Chapter 2 Multiple Choice Questions

. Which of the following is the correct order for the lifecycle stages of a member of the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)?

egg, pupa, larva, imago (adult)

imago (adult), pupa, egg, larva

egg, larva, pupa, imago (adult)

imago (adult), egg, pupa, larva

. Complete the following equation for calculating the number of individuals in a population: N_now = N_before ………….

– births + immigrations + deaths – emigrations

+ births + immigrations - deaths – emigrations

+ births - immigrations + deaths – emigrations

– births – immigrations + deaths + emigrations

. A metapopulation is

a very big population

a very small population

a breeding population

a population of populations

. In ecological terms, a discrete area different from its surroundings, and which provides a population with the resources it needs, is known as

an island

an ecosystem

a patch

a system

. Which specific ecosystem did the ecologist Dan Simberloff use for his experiments on insect communities and the island effect?

Oak woodlands

Coral reefs

Individual palm plantations

Mangrove islets

. Which of the following statements is NOT true when studying population sizes?

Only individuals capable of reproduction are considered.

Often only mature females are counted, as it is very rare for females to fail to reproduce because they have not mated.

Males are the key organisms when counting populations.

Male–male competition results in sexual selection by the females.

. Most insects and many fish mature fast and produce large numbers of offspring. This is the best strategy for them, because

they usually live to a great age and so can produce huge numbers of offspring.

juvenile mortality is high, so the chances of surviving to breed more than once are low.

females usually live longer than males.

their offspring live for a long time and they can support them when they reproduce.

. Which of the following is NOT a factor thought to affect long-term population size?

density

food availability

immigration and emigration

weather

. For an organism to be considered to be part of a population it must

feed in the habitat.

be observed in the habitat.

complete its lifecycle in the habitat.

die in the habitat.

. Which country was the site of the best-known study of metapopulations, based on the Glanville fritillary butterfly?

Finland

Iceland

Denmark

Scotland

Quiz Content