Course Objectives and Study Guide
A note about the course and how to study.
For the tests in my courses focus on being able to complete tasks/activities and solve problems.
You will need to do some memorization however, more important is being able to apply that
knowledge. You should therefore practice any activities you have done as homework or in class.
You are very likely to be asked to do these tasks again. Strict memorization of vocabulary will
not allow you to succeed in this course.
This study guide is composed of two parts. The first part is composed of course objectives.
Course objectives are things that you should be able to do as a consequence of taking this course.
The second part consists of questions related to each of the chapters that you have read.
Part I: Course Objectives (midterm 1)
The course objectives are composed of three parts. 1 (bold) describes the learning objective,
what you should be able to do. The second part provides a sample question illustrating the type
of question/activity which would demonstrate that you have met that objective. The third part
(italics) lists the relevant chapter or chapters in your text. As an additional aid, at the top of each
section of the notes, I have placed the specific objectives addressed by that section of the notes.
1. Distinguish questions that can be answered scientifically from those that cannot.
Given a question or results from a "study" explain whether the results or question can or
cannot be answered scientifically. chapter 1
2. Identify the pattern of scientific reasoning and investigation. Given a
question/statement, create a testable hypothesis including...
o Null and alternative hypotheses
o Independent and dependent variables
Given an experimental design identify those same elements. Cane toad paper Chapter 1
3. Distinguish the difference among Observations, hypotheses, and theories. Given a
statement identify whether it is an observation, hypothesis or theory. Be prepared to
explain your rational Chapter 1
4. Determine whether a hypothesis has been supported through statistics using a p-value.
Given a hypothesis with a p-value, state whether the hypothesis has been supported.
5. Identify the relationship between births and deaths that result in population change.
given the birth rate and death rate determine whether a population is increasing or
decreasing in size. determine the number of eggs surviving to reproductive age to
maintain a population. chapter 36
6. Reproduce/identify exponential and logistic growth curves and all important features
relative to both (including growth phases and carrying capacity). Given a population,
show an expected growth curve and identify the important points in the curve. given a
scenario determine whether the population is under exponential or logistic
growth Chapter 36
7. Identify the intrinsic characteristics of growth (includes r vs k strategies). Given an
organisms life history is it likely an r or K strategist. Given environmental conditions
BIO101_mid1_study_fa12.docx
Murray State University - Everett Weber
02/14/12
Course Objectives and Study Guide
predict whether r or k strategists are more likely to succeed. for a given r is the population
increasing, decreasing, or stable? Chapter 36
8. Distinguish between density dependent and density independent limiting factors.
Given a population list a density dependent and density independent limiting factor. State
whether the factor is biotic or abiotic. Explain your answer. chapter 36
9. Construct a basic carbon model of an ecosystem. Construct a basic model of an
ecosystem including all major reservoirs. Predict the impact of a change in the nitrogen
cycle on the carbon cycle Chapter 37
10.
Follow the path of a carbon atom from a consumer to a producer. Trace the path
of a carbon atom from a dead organism through a primary producer and carnivore. Be
sure to show the reservoirs that the carbon atom will pass through. Chapter 37
11.
Describe primary productivity and how and what factors that speed or slow
productivity. Given two ecosystems, predict which system will have a higher rate of
primary productivity. Chapter 37
12.
Use your understanding of assimilation efficiency to determine the relative
energetic cost of agricultural production. Given a choice of food items select the item
that should take the least solar energy to produce a calorie of energy consumed by a
human Chapter 37
Part II: Chapter questions
Chapter 1. The process of science
 What is the process of science?
 What questions can (and cannot) be answered through science?
 Use criteria for to evaluate the quality of evidence
 Identify questions that can be addressed through the process of science.
 Identify the pattern of scientific reasoning and investigation
 Distinguish between hypotheses and theories
 Create a null and alternative hypothesis
 Identify dependent and independent variables.
 Interpret evidence (figures graphs, as in cane toad paper) remember p-value
Chapter 36. Population Ecology
 How does removal of a predator affect carrying capacity?
 Predict the effect of limits on population size and individual reproduction and survival.
 Predict the effect of wildlife management on deer populations.
 Determine whether limits to population growth are
1. Density-Dependent or Density-Independent
2. Biotic or Abiotic.
Chapter 37. Carbon and Nutrient Cycle
 Imagine a food chain in a forest ecosystem. What are the organisms in your forest
ecosystem at each level of the food chain listed in section 37.8? You should be able to
rearrange them into a food web. Does the rearrangement make it more difficult to classify
the organisms by trophic level? How stable do you think the food web is compared to the
BIO101_mid1_study_fa12.docx
Murray State University - Everett Weber
02/14/12
Course Objectives and Study Guide
food chain (think about missing links)? Are there any keystone species in your model?

Which uses more sunlight/land, eating beef or eating grain? Why? Think about primary
production, food chains and the trophic pyramid.

What does a scientist mean by a reservoir when discussing cycles? Where is the largest
reservoir in the a) carbon, b) phosphorous, and c) nitrogen cycle? Look up the chemical
equations for photosynthesis and respiration. You should be able to identify them in the
carbon cycle.

In population ecology we discussed when a population would grow and when it would
get smaller. If there were more births than deaths the population grew. What is the
relationship between photosynthesis and respiration in the carbon cycle? When would the
atmospheric reservoir increase and when would it decrease?
BIO101_mid1_study_fa12.docx
Murray State University - Everett Weber
02/14/12