Checkpoint 1-Ecosystem Quiz

The fox and the owl are both-

• seeking shelter

• migrating for winter

• competing for food

• searching for a mate

Answer explanation

Both the fox and the owl are carnivores.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A student made these observations in his notebook while visiting a Nature Center.

-I have observed both a cardinal and a hawk flying overhead.

-There are 5 turtles sunning themselves on a large rock.

-There are many blackberry vines with flowers along the path.

-I observed many small fish in the pond.

Which of these organisms that the student observed does not obtain energy from another organism?

• Cardinal

• hawk

• blackberry vines

• fish

Answer explanation

Remember, a plant does not get energy from any other organissm.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A marine biologist is setting up a habitat for sea turtles that have been injured. Which answer choice describes the sea turtles as they interact with two nonliving parts of their new habitat?

• The sea turtles eat the seaweed that is floating in the water.

• The sea turtles swim through the water to the top of the tank to breathe air.

• The sea turtles cluster together on the floating deck for warmth.

• The