Homework Assignment #4

Biological Science Lab – BIOL 1001

Homework 4 – Chapters 14, 16, and 39

1. Below is a sequence of nitrogenous bases for one DNA strand. Write the associated
mRNA sequence. (2.25 pts)
GGC AAT TAC GGC ATA CGA GAA ATT CCC

RNA SEQUENCE:

2. In your mRNA sequence above,

a. highlight the starting codon (1 pt)
b. underline the stopping codon (1 pt)

3. Give the sequence of amino acid for the protein after translation from your mRNA
sequence above. (1 pt)

AMINO ACID SEQUENCE:

4. Label the characteristic or function described with the type of RNA, using he following
key: mR = mRNA, tR = tRNA, rR = rRNA. (3 pts)

_______ Always attaches to specific amino acids.

_______ Is made inside the nucleolus.
_______ Works in triplets to form codons that specify amino acids in protein synthesis.
_______ Is a single strand of nucleotides whose bases are complementary to those of the DNA
from which it was transcribed.
_______ Is composed of two subunits (large and small).
_______ Is a loop of 3 bases that is complementary to the codon.

5. Organisms that are well adapted to their environment survive and reproduce. Those that
are not well adapted do not survive and reproduce. An adaptation is any characteristic
that increases fitness, which is defined as the ability to survive and reproduce.
Salamanders are active at night when raccoons are. As a result, salamanders risk being a
slimy meal. To avoid being eaten, salamanders hide in shallow areas of the pond and can
swim away from raccoons underwater to safety. Below is a table that describes female
salamanders of four species that live near a pond.

Orange-spotted Orange Black-spotted red Yellow-spotted

grey salamander salamander salamander grey salamander
Swimming speed 6 cm/sec 4 cm/sec 5 cm/sec 2 cm/sec
# of eggs produced 0 400 100 50
Age at death 2 years 4 years 3 years 3 years
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According to the definition given above for fitness, which salamander would biologists consider
the fittest? Explain why the salamander you chose would be the fittest by providing two
reasons. (3 pts)

SPECIES:

REASON 1:

REASON 2:

6. The finches on the Galapagos Island were similar in form except for their beaks. Darwin
observed these finches and determined that the variation he saw was due to what selective
pressure? (Think of things an organism needs in order to survive. I’m looking for one
word, a phrase, or a very short sentence.) (1 pt)

SELECTIVE PRESSURE:

7. The food web below represents the kelp forest ecosystem in Alaska several decades ago.
For your information, smelt fishes are fishes rich in fat, such as herring or cod.
Additionally, kelp forests are a hiding place for many fishes and smaller organisms, such
as abalones and sea stars.
Identify one producer, one primary consumer, one secondary consumer, and one tertiary
consumer. (2 pts)

PRODUCER:
PRIMARY CONSUMER:
SECONDARY CONSUMER:
TERTIARY CONSUMER:
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8. In the 1980s, commercial fisheries severely reduced smelt fish populations. Using the
food web, explain how the loss of smelt fishes led to the loss of sea otters and kelp
forests? (2 pts)

EXPLANATION:

9. Imagine the time when the ecosystem had all its participants intact. What is term that
would describe the equilibrium of this ecosystem/community? (1 pt)

TERM:

10. If all life disappears completely from this ecosystem, what will be the first type of
organism to recolonize? (1 pt)

ORGANISM:

11. Is commercial fisheries a biotic or abiotic factor? (1 pt)

FACTOR TYPE:
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12. Which species can be considered keystone species in this ecosystem? (1 pt)

KEYSTONE SPECIES: