Biology 121 – Usask ACTUAL UPDATED
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
endemic species - CORRECT ANSWER - live in only one or a very small number of
places (eg island or lake)
cosmopolitan species - CORRECT ANSWER - species that occur in most regions of the
world
Galapagos island - CORRECT ANSWER - - Many endemic species
- 500 spp. of vascular plants are endemic
-92% of species of land birds are endemic
- 26% of marine birds are endemic
Biological adaptation - CORRECT ANSWER - an anatomical structure, physiological
process or behavioural trait of an organism that has evolved over a period of time by the process
of natural selection such that it increases the expected long-term reproductive success of the
organism
Marine Iguana (spends part of time in sea) - CORRECT ANSWER - evolved:
- laterally flattened tails for swimming
- powerful limbs with strong claws (hold onto rocks)
- blunt noses for grazing on seaweed
Blue-footed booby (adapted for diving) - CORRECT ANSWER - - streamline shape, large
tail, nostrils that close
- Large webbed feet propel bird through water at high speeds
- specialized salt-secreting glands manage salt intake while at sea
- uropygial gland (waterproofing)
,Greater frigates (adapted for aerial life) - CORRECT ANSWER - - highest ratio of
wingspan/weight
- tiny unwebbed feet
- vestigial uropygial gland (unnecessary waterproofing)
Aristotle - CORRECT ANSWER - father of biology
- metabolism
- temp reg
- info processing
- embryonic development
- inheritence
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) - CORRECT ANSWER - "father of
microbiology", dutch linen merchant, first to observe living microbes, single-lens magnified up
to 300X
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) - CORRECT ANSWER - Father of taxonomy
Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) - CORRECT ANSWER - Father of paleontology
Jean Baptist Lamarck (1744-1829) - CORRECT ANSWER - Defined Biology in 1802
Role of Natural History Museums - CORRECT ANSWER - -acquire, conserve, restore,
manage and exhibit very important collections of natural history, living organisms, inert
collections, and databases
Deductive reasoning - CORRECT ANSWER - - specific observations are predicted from a
general premise
-ex: all wasps have stingers
, Inductive reasoning - CORRECT ANSWER - - general conclusions are drawn from
specific observations
-ex: all hymenopterans have stingers (because bee, wasp and fire ants do)
Scientific Method - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. producing a hypothesis
2. designing and performing controlled experiments or making observations that allow data
relevant to the hypothesis to be collected
3. analyzing the data in an objective way against the background of existing knowledge; and
4. drawing conclusions that support or refute the hypothesis
Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) - CORRECT ANSWER - Adapted to:
- live in cold temps
- moving across snow, ice & open water
- hunt for prey
Adaptations of polar bear - CORRECT ANSWER - - thick white fur for insulation and
camouflage
- small ear reduce heat loss
- sharp claws and teeth for catching & eating prey
- strong legs for swimming and running to catch prey
- large feet spread body mass on ice and snow
- fur on feet soles for insulation and grip
- thick layer of blubber for insulation and energy storage
abiotic factors - CORRECT ANSWER - Nonliving components of environment. (water,
fire , wind, gases, pH, salts, etc)
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
endemic species - CORRECT ANSWER - live in only one or a very small number of
places (eg island or lake)
cosmopolitan species - CORRECT ANSWER - species that occur in most regions of the
world
Galapagos island - CORRECT ANSWER - - Many endemic species
- 500 spp. of vascular plants are endemic
-92% of species of land birds are endemic
- 26% of marine birds are endemic
Biological adaptation - CORRECT ANSWER - an anatomical structure, physiological
process or behavioural trait of an organism that has evolved over a period of time by the process
of natural selection such that it increases the expected long-term reproductive success of the
organism
Marine Iguana (spends part of time in sea) - CORRECT ANSWER - evolved:
- laterally flattened tails for swimming
- powerful limbs with strong claws (hold onto rocks)
- blunt noses for grazing on seaweed
Blue-footed booby (adapted for diving) - CORRECT ANSWER - - streamline shape, large
tail, nostrils that close
- Large webbed feet propel bird through water at high speeds
- specialized salt-secreting glands manage salt intake while at sea
- uropygial gland (waterproofing)
,Greater frigates (adapted for aerial life) - CORRECT ANSWER - - highest ratio of
wingspan/weight
- tiny unwebbed feet
- vestigial uropygial gland (unnecessary waterproofing)
Aristotle - CORRECT ANSWER - father of biology
- metabolism
- temp reg
- info processing
- embryonic development
- inheritence
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) - CORRECT ANSWER - "father of
microbiology", dutch linen merchant, first to observe living microbes, single-lens magnified up
to 300X
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) - CORRECT ANSWER - Father of taxonomy
Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) - CORRECT ANSWER - Father of paleontology
Jean Baptist Lamarck (1744-1829) - CORRECT ANSWER - Defined Biology in 1802
Role of Natural History Museums - CORRECT ANSWER - -acquire, conserve, restore,
manage and exhibit very important collections of natural history, living organisms, inert
collections, and databases
Deductive reasoning - CORRECT ANSWER - - specific observations are predicted from a
general premise
-ex: all wasps have stingers
, Inductive reasoning - CORRECT ANSWER - - general conclusions are drawn from
specific observations
-ex: all hymenopterans have stingers (because bee, wasp and fire ants do)
Scientific Method - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. producing a hypothesis
2. designing and performing controlled experiments or making observations that allow data
relevant to the hypothesis to be collected
3. analyzing the data in an objective way against the background of existing knowledge; and
4. drawing conclusions that support or refute the hypothesis
Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) - CORRECT ANSWER - Adapted to:
- live in cold temps
- moving across snow, ice & open water
- hunt for prey
Adaptations of polar bear - CORRECT ANSWER - - thick white fur for insulation and
camouflage
- small ear reduce heat loss
- sharp claws and teeth for catching & eating prey
- strong legs for swimming and running to catch prey
- large feet spread body mass on ice and snow
- fur on feet soles for insulation and grip
- thick layer of blubber for insulation and energy storage
abiotic factors - CORRECT ANSWER - Nonliving components of environment. (water,
fire , wind, gases, pH, salts, etc)
