Title: Default for Biotalent2
Course: General_Module_Template

Q: Charles Darwin built a theory on the creation of living things by a creator.
- True (No. Charles Darwin's theory says that the living organisms have come to existence by evolution. Organisms are variable and certain variants are preferred by their environment and certain ones are not. The former have better chance to survive and to give rise to descendants than the latter ones. Through time in the changing environment organisms change or go extinct. Those who change give rise to new forms. This theory opposes the theory of creation where organisms are created as they are by a creator.)
- False (Yes. Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory says that the living organisms have come to existence by evolution. Organisms are variable and certain variants are preferred by their environment and certain ones are not. The former have better chance to survive and to give rise to descendants than the latter ones. Through time in the changing environment organisms change or go extinct.)
A: False
Feedback: Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors, and in a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding

Q: How many species live on Earth?
- About two million. (No. This is the approximate number that is known to science that is decribed and named. There are many more that have not been dicovered and described.)
- Between 200-500 million. (No. The estimated numbers vary between 5 and 100 million, depending on authors, but the more conservative estimates are between 5 and 30 million.)
- 5-30 million. (Yes. This is the most likely figure according to our present knowledge.)
A: 5-30 million.
Feedback: The number of living species on Earth is not known, only estimated. Only ca. two million species are known to science, but surely there are many more to be discovered. The conservative estimates fall between 5 and 30 million, but some authors believe that the number of species may reach up to 100 million.

Q: The diversity of cultivated plants and animals is only due to natural selection.
- True (No. Humans play a significant role in the selection process. That is the main idea. With selective breeding humans shape organisms to fit their needs. However, natural selection also influence the outcome.)
- False (Yes. Also humans play a significant role in the selection process. That is the main idea. With selective breeding humans shape organisms to fit their needs. However, natural selection also influence the outcome.)
A: False
Feedback: The diversity of cultivated organisms is the result of the combination of selective breeding and natural selection.Humans select animals and plants that fit the most their goals (required flavour, yield, hardiness, colour etc.), but natural selection also has a word on the result. For instance where there is shortage of precipitation or water for irrigation, only drought tolerant animals or plants can be cultivated. Of course, today humans can create atrificial environments where natural selective forces play lesser role, but even there (the artificial) environmental factors influence the outcome.

Q: Which of the following statements about relationships between species are correct?
- They always play out positively for either party.
- Sometimes they play out positively for both parties.
- They always play out positively for one party and negatively for the other.
- They play out positively or negatively for the involved parties, depending on the nature of the relationship.
- Sometimes there is no relationship between two organisms in the same ecosystem.
A: Sometimes they play out positively for both parties.; They play out positively or negatively for the involved parties, depending on the nature of the relationship.; Sometimes there is no relationship between two organisms in the same ecosystem.

Q: Which one of the following statements is true?
- Decomposers are at the bottom of the trophic pyramids.
- Trophic relationships make up a web through which energy flows all across the ecosystem, but with energy loss at every step.
- In trophic pyramids energy flows from bottom up to the peak, from producers (plants) through primary, secondary, etc. consumers (plant eaters and mesopredators) towards the apex predators.
A: Trophic relationships make up a web through which energy flows all across the ecosystem, but with energy loss at every step.

Q: What are the primary tasks of natural history museums?
- To preserve at least prepared organisms in case the living ones die out.
- To document and study the biological and geological diversity on Earth.
- To show the public how living organisms looked/look like in the past/present and how they lived/live.
- To show the public what lived in the past and how the natural world looked like before humans transformed it.
A: To document and study the biological and geological diversity on Earth.; To show the public how living organisms looked/look like in the past/present and how they lived/live.

Q: Which one of the following statements about collections in natural history museums is correct?
- Collections are not important for scientists since most of the specimens are too old.
- Collections play a vital role in understanding biodiversity, evolution, population genetics, geological processes and impacts of climate change.
- Collections play a vital role in understanding biodiversity, evolution, population genetics and geological processes, but they don't give us evidence about the impacts of climate change.
A: Collections play a vital role in understanding biodiversity, evolution, population genetics, geological processes and impacts of climate change.

