Download Plant Ecology Exam 1

Plant Ecology Exam 1
Sample Questions
1. What are mycorrhizae and what is their role in plant nutrition?
2. What are the two main types of mycorrhizae, and how do they differ
with respect to form and host specificity?
3. Describe the nitrogen cycle and the role of nitrogen fixers?
4. Compare and contrast the terms field capacity and wilting point as
they relate to soil water.
5. Draw an imaginary, simple life cycle graph for a plant with 4 stages.
Include and explain all possible stage changes, including reproduction
and reversions.
6. Differentiate between ramets and genets and discuss their significance
for plant population growth.
7. Discuss phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive strategy for plants living
in several, greatly different habitats.
8. Why are plants more likely to be stage-structured rather than agestructured?
9. In what ways is a soil’s A horizon different than its B horizon, and
how do plants use these two layers?
10. What is soil texture and how does it affect water infiltration, drainage,
and total water capacity?
11. How can leaves stay cool in hot, sunny climates?
12. Describe the ideal structures for water-conducting vessels in a plant
that normally inhabits very dry soils. Why wouldn’t other structures
work well in these dry conditions?
13. How can plants get oxygen to their roots under flooded conditions?
14. What leaf adaptations make it possible for a plant to reduce
transpirational water loss during dry periods?
15. How does CAM photosynthesis differ from C3 photosynthesis, and
under what environmental conditions is it advantageous?
16. How does rubisco limit the rate of photosynthesis in C3 plants?
17. Under what environmental conditions might C4 grasses dominate?
18. Compare the responses of sun and shade leaves to changes in light
intensity, and contrast compensation levels and saturation levels
between these leaf types.
19. How does leaf morphology (macro and micro) differ between sun and
shade leaves?