Chapter 52 An Introduction to Ecology and
the Biosphere
Because of the introductory nature of this chapter, Knowledge/Comprehension questions
abound. Application/Analysis and Synthesis/Evaluation questions have been inserted to
challenge students to work with what they have learned to form more a conceptual
framework, especially as the thread of ecology weaves through the fabric of the other
disciplines of biology in this final unit of the textbook. Questions on experimental design
and ecological data analysis have been added and will increase in the rest of the Test Bank
for this unit.
Multiple-Choice Questions
1) ʺHow does the foraging of animals on tree seeds affect the distribution and
abundance of the trees?ʺ This question
A) would require an elaborate experimental design to answer.
B) is difficult to answer because a large experimental area would be required.
C) is difficult to answer because a long-term experiment would be required.
D) is a question that a present-day ecologist would be likely to ask.
E) A, B, C and D are
correct. Answer: E
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
2) Which of the following statements about ecology is incorrect?
A) Ecologists may study populations and communities of organisms.
B) Ecological studies may involve the use of models and computers.
C) Ecology is a discipline that is independent from natural selection and
evolutionary history.
D) Ecology spans increasingly comprehensive levels of organization, from
individuals to ecosystems.
E) Ecology is the study of the interactions between biotic and abiotic
aspects of the environment.
Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Application/Analysis
3) Which of the following levels of organization is arranged in the correct
sequence from most to least inclusive?
A) community, ecosystem, individual, population
B) ecosystem, community, population, individual
C) population, ecosystem, individual, community
D) individual, population, community, ecosystem
E) individual, community, population,
ecosystem Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
Chapter 52, An Introduction to Ecology and the 1
Biosphere
, 4) Ecology as a discipline directly deals with all of the following levels of
biological organization except
A) population.
B) cellular.
C) organismal.
D) ecosystem.
E) communit
y.
Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
5) You are working for the Environmental Protection Agency and researching
the effect of a potentially toxic chemical in drinking water. There is no
documented scientific evidence showing that the chemical is toxic, but many
suspect it to be a health hazard. Using the precautionary principle, what
would be a reasonable environmental policy?
A) Establish no regulations until there are conclusive scientific studies.
B) Set the acceptable levels of the chemical conservatively low, and keep
them there unless future studies show that they can be safely raised.
C) Set the acceptable levels at the highest levels encountered, and keep them
there unless future studies demonstrate negative health effects.
D) Caution individuals to use their own judgment in deciding whether to
drink water from a potentially contaminated area.
E) Establish a contingency fund to handle insurance claims in the event that
the chemical turns out to produce negative health effects.
Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
6) Which of the following statements best describes the difference in approach to
studying the environment by early naturalists compared to present -day
ecologists?
A) Early naturalists employed a descriptive approach; present-day
ecologists generate hypotheses, design experiments, and draw
conclusions from their observations.
B) Early naturalists manipulated the environment and observed changes in
plant and animal populations, while modern ecology focuses on
population dynamics.
C) Early naturalists systematically recorded what they observed in their
environment; modern ecology is only concerned with manʹs impact on
the environment.
D) Early naturalists were interested with manʹs interaction with the
natural world; present-day ecologists seek to link ecology to
developmental biology.
E) Early naturalists were interested in interactions between organisms and
their environment; present day ecologists are interested in interactions
between organisms.
Answer: A
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Application/Analysis
2
, 7) Which statement best contrasts environmentalism with ecology?
A) Ecology is the study of the environment; environmentalism is the study of
ecology.
B) Ecology provides scientific understanding of living things and their
environment; environmentalism is more about conservation and
preservation of life on Earth.
C) Environmentalists are only involved in politics and advocating for
protecting nature; ecologists are only involved in scientific
investigations of the environment.
D) Ecologists study organisms in environments that have been undisturbed
by human activities; environmentalists study the effects of human
activities on organisms.
E) Environmentalism is devoted to applied ecological science; ecology is
concerned with basic/theoretical ecological science.
Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
8) Of the following examples of ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect
( →), which is most correct?
A) When seeds are not plentiful → trees produce more seeds.
B) A few organisms of a larger population survive a drought → these
survivors then emigrate to less arid environments.
C) A few individuals with denser fur survive the coldest days of an ice
age → the reproducing survivors all have long fur.
D) Fish that swim the fastest in running water → catch the most prey and
more easily escape predation.