Q: The reason scientific collections of the living world contain so many specimens is...
- to trade them for other specimens that are not represented in the collection.
- to make sure that there are always enough specimens in case some get lost, ruined or stolen.
- to create the best possible representation of global biodiversity, which will help us to better understand life on Earth.
A: to create the best possible representation of global biodiversity, which will help us to better understand life on Earth.

Q: Which of the following statements about DNA sample collections is true?
- Natural history museums do not collect DNA samples, as they are not suitable for museum displays.
- Natural history collections have been attributing special importance to DNA sample collections since the introduction of molecular methods in the study of biodiversity.
- Natural history museums always had DNA sample collections, as it was known from the beginning of the existence of scientific collections that DNA samples will be necessary for future research.
A: Natural history collections have been attributing special importance to DNA sample collections since the introduction of molecular methods in the study of biodiversity.

Q: Which of the following statements is true?
- New species are born when other species go extinct.
- Species give rise to new species by means of transformation or splitting (of populations).
- One species can only give rise to one other species.
A: Species give rise to new species by means of transformation or splitting (of populations).

Q: Which one of the following statements is true?
- The species richness is increasing from the Poles to the Equator.
- The species richness is decreasing from the South Pole to the North Pole.
- The species richness is decreasing from the North Pole to the South Pole.
- The number of species is even across the Earth, only the composition of species varies.
A: The species richness is increasing from the Poles to the Equator.

Q: Choose the correct statement from the following.
- So far, science has scratched only the surface of what nature offers.
- People explored and discovered all the possible medicinal potential of plants and animals.
- Extinctions are not harming our future prospects as science already discovered every potential benefit nature offers.
A: So far, science has scratched only the surface of what nature offers.

Q: The main reason today for clearing natural forests is...
- to create biofuel.
- to be used for wood material.
- to prepare land for agriculture.
- to create space for human settlements.
A: to prepare land for agriculture.

Q: Which one of the following statements is true?
- Although humans altered large tracks of land, all animals can learn how to cope with it and adapt to these changes.
- Most species can traverse land altered by humans and make connections with remote populations of their own species.
- Most species are unable to traverse land altered by humans and make connections with remote populations of their own species.
A: Most species are unable to traverse land altered by humans and make connections with remote populations of their own species.

Q: Which one of the following statements about invasive species is true?
- Non-indigenous invasive plants are completely useless to native animals.
- Invasive, non-indigenous species enrich the fauna and flora which they enter and therefore increase biodiversity.
- Most invasive species alter the structure and processes within the ecosystem they invade.
A: Most invasive species alter the structure and processes within the ecosystem they invade.

Q: Which one of the following statements is true?
- Only the modern industrial societies exploit natural resources unsustainably.
- Traditional human societies lived in harmony with their environment and did not drive species to extinction.
- Homos sapiens has since long had its share in driving species to extinction, due to technological advancements.
A: Homos sapiens has since long had its share in driving species to extinction, due to technological advancements.

Q: Choose the correct statement from the following.
- Whaling is completely forbidden today.
- The world seas are so vast that humans can never really deplete their resources.
- Global spreading of some of the local traditional cuisines can drive marine species to extinction.
A: Global spreading of some of the local traditional cuisines can drive marine species to extinction.

Q: Choose the correct statements from the following.
- Invasive animal species cannot harm urban ecosystems because these ecosystems already have low species diversity.
- Invasive species can cause serious harm to urban ecosystems regardless of their species richness.
- Indigenous species in urban ecosystems often lack adaptations to cope with invasive species.
- Invasive plants are useful because they often replace plants with low yield of organic material.
A: Invasive species can cause serious harm to urban ecosystems regardless of their species richness.; Indigenous species in urban ecosystems often lack adaptations to cope with invasive species.

Q: Choose the correct statement from the following.
- Global warming means temperature is increasing everywhere on the planet.
- Climate change is good because it allows humans to inhabit environments that until now were too cold.
- Climate change brings various changes with it, thus altering weather patterns that often cause extreme weather conditions.
A: Climate change brings various changes with it, thus altering weather patterns that often cause extreme weather conditions.

Q: Which one of the following statements is true?
- Climate change drives species to new habitats where they can survive.
- Climate change will not drive species into extinction as climate change is not an unusual occurrence on Earth; in the past many species survived climate changes.
- Today’s global warming is happening too fast for many organisms to cope with it.
A: Today’s global warming is happening too fast for many organisms to cope with it.

