All AP Environmental Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #263 : Ap Environmental Sciences
Which of the following is a false statement regarding genetic mutations?
Mutations occur at high rates
Mutations are changes in nucleotide subunits
Mutations are the main source of genetic variation
Most mutations are unfavorable to an individual
Mutations occur at high rates
Mutations occur at low rates. They are rare and not very common in most individuals. This explains why the process of evolution and adaptation occurs over long periods of time.
Example Question #2 : Reproductive Patterns And Principles
Which of the following factors affect birth rates?
Average marriage age
Child laborers
All of these
Religion
Education level of women
All of these
The use of child laborers leads to higher birth rates. More children are needed to support families and households. Educating women also decreases birth rates. This is the reason why developing countries tend to have higher birth rates than developed countries. A lower average marriage age leads to an increase in birth rates. Religion can influence birth rates, either raising or lowering (generally it raises the birth rate).
Example Question #11 : Population Ecology
Corals often coordinate spawning so that, in the span of one night, thousands of gametes are released at once. Predatory fish are typically overwhelmed by the amount of potential prey and cannot possibly consume every gamete.
Corals are considered __________.
K-selected species
Fungi
R-selected species
Asexual
R-selected species
Corals are r-selected species, categorized by producing many offspring at once, which individually have low chances of survival, and short lifespans. Other r-strategists include rodents, insects, and other small-bodied, early-maturing animals. K-selected species produce few offspring and invest lots of parental care to ensure a higher chance of survival. Humans are an example of a K-selected species.
Example Question #12 : Population Ecology
Which of these animals is a K-selected species?
Turtle
Gerbil
Bullfrog
Elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large-bodied and give birth to only one offspring every few years, and mothers have a large role as caregivers to ensure the survival of their young. The other species listed here are r-selected species and have many offspring at a time. In some cases, r-selected species do not parent. In others, offspring mature very quickly and parents do not have to provide care for very long.
Example Question #5 : Reproductive Patterns And Principles
A scientist observed a population of ants at a research site over the course of five years. He noticed that as the density of the population increased, the population growth rate began to stabilize over time. What ecology principle was the scientist observing with the ants?
Bottleneck event
Density dependence
Density independence
Exponential growth
Density dependence
The correct response is density dependence. Since the population growth rate is dependent on the size of the population, it is therefore regulated by density. This is the perfect example of a density dependent population.
Example Question #11 : Population Ecology
A scientist observed a population of leafhoppers at a research station in the Oak Openings region over the course of two years. She noticed that the only factor regulating the size of the leafhopper population was forest fires. Based on her observation, what ecological principle explains the growth rate of the leafhoppers?
Island biogeography
Density dependence
Metapopulation theory
Density independence
Density independence
The correct response is density independence. The leafhopper population was not regulated by density. The only thing that regulated the population was abiotic events, such as forest fires.
Example Question #272 : Ap Environmental Sciences
Nigeria is experiencing a fertility rate of roughly seven children per woman and a population structure where roughly forty percent of the population is under the age of fifteen. What would be the most accurate projection of the population in coming years?
Exponential population growth fueled by high fertility rates and a large proportion of the population reaching reproductive age.
The population will decline because not enough individuals are surviving to reach reproductive age (i.e. war and disease are the diminishing factors).
The population will remain constant, because high fertility rates paired with few people living to old age indicates a high fertility rate is needed to sustain the population.
The population will likely decline because the fact that the majority of the population are fifteen or younger indicates that something is killing the reproductive-age members of the population.
Cyclical fluctuations will occur in the population because they are typical of a population with high fertility and mortality rates.
Exponential population growth fueled by high fertility rates and a large proportion of the population reaching reproductive age.
In terms of population trends, Nigeria can expect to see exponential growth in the following years for two reasons: Fertility rates are already quite high (e.g. a stable population is at births per female) and a large portion of the population is under the age of fifteen. Present fertility rates ensure current exponential growth, while a large proportion of the population reaching reproductive age ensures future population growth, especially if the fertility rate remains inflated.
Example Question #1 : The Human Population
Which of the following is FALSE regarding urbanization?
population growth rarely outstrips the growth of infrastructure
urban areas tend to be warmer than surrounding natural areas
people's impact on the land is more pronounced in cities
urban sprawl is destroying natural habitat
people who live in urban areas consume less resources per capita
population growth rarely outstrips the growth of infrastructure
Often, the growth of cities is too fast for the construction of adequate infrastructure. This results in transportation problems, including traffic gridlock and longer commuting times. The other answers are true regarding urbanization. Cities have a number of environmental drawbacks and benefits.
Example Question #13 : Population Ecology
Which of the following countries has a declining population?
Nigeria
Philippines
United States
Ukraine
India
Ukraine
Ukraine, like many former Soviet Bloc countries, has a declining population due to political unrest. Nigeria, the Philippines, the United States and India all have increasing populations.
Example Question #3 : The Human Population
In Stage One of a demographic transition, a population:
has a high birthrate, a high death rate, and a growing population
a low birthrate, a low death rate, and a stable population
a low birthrate, a high death rate, and a declining population
a high birthrate, a low death rate, and a growing population
has a high birthrate, a high death rate, and a stable population
has a high birthrate, a high death rate, and a stable population
In the first stage of a demographic transition, a population has a high birthrate, a high death rate, and a stable population. Technological development is low, and populations are controlled mainly by famine and disease.
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