Spring Semester Exam

Students research unicellular, prokaryotic organisms that live in harsh environments such as volcanic hot springs, brine pools, and anaerobic black organic mud. Which of these groups are the students most likely researching?

• Protista

• Archaebacteria

• Eubacteria

• Plantae

When people run long distances, their muscles require increased amounts of oxygen. Which system is responsible for carrying this oxygen to the muscles?

• Nervous

• Respiratory

• Digestive

• Circulatory

The chart below contains a number of characteristics for three different organisms. The characteristics can be used in classifying these organisms. Which organism(s) are prokaryotes?

• A Only

• B Only

• A and B

• A and C

The table below provides some information about pond food webs. A person living near this pond wants to reduce the mosquito population. The mosquito population included in this food web could be reduced by-

• Planting more duckweed

• Catching more minnows

• Removing some Martin Houses

• Adding more shelter for frogs

Which statement describes a situation that leads to stability in an ecosystem?

• Interactions between biotic and abiotic componenets regulate carbon doxide and water levels

• Carbon dioxide and water are released only by abiotic sources in an ecosystem.

• Animals provide the oxygen used by plants, and plants provide the nitrogen needed by the animals.

• Organisms provide all the necessary energy for the maintenance of this ecosystem.

Certain species of whiptail lizards have only female individuals and no males. These lizards reproduce asexually. What is one disadvantage of asexual reproduction for these lizards?

• A new population can be established by a single individual in a relatively short period of time.

• All the members of a population are genetically very similar and less able to survive environmental changes.

• They are smaller than lizards that reproduce sexually.

• That are more likely to develop a variety of tail lengths.

A tree produces only seedless oranges. A small branch cut from this tree produces roots after it is planted in soil. When mature, this new tree will most likely produce-

• Oranges without seeds, only

• Oranges with seeds, only

• A majority of oranges with seeds and only a few oranges without seeds

• Oranges and other kinds of fruit

The types of small organisms that live on the bottom of streams can be good indicators of water pollution. The table below groups some organisms by their tolerance of pollution. A certain stream that was historically clear and clean has become increasingly polluted with fertilizer waste over the years. Which of these describes a likely result of this pollution?

• Mayflies that were previously abundant are no longer present in the stream.

• Stone flies and midges thrive and compete for the same food source.

• Large numbers of crayfish have suddenly died.

• Riffle beetles have become more abundant in the stream.

When Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands in the 1800s, he observed many types of organisms that were similar but lived on different islands. The four species of mockingbirds found on the Galapagos Islands are shown below. Each species lives on a different island. These species are very similar, but the Hood mockingbird has a longer beak than the other three species. Which of the following best explains this difference?

• The Hood mockingbird needs a longer beak for defense against predators.

• The Hood mockingbird originated from a different type of bird that the other species.

• The Hood mockingbird's longer beak is an adaptation to the food avialable to the bird's habitat.

• The Hood mockingbird’s beak stretched to reach its food, and the longer beak was passed down to its offspring.

The Prairies Region and the Cross Timbers are located in north-central Texas. The graph below shows information about eating habits of white-tailed deer in these regions. A Cross Timbers rancher is concerned about competition between the ranch animals and the deer. Based on the graph, which ranch animals compete for the most food with white-tailed deer?

• Cattle that eat grass and feed

• Goats that eat weeds and shrubs

• Turkeys that eat seeds and fruit

• Hogs that eat fruit, seeds, and feed