Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

49. Animal Behavior

Animal Behavior

General Biology

49. Animal Behavior

Animal Behavior

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2:37 minutes

Problem 15

Textbook Question

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Mass strandings of whales occur on beaches near military exercises where sonar is used, raising concerns about the effects of human-generated underwater sounds on animal behavior. Scientists are collecting behavioral data on several species of whales to find out how sonar affects them.
The researchers also measured the speed and direction of whale swimming in response to the sound exposure. Whales increase their speed and swim away from the direction of sound. Design a study to test the hypothesis that this behavior leads to beach strandings. Note that you will not receive permission to conduct the study if your actions are likely to cause strandings to occur.

Verified step by step guidance

Define the hypothesis clearly: The hypothesis is that the use of sonar causes whales to change their swimming behavior, leading to beach strandings.

Select a study area: Choose a location where whale strandings have been reported and where sonar is used, ensuring that the study does not interfere with the whales' natural behavior.

Identify the variables: The independent variable is the presence of sonar, and the dependent variable is the change in whale swimming behavior, including speed and direction, and the occurrence of strandings.

Develop a non-invasive method to collect data: Use passive acoustic monitoring to detect sonar use and GPS tagging to track whale movements, ensuring that the study does not increase the risk of strandings.

Analyze the data: Compare the swimming patterns and stranding events before, during, and after sonar exposure to determine if there is a correlation between sonar use and increased stranding events.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Sonar and its Effects on Marine Life

Sonar, or Sound Navigation and Ranging, is a technique that uses sound waves to detect objects underwater. It can affect marine life, particularly whales, by disrupting their communication and navigation systems. The intense sound waves can cause stress and disorientation, leading to altered swimming patterns and potentially contributing to mass strandings.

Whale Behavior and Response to Sound

Whales rely heavily on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging. When exposed to loud, human-generated sounds like sonar, they may exhibit behaviors such as increased swimming speed and altered direction to escape the noise. Understanding these behavioral changes is crucial for assessing the impact of sonar on whale populations and their potential link to strandings.

Designing Ethical Scientific Studies

Designing a study to test hypotheses about whale strandings requires careful consideration of ethical guidelines to prevent harm. Researchers must ensure their methods do not increase the risk of strandings or distress to the animals. This involves using non-invasive techniques, such as observational studies or simulations, to gather data without directly exposing whales to harmful conditions.

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Textbook Question

SCIENTIFIC THINKING Jane Goodall's work revealed that in areas of abundant food, chimpanzees may live in groups of several dozen individuals. State a hypothesis about the chimpanzee mating system that could be tested by observing one of these groups. What data would you collect to test your hypothesis? How would you interpret the results? (Note: A sexually mature female chimpanzee undergoes a hormonal cycle about 36 days long that is reflected in easily observed changes in the appearance of her genital area. Females are most sexually receptive, and males are most attracted to them, for about a week during the middle of the cycle.)

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Textbook Question

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Mass strandings of whales occur on beaches near military exercises where sonar is used, raising concerns about the effects of human-generated underwater sounds on animal behavior. Scientists are collecting behavioral data on several species of whales to find out how sonar affects them.

Researchers followed tagged blue whales to observe how they respond to simulated military sonar—using sound levels much lower than those typically used during military exercises. Analyze the sample of data below for one individual blue whale and summarize the behavioral effect of the sound exposure.

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Textbook Question

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Using the graph, estimate the number of minutes of foraging per hour before and after the sound exposure. Then predict the effect of sonar on the fitness of blue whales. Explain your reasoning.

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Textbook Question

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Predict why the whale foraged at a depth of 100–170 m.

a. The whale learned to forage at this depth from its mother.

b. The whale had an innate instinct to feed at this depth.

c. The whale's food was most plentiful at this depth.

d. The whale could not dive any deeper than this depth.

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Textbook Question

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There are debates about what action the military should take to avoid harming the whales. How could you apply cost–benefit analysis to address this problem?

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Open Question

Many insects, birds, and other animals are attracted to artificial lights, a side effect of their innate navigational strategies. For example, many birds fly off-course toward bright urban areas during their fall and spring migrations, causing bird mortality due to window strikes and exhaustion. Pose one solution that could reduce impacts on animals and also benefit humans.

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following pairs of animals are known to often exhibit territorial disputes with each other?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a learned behavior in animals?

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