Could You Pass This Hardest Advanced Biology Quiz?

Based on the given information, the coyotes would be considered third-level consumers. Third-level consumers are organisms that feed on second-level consumers, which in turn feed on first-level consumers (herbivores). Since the coyotes are not herbivores themselves and feed on other consumers, they would fall into the category of third-level consumers.

Keratin is the correct answer because it is a fibrous protein found in the skin that forms a protective barrier. It helps to prevent microorganisms from entering the body, acting as a defense mechanism. Keratin is also responsible for the strength and structure of the skin, hair, and nails.

Food chains can vary in length depending on the specific ecosystem. In some ecosystems, food chains may be longer and consist of more steps, while in others they may be shorter. This variation is due to the complexity and diversity of different ecosystems, as well as the availability of resources and the interactions between different species. Therefore, it is not possible to determine a fixed length for food chains as it varies with the specific ecosystem in question.

Archaea and Bacteria are the two domains that contain prokaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Archaea and Bacteria are both single-celled organisms that have simple cellular structures and lack a true nucleus. They are distinct from eukaryotic cells, which have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Therefore, the correct answer is Archaea and Bacteria.

Loss of water from leaves causes transpiration to occur, which in turn triggers the water potential gradient from the soil. This loss of water is essential for the movement of water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. Additionally, loss of water from leaves also plays a role in mediating photosynthesis, as it helps in the exchange of gases and the movement of water and nutrients within the plant. Therefore, both A (loss of water from leaves causing transpiration) and B (triggers the water potential gradient from the soil) are correct explanations for the given statement.

This scenario demonstrates the concept of zones of tolerance. The student observes that her guppies reproduce the most when the water in the fish tank is slightly alkaline. This suggests that the guppies have a specific range or zone of tolerance for the pH level of the water in which they can thrive and reproduce. If the water becomes too acidic or too alkaline, the guppies stop reproducing, indicating that they are no longer within their zones of tolerance. Therefore, the correct answer is zones of tolerance.

Both plant and animal cells contain mitochondria, which are responsible for generating energy for the cell. They also contain rough endoplasmic reticulum, which is involved in protein synthesis, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification. These organelles are essential for the functioning of both plant and animal cells.

Organisms with overlapping niches probably have a competitive relationship. When organisms have similar resource requirements and occupy the same ecological niche, they compete for limited resources such as food, water, and space. This competition can result in reduced fitness and population sizes for both species involved. Therefore, the correct answer is competitive.

The relationship described in the passage is mutualism. Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from each other. In this case, the birds benefit by getting access to the honey and bees when the humans take honey from the beehives, while the humans benefit from the birds' ability to locate the beehives. Both parties involved in this relationship gain something of value, making it an example of mutualism.

Increasing the nitrogen content would be the best option to try first in order to increase the growth rate of the favorite plant. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and is a major component of chlorophyll, which is responsible for photosynthesis. It plays a vital role in promoting leaf and stem growth, as well as overall plant development. Therefore, increasing the nitrogen supply would provide the plant with the necessary resources to enhance its growth rate.

The area labeled "D" in the figure is most likely to have decomposers that feed on dead organisms. This is because decomposers play a crucial role in breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. They thrive in environments where there is an abundance of dead organisms to feed on, such as decaying plant and animal matter.

Sunlight is the ultimate source of energy because it is the primary driver of most natural processes on Earth. Sunlight is responsible for photosynthesis in plants, which converts solar energy into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules. This energy is then transferred through the food chain as organisms consume plants or other organisms. Sunlight is also the main source of heat on Earth, powering weather patterns and climate systems. Additionally, sunlight is used to generate solar power, a renewable and clean source of energy for human use.

In order to accurately assess a population's growth rate, an ecologist must not only know the number of individuals born, died, and moved away, but also the number of individuals that move in from somewhere else. This is because the population growth rate is influenced by both births and immigration. Immigration refers to the movement of individuals into a population from another area, and it can significantly impact the population size and dynamics. Therefore, knowing the number of individuals that move in from somewhere else is crucial for understanding and calculating the population's growth rate.

The information about the plant species that a grasshopper eats can be included in the description of its niche because it refers to the specific role or job that the grasshopper plays in its ecosystem. The niche describes the specific resources and interactions that a species relies on to survive and reproduce. In contrast, the habitat refers to the physical environment where the grasshopper lives, including the continent, locations where it shelters, and the temperatures it experiences.

