WSU BIO 102 Exam 4 QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS(RATED A+)
What is an Adaptive trait? - ANSWERTraits that enhance ability to survive and
reproduce in a given environment.
Can be:
-Structural features (longer legs, thicker jaw, etc.)
-Biochemical traits (better digestive enzymes, etc.)
-Behavioral traits (territoriality, mating rituals, etc.)
What is the role of gene flow in preventing subpopulations from becoming separate
species? - ANSWER-If populations cross-breed regularly, any differences between
them get mixed together
-Prevents populations from becoming different species.
What is a species - ANSWER• If a population of individuals can (or potentially can)
mate with each other and form fertile, healthy offspring, they belong to the same
species.
• If they cannot do any one of these, they are different species.
Relate the biological species definition to reproduction isolation - how does
reproductive isolation lead to speciation? - ANSWERan existing species gives rise to
a new species when a subgroup of the population becomes reproductively isolated
from the rest of the population
Distinguish between geographic isolation vs reproductive isolation. What are their
respective roles in the speciation process? - ANSWERGeographic Isolation
-A geographic barrier prevents populations from getting together to mate
How does geographic isolation provide the framework for populations to gradually
diverge into different species? - ANSWER
List the reproductive isolating mechanisms. Give both the prezygotic and postzygotic
reproductive barriers. - ANSWER
Follow the story of coral at different depths. Traditionally the two corals were thought
to be the same species. What evidence suggests that they are actually different
species? - ANSWER- Gene Pools are distinctly different
• Shallow-dwelling corals have similar gene pools
• Deep-water corals are different that shallow-water corals.
• Shallow and deep corals gene pools are distinctly different from each other.
Describe the transplantation experiments - what question were the researchers
asking? What results did they get? What conclusions did they make? - ANSWERAre
the corals different species?
• Must determine if they have different gene pools - indicates if they are cross-
breeding or not.
, • RESULTS:
- Gene Pools are distinctly different
• Shallow-dwelling corals have similar gene pools
• Deep-water corals are different that shallow-water corals.
• Shallow and deep corals gene pools are distinctly different from each other.
What is co-evolution? - ANSWERthe evolution of an adaptation in one species
causes a reciprocal adaptation in another species.
What role do the mutualistic algae have in the evolution of the corals? -
ANSWERMutualistic algae appear to be a strong selective pressure selecting for
different traits in the two subpopulations.
Is evolution driving species toward perfection? - ANSWER• Oeen the combination of
adaptive traits is a trade off
- no such thing as a "perfect organism".
• "perfection" depends on the environment.
What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates? - ANSWERThe main
difference between vertebrates and invertebrates is that invertebrates, like insects
and flatworms, do not have a backbone or a spinal column.
What percentage of animals are invertebrates? - ANSWER95%
What were the first animals to appear on earth? That is, which group has the most
ancient lineage? - ANSWER
Name the animal groups in order of their appearance on Earth. - ANSWER
Which animal groups are still tied to moist environments? Which plant groups are
fully terrestrial? - ANSWER
Where exactly would you find a tapeworm? - ANSWERthe intestine
Identify the two main body parts of a tapeworm and describe the function of each. -
ANSWER• Scolex ("head") = hooks for anchoring to intestine.
• Body = series of units that become sacks of fertilized eggs.
How does the tapeworm larva get inside a new human host? Tell the story - be sure
to mention the pig. - ANSWER1. Eggs released through feces. Contaminated
vegetation eaten by pig.
2. Eggs hatch and travel into muscle
3. Animal eats raw meat
4. Scolex attaches in intestine. Tapeworm absorbs nutrients from host digestive tract
What are the key adaptations that allowed for becoming fully terrestrial? - ANSWER
What is the path of water through a sponge? - ANSWER• Water IN via pores.
• Through central canal.
ANSWERS(RATED A+)
What is an Adaptive trait? - ANSWERTraits that enhance ability to survive and
reproduce in a given environment.
Can be:
-Structural features (longer legs, thicker jaw, etc.)
-Biochemical traits (better digestive enzymes, etc.)
-Behavioral traits (territoriality, mating rituals, etc.)
What is the role of gene flow in preventing subpopulations from becoming separate
species? - ANSWER-If populations cross-breed regularly, any differences between
them get mixed together
-Prevents populations from becoming different species.
What is a species - ANSWER• If a population of individuals can (or potentially can)
mate with each other and form fertile, healthy offspring, they belong to the same
species.
• If they cannot do any one of these, they are different species.
Relate the biological species definition to reproduction isolation - how does
reproductive isolation lead to speciation? - ANSWERan existing species gives rise to
a new species when a subgroup of the population becomes reproductively isolated
from the rest of the population
Distinguish between geographic isolation vs reproductive isolation. What are their
respective roles in the speciation process? - ANSWERGeographic Isolation
-A geographic barrier prevents populations from getting together to mate
How does geographic isolation provide the framework for populations to gradually
diverge into different species? - ANSWER
List the reproductive isolating mechanisms. Give both the prezygotic and postzygotic
reproductive barriers. - ANSWER
Follow the story of coral at different depths. Traditionally the two corals were thought
to be the same species. What evidence suggests that they are actually different
species? - ANSWER- Gene Pools are distinctly different
• Shallow-dwelling corals have similar gene pools
• Deep-water corals are different that shallow-water corals.
• Shallow and deep corals gene pools are distinctly different from each other.
Describe the transplantation experiments - what question were the researchers
asking? What results did they get? What conclusions did they make? - ANSWERAre
the corals different species?
• Must determine if they have different gene pools - indicates if they are cross-
breeding or not.
, • RESULTS:
- Gene Pools are distinctly different
• Shallow-dwelling corals have similar gene pools
• Deep-water corals are different that shallow-water corals.
• Shallow and deep corals gene pools are distinctly different from each other.
What is co-evolution? - ANSWERthe evolution of an adaptation in one species
causes a reciprocal adaptation in another species.
What role do the mutualistic algae have in the evolution of the corals? -
ANSWERMutualistic algae appear to be a strong selective pressure selecting for
different traits in the two subpopulations.
Is evolution driving species toward perfection? - ANSWER• Oeen the combination of
adaptive traits is a trade off
- no such thing as a "perfect organism".
• "perfection" depends on the environment.
What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates? - ANSWERThe main
difference between vertebrates and invertebrates is that invertebrates, like insects
and flatworms, do not have a backbone or a spinal column.
What percentage of animals are invertebrates? - ANSWER95%
What were the first animals to appear on earth? That is, which group has the most
ancient lineage? - ANSWER
Name the animal groups in order of their appearance on Earth. - ANSWER
Which animal groups are still tied to moist environments? Which plant groups are
fully terrestrial? - ANSWER
Where exactly would you find a tapeworm? - ANSWERthe intestine
Identify the two main body parts of a tapeworm and describe the function of each. -
ANSWER• Scolex ("head") = hooks for anchoring to intestine.
• Body = series of units that become sacks of fertilized eggs.
How does the tapeworm larva get inside a new human host? Tell the story - be sure
to mention the pig. - ANSWER1. Eggs released through feces. Contaminated
vegetation eaten by pig.
2. Eggs hatch and travel into muscle
3. Animal eats raw meat
4. Scolex attaches in intestine. Tapeworm absorbs nutrients from host digestive tract
What are the key adaptations that allowed for becoming fully terrestrial? - ANSWER
What is the path of water through a sponge? - ANSWER• Water IN via pores.
• Through central canal.
