BIOLOGY 121 – USASK QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2024
Endemic species - correct answers-live in only one or a very small number of places (eg
island or lake)
Cosmopolitan species - correct answers-species that occur in most regions of the world
Galapagos island - correct answers-- 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 answers-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 answers-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 answers-- 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 answers-- highest ratio of
wingspan/weight
- tiny unwebbed feet
- vestigial uropygial gland (unnecessary waterproofing)
Aristotle - correct answers-father of biology
- metabolism
- temp reg
- info processing
- embryonic development
,- inheritence
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) - correct answers-"father of microbiology",
dutch linen merchant, first to observe living microbes, single-lens magnified up to 300X
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) - correct answers-Father of taxonomy
Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) - correct answers-Father of paleontology
Jean Baptist Lamarck (1744-1829) - correct answers-Defined Biology in 1802
Role of Natural History Museums - correct answers--acquire, conserve, restore,
manage and exhibit very important collections of natural history, living organisms, inert
collections, and databases
Deductive reasoning - correct answers-- specific observations are predicted from a
general premise
-ex: all wasps have stingers
Inductive reasoning - correct answers-- general conclusions are drawn from specific
observations
-ex: all hymenopterans have stingers (because bee, wasp and fire ants do)
Scientific Method - correct answers-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 answers-Adapted to:
- live in cold temps
- moving across snow, ice & open water
- hunt for prey
Adaptations of polar bear - correct answers-- 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 answers-Nonliving components of environment. (water, fire ,
wind, gases, ph, salts, etc)
Biotic factors - correct answers-any living component that affects another organism or
shapes the ecosystem. This includes both animals that consume other organisms within
their ecosystem, and the organism that is being consumed.
7 factors of life - correct answers-1. Consist of one or more cells (that contain DNA)
2. Requires a constant output of energy and raw materials
3. Conduct metabolism
4. Grow/develop
5. Exhibit homeostasis
6. Make short-term responses to stimuli
7. Reproduce
-Life is organized but it takes energy
Life adapts through evolution: - correct answers-- the physical, chemical & behavioural
characteristics of life change.
- populations of living organisms change over the course of many generations
- evolution results in traits that promote survival and reproductive success
- evolution is possible only because of numerous variations that exist within each
species
Cells - correct answers-1. Basic structural & functional units of all living organisms
2. Contain DNA, cell membranes and ribosomes
3. Produced from the division of pre-existing cells
4. Have basically the same chemical comporsition
Surface area to volume ratio - correct answers-As cells increase in size, there is a point
where the plasma membrane/cell wall can't [ass enough material across it to meet the
needs of the increased cytoplasmic volume
Bacteria size - correct answers-most are 0.2 micro meters in diameter and 2-8
micrometers in length
Protists size - correct answers-0.8-100 micrometers
Prokaryotes - correct answers-- DNA organized in a single chromosome. No mitosis
AND ANSWERS 2024
Endemic species - correct answers-live in only one or a very small number of places (eg
island or lake)
Cosmopolitan species - correct answers-species that occur in most regions of the world
Galapagos island - correct answers-- 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 answers-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 answers-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 answers-- 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 answers-- highest ratio of
wingspan/weight
- tiny unwebbed feet
- vestigial uropygial gland (unnecessary waterproofing)
Aristotle - correct answers-father of biology
- metabolism
- temp reg
- info processing
- embryonic development
,- inheritence
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) - correct answers-"father of microbiology",
dutch linen merchant, first to observe living microbes, single-lens magnified up to 300X
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) - correct answers-Father of taxonomy
Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) - correct answers-Father of paleontology
Jean Baptist Lamarck (1744-1829) - correct answers-Defined Biology in 1802
Role of Natural History Museums - correct answers--acquire, conserve, restore,
manage and exhibit very important collections of natural history, living organisms, inert
collections, and databases
Deductive reasoning - correct answers-- specific observations are predicted from a
general premise
-ex: all wasps have stingers
Inductive reasoning - correct answers-- general conclusions are drawn from specific
observations
-ex: all hymenopterans have stingers (because bee, wasp and fire ants do)
Scientific Method - correct answers-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 answers-Adapted to:
- live in cold temps
- moving across snow, ice & open water
- hunt for prey
Adaptations of polar bear - correct answers-- 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 answers-Nonliving components of environment. (water, fire ,
wind, gases, ph, salts, etc)
Biotic factors - correct answers-any living component that affects another organism or
shapes the ecosystem. This includes both animals that consume other organisms within
their ecosystem, and the organism that is being consumed.
7 factors of life - correct answers-1. Consist of one or more cells (that contain DNA)
2. Requires a constant output of energy and raw materials
3. Conduct metabolism
4. Grow/develop
5. Exhibit homeostasis
6. Make short-term responses to stimuli
7. Reproduce
-Life is organized but it takes energy
Life adapts through evolution: - correct answers-- the physical, chemical & behavioural
characteristics of life change.
- populations of living organisms change over the course of many generations
- evolution results in traits that promote survival and reproductive success
- evolution is possible only because of numerous variations that exist within each
species
Cells - correct answers-1. Basic structural & functional units of all living organisms
2. Contain DNA, cell membranes and ribosomes
3. Produced from the division of pre-existing cells
4. Have basically the same chemical comporsition
Surface area to volume ratio - correct answers-As cells increase in size, there is a point
where the plasma membrane/cell wall can't [ass enough material across it to meet the
needs of the increased cytoplasmic volume
Bacteria size - correct answers-most are 0.2 micro meters in diameter and 2-8
micrometers in length
Protists size - correct answers-0.8-100 micrometers
Prokaryotes - correct answers-- DNA organized in a single chromosome. No mitosis