Disease is considered a density-dependent factor because when a population is large, the transmission of diseases becomes easier. In a larger population, there are more opportunities for individuals to come into contact with each other, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission. This is particularly true for diseases that spread through direct contact or close proximity. As the population size increases, the chances of transmission also increase, making disease transmission more dependent on population density.

The researcher's study is poorly-designed because she is only measuring soil temperature, neglecting the potential influence of biotic factors on dandelion reproduction. Biotic factors such as pollinators, herbivores, and competition from other plants can significantly impact the reproductive success of dandelions. By solely focusing on soil temperature, the researcher is overlooking important variables that could affect the study's outcomes and potentially lead to incomplete or inaccurate conclusions.

The logistic model of population growth differs from the exponential model because it takes into account the environment's carrying capacity. This means that the logistic model recognizes that there is a limit to the population size that can be sustained by the available resources in the environment. In contrast, the exponential model assumes unlimited resources and unrestricted growth. Therefore, the logistic model provides a more realistic representation of population growth by considering the constraints imposed by the environment.

Bacteria take nitrogen from the air and convert it to a form usable by plants. This process is known as nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen gas in the atmosphere cannot be directly used by plants, so certain types of bacteria have the ability to convert nitrogen gas into ammonia or other forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb and use for their growth and development. This process is essential for the nitrogen cycle and plays a crucial role in providing plants with the necessary nutrients for their survival.

This answer involves a situation in which a density-dependent factor influences a population because the forest fires on the north side of the mountain force the white-tailed deer to move into the range of the white-tailed deer on the south side. This leads to increased competition for food, as the deer on the south side now have to share their resources with the deer from the north side. This competition for limited food resources is an example of a density-dependent factor affecting the population.

Each amino acid is coded for by a sequence of three nucleotides called a codon. Therefore, to determine the maximum number of amino acids coded for by a molecule of mRNA, we divide the length of the mRNA (600 mononucleotides) by 3. This gives us 200, which means that a molecule of mRNA that is 600 mononucleotides long can code for a maximum of 200 amino acids.

Based on the given options, the most likely type of succession to happen in the figure is secondary succession. Secondary succession occurs in an area that has previously been inhabited but has experienced a disturbance that has removed most or all of the previous organisms. In this case, the figure likely represents a landscape that has been disturbed by a natural event or human activity, allowing new species to colonize and establish themselves in the area.

The correct answer suggests that there is a relationship between deforestation on land and the dying off of coral reefs. It explains that deforestation leads to erosion, which in turn washes away topsoil. This sediment then smothers the reefs, causing them to die off. This explanation highlights the negative impact of deforestation on the health and survival of coral reefs.

The correct answer explains the distinction between primary and secondary succession. It states that primary succession occurs in an area with no soil, where a new community is established. On the other hand, secondary succession occurs in an existing ecosystem that has been disturbed, where a new community is established. This explanation clearly highlights the difference between the two types of succession based on the conditions in which they occur and the type of community that is established.

Based on the information from the graph, it can be predicted that if the ocean level increased, biodiversity would decrease. This is because an increase in ocean level can lead to the loss of coastal habitats, such as coral reefs and mangroves, which are important ecosystems supporting a wide range of species. Additionally, the displacement of organisms due to rising water levels can disrupt their habitats and reduce their populations. Therefore, an increase in ocean level would have a negative impact on biodiversity.

Based on the given graph, it shows that as the size of an island or continent increases, the biodiversity also increases. This is because larger land masses can support a greater variety of habitats and ecosystems, allowing for a wider range of species to thrive. Therefore, it can be extrapolated that on a large island or continent, biodiversity would increase greatly.

The best explanation for the problem is that fertilizer from park lawns has run off into the water, adding too many nutrients to the system. This theory suggests that the excess nutrients from the fertilizer are causing the overgrowth of algae in the water. The other theories do not provide a direct link between the problem and the evidence presented. The unusual war spring and the feeding activities of native carp may affect the lake, but they do not explain the specific problem of algae overgrowth. The warmer temperature may contribute to the problem, but it does not explain the source of the excess nutrients.

