REVIEW GUIDE FOR BIOEE 1610 PRELIM #1
You have a number of resources to help you to prepare for your first prelim in BioEE 1610.
Each of the following is posted on the course Blackboard site.
• Power point lecture slides
• Quiz 1 – taken during section
• Cumulative iClicker questions, with answers
• Assigned readings from textbook
• This review guide summarizing key concepts and definitions
At this point, you should use the ppts and lecture notes as reference sources (much as you
would a text book) to help you to study.
Prelim I will be composed of about 6-8 questions [i.e., short answer, essay etc.]
Disclaimer! The following is only intended to help guide your studying for the prelim.
It is not an exhaustive list of everything covered in lecture.
Concepts and definitions you should know:
1) What are the major terrestrial biomes, and what delineates one type of biome from
another? For example, terrestrial biomes are structured by gradients in what two factors?
Biome
Tropical
Rainforest
Precipitation
Lots
Temperature
Hot
Vegetation and soil
High diversity,
nutrient poor soil
Hot Desert Little
Hot
Tundra
Little
Cold
Temperate
Deciduous
Forest
Middle
Middle
Convergent
evolution, arid soil,
salinization
Plants grow close to
ground, permafrost
resistant
Fertile soil
Climate
Warm and wet year
round, little
temperature variation
Hot and dry
Short growing season,
cold and dry,
Warm summer,
freezing winter
2) What are the major aquatic life zones, and what delineates one type of biome from
another?
Aquatic Zone Salinity
Flow/Still Vegetation
Nutrients
Rivers and
Fresh water Flowing
Rivers-little connections to
Rivers- high,
streams
shore vegetation, streams- close streams- low
connection
Ponds and
Fresh water Still
Pond- littoral (rooted plants),
Depending on
lakes
lake- pelagic (phytoplankton)
upwelling
Estuaries and Salt and
Both
Grasses
High, high plant
salt marshes
fresh
growth and light
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Coral Reefs
Salty
Flowing
Open Ocean
Salty
Flowing
Made from limestone bodies of
coral, provides habitat
Many plants and
phytoplankton, survives off
microbes and fish
Enormous
diversity, high
High in areas
3) Why and how do the following collectively determine global climate patterns: (1) the
angle of the sun, (2) path length light travels before hitting Earth’s surface, (3) axial tilt of
Earth, (4) moon’s interactions with the Earth’s gravitation, [HINT: make your own list or
diagram mapping Major Patterns summarizing how each of the above factors affect the
Earth’s climate moving from the poles to the equator].
1. Angle of sun differentiates solar intensity on area. Equator gets most direct light, and
poles get most angled light.
2. Due to curvature of Earth, sun travels least distance to equator, most to poles,
increasing chance of absorption and deflection.
3. Tilt creates seasons. In summer N. hemisphere is closer to sun, winter S. hemisphere
is closer.
4. Moon has gravitational pull that creates tides and waves. (Intertidal zones.)
4) How do the physical factors 1-3 listed above in #3 interact to form the major climate
zones?
a. HINT: think about how these factors influence air temperatures, and what impact
the rotation of the Earth has on movement of air masses.
i. For example, the Hadley Cells discussed in lecture result in a predominant
flow of air masses at the Earth’s surface in what direction between the
equator and 30o north?
 The angle and proximity of the sun to the equator create a warmer surface near the
equator, allowing air to warm and expand, taking water up with it. This creates an
area of high precipitation and a Hadley cell from 0-30 N and S.
 The air then travels toward the poles and cools, adding atmospheric pressure and
preventing the formation of clouds in those areas, mainly around 30 N and S.
 Tilt and rotation of Earth also create the Coriolis effect, where air becomes deflected.
Trade winds moving towards the equator deflect left, and westerlies to the right.
5) Review the Climate zone slides and be able to explain the relationships between moist;
desert, and rainforest biomes and the physical effects of Hadley cells on climate patterns.
a. What impact(s) do local geographic features have on the major climate patterns?
HINT: think about what defines climate and lecture examples of the effects of
local geography (ie. Rain shadows). [also see your section quiz for review].
 Hadley cells create moist zones near the equator and dry zones near 30 N and S.
