Question 1

Monarch butterflies are toxic to many of their predators because they
A) have a mutualistic relationship with a fungus that produces a toxin in exchange for nutrition.
B) have a mutualistic relationship with a bacterium that produces a toxin in exchange for nutrition.
C) eat milkweed and are able to sequester the toxins from that plant.
D) have evolved an enzyme that produces a toxin.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Monarch butterflies eat milkweed, which contains toxins known as cardiac glycosides. The butterflies are able to store these toxins in their bodies, making them toxic to many predators.

Question 2

Two species of woody shrubs are in close proximity and in competition for limited resources. One species produces chemicals through its roots that limit the growth of the other. The production of these chemicals is a form of
A) intraspecific competition.
B) interference competition.
C) competitive exclusion.
D) resource partitioning.
E) exploitative competition.

Accepted Answer

Interference competition refers to when one organism actively interferes with the ability of another organism to access resources. In this scenario, one species is producing chemicals that limit the growth of the other species, which is a form of interference competition.

Question 3

Which of the following would be most likely to evolve adaptations that would enable them to grasp onto and maintain a tight grip on their hosts?
A) Amensals
B) Ectoparasites
C) Microparasites
D) Herbivores
E) Guild parasites

Accepted Answer

Ectoparasites are parasites that live on the outside of their host's body, and maintaining a tight grip is important for their survival. This could include adaptations such as specialized claws or suction cups to grip onto their host's fur or skin. Amensals (organisms that have no effect on their host), microparasites (parasites that are too small to be seen with the naked eye), herbivores (organisms that eat plants), and guild parasites (a group of parasites that exploit a single host) are less likely to require adaptations for gripping onto their host.

Question 4

Under which of the following conditions would a mutualistic relationship most likely lead to reciprocal adaptations?
A) When the mutualism is asymmetrical
B) When both partners are animals
C) When one partner is an animal and the other is a plant
D) When both partners are plants
E) When increased benefits are gained by greater dependence on the partner

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal adaptations are most likely when increased benefits are gained by greater dependence on the partner, as this creates strong selective pressures for both partners to evolve traits that enhance the mutualistic relationship.

Question 5

Which of the following are most likely to be pathogens?
A) Macroparasites
B) Ectoparasites
C) Microparasites
D) Cryptoparasites
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Microparasites are the most likely to be pathogens because they are small and replicate rapidly within their hosts, often causing disease. Macroparasites, such as lice and ticks, are generally less harmful and do not reproduce as rapidly. Ectoparasites are parasites that live on the outside of their host's body, and while they may cause irritation and discomfort, they are not typically as harmful as microparasites. Cryptoparasites are parasites that live inside their host's body and are not easily detectable, but they may or may not cause harm to the host.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about plant-frugivore mutualisms is true?
A) These mutualisms are usually symmetrical.
B) Most frugivores are specialists.
C) Plants time the ripening of their fruits to coincide with the maturation of their seeds.
D) Both a and b
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Plants often time the ripening of their fruits to coincide with the maturation of their seeds to ensure that the seeds are ready for dispersal when frugivores consume the fruit.

Question 7

The H1N1 influenza virus responsible for the 2009 pandemic is considered a(n)
A) microparasite.
B) macroparasite.
C) ectoparasite.
D) oligoparasite.
E) mutualist.

Accepted Answer

The H1N1 influenza virus is a microparasite, as it is a small infectious agent that replicates inside the host's cells and causes disease.

Question 8

The evolution of similar traits on the part of species that experience similar selective pressures is a phenomenon called
A) Batesian mimicry.
B) character displacement.
C) diffuse coevolution.
D) aposematism.
E) mutualism.

Accepted Answer

Diffuse coevolution refers to the evolution of similar traits in different species due to similar selective pressures, often involving multiple species interacting in a complex network.

Question 9

The most likely pollinator of a plant species with orange, sweet-smelling flowers that provide both nectar and pollen would be
A) moths.
B) butterflies.
C) hummingbirds.
D) bees.
E) flesh flies.

Accepted Answer

Bees are the most likely pollinators of a plant species with orange, sweet-smelling flowers that provide both nectar and pollen. This is because bees are known to be attracted to fragrant, brightly colored flowers that provide a rich source of both nectar and pollen, making them a perfect match for such flowers. Additionally, bees are known to be efficient pollinators due to the way their bodies are designed, which allows them to easily transfer pollen from one flower to another.

Question 10

The relationship between mistletoes and mistletoe birds is one in which food is traded for
A) whole plant transport.
B) defense.
C) pollen transport.
D) seed transport.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Mistletoe birds eat the berries of mistletoe plants and then spread the seeds through their droppings. This helps the mistletoe plants to spread and reproduce. Therefore, the relationship between mistletoes and mistletoe birds involves a trade of food (the berries) for seed transport.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about pathogens and their hosts is true?
A) Pathogens are always selected evolutionarily to kill their host as quickly as possible.
B) Increased host resistance can lead to stable coexistence between pathogen and host.
C) Hosts are classified as susceptible, immune, or recovered.
D) Both a and b
E) Both b and c

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements about pathogens...

Question 12

Two species of yeast are capable of persisting indefinitely on agar in the lab, but when they are grown together under similar conditions, only a single species remains after a few days. This is an illustration of
A) character displacement.
B) interference competition.
C) intraspecific competition.
D) competitive exclusion.
E) homotypy.

