Animal Behavior ‑ First
Midterm Examination ‑ Fall 2008
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS: The test has three sections. You will answer 3 questions;
you will answer one question from each section.
For every question, don't assume I can make the same
leaps in logic you might make. Explain yourself. You won't get rewarded for
volume of words, but you need to tell me everything I need to know to understand
your argument. If you can answer the question in a single word (doubt it),
great. However, if you need more space, it should not exceed
the page designated page limit (DOUBLE SPACED).
Separate your answers with page breaks (i.e., don't
put 2 answers on the same page) and put the letter of the question at the
top of your essay so I will know which question you have chosen.
Section I (40 points). Everyone must answer this question (do not exceed 2
double-spaced pages):
A. Explain Karl Popper's ideas about "proof" in
science. To illustrate Popper's notion of science, choose one paper you have
read for this course thus far. Illustrate Popper's logic by restating the
question addressed in the paper, complete with hypotheses and predictions,
in terms that would make Popper smile.
Section II (20 points). Everyone must answer this question (do not exceed a single page):
B. Choose a paper you have read. Decide whether the study is
addressing an "ultimate" or a "proximate" hypothesis to
explain the behavior under investigation. Explain why. Then propose a
hypothesis to explain the behavior from the other point of view (i.e., if the
paper addresses an ultimate hypothesis, propose a proximate hypothesis, and vice
versa).
C. A flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinu) was placed in cage with a treadmill for 150 days.
When the squirrel ran on the treadmill, its activity was recorded. In this
way, the squirrelÕs daily activity levels were monitored. Figure 1 (right)
shows the squirrelÕs daily activity levels under various light: dark conditions.
DD signifies days in which the squirrel was held in constant dark conditions.
LD represents days in which the squirrel was exposed to ŌnormalĶ light conditions.
Dark lines represent periods of high activity. Explain the squirrelÕs activity
levels with regard to biological clock mechanisms. Be sure to use and explain
the appropriate terminology.
D. I have a pet rat. I want to get rich. I decide I'll teach the rat to dive off a ladder into a bucket of water and we will both run off with the circus. What kind of learning method should I use to teach the rat to do this? Tell me how to do it in the most effective manner. What does this have to do with anything in nature?
E. The figure to the right shows the sound intensity (volume/power) at which a certain species of moth can detect various frequencies of sound. Why isnÕt the curve a straight, horizontal line? Explain how this graph relates to the concepts of umwelt, filtering systems, and how a 40kHz sound might function as a Fixed Action Pattern (better explain what that means) in these moths.