Q: Which of the following statements are true?
- Climate change will not affect human societies as humans have learnt to cope with changes in their history.
- Climate change will not affect human societies as modern science is capable of solving the problems brought by climate change.
- Climate change will cause irreversible changes that humans will not be able to solve in time.
- Climate change causes problems that will seriously affect societies and communities even if humanity will find solutions to solve those problems.
A: Climate change will cause irreversible changes that humans will not be able to solve in time.; Climate change causes problems that will seriously affect societies and communities even if humanity will find solutions to solve those problems.

Q: Which of the following statements are true?
- Modern livestock farming contributes to the greenhouse effect.
- The chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases are the main cause for the greenhouse effect.
- Data show that modern industry contributed to climate change to a significant extent.
- Modern industry has no effect on Earth’s climate; today’s warming is a natural phenomenon and is part of a natural cycle.
A: Modern livestock farming contributes to the greenhouse effect.; Data show that modern industry contributed to climate change to a significant extent.

Q: Select the correct statements:

 [Image] [Image] [Image]
- Only scorpions and snakes can be harmful to humans.
- Only bees are harmless and beneficial for human food production.
- All of the above animals can be beneficial for humans.
A: All of the above animals can be beneficial for humans.

Select those animals you believe to be potentially harmful, but at the same time useful to humans. (drag the pictures you consider to the areas with the same number).
Also offered: 4

Q: Please select and drop the following cases into the appropriate box.
- Habitat loss | Forest turned into fruit orchard; Grassland turned into pasture; Grassland treated with fertilizer
- Habitat degradation | Forest turned into grassland; Seashore turned into recreational beach ; Rainforest turned into oil palm plantation
- Habitat fragmentation | Rainforst modified to coffee plantation; Rainforest cut by a road

Q: Match the letters (a, b and c) to the cases they correspond to.

a. Habitat loss
b. Habitat degradation
c. Habitat fragmentation
- Forest turned into grassland. | a
- Bog turned into fishing pond. | a,b
- Grassland turned into pasture. | b
- Forest turned into fruit orchard. | a
- Grassland treated with fertiliser. | b
- Seashore turned into recreational beach. | a,b
- Rainforest turned into oil palm plantation. | a
- Fish introduced into a high altitude mountain lake. | b
- Rainforest modified to a shade-grown coffee plantation. | b
- River receiving cooling water discharge of a nuclear power station. | b
Also offered: a,c; b,c; a,b,c; c

Q: Select those animals you believe to be potentially harmful, but at the same time useful to humans.
- [Image: Butterfly]
- [Image: Snake]
- [Image: Wasp]
- [Image: Scorpion]
A: [Image: Snake]; [Image: Wasp]; [Image: Scorpion]

Q: Which of the following are key elements of biodiversity?
- The genetic diversity within species.
- The structural diversity of ecosystems.
- The number of plants pollinated by pollinators in a community.
- The number of individuals interacting in an ecological community.
- The number of functional relationships between/among species in an ecosystem.
A: The genetic diversity within species.; The structural diversity of ecosystems.; The number of functional relationships between/among species in an ecosystem.

Q: Which of the following are elements of functional ecological diversity?
- Symbiotic relationships.
- Prey-predator relationships.
- Plant-pollinator relationships.
- Precipitation-land snail community relationships.
- Soil composition-plant community relationships.
A: Symbiotic relationships.; Prey-predator relationships.; Plant-pollinator relationships.

Q: Which of the following can be considered as part of agrobiodiversity?
- Varieties of fig in the world.
- Varieties of wheat outside of Europe.
- Cultivars of fruit bearing trees in Italy.
- Fishes harvested by fishing companies in natural waters.
- Seasonally hunted native game species in the forests of Central Europe.
- Collections of wild plants in public or private ornamental plant collections.
A: Varieties of fig in the world.; Varieties of wheat outside of Europe.; Cultivars of fruit bearing trees in Italy.

Q: What is the underlying fundament of variation of organisms?
- The evolution of organisms.
- The imperfect copying of the genetic information.
- The ever mutating DNA molecule.
- Natural selection that favours the most vigorous variants of organisms.
- The catastrophic events that cause major changes in the course of evolution.
A: The imperfect copying of the genetic information.; The ever mutating DNA molecule.

