NCSU Course ZO410: Sample Exam1


Mini-Examination #1  - For practice use only.
You would have 30 minutes to complete this examination. This exam would be worth 15 points total toward your final grade. The number at the end of each indicates the value of the question.
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1. Behavior can have "proximate" & "ultimate" causes.  List 2 such causes in each category:  (1)
Proximate:

Ultimate:

2. A specific sensory cue, called a ________ ___________ by ethologists, induces a particular stereotyped response called a ________ _________ __________.  (1)

3. The field of ethology grew out of work by European scientists.  2 of 3 individuals who were largely responsible for this and who shared the Nobel Prize in 1973 are:  (1)

4. Assume you have become fascinated by the behavior of a newly discovered species of wolf, Canus lupus wolfpackiensis.  This wolf is known to take great gambles on the playing field and shows other remarkable behaviors.  Based on Tinbergen's four approaches, list the 4 questions you would ask to study the behavior of this animal:  (2)

5. True or False:  The following were major concepts Charles Darwin used to develop his theory of evolution:  (1.5)
_________ Organisms over produce but their numbers remain fairly constant
because of environmental limitations. 
_________ Individual variation is the raw material upon which natural selection operates.
_________ Individual variation is due to inherited variability.
_________ Genes are the unit of inheritance.
_________ Evolution requires a very long time span.
_________ The phenotypic characteristics of an organism can be transferred to another organism by gene transfer techniques.

7.  An important organ of the avian or mammalian body that is bilaterally symmetrical but shows lateralization (specialization of functions on one side) is the:  (0.5)
______________ .

8.  Many anatomical structures in the avian or mammalian brain are sexually dimorphic.  List two.  _____________________  _______________________.  (1)

9.  Several peptides act as neurotransmitters to modulate neuronal action in the CNS.  List two.  (1)

10. True/False  (1)
 _____  Hormones are more effective if released as pulses rather than at a constant rate.
 _____  Estrogen is secreted by the anterior pituitary into the circulation.
 _____  Following an aggressive encounter between two male monkeys, the concentration of circulating testosterone often rises in the victor.
 _____  Hormones affect behavior and behavior affects hormones.
 _____ Alterations in serotonin blood concentrations may affect aggression in animals & humans.

11. Indicate the changes in blood concentration of hormone levels as a rat approaches the estrous state of its ovarian cycle:  (circle the correct direction)  (2)

 Estradiol  - rises / falls / no change
 Luteinizing hormone  - rises / falls / no change
 Progesterone  - rises / falls / no change
 Corticosterone  - rises / falls / no change

12.  The following terms are in alphabetical order.  Write them in an order that reflects the sequence of action or interaction due to an environmental stressor:  (Use arrows or plus and minus signs.)  (3)

 Adrenal cortex, Adrenal medulla, ACTH, Anterior Pituitary,  Autonomic nervous system, Brain, Corticosterone, Environmental Stress, Norepinephrine,  Sensory receptor,


End of subsite "Old Exam 1" for NCSU's course ZO410 (Intro to Animal Behavior).
Return to: Listing of ZO410 OldExams.
This subsite (exama.html) was created 9-2-97 for Dr. J.G.Vandenbergh, course instructor, by j.kemper.  Updated 7-13-98 for JGV by jmk.