The graph in the figure shows a positive correlation between the size of the islet and the level of biodiversity. As the size of the islet increases, the biodiversity also increases. This suggests that larger islets provide more diverse habitats and resources, allowing for a greater variety of species to thrive.

Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor through small openings in their leaves called stomata. Windy conditions can increase the rate of transpiration because it creates air movement around the leaves, which helps in the removal of water vapor from the leaf surface. As a result, the rate of transpiration increases when it is windy.

The demographer should choose the population of an industrially developed country for her study because these countries typically have high levels of resource consumption per individual. Industrial development often leads to increased production and consumption of goods and services, resulting in higher resource usage. Therefore, studying the population of an industrially developed country would provide valuable insights into resource utilization patterns.

The "soil type" of an earthworm refers to the abiotic factor that influences their habitat. Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem that impact the organisms living within it. In this case, the type of soil, such as its composition, texture, and moisture content, plays a crucial role in determining the earthworm's survival and distribution. Therefore, the correct answer is "abiotic factor."

The loss of species B had a negative impact on the populations of species A and D, causing them to decrease. This suggests that species B played a crucial role in supporting the populations of A and D, either through direct interactions or indirect effects on their habitat or resources. Without species B, A and D were unable to maintain their populations at previous levels, resulting in a decline.

The correct answer is immigration. Since the Philippine eagle population is estimated to have only 350-650 individuals and there is no mention of any new eagles entering the population, it can be assumed that immigration is zero.

The plant transport system, also known as the vascular system, is responsible for the movement of water, nutrients, and other essential substances within a plant. However, it does not transport CO2. This is because CO2 is primarily absorbed by the plant through small openings called stomata on the leaves. Once inside the plant, CO2 is used during photosynthesis to produce glucose and oxygen. The glucose is then transported throughout the plant for energy, while the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, while the plant transport system is crucial for the movement of various substances, it does not play a direct role in transporting CO2.

The hypothesis that predicts low species diversity in the abyssal marine zone, except around hydrothermal vents, is the most compelling. This is because the extreme conditions of the abyssal zone, such as high pressure, lack of sunlight, and low nutrient availability, make it challenging for many organisms to survive. However, hydrothermal vents create a unique environment with high temperatures and abundant nutrients, which can support a diverse community of bacteria, fish, and crabs. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the hydrothermal vents would be an exception to the overall low species diversity in the abyssal zone.

The energy loss in an ecosystem is known as energy transfer efficiency. As energy moves through the food chain, it is lost at each trophic level due to metabolic processes, heat loss, and incomplete digestion. In this scenario, the energy loss is 10 units per trophic level, and there are three trophic levels between the grasses and the coyote. Therefore, the total energy loss is 10 units per level multiplied by three levels, which equals 30 units. Subtracting this from the initial 10,000 units of energy available at the grass level, we get 9,970 units of energy reaching the coyote.

The given statement describes the feeding behavior of cougars, stating that they often eat weakened or diseased animals. This does not refer to their habitat, community, or niche. Therefore, the correct answer is none of these.

Ling feeds her guppies one-half teaspoon of fish food every day. The average guppy population in her aquarium over a four-month period is 38 guppies. She increased the food to one teaspoon per day. After a four-month period, the average population is 53 guppies.

A team of ecologists measured the salinity of the water in an estuary at various distances from the river mouth. They also sampled populations of two species of clam worm, Nereis occidentalis and Neanthes succinea, at each point. The results are tabulated below.

Nitrogen is the correct answer because it has a short-term biogeochemical cycle. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for living organisms and is constantly cycling through the environment. It is primarily found in the atmosphere as nitrogen gas (N2), but it needs to be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be taken up by plants. Once it is used by plants, it can be consumed by animals and eventually returned to the environment through decomposition. The nitrogen cycle is relatively fast compared to other nutrients like carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus, which have longer and more complex cycles.

Predation allows the flow of energy through an ecosystem to happen. Predation is the process in which one organism (predator) captures and feeds on another organism (prey). This transfer of energy from the prey to the predator enables the flow of energy through the ecosystem. The predator gains energy by consuming the prey, and this energy is then transferred to the predator's own growth, reproduction, and other metabolic processes. Therefore, predation plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance and functioning of an ecosystem.