Q: Which of the following statements are true?
- Diversity of cultivated crops and animals is an important asset for the cultivation of new crops and animal breeds.
- Diversity of cultivated plants gains further importance by the diversification of consumer demands across the planet.
- Diversity of cultivated organisms is not so important today as globalisation has increasingly levelled consumer demands for varieties.
- Diversity of cultivated organisms is for the large part superfluous because modern biotechnology provides better and cheaper solutions for crop cultivation.
A: Diversity of cultivated crops and animals is an important asset for the cultivation of new crops and animal breeds.; Diversity of cultivated plants gains further importance by the diversification of consumer demands across the planet.

Q: What are the criteria for defining a biodiversity hotspot?
- A biodiversity hotspot has to have lost 70 % of its original habitats.
- A biodiversity hotspot has to have 70 % of its original habitats intact.
- A biodiversity hotspot has to contain at least 1,500 vertebrate species.
- A biodiversity hotspot has to contain at least 1,500 vascular plant species.
- A biodiversity hotspot has to guarantee to protect 70 % of its original species.
A: A biodiversity hotspot has to have lost 70 % of its original habitats.; A biodiversity hotspot has to contain at least 1,500 vascular plant species.

Q: Which of the following statements are true?
- Biodiversity hotspots are poor in amphibian and reptile species.
- Biodiversity hotspots are areas having the highest diversity of mammals.
- Although biodiversity hotspots are defined on the basis of their richness in vascular plants, in general they are extremely rich in species of various animal groups.
- Biodiversity hotspots are rich in insects as the high diversity of vascular plants – a key criterion of defining a biodiversity hotspot – provides ample food and habitats for many insect species.
A: Although biodiversity hotspots are defined on the basis of their richness in vascular plants, in general they are extremely rich in species of various animal groups.; Biodiversity hotspots are rich in insects as the high diversity of vascular plants – a key criterion of defining a biodiversity hotspot – provides ample food and habitats for many insect species.

Q: Which one of the following statements is true?
- Bioprospecting is creating favourable prospects for biodiversity.
- Bioprospecting is the activity of finding solutions to protect biodiversity.
- Bioprospecting is the exploration of the living world for resources beneficial for humans.
A: Bioprospecting is the exploration of the living world for resources beneficial for humans.

Q: Which one of the following statements is correct?
- The rarer a species, the more valuable it is for the pharmaceutical industry.
- Only plants and certain animals, such as venomous snakes and insects, have potential for future drug development.
- It depends on the level of our scientific knowledge and technology how great the utilitarian value of a particular organism is.
A: It depends on the level of our scientific knowledge and technology how great the utilitarian value of a particular organism is.

Q: Invasive alien species are…
- native species that with human assistance become invasive in their original habitat.
- native species that become alien and spread vigorously to form large populations in their original habitat.
- non-native species that establish viable populations outside of their native range and spread vigorously in the habitat they invade.
A: non-native species that establish viable populations outside of their native range and spread vigorously in the habitat they invade.

Q: Which one of the following statements about invasive species is true?
- They only cause damage in the natural habitat they have invaded.
- They pose a threat only to humans because they can cause serious economic damage.
- They significantly decrease biodiversity and cause various severe economic and societal problems.
A: They significantly decrease biodiversity and cause various severe economic and societal problems.

Q: Which of the following statements are true?
- Subsidised predators are predators that need resources provided by humans in order to prevent extinction.
- Subsidised predators put less pressure on their prey species exactly because they are supported by humans and so they need to hunt less.
- Subsidised predators breed more successfully than non-subsidised predators and therefore produce higher predator pressure on their prey species.
- Subsidised predators are predators that receive intentional or unintentional resources from humans leading to a disproportional advantage over their prey species.
A: Subsidised predators breed more successfully than non-subsidised predators and therefore produce higher predator pressure on their prey species.; Subsidised predators are predators that receive intentional or unintentional resources from humans leading to a disproportional advantage over their prey species.