E) The insects that spend the most time exposed to sunlight → have the most
mutations. Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
9) Rachel Carson would most likely have endorsed which of the following statements?
A) Conserving wildness will lead to the preservation of the Earth.
B) The greatest liberty humans have taken is with nature.
C) Humans have dominion over the Earth and all of its inhabitants.
D) All pesticides are unsafe and must be banned.
E) The environment can repair damage created by human
activity. Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
10)Landscape ecology is best described as the study of
A) the flow of energy and materials between the biotic and abiotic
components of an ecosystem.
B) how the structure and function of species enable them to meet the
challenges of their environment.
C) what factors affect the structure and size of a population over time.
D) the interactions between the different species that inhabit and ecosystem.
E) the factors controlling the exchanges of energy, materials, and
organisms among ecosystem patches.
Answer: E
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
105 Chapter 52, An Introduction to Ecology and the
6 Biosphere
, 11)Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists
A) determine the abundance of a species in a specified area.
B) determine the distribution of a species in a specified area.
C) develop mathematical models for distribution and abundance of organisms.
D) determine if dispersal is a key factor in limiting distribution of organisms.
E) consolidate a landscape region into a single
ecosystem. Answer: D
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Application/Analysis
12)Which of the following are important biotic factors that can affect the
structure and organization of biological communities?
A) precipitation, wind
B) nutrient availability, soil pH
C) predation, competition
D) temperature, water
E) light intensity,
seasonality Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
13)Which of the following abiotic factors has the greatest influence on the
metabolic rates of plants and animals?
A) water
B) wind
C) temperature
D) rocks and soil
E) disturbanc
es Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
14)Which of the following statements about light in aquatic environments is correct?
A) Water selectively reflects and absorbs certain wavelengths of light.
B) Photosynthetic organisms that live in deep water probably use red light.
C) Longer wavelengths penetrate to greater depths.
D) Light penetration seldom limits the distribution of photosynthetic species.
E) Most photosynthetic organisms avoid the surface where the light is not
too intense. Answer: A
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Application/Analysis
Chapter 52, An Introduction to Ecology and the 105
Biosphere 7
the Biosphere
Because of the introductory nature of this chapter, Knowledge/Comprehension questions
abound. Application/Analysis and Synthesis/Evaluation questions have been inserted to
challenge students to work with what they have learned to form more a conceptual
framework, especially as the thread of ecology weaves through the fabric of the other
disciplines of biology in this final unit of the textbook. Questions on experimental design
and ecological data analysis have been added and will increase in the rest of the Test Bank
for this unit.
Multiple-Choice Questions
1) ʺHow does the foraging of animals on tree seeds affect the distribution and
abundance of the trees?ʺ This question
A) would require an elaborate experimental design to answer.
B) is difficult to answer because a large experimental area would be required.
C) is difficult to answer because a long-term experiment would be required.
D) is a question that a present-day ecologist would be likely to ask.
E) A, B, C and D are
correct. Answer: E
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
2) Which of the following statements about ecology is incorrect?
A) Ecologists may study populations and communities of organisms.
B) Ecological studies may involve the use of models and computers.
C) Ecology is a discipline that is independent from natural selection and
evolutionary history.
D) Ecology spans increasingly comprehensive levels of organization, from
individuals to ecosystems.
E) Ecology is the study of the interactions between biotic and abiotic
aspects of the environment.
Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Application/Analysis
3) Which of the following levels of organization is arranged in the correct
sequence from most to least inclusive?
A) community, ecosystem, individual, population
B) ecosystem, community, population, individual
C) population, ecosystem, individual, community
D) individual, population, community, ecosystem
E) individual, community, population,
ecosystem Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
Chapter 52, An Introduction to Ecology and the 1
Biosphere
, 4) Ecology as a discipline directly deals with all of the following levels of
biological organization except
A) population.
B) cellular.
C) organismal.
D) ecosystem.
E) communit
y.
Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
5) You are working for the Environmental Protection Agency and researching
the effect of a potentially toxic chemical in drinking water. There is no
documented scientific evidence showing that the chemical is toxic, but many
suspect it to be a health hazard. Using the precautionary principle, what
would be a reasonable environmental policy?
A) Establish no regulations until there are conclusive scientific studies.
B) Set the acceptable levels of the chemical conservatively low, and keep
them there unless future studies show that they can be safely raised.
