WSU Biology 106 Final Exam Study Guide
| Comprehensive Intro Biology Review||
GRADED A+|| LATEST UPDATE 2025/26
Foundational species -CORRECTANSWER have a strong influence on community
structure. may have large size, may be abundant
Keystone species -CORRECTANSWER play a surprisingly important role structuring
the community given their relatively low abundance. may be habitat modifiers, keystone
predators or keystone herbivores
Beavers are keystone species. What makes them have a large influence? -
CORRECTANSWER They are habitat modifiers
What do heterotrophs get energy and nutrients from? -CORRECTANSWER
consumption
What is the exponential growth curve? -CORRECTANSWER j-shaped
What happens are population grows? -CORRECTANSWER competition for limited
resources increases, population hits the carrying capacity and levels off
,What is carrying capacity? -CORRECTANSWER the population size an environment
can support
What is the logistic growth curve shape? -CORRECTANSWER s-shaped:
environmental factors increase death rate and/or reduce birth rate
What are some factors that increase death rates or reduce birth rates? -
CORRECTANSWER density independent factors and density dependent factors
Density independent factors -CORRECTANSWER individuals affected regardless of
population size or density
Density dependent factors -CORRECTANSWER factors that limit population growth
more strongly at high densities than low densities. these factors determined by carrying
capacity
Where do consumers get energy and nutrients from? -CORRECTANSWER food
What do consumers use energy and nutrients for? -CORRECTANSWER maintain cell
functions. use leftovers for growth and/or reproduction
How a species allocates its energy between reproduction determines -
CORRECTANSWER how fast the population grows
, Limited energy means -CORRECTANSWER there are trade-offs in what you can do
with it
Opportunistic species (r-selected) -CORRECTANSWER have combos that maximize
rapid population growth
Equilibrial species (k-selected) -CORRECTANSWER have combos that maximize
competing for limited resources
Type 1 survivorship curve -CORRECTANSWER survival is high at all ages and death
by old age is typical
Type 2 survivorship curve -CORRECTANSWER deven chance of death at any age
Type 3 survivorship curve -CORRECTANSWER high infant mortality and if you make it
past infancy, you have a good chance of surviving until old age
Which trait would an r-selected species have for body size + maturation time? -
CORRECTANSWER small body + fast maturation
Which trait package would an r-selected species have for clutch size + size of offspring?
-CORRECTANSWER large clutch size + small offspring
| Comprehensive Intro Biology Review||
GRADED A+|| LATEST UPDATE 2025/26
Foundational species -CORRECTANSWER have a strong influence on community
structure. may have large size, may be abundant
Keystone species -CORRECTANSWER play a surprisingly important role structuring
the community given their relatively low abundance. may be habitat modifiers, keystone
predators or keystone herbivores
Beavers are keystone species. What makes them have a large influence? -
CORRECTANSWER They are habitat modifiers
What do heterotrophs get energy and nutrients from? -CORRECTANSWER
consumption
What is the exponential growth curve? -CORRECTANSWER j-shaped
What happens are population grows? -CORRECTANSWER competition for limited
resources increases, population hits the carrying capacity and levels off
,What is carrying capacity? -CORRECTANSWER the population size an environment
can support
What is the logistic growth curve shape? -CORRECTANSWER s-shaped:
environmental factors increase death rate and/or reduce birth rate
What are some factors that increase death rates or reduce birth rates? -
CORRECTANSWER density independent factors and density dependent factors
Density independent factors -CORRECTANSWER individuals affected regardless of
population size or density
Density dependent factors -CORRECTANSWER factors that limit population growth
more strongly at high densities than low densities. these factors determined by carrying
capacity
Where do consumers get energy and nutrients from? -CORRECTANSWER food
What do consumers use energy and nutrients for? -CORRECTANSWER maintain cell
functions. use leftovers for growth and/or reproduction
How a species allocates its energy between reproduction determines -
CORRECTANSWER how fast the population grows
, Limited energy means -CORRECTANSWER there are trade-offs in what you can do
with it
Opportunistic species (r-selected) -CORRECTANSWER have combos that maximize
rapid population growth
Equilibrial species (k-selected) -CORRECTANSWER have combos that maximize
competing for limited resources
Type 1 survivorship curve -CORRECTANSWER survival is high at all ages and death
by old age is typical
Type 2 survivorship curve -CORRECTANSWER deven chance of death at any age
Type 3 survivorship curve -CORRECTANSWER high infant mortality and if you make it
past infancy, you have a good chance of surviving until old age
Which trait would an r-selected species have for body size + maturation time? -
CORRECTANSWER small body + fast maturation
Which trait package would an r-selected species have for clutch size + size of offspring?
-CORRECTANSWER large clutch size + small offspring
