1959
Discuss how each of the following contributes evidence that evolution has occurred: a. Paleontology
b. Geographical distribution c. Biochemical studies
1959
Each group of organisms has a specific set of adaptations (either in the parent animals or in the eggs they produce) which helps to insure the survival of sufficient young to maintain the population. Briefly summarize and compare the structures or other adaptations bearing on this problem as found in an amphibian, a reptile, a marsupial, and a placental mammal. What generalizations can be made from these comparisons?
1960
Although the arthropods began as aquatic animals, the majority have become terrestrial. Discuss the adaptive modifications in the arthropods for terrestrial existence with
reference to locomotion, reproduction, and development, respiration, and water balance. 1960
The factors of mutation and isolation are believed to play significant roles in speciation. For each of these factors discuss:
a. how it may occur
1964
On the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands, which most geologists believe to be of volcanic origin without ever having had any land connection with the west coast of South America, Darwin discovered a group of small finches. These birds have since been classified into more than a dozen species. These birds have differences, particularly in their adaptations for food-getting. It is believed that all these species are
descendants of a single species which migrated from the mainland. On the mainland there has never been more than a single species even though the rate of mutations is thought to be the same in both locations. Explain how each of the following could have played a role in the development of the many species of Galapagos finches:
a. polyploidy b. genetic drift
c. geographic isolation
d. unoccupied ecologic niches
e. Explain why the mainland species has not differentiated into more than one species.
1966
In the vertebrates, changes in mechanisms of fertilization and embryonic development have been of adaptive value. Compare these mechanisms and indicate their contribution to the evolutionary success of the following animals: a. fish b. amphibian c. bird d. mammal 1966
The theory of organic evolution is based on interpretations of observations from diverseareas. Describe the observations from each of the following areas and explain how they support the theory:
a. paleontology
b. comparative anatomy or embryology c. biochemistry or genetics
1970
An interbreeding population sometimes gives rise to two populations. Discuss the possible roles of each of the following factors in the formation of two distinct species.
a. isolation b. selection c. mutation
d. genetic drift (Sewall Wright phenomenon)
1972
Cite evidence from biochemistry, paleontology, and population genetics that has led biologists to accept the theory of evolution.
1973
On the basis of reliable sampling studies made during a 5-year period, the following observations were made about the turtle populations of two lakes, one 300 miles north of the other. Indicate and discuss factors that might account for this unequal distribution.
1974
Hereditary variations are essential to the evolution of populations. a. Describe the different types of hereditary variability
b. Explain how this variability can lead to the origin and maintenance of species.
1975
Most mammals live on land. Describe and discuss the evolutionary adaptations that make mammals better adapted to life on land than amphibians.
1977
Two geographically isolated populations usually will diverge over a long period of time. a. Describe how the two populations may become different, including factors that can account for these differences.
b. Discuss factors that may prevent interbreeding if the two populations ever again occupy the same area.
1978
Describe the nature of each of the following and discuss the role of natural selection in each situation: a. Industrial melanism
b. DDT resistance in insects c. Sickle cell anemia and malaria
1979
Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection had a significant influence on the understanding of the evolution of organism. Discuss each of the following:
a. the importance of Darwin's voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle to the development of his theory;
b. the major points proposed by Darwin in his theory;
c. two major refinements in Darwin's theory that stem from modern findings;
1980
Discuss the significance of each of the events listed below in the evolution of living things. a. Primordial reducing atmosphere
b. Origin of photosynthesis
c. Increase in atmospheric oxygen and the development of the ozone layer d. Origin of eukaryotes
1981
Define, discuss, and give an example of how each of the following isolating mechanisms contributes to speciation in organisms.
a. Geographical barriers
1984
Describe the modern theory of evolution and discuss how it is supported by evidence from two of the following three areas:
a. Population genetics b. Molecular biology
c. Comparative anatomy and embryology 1984
Describe how the following adaptations have increased the evolutionary success of the organisms that possess them. Include in your discussion the structure and function related to each adaptation.
a. C4 metabolism b. Amniotic egg
c. Four-chambered heart d. Pollen
1986
Describe the process of speciation. Include in your discussion the factors that may contribute to the maintenance of genetic isolation.
1989
Do the following with reference to the Hardy-Weinberg model.
a. Indicate the conditions under which allele frequencies (p and Q) remain constant from one generation to the next.
b. Calculate, showing all work, the frequencies of the alleles and frequencies of the genotypes in a population of 100,000 rabbits of which 25,000 are white and 75,000 are agouti. (In rabbits the white color is due to a recessive allele, w, and agouti is due to a dominant allele, W.)
c. If the homozygous dominant condition were to become lethal, what would happen to the allelic and genotypic frequencies in the rabbit population after two generations?