C) Set the acceptable levels at the highest levels encountered, and keep them
there unless future studies demonstrate negative health effects.
D) Caution individuals to use their own judgment in deciding whether to
drink water from a potentially contaminated area.
E) Establish a contingency fund to handle insurance claims in the event that
the chemical turns out to produce negative health effects.
Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
6) Which of the following statements best describes the difference in approach to
studying the environment by early naturalists compared to present -day
ecologists?
A) Early naturalists employed a descriptive approach; present-day
ecologists generate hypotheses, design experiments, and draw
conclusions from their observations.
B) Early naturalists manipulated the environment and observed changes in
plant and animal populations, while modern ecology focuses on
population dynamics.
C) Early naturalists systematically recorded what they observed in their
environment; modern ecology is only concerned with manʹs impact on
the environment.
D) Early naturalists were interested with manʹs interaction with the
natural world; present-day ecologists seek to link ecology to
developmental biology.
E) Early naturalists were interested in interactions between organisms and
their environment; present day ecologists are interested in interactions
between organisms.
Answer: A
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Application/Analysis
2
, 7) Which statement best contrasts environmentalism with ecology?
A) Ecology is the study of the environment; environmentalism is the study of
ecology.
B) Ecology provides scientific understanding of living things and their
environment; environmentalism is more about conservation and
preservation of life on Earth.
C) Environmentalists are only involved in politics and advocating for
protecting nature; ecologists are only involved in scientific
investigations of the environment.
D) Ecologists study organisms in environments that have been undisturbed
by human activities; environmentalists study the effects of human
activities on organisms.
E) Environmentalism is devoted to applied ecological science; ecology is
concerned with basic/theoretical ecological science.
Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
8) Of the following examples of ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect
( →), which is most correct?
A) When seeds are not plentiful → trees produce more seeds.
B) A few organisms of a larger population survive a drought → these
survivors then emigrate to less arid environments.
C) A few individuals with denser fur survive the coldest days of an ice
age → the reproducing survivors all have long fur.
D) Fish that swim the fastest in running water → catch the most prey and
more easily escape predation.
E) The insects that spend the most time exposed to sunlight → have the most
mutations. Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
9) Rachel Carson would most likely have endorsed which of the following statements?
A) Conserving wildness will lead to the preservation of the Earth.
B) The greatest liberty humans have taken is with nature.
C) Humans have dominion over the Earth and all of its inhabitants.
D) All pesticides are unsafe and must be banned.
E) The environment can repair damage created by human
activity. Answer: B
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Synthesis/Evaluation
10)Landscape ecology is best described as the study of
A) the flow of energy and materials between the biotic and abiotic
components of an ecosystem.
B) how the structure and function of species enable them to meet the
challenges of their environment.
C) what factors affect the structure and size of a population over time.
D) the interactions between the different species that inhabit and ecosystem.
E) the factors controlling the exchanges of energy, materials, and
organisms among ecosystem patches.
Answer: E
Topic: Concept 52.1
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
105 Chapter 52, An Introduction to Ecology and the
6 Biosphere
, 11)Studying species transplants is a way that ecologists
A) determine the abundance of a species in a specified area.
B) determine the distribution of a species in a specified area.
C) develop mathematical models for distribution and abundance of organisms.
D) determine if dispersal is a key factor in limiting distribution of organisms.
E) consolidate a landscape region into a single
ecosystem. Answer: D
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Application/Analysis
12)Which of the following are important biotic factors that can affect the
structure and organization of biological communities?
A) precipitation, wind
B) nutrient availability, soil pH
C) predation, competition
D) temperature, water
E) light intensity,
seasonality Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
13)Which of the following abiotic factors has the greatest influence on the
metabolic rates of plants and animals?
A) water
B) wind
C) temperature
D) rocks and soil
E) disturbanc
es Answer: C
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension
14)Which of the following statements about light in aquatic environments is correct?
A) Water selectively reflects and absorbs certain wavelengths of light.
B) Photosynthetic organisms that live in deep water probably use red light.
C) Longer wavelengths penetrate to greater depths.
D) Light penetration seldom limits the distribution of photosynthetic species.
E) Most photosynthetic organisms avoid the surface where the light is not
too intense. Answer: A
Topic: Concept 52.2
Skill: Application/Analysis
Chapter 52, An Introduction to Ecology and the 105
Biosphere 7