 Mountains create a rainshadow effect on the side not near a body of water. The wind
brings water from the ocean up a mountain and condenses as it reaches higher
altitudes. The clouds then release the water before crossing over the mountain to the
other side and warming again as the air moves down. The air extracts water from the
leeward side and is arid and dry.
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6) What explains the global patterns in the distribution of major rivers and rainforests? Does
this also explain the global distribution of major lake basins [why or why not]?
 Major rivers and rainforests are near the equatorial line where there is high
precipitation.
 This does not explain the distribution of basins because basins they are through
geological formations (glaciers melting).
7) What are the major wind patterns blowing over the Earth’s surface and how are they
influenced by the rotation of the Earth?
i. Think about how the rotation of the Earth interacts with the flow of air you
described for Hadley cells [see above (#4) where you summarized Hadley
Cells] – the flow tends to divert it to which direction (clockwise or counter
clockwise)? What would we call this diversion of airflow? This diversion
pattern would, in turn, cause the predominant winds between the equator
and 30o north to blow from which direction?
ii. Summarize for yourself the relationship between global wind patterns, the
Coriolis Effect and resulting northern and southern hemisphere Westerlies
andNortheast & Southeast trade winds.
iii. The oceans are responsible for redistributing significant heat across the
Earth’s surface. The primary mechanism is?
 Coriolis effect creates bending winds. Towards equator bend left, towards poles bend
right.
 Wind helps create ocean currents, cools the top layer and creates upwelling zones
along the western coasts.
 Primary mechanism is upwelling and ocean currents
8) What factors determine the surface currents on the major ocean basins?
 Surface winds, Coriolis effect, and continent boundaries
9) Why are surface currents important to distributions or marine life?
 Bring nutrients to surface and redistribute heat
10) What are the characteristics of major biomes presented during lecture? [Hint: think
about how biomes vary by temperature and precipitation]. Be sure you understand
how biome characteristics influence the climate and vegetation patterns of ecosystems
associated with a given biome.
a. For example:
i. At the global scale, which one of the biomes has the greatest rate of
plant biomass production (Net Primary Production: NPP)?
ii. At the global scale, which one of the biomes has the greatest biomass?
iii. Which biome has the greatest percentage of the organic matter
produced in NPP stored as soil organic carbon?
iv. In which biome would plants most likely have the strategy of using
high rates of transpiration as a mechanism for altering their
temperature?
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v. At the global scale, which biomes have the least biomass, and which
have the most biomass?
vi. What are the major plant categories associated with each of the major
terrestrial biomes? [Hint: think about – plant structure, leaf type].
Biome
NPP
Biomass
Plant Transpiration
Plant categories
Tropical
Most
High
C3
Broadleaf evergreens,
Rainforest
lianas, epiphytes, forbs
Hot Desert least
Low
C4, CAM
Succulents, shrubs
Tundra
least
Low
C3
Shrubs, low to ground
Temperate Most (and
High
C3
Broadleaf deciduous,
Deciduous grasslands)
pines, shrubs
Forest
11) What is convergent evolution and why is it relevant to global biome patterns?
 When two different species in separate but similar biomes evolve similar growths.
12) Unlike terrestrial biomes, aquatic life zones are not based on vegetation, why is this
true? If not precipitation, then what are the major aquatic life zones?
 Not vegetation because it does not track a zone well. Based on salinity, flow, depth,
light exposure.
13) Reflect on the relationships summarized in lecture between environmental variation,
natural selection and adaptation.
a. What is tolerance and how is it influenced by being a specialist versus a
generalist.
i. What is acclimation? Is the ability to acclimate a specialist or a
generalist trait?
 Tolerance is the ability to withstand stressful environmental conditions. Specialists
have narrow tolerance and are very good in that condition while generalists have
broad tolerance.
 Generalists acclimate (adjust to reduce stress) better.