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of competitive exclusion - when two species compete for the same resources, the one with a competitive advantage will outcompete and eventually exclude the other species. In this case, when grown together, only one species persists, indicating that it has outcompeted and excluded the other species.

Question 13

The primary benefit that acacia trees receive from their association with ants is
A) seed transport.
B) pollen transport.
C) nitrogen products.
D) potassium products.
E) protection.

Accepted Answer

The primary benefit that acacia trees receive from their association with ants is protection. Ants protect the acacia trees from herbivores, such as elephants and giraffes, by attacking and biting them. They also attack and remove other plants or vines that might compete with the acacia plant. In return, the acacia tree provides the ants with a home, food, and shelter.

Question 14

Southern pine bark beetles and leaf-cutter ants are similar in that both
A) display aposematic color patterns.
B) depend on mutualisms with fungi.
C) prey on other insects.
D) exhibit character displacement.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Both Southern pine bark beetles and leaf-cutter ants have a mutualistic relationship with fungi. The beetles cultivate fungi in their galleries to feed their larvae, while leaf-cutter ants use fungi to break down the leaves they collect and rely on the fungus for their nutrition.

Question 15

The most likely pollinator of the scarlet monkeyflower Mimulus cardinalis, which has bright red, tubular flowers and produces nectar, would be
A) moths.
B) butterflies.
C) hummingbirds.
D) bees.
E) flesh flies.

Accepted Answer

Scarlet monkeyflowers have bright red, tubular flowers which are typical characteristics of hummingbird-pollinated flowers. Additionally, the production of nectar suggests that the plant is adapted to attract hummingbirds, which depend on nectar as their main energy source.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about yucca plants is true?
A) They are pollinated by several species of bees as well as by yucca moths.
B) The stigma of the yucca flower is located deep within the pistil.
C) They are pollinated by moths that have evolved specialized mouthparts with long tentacles.
D) Both a and b
E) Both b and c

Accepted Answer

Yucca plants are specifically pollinated by yucca moths, which have evolved specialized mouthparts with long tentacles to reach the deep stigma within the pistil of the yucca flower.

Question 17

Compared with pollen, nectar
A) provides a greater reward.
B) is more susceptible to theft.
C) evolved earlier.
D) Both a and b
E) Both b and c

Accepted Answer

Nectar provides a greater reward than pollen and is more susceptible to theft.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about mutualistic interactions is true?
A) They are almost always symmetrical.
B) They can evolve into parasitism.
C) They usually evolve when resources are common.
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Mutualistic interactions can evolve into parasitism, as one species may begin to exploit and take more resources from the other.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about plant-pollination systems is true?
A) Pollinators usually eat all of a plant's pollen.
B) Successful pollination usually requires that the pollinator visit at least two members of the plant species.
C) Pollinators usually have evolved specialized anatomical features to carry pollen.
D) Both a and b
E) Both b and c

Accepted Answer

Option A is false because pollinators usually only collect some of a plant's pollen and leave some behind for future pollination. Option B is true, as pollinators often need to visit multiple members of the same plant species to successfully transfer pollen. Option C is also true, as pollinators often have evolved specific structures or behaviors to transfer pollen, such as bees with sticky hairs or hummingbirds with long bills. Therefore, the best choice is E, which includes both true statements.

Question 20

Two similar species of lemurs exist in Madagascar. One species eats leaves from the understory of trees, and the other eats leaves from the top of those trees. This phenomenon would be described as
A) competitive exclusion.
B) interference competition.
C) exploitative competition.
D) resource partitioning.
E) character displacement.

Accepted Answer

The fact that two species of lemurs in Madagascar eat different parts of the trees (one eats from the understory and the other from the top) suggests that they are practicing resource partitioning. This means that they have evolved to use different resources in order to reduce competition and coexist in the same habitat.

Quiz 56: Species Interaction and Coevolution

Monarch butterflies are toxic to many of their predators because they

Two species of woody shrubs are in close proximity and in competition for limited resources. One species produces chemicals through its roots that limit the growth of the other. The production of these chemicals is a form of

Which of the following would be most likely to evolve adaptations that would enable them to grasp onto and maintain a tight grip on their hosts?

Under which of the following conditions would a mutualistic relationship most likely lead to reciprocal adaptations?

Which of the following are most likely to be pathogens?

Which of the following statements about plant-frugivore mutualisms is true?

The H1N1 influenza virus responsible for the 2009 pandemic is considered a(n)

The evolution of similar traits on the part of species that experience similar selective pressures is a phenomenon called

The most likely pollinator of a plant species with orange, sweet-smelling flowers that provide both nectar and pollen would be

The relationship between mistletoes and mistletoe birds is one in which food is traded for

Which of the following statements about pathogens and their hosts is true?

Two species of yeast are capable of persisting indefinitely on agar in the lab, but when they are grown together under similar conditions, only a single species remains after a few days. This is an illustration of

The primary benefit that acacia trees receive from their association with ants is

Southern pine bark beetles and leaf-cutter ants are similar in that both

The most likely pollinator of the scarlet monkeyflower Mimulus cardinalis, which has bright red, tubular flowers and produces nectar, would be

Which of the following statements about yucca plants is true?

Compared with pollen, nectar

Which of the following statements about mutualistic interactions is true?

Which of the following statements about plant-pollination systems is true?

Two similar species of lemurs exist in Madagascar. One species eats leaves from the understory of trees, and the other eats leaves from the top of those trees. This phenomenon would be described as