1990
A. Describe the differences between the terms in each of the following pairs. (1) Coelomate versus acoelomate body plan
(2) Protostome versus deuterostome development (3) Radial versus bilateral symmetry
B. Explain how each of these pairs of features was important in constructing the phylogenetic tree shown below. Use specific examples from the tree in your discussion.
Chordata Arthropoda Annelida Echinodermata Mollusca Nematoda Rotifera
Porifera
1991
Discuss how each of the following has contributed to the evolutionary success of the organisms in which they are found.
a. Seeds
b. Mammalian placenta c. Diploidy
1992
Evolution is one of the unifying concepts of modern biology. Explain the mechanisms that
lead to evolutionary change. Describe how scientists use each of the following as evidence for evolution: 1) Bacterial resistance to antibiotics
2) Comparative biochemistry 3) The fossil record
1994
Genetic variation is the raw material for evolution.
a. Explain three cellular and/or molecular mechanisms that introduce variation into the gene pool of a plant or animal population.
b. Explain the evolutionary mechanisms that can change the composition of the gene pool.
1994
Select two of the following three pairs and discuss the evolutionary relationships between the two members of each pair you have chosen. In your discussion include structural adaptations and their functional significance. PAIR A: green algae vascular plants PAIR B: prokaryotes eukaryotes PAIR C: amphibians reptiles 1995
1999
Scientists recently have proposed a reorganization of the phylogenetic system of classification to include the new domain, a new taxonomic category higher (more inclusive) than the Kingdom category, as shown in the following diagram.
Universal Ancestor
Domain Bacteria Domain Archaea Domain Eukarya (Eubacteria) (Archaebacteria) (Eukaryotes)
• Describe how this classification scheme presents different conclusions about the relationships among living organisms that those presented by the previous five-kingdom system of classification.
• Describe three kinds of evidence that were used to develop the taxonomic scheme above, and explain how this evidence was used. The evidence may be structural, physiological, molecular and/or genetic. • Describe four of the characteristics of the universal ancestor.
2000
To survive. organisms must be capable of avoiding, annd/or defending against, various types of environmental threats. Respond to each of the following.
a. Describe how protective coloration, mimicry or behavior function as animal defenses against predation. Include two examples in your answer.
b. Describe how bacteria or plants protect themselves against environmental threats. Include two examples in your answer.
c. Compare the humane primary immune response with the secondary immune response to the same antigen.
2001
Charles Darwin proposed that evolution by natural selection was the basis for the differences that he saw in similar organisms as he traveled and collected specimens in South America and the Galapagos Islands.
a. Explain the theory of evolution by natural selection as presented by Darwin.
b. Each of the following relates to an aspect of evolution by natural selection. Explain three of the following.
(i) Convergent evolution and the similarity among species (ecological equivalents) in a particular biome (e.g., tundra, taiga, etc.)
(ii) Natural selection and the formation of insecticide-resistant insects or antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
(iii) Speciation and isolation
(iv) Natural selection and behavior such as kinesis, fixed-action-pattern, dominance hierarchy, etc.
2003
Biologists are interested in preserving the diversity of living organisms on the planet.
(a) Explain three of the following processes or phenomena, using an appropriate example for each. mutation
adaptive radiation polyploidy
population bottlenecks
growth of the human population
(b) For each process or phenomenon you selected in (a), discuss its impact on the diversity of life on Earth.
2004
Darwin is considered the “father of evolutionary biology”. Four of his contributions to the field of evolutionary biology are listed below:
• the nonconstancy of species
• branching evolution, which implies the common descent of all species • occurrence of gradual changes in species
• natural selection as the mechanism for evolution
a. For each of the four contributions listed above, discuss one example of supporting evidence. b, Darwin’s ideas have been enhanced and modified as new knowledge and technologies have become available. Discuss how TWO of the following have modified biologists interpretation of Darwin’s original contributions. • Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium • Punctuated equilibrium • Genetic engineering
Ecology
1959:Starting with an open pond of water or with a bare sand beach, discuss the natural succession from a pioneer community to a climax community with respect to:
1) physiographic factors 2) biotic factors
3) the order of some of the successional stages which might be expected to occur
1961:
Describe the complete cyclic movement of nitrogen within a balanced biotic community.