b. What major examples of avoidance strategies were discussed in lecture? Be
sure you have a basic understanding of these strategies.
Migration and dormancy (diapause, hibernation, and torpor)


c. What major adaptations do organisms have to manage heat gain and loss in
hot versus cold environments? Hint: think about the surface area to volume
relationship and how this relates to managing heat loss, heat gain and body
shape in a cold versus hot environment.
Smaller = more surface area = more heat loss
Longer extremities = more surface area = more heat loss
d. How do adaptations relating to body fat, feather structure, fur, counter-current
exchange circulatory systems, leaf structure [summarize all the variations
discussed in lecture – for hot versus cold environments, and dry versus wet
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

environments], leaf angle, reflect environmental temperatures where an
organisms lives?
Fatter, feather and fur thicker, pubescence on leaves = helps keep warmer
Counter-current exchange helps keep body warm by warming blood before it enters
the body


e. How do plants and animals manage heat loss through control of evaporation?
Plants open stomata to allow evapotranspiration and evaporation (cooling)
Animals pant or use gular flutter

f. How are the effects of salt on water content controlled in organisms? How
does this influence adaptations in high versus low salinity environments?
Osmosis, active transport
g. The biochemical pathways supporting the physiological functions of living
organisms are dependent upon enzymes that are temperature sensitive [they
are adapted to function within a given temperature range of tolerance]. What
is the endotherm strategy for managing body temperature? What is the
ectotherm strategy for managing body temperature? How do plants control
leaf temperature?
14) Now think about how the environmental conditions reviewed above influence
photosynthesis. How do environmental conditions influence the availability of the
major ingredients for photosynthesis [CO2, H2O, light energy, phosphorus and
nitrogen]?
a. For example:
i. How do stomates respond to different concentrations of CO2 and
moisture?
ii. How is transpiration linked with photosynthesis?
15) What are the 3 major types of photosynthesis?
a. Which type is adapted to hot, humid environments? Why?
b. Which type is adapted to hot, dry environments? Why?
16) What are limiting resources for terrestrial autotrophs?
17) What are limiting resources for marine autotrophs?
18) What are limiting resources for fresh water autotrophs?
The following is meant to help you summarize and review population growth. For
statements with parentheses select the best answer from within ( ) to complete the
sentence.
19) Geometric population growth models the net birth rate per individual over a
_________ (continuous; discrete) time period. When the per capita birth and death
rates don't change in response to the size or density of the population this model is
said to be __________ (density dependent; density independent). An example of a
population under going geometric growth would be one that breeds ________
(continuously; seasonally) each year.
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20)  [lambda] represents the finite rate of increase and is used to model __________
(continuous, discrete) generations by measuring growth compounding at
___________ (discrete points in time, continuous) intervals. The resulting rate of
increase is equivalent to net birth rate per individual over a __________ (continuous,
discrete) time period.
The finite rate of increase is estimated by: = Nt+1/Nt
Where:
Nt+1 = size of population at one time step [e.g., year 2]
Nt = size of the population at the previous time step [e.g., year 1]
t = time
21) Populations that are increasing will have a  value _______ (greater than 1; less than
1; equal to 0) and populations that are decreasing will have a  value __________
(greater than 1; less than 1; equal to 0). The population does not change in size when
 = ___________ (0, 1, greater than 1).
22) Exponential population growth models describe the per capita difference between
birth and death rates during a _____________ (continuous; discrete) time period.
When the per capita birth and death rates change in response to the size or density of
the population this model is said to be _____________ (density dependent; density
independent). An example of a population under going exponential growth would be
one that breeds ____________ (continuously; seasonally) each year.
The intrinsic rate of increase is estimated by: r = ln [Nt+1/Nt]
the equivalent or r = ln
23) rmax represents the intrinsic rate of increase, the maximum rate at which a population
may grow. It is used to model ____________ (continuous; discrete) generations by
measuring growth compounding _________ (continuously; at discrete points in time).
The intrinsic rate of increase is equivalent to per capita difference between birth and
death rates _________ (continuously; at discrete points in time) over a fixed time
period.
Recall that:
Nt+1 = size of population at one time step [e.g., year 2]
Nt = size of the population at the previous time step [e.g., year 1]
t = time
24) Populations that are increasing exponentially will have a r value __________ (greater
than 0; less than 0; equal to 1) and populations that are decreasing will have a r value
_________ (greater than 0; less than 0; equal to 1). Stable populations that do not
change in size will have r = ________ (0, 1, greater than 1).
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25) Exponential Growth Equation describes a population with unlimited resources that is
expanding at constant per capita rate ® and an increasing population rate (dN/dt) over
time.
dN/dt = rN
dN/dt = instantaneous rate of change at a given point on graph. A positive value for
dN/dt = population growth. A negative value for dN/dt = population decline.
Logistic Growth is a model of population growth in which rmax ______________
(declines; stays the same; increases) as the population size increases. As a population
approaches its maximum possible carrying capacity, the growth of the population slows.
A plot of population size versus time for logistic growth produces an S-shaped curve.
26) Resource availability limits population growth, which reduces the realized per capita
growth rate, r. The maximum number of individuals that an environment will
sustainably support is called the carrying capacity [K].
The Logistic Growth Equation accounts for the carrying capacity of the environment
and is calculated by:
dN/dt = rmax N(1-N/K)
Where:
dN/dt = instantaneous rate of change at a given point on graph
r = intrinsic rate of increase, calculated by: r = ln [This formula represents the
realized rate of increase that changes dependent on environmental conditions. In the
logistic growth model, r changes as N changes.
N = population size
K = carrying capacity
When dN/dt = 0 the population size is ____________ (not changing; is increasing; is
decreasing).
27) Density Dependent Factors influence the dynamics of population changes depending
on the size of that population. _______________ (Flooding, Competition, Fire) is an
example of a density dependent factor.
28) Density Independent Factors influence does not change as the population size
changes. _____________ (A severe storm, Parasitism, Competition) is an example of
a density independent factor.
29) Know the differences between contest, exploitation and interference competition.
30) Review your section activity on life tables. In addition, when considering fecundity
[Fx] why do only females count?
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How does Fx fit in to a life table? Why is this value so important to modeling the
population increase for each generation? Hint review:
1. product of (fraction surviving to each age) × (offspring product at
that age)
2.
31) What are the cost and benefits of being an r-strategist versus a k-strategist?
a. Under what environmental conditions would you predict an organism would
be an r-strategist, and under what conditions would you predict an organism
would be a k-strategist?
32) What are the costs and benefits of semelparity versus iteroparity.
a. Under what environmental conditions would you predict an organism would
be semelparous, and under what conditions would you predict an organism
would be iteroparous?
33) What are metapopulations and why are they important? [HINT: Think about their
role in conservation efforts, and this will help you to see their overall function]
a. What role do source sub-populations and sink-subpopulations have on
metapopulation dynamics?
34) What processes explain the greater than exponential human population growth?
35) What explains the current drop in world population growth rate?
36) What is the demographic transition?
a. Be able to discuss three factors that influence the demographic transition
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