and the net transfer of heat by conduction and convection,

are we describing?

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 Answer the habitat of the organism

the niche of the organism

the heat budget of the organism

the food budget of the organism

Question 35 Multiple Choice

Question The metabolism of organic compounds releases heat that

must be dissipated by organisms. How might this metabolism al

contribute in an indirect way to heat loss?

Answer Metabolism of organic compounds releases wa

may be used for evaporative cooling.

Metabolism of organic compounds releases glycoproteins, which can absorb excess heat.

Metabolism of organic compounds releases nitro

wastes, which can absorb excess heat.

There is no indirect mechanism whereby the meta

organic compounds can lead to dissipation of

Question 36 Multiple Choice

Question For organisms that differ mainly in size and not overall s

how does the surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) change as the length o

organism increases?

Answer S/V decreases in proportion to the cube of the l

S/V decreases in proportion to the square of the

S/V decreases in proportion to the length

S/V remains constant as length increases.

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 Question 37 Multiple Choice

Question Homeostatic systems can be found in regulation of internal

temperature in both organisms and human homes equipped wit

heating/cooling systems. In either case, which of the following

characterize these systems?

Answer its use of a positive feedback process to accom

temperature regulation

its use of a negative feedback process to accom

temperature regulation

its use of a mixed positive/negative feedback pro

accomplish temperature regulation

its independence from any feedback proce

Question 38 Multiple Choice

Question In sea gulls living in cold regions, cold blood returning t

body from extremities flows in a direction opposite that of warm b

entering the extremities from the body. These opposing flows enab

animal to capture some of the heat contained in blood flowing from

body and return it to the body. This kind of circulation has a spe

name; what is it?

Answer countercurrent circulation

inverse processing

reverse osmosis

general conditioning

Question 39 Multiple Choice

Question Which of the following is another example of the process

referred to in the previous question?

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 Answer retention of heat in swimming muscles of tu

transfer of oxygen from water to blood across th

fish

transfer of oxygen from air to blood in the lungs

all of the above

Question 40 Multiple Choice

Question The main environmental challenge faced by all warm-d

animals is dissipating excess heat in an environment where wate

scarce.

Answer True

False

Question 41 Multiple Choice

Question Most of the energy in the visible portion of the electromagnetic

spectrum that reaches the surface of the earth is converted by pla

(through photosynthesis) into stored chemical energy.

Answer True

False

Question 42 Multiple Choice

Question Much of the solar energy absorbed at the earth’s surface is re-

emitted as infrared electromagnetic radiation, some of which is in

absorbed by the atmosphere, keeping the atmosphere and the surfa

the earth warm in what has been dubbed the “greenhouse effect.”

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 causes this effect?

Answer Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane in

atmosphere absorb much of the re-emitted inf

radiation.

Radon in the atmosphere absorbs much of the re

infrared radiation.

Particles of smoke and dust in the atmosphere

much of the re-emitted infrared radiation

The blue pigment in the atmosphere absorbs muc

re-emitted infrared radiation.

Question 43 Multiple Choice

Question By adding so-called “greenhouse gases” (carbon dioxide for

example) to the atmosphere, humans are causing a warming of t

atmosphere and the adjacent surface of the earth. What is the sour

the additional carbon dioxide?

Answer combustion of fossil fuels

clearing of forests

Both of the above are sources.

The specific source has not yet been identif

Question 44 Multiple Choice

Question Through careful monitoring of atmospheric carbon dio

concentration at a remote station located on Mauna Loa in Haw

Charles Keeling demonstrated that carbon dioxide concentration i

atmosphere was increasing. He also showed a seasonal oscillatio

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 carbon dioxide concentration. What causes this oscillation?

Answer removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by plan

summer

more rapid addition of CO2 to the atmosphere in

when respiration exceeds plant productio

Both of the above are responsible for this ef

The specific cause of this effect has not yet

identified.

Question 45 Multiple Choice

Question Measurements of carbon dioxide trapped in ice have revealed

that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations in the past 0.5 mi

years were at their lowest levels during __________.

Answer warm interglacial periods

the peaks of glacial periods

periods of intense volcanic activity

periods of intense industrial activity

Question 46 Essay

Question Each cc of oxygen consumed by an animal represents

energy consumption of approximately 5 calories (cal). Using your figure for oxygen consumption from the
previous question, determine the caloric consumption for a 12 g chickadee during a 14-hr winter night
under torpor.

Answer 5880 cal. This figure is obtained by multiplying the animal’s total oxygen consumption (1176
cc) by the conversion factor (5 cal per cc).

Essay
Question 47

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Question The metabolic rate of an animal can be expressed as the volume (cc) of oxygen consumed per
gram (g) of body weight per hour (hr). The metabolic rate of a black-capped chickadee undergoing torpor
is approximately 7 cc O2 per g per hr. How much oxygen would a 12 g bird consume during a 14-hr winter
night under torpor?

Answer 1176 cc. This figure is obtained by multiplying together the animal’s metabolic rate (7 cc O2 per
g per hr), the animal’s mass (12 g), and the length of time (14 hr).

Essay
Question 48

Question Chickadees obtain nearly all their caloric needs from st

fat. A typical chickadee enters a winter night with about 0.80 g o

reserves. By morning, this reserve is reduced to about 0.24 g. If

assume that this fat is entirely used to support metabolic activity,

much energy does the chickadee obtain by burning this fat? To an

this question, you also need to know that each g of fat burned rele

approximately 9000 cal.