1963:
From an ecological standpoint, discuss briefly the interaction of organisms in: a) the carbon-oxygen cycle
1966:
A small, upland, temperate-zone lake of 100 acres surface area and a maximum depth of 10 meters at the middle is created behind an earthfill dam. High land surrounding the lake is covered with deciduous forest. Springs and a permanent stream flowing into the lake from a pasture grassland provide a constant supply of water. For the next five years, the lake and stream remain undisturbed. At the end of the five-year period: a) what organism could be expected in samples taken from the middle of the lake?
b) what organisms could be collected from shallow water at the end of the stream entrance?
c) how, during the five-year period, did the organisms come to the lake, and why did they thrive there?
1971:
A mature forest community is completely destroyed by fire. Describe the stages of succession by which this community is restored.
1972:
A very long-term trip into deep space, lasting at least a decade, is being planned. You have been assigned the responsibility of designing a balanced ecosystem that will meet the needs of you and several others in the spaceship . Cite the specific types of organisms that you would take and include the role that each would play in the ecosystem. (Assume that the problem of temperature control in the spaceship has been solved.)
1976:
Discuss the web of life in a biological community. Your essay should focus on energy flow, conversion, and loss in food chains, including the concepts of trophic levels and pyramids.
1978:
Human beings have altered the environment in a variety of ways. Discuss the beneficial and harmful modifications of the environment brought about by the use of the following:
a) Nuclear energy
b) Fertilizers and pesticides c) Fossil fuels and metals
1979:
Explain and illustrate with one specific example each of the following concepts: a) competitive exclusion (Gause's principle)
b) ecological succession
c) nutrient (biogeochemical) cycles
1980:
Many areas of North America that were once covered with many small lakes and ponds have undergone succession and are now continuously covered with forests. Give a detailed description of the events (biotic and abiotic factors) that lead to the establishment of a climax forest.
1981:
Define, discuss, and give an example of each of the following close interactions of species. a) Predator-prey relationships
b) Commensalism c) Mutualism
1985:
Describe the process of ecological succession from a pioneer community to a climax community. Include in your answer a discussion of species diversity and interactions, accumulation of biomass, and energy flow.
1986:
Describe the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen. Trace these elements from the point of their release from a decaying animal to their incorporation into a living animal.
1989:
Using an example for each, discuss the following ecological concepts. a) Succession
b) Energy flow between trophic levels c) Limiting factors
d) Carrying capacity
1993:
Living organisms play an important role in the recycling of many elements within an ecosystem. Discuss how various types of organisms and their biochemical reactions contribute to the recycling of either carbon or nitrogen in an ecosystem. Include in your answer one way in which human activity has an impact on the nutrient cycle you have chosen.
1998:
Interdependence in nature is illustrated by the transfer of energy through trophic levels. The diagram below depicts the transfer of energy in a food web of an Artic lake located in Alaska.
a. Choosing organisms from four different trophic levels of this food web as examples, explain how energy is obtained at each trophic level.
b. Describe the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels and discuss how the amount fo energy available at each trophic level affects the structure of the ecosystem.
c. If in the cells in the dead terrestrial plant material that washed into the lake contained a
2001:
A biologist measured dissolved oxygen in the top 30 centimeters of a moderately eutrophic (mesotrophic) lake in the temperate zone. The day was bright and sunny, and the wind was calm. The results of the
observations are represented below.
Hour Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 6.00 A.M. 0,9 8:00 A.M. 1.7 10:00 A.M. 3.1 12:00 A.M. 4.9 2:00 P.M. 6.8 4:00 P.M. 8.1 6:00 P.M. 7.9 8:00 P.M. 6.2 10.00 P.M. 4.0 12:00 midnight 2.4
a. Using graph paper, plot the results that were obtained. Then, using the same set of axes, draw and label an additional line/curve representing the results that you would predict had the day been heavily overcast.
b. Explain the biological processes that are operating in the lake to produce the observed data. Explain also how these processes would account for your predictions of results for a heavily overcast day.
c. Describe how the introduction of high levels of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates into the lake would affect subsequent observations. Explain your prediction.
2003:
Many populations exhibit the following growth curve:
a. Describe what is occurring in the population during phase A.
b. Discuss three factors that ought cause the fluctuations shown in phase B.
c. Organisms demonstrate exponential (r0 or logistic (K) reproductive strategies. Explain these two strategies and discuss how they affect population size over time.
2004:
Death is a natural and necessary part of life cycles at all levels of organization.
a. Discuss two examples of how cell death affects the development and functioning of a multicellular organism.
2004:
In most aquatic environments, primary production is affected by the light available to the community of organisms.
Using measurement of dissolved oxygen concentration to determine primary productivity, design a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis that primary productivity is affected by either the intensity or the wavelength of light. In your answer be sure to include the following:
• a statement of the specific hypothesis that you are testing
• a description of your experimental design (Be sure to include a description of what data you would collect and how you would present and analyze the data using a graph.)
• a description of results that would support your hypothesis.