Q: Which of the following statements are true?
- Overexploitation of wild species by humans reaches back into prehistoric times.
- Overexploitation of one single species can profoundly change entire ecosystems.
- Overexploitation of wild species by humans started from the onset of the industrial age.
- Societies have recognised that overexploitation is a threat to biodiversity, therefore today such practices are globally considered as uncommon.
A: Overexploitation of wild species by humans reaches back into prehistoric times.; Overexploitation of one single species can profoundly change entire ecosystems.

Q: Which one of the following statements is true?
- Today, some folk traditions seriously threaten many marine species.
- The world’s seas are so vast that humans will never be able to deplete their resources.
- Modern marine fishing practices are not causing collateral losses of non-target species (bycatch)
A: Today, some folk traditions seriously threaten many marine species.

Q: Which of the following statements about climate and weather are true?
- Climate is the weather of the seasons.
- Climate is the statistics of weather patterns.
- There is no difference between them, they are synonyms.
- Weather is the actual state of the atmosphere of a particular area.
- Weather is the general pattern of the state of the atmosphere in any season.
A: Climate is the statistics of weather patterns.; Weather is the actual state of the atmosphere of a particular area.

Q: Climate change is...
- the transition of the weather patterns between seasons.
- the change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns.
- the current change in the weather from day to day that we often experience.
A: the change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns.

Q: Which factors are known to cause climate change?
- Solar eclipse.
- Astronomical factors.
- Burning of fossil fuels.
- Introduction of alien species.
- Tectonic movements of the Earth’s crust.
- Increasing number of satellites blocking sunrays reaching the Earth.
A: Astronomical factors.; Burning of fossil fuels.; Tectonic movements of the Earth’s crust.

Q: Life appeared on Earth…
- as soon as Earth was formed.
- 120 million years after Earth was formed.
- 220 million years after Earth was formed.
- very soon -in geological terms- after the planet’s formation.
- in the oceans.
- all over the entire surface of the planet.
A: 220 million years after Earth was formed.; very soon -in geological terms- after the planet’s formation.; in the oceans.

Q: What happened during the Cambrian explosion?
- All known phyla appeared.
- Organisms appeared on the entire planet.
- Volcanoes exploded causing mass extinctions.
- All primitive life forms went extinct.
- An enormous variety of organisms appeared in a very short time.
- Marine organisms conquered the terrestrial environment.
A: All known phyla appeared.; An enormous variety of organisms appeared in a very short time.

Q: Which of the following statements are true?
- The proportion of continents vs oceans is stable.
- Continents ‘float’ on the oceans, from which they emerge or to which they sink into.
- Continents are ceaselessly moving; they collide and split, changing our planet’s image.
- Life is unaffected by plate tectonics.
- Life’s diversity allows for its coping with continuous change.
A: Continents are ceaselessly moving; they collide and split, changing our planet’s image.; Life’s diversity allows for its coping with continuous change.

Q: Which of the following statements about taxonomy are true?
- Taxonomy is the discipline that formulates species concepts.
- Taxonomy is the discipline of describing species.
- Taxonomy is a science relevant only to Museums.
- Taxonomy may save lives.
A: Taxonomy is the discipline of describing species.; Taxonomy may save lives.

Q: Who is LUCA?
- It is our Australopithecan ancestor.
- It is the very first organism that appeared on Earth.
- It is the root of the ‘tree of Life’.
- It is a monophyletic group of organisms.
- It is every organism’s common ancestor.
A: It is every organism’s common ancestor.

Q: Which of the following groups are monophyletic?
- Chimpanzees, gorillas and humans.
- Chimpanzees and gorillas.
- Chimpanzees, gorillas, humans and their common ancestors.
- All marine organisms.
- All fish.
A: Chimpanzees, gorillas, humans and their common ancestors.; All fish.

Q: Which of the following statements about Life are correct?
- Life is organised hierarchically.
- Life is organised in successive, nested monophyletic groups.
- Life originated once in history from a single ancestor.
- Life appeared in several phyla during the Cambrian explosion.
- Life is a sexually transmitted disease.
- Life seen as organised hierarchically, is a helpful, widespread albeit subjective view.
A: Life is organised in successive, nested monophyletic groups.; Life originated once in history from a single ancestor.; Life seen as organised hierarchically, is a helpful, widespread albeit subjective view.