Review for BIO-102 Exam 2  

1. State the equation for population growth and define each of the variables.  How is each variable usually expressed?

2. State the equation for doubling time.  If the growth rate of a population is 0.05 per month, what is the doubling time?

3. Be able to list at least five life history traits.

4. Compare exponential vs. logistic growth. Be able to recognize (or draw) a graph of each of these kinds of growth. (Know how to label the axes.) Why can't a population experience indefinite exponential growth?

5. Can the carrying capacity of an environment change? Explain.

6. Explain what happens to birth and death rates as a population approaches K, reaches K, and exceeds K?

7. Compare density-dependent vs. density-independent factors affecting population growth. Be able to state an example of each. Which are easier to predict?

8. Compare the r reproductive strategy to the K strategy.  How are trade-offs & energy limitations related to these strategies?  Be able to list a few r traits and a few K traits. What kind of environment is best for each strategy? Which strategy makes good invaders? good competitors?

9. Compare the three types of survivorship. Be able to recognize (or draw) the appropriate survivorship curves. (Know how to label the axes.) Know an organism that exhibits each type of survivorship.

10. Who is credited with the theory of evolution by natural selection? Know the famous book and the year it was published. Describe the four main principles on which the theory is based. 

11. Compare the three modes of natural selection. What phenotype is favored? How is the mean value of the trait and variability affected? In what kind of environment does each occur? Know at least one example for each.

12. Compare microevolution vs. macroevolution.

13. Discuss the five causes of microevolution.

14. Compare the two modes of speciation. Which is most common?

15. Describe the five types of prezygotic reproductive barriers. Describe the three types of postzygotic barriers. What is the difference between pre and postzygotic?

16. Briefly describe the seven areas which provide support for the theory behind macroevolution.

17. Compare homologous vs. analogous structures. Provide an example of each.

18. Compare convergent vs. divergent evolution. Provide an example of each.

19. Compare proximate vs. ultimate explanations. 

20. Why do many organisms live in a very specific habitat? What are the costs and benefits associated with dispersal?

21. What are the costs and benefits associated with defending a territory? When does territory defense usually evolve?

22. Compare ambush vs. active foragers. What kind of adaptations are associated with each strategy?

23. Explain why a species might sometimes exhibit a behavior that appears to be sub-optimal.

24. Describe two ways of avoiding detection by predators. Describe six ways of avoiding capture by a predator.

25. What are the costs and benefits of sexual reproduction?

26. Compare the reproductive strategy of the average male vs. the average female. Why is there a difference?

27. Compare intersexual selection vs. intrasexual selection. It helps to know examples of each.

28. Compare the three mating systems. Which is most common? Which is most rare?

29. Why is parental care almost always provided exclusively by the female? When is exclusive male care provided? When do both parents provide care?

30. Compare basic population statistics for a developed country vs. a developing country. Know a few example countries for each.

31. Describe the four stages of growth and development for a country.

32. Compare the age structure of a developing country vs. a stable country vs. a declining country. Know an example country for each.

33. Describe the three main problems directly associated with population growth.

34. Compare people vs. consumption overpopulation.

35. Discuss four factors that can influence fertility.

36. Current increases in energy consumption are mainly due to _____ & _____.

37. How were fossil fuels formed?

38. Discuss the history and current usage of coal and oil.

39. Compare the three types of coal. Which is the most common? Which is the cleanest?

40. Compare the two types of coal extraction. Which is cheapest? safer? envir. friendly?

41. Discuss the five safety and environmental concerns associated with coal.

42.  Discuss the environmental concerns associated with oil.

43. Be able to describe the basic structure of an atom.

44. Be able to discuss in detail and differentiate between nuclear fission and fusion. What is the fuel used for each? How is energy obtained in each method? What are the pros & cons of each?

45. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.

46. What is the difference between direct and indirect solar energy?

47. Discuss 4 uses of direct solar energy.

48. Discuss 3 examples of indirect solar energy.

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