Answer 5040 cal. This figure is obtained by determining the amou

fat consumed (0.80 g – 0.24 g = 0.56 g) and then multiplying

this amount by the conversion factor (9000 cal per g).

Question 49 Essay

Question Compare your answers to the previous two questions. W

can you conclude?

Answer The chickadee’s caloric consumption (5880 cal) is quite s

to the energy obtained from fat metabolism (5040 cal). We ca

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 conclude that the animal obtains most of its caloric needs from

metabolism of stored fat, with the difference (840 cal) most like

made up from metabolism of small amounts of proteins and

carbohydrates.

Question 50 Essay

Question The resting metabolic rate of a chickadee maintaining normal

body temperature is about 10 cc O2 per g per hr. Figure the calo

requirement of a 12g chickadee maintaining its normal body tempe

during a 14-hr winter night.

Answer 8400 cal. This figure is obtained by multiplying together

animal’s metabolic rate (10 cc O2 per g per hr), the animal’s

mass (12 g), the length of time (14 hr) and the appropriate

conversion factor (5 cal per cc).

Question 51 Essay

Question Assuming that the chickadee’s only source of metabo

energy is stored fat, and recalling that a typical chickadee begin

winter night with about 0.80 g of fat, does the animal have suffic

energy to maintain its normal body temperature?

Answer No, because its fat reserve, if entirely consumed, would y

0.80 g × 9000 cal per g = 7200 cal, which is substantially less

than its caloric requirement of 8400 cal at normal body

temperature. Because these animals rely primarily on stored fa

to survive during a winter night, they would be unable to do so

they maintained their normal body temperature.

Question 52 Essay

Question What can you conclude about the significance of torpor to the

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 survival of chickadees in cold winter climates?

Answer Torpor is critical to the survival of chickadees experiencin

winter conditions. As we have just seen, an animal att

maintain its normal body temperature during a 14-hr w

has insufficient fat reserves to do so. Sometime b

daybreak, the animal would literally starve to d

Question 53 Essay

Question Black-capped chickadees are observed to feed primarily

seeds during winter. They rely on the high content of fats and oil

these seeds to replenish their own fat reserves. Chickadees are a

observed to feed actively on winter days, regardless of the weather.

is this?

Answer Even with the energy-conserving advantages of nighttim

torpor, the chickadee needs to replenish its fat rese

support its daytime activities as well as its survival d

next night. Its remaining fat reserve in morning (0.

clearly insufficient to support either.

Question 54

Question The surface portion of the ocean, to the maximum dept

which photosynthetic activity is possible, is called the ________z

Answer photic

Incorrect The surface portion of the ocean, to the maximum depth

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Feedback at which photosynthetic activity is possible, is called the photic zone.

Question 55

Question Because it absorbs light most strongly in the green part of the visible spectrum, the deep-water
alga Porphyra appears ________when photographed in artificial light resembling the spectrum at the
surface.

Answer red

Incorrect Because it absorbs light most strongly in the green part of Feedback the visible spectrum, the
deep-water alga Porphyra

appears red when photographed in artificial light

resembling the spectrum at the surface.

Question 56

Question In C4 plants, the photosynthetic reactions of the Calvin-Benson cycle take place in specialized
cells in the ________.

Answer bundle sheath

Incorrect In C4 plants, the photosynthetic reactions of the Calvin-

Feedback Benson cycle take place in specialized cells in the bundle sheath.

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Question 57

Question The condition of oxygen depletion in the deeper waters of lakes or the sediments of any
aquatic or wetland system is referred to as ________.

Answer anaerobic or anoxic

Incorrect The condition of oxygen depletion in the deeper waters of Feedback lakes or the sediments of
any aquatic or wetland system is

referred to as anaerobic or anoxic.

Question 58

Question Certain “heat-loving” or ________bacteria have proteins with stronger bonds between their
constituent amino acids than do heat-intolerant bacteria.

Answer thermophilic

Incorrect Certain “heat-loving” or thermophilic bacteria have Feedback proteins with stronger bonds
between their constituent

amino acids than do heat-intolerant bacteria.

Question 59

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Question When heat is transferred between two substances in direct contact, we refer to the process as
________.

Answer conduction

Incorrect When heat is transferred between two substances in

Feedback direct contact, we refer to the process as conduction.

Question 60

Question 61

Question When heat is transferred between two substances by the movement of liquids or gases, we
refer to the process as ________.

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Answer convection

Incorrect When heat is transferred between two substances by the

Feedback movement of liquids or gases, we refer to the process as convection.

1 points

Question The evaporation of water from the surface of a plant’s leaf is referred to by a special term,
________.

Answer transpiration

Incorrect The evaporation of water from the surface of a plant’s

Feedback leaf is referred to by a special term, transpiration.

1 points
Question 62

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Question Warm-blooded species are referred to as ________because they are capable of maintaining
relatively constant internal body temperatures in the face of wide fluctuations in external environmental
temperatures.

Answer homeotherms

Incorrect Warm-blooded species are referred to as homeotherms Feedback because they are capable
of maintaining relatively constant

internal body temperatures in the face of wide fluctuations in external environmental temperatures.

Question 63

Question Through behavioral adjustment, many reptiles and insects can regulate their body
temperatures within a narrow range. These animals are called ________because they depend on
external sources of heat to do so.

Answer ectotherms

Incorrect Through behavioral adjustment, many reptiles and insects Feedback can regulate their body
temperatures within a narrow

range. These animals are called ectotherms because they depend on external sources of heat to do so.

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