#Question id: 12084
#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
In bottom sediments of lakes and streams, organic matter is broken down by heterotrophic microorganisms and ammonia is released. Under aerobic conditions, specialized bacteria convert ammonia to nitrate (nitrification). This nitrate, together with nitrate from other sources, diffuses into the deeper sediments, where it may undergo anaerobic conversion to nitrogen gas (denitrification). These sediments typically contain oligochaete worms that live with their heads buried and their tails waving back and forth in the overlying water. Plastic columns were packed with freshly collected stream sediments and then covered with layers of nitrate enriched water. A similar set of columns was packed with sediment that had been sterilized and then covered with either nitrate-enriched water or distilled water. Oligochaete worms were collected and acclimated to 20°(C)Following acclimation, worms were rinsed in distilled water and then added to three sediment columns. The columns were incubated in the dark at 20°C and monitored every three days for changes in the concentration of nitrate in the overlying water. Nitrate concentrations in each of the experimental treatments were plotted against time, as shown in the graph below.
The best explanation for the increase in nitrate concentration in one treatment is that
#Question id: 12085
#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
In bottom sediments of lakes and streams, organic matter is broken down by heterotrophic microorganisms and ammonia is released. Under aerobic conditions, specialized bacteria convert ammonia to nitrate (nitrification). This nitrate, together with nitrate from other sources, diffuses into the deeper sediments, where it may undergo anaerobic conversion to nitrogen gas (denitrification). These sediments typically contain oligochaete worms that live with their heads buried and their tails waving back and forth in the overlying water. Plastic columns were packed with freshly collected stream sediments and then covered with layers of nitrate enriched water. A similar set of columns was packed with sediment that had been sterilized and then covered with either nitrate-enriched water or distilled water. Oligochaete worms were collected and acclimated to 20°(C)Following acclimation, worms were rinsed in distilled water and then added to three sediment columns. The columns were incubated in the dark at 20°C and monitored every three days for changes in the concentration of nitrate in the overlying water. Nitrate concentrations in each of the experimental treatments were plotted against time, as shown in the graph below.
Which of the following explains why the columns were incubated in the dark?
#Question id: 12086
#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
The herbaceous plant Achillea lanulosa is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. Phenotypic variation in the species has been extensively studied along an altitudinal gradient from sea level to over 3,000 meters. In California there is conspicuous variation in height; alpine plants are only several centimeters tall while those in the San Joaquin Valley may reach a height of 1.8 meters. Adaptation to different local environments also results in variation in physiological processes such as photosynthetic rate, resistance to cold, and the timing of dormancy.
The genetic polymorphism found in Achillea lanulosa is most likely maintained primarily by
#Question id: 12087
#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
#Question id: 12088
#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
#Question id: 12089
#Unit 10. Ecological Principles