In a study of the effects of mutant forms of p53 (a tumor-suppressor gene), it was found that the presence of a mutated allele (abnormal p53) shut down the normal tumor-suppressing abilities of the wildtype p53 allele – causing abnormal cell-growth as if there were no normal p53 present at all. This mutated form of p53 would be an example of what?  Choose all that apply.

The diagram below represents a model of the Carbon cycle, however some of the various processes and carbon reservoirs boxes have been removed and replaced with descriptions such as “Process 1” or “Carbon Reservoir 1”. The arrows represent the potential routes carbon can flow in this system. True or False: It is possible for an atom of carbon found in Carbon Reservoir 1 to eventually end up in dead organisms, including aquatic animals.

What is the eventual long term result of different mutations accumulating in geographically separated populations of a species?

Based upon the information in the previous several questions, how would you describe the two scenarios of: kit fox ecological niche in the absence of coyotes compared to kit fox ecological niche in the presence of coyotes? (in the same order as listed here).

In the case of a particular rare allele that is associated with a genetic disorder:  Individuals who inherit only one copy of this allele have a normal phenotype (no genetic disorder), but individuals who inherit two copies of this allele develop the genetic disorder.  Which of the following apply to describe this situation?  Choose all that apply.

Beavers are considered a keystone species in the U.S. because of their extensive dam-building activities and their role creating riparian habitat. They generally feed on leaves, soft inner bark, and young shoots of trees (and not on animals).  Explain why these characteristics would result in the keystone role of beavers in their ecosystem. Select only ONE answer choice, the best answer.  

At ASU graduation during the festivities, your great aunt brings a potato salad to share.  Your auntie places the potato salad on a picnic table in the hot sun at 1:00 pm – where it continues to sit all day.  This potato salad is starting to look funny and it smells quite bad!  With your special training in bacterial population ecology, you estimate the population size of E. coli bacteria in this dish to be 300,000 cells at 4:00 pm and 600,000 cells at 5:00 pm.  Able to replicate in one hour,  how many bacteria will be there by 6:00 pm?  (One growth cycle). Select only ONE answer choice.  Hint: because this is a population has been growing all day, it may be running out of resources – hence the logistic growth equation is probably appropriate.  We will assume a carrying capacity of 2,000,000 cells.

The Midas cichlid species complex is a group of fish species found in a young and small volcanic crater lake in Nicaragua. Researchers found that this lake (Lake Apoyo) was seeded only once by the ancestral species Amphilophus citrinellus, the most common cichlid species in the area.  They found that a new species (Amphilophus zaliosus) evolved in Lake Apoyo from the ancestral species (A. citrinellus) within less than ∼10,000 years.   Both species inhabited this lake during this same time period.  Finally,  they demonstrated that two species in Lake Apoyo are reproductively isolated; and both different in outward phenotype and their preferred ecological niche in the lake.  This is an example of what kind of speciation?

The African great lakes (including Tanganyika and Malawi) are famous for their diversity of cichlid fish species.  These fish have radiated out into a whole complex of species – with diverse coloring and behaviors and specialized adaptation to different niches found in the lakes.  They are a famous example of sympatric speciation.  In their native lakes, these species rarely mate, but in an artificial setting (such as aquariums) different species are able to successfully reproduce together (but only when given no other choice).  Behavioral factors and sexual selection may be important.  Which reproductive barriers are most likely involved in their speciation in nature?  Choose all that apply (multiple answer question)

In a two-point test cross GgWw x ggww what proportion of the offspring will be Yellow and smooth? (a Mendelian experiment with pea-plant crossing). G_ = yellow gg = green W_ = smooth ww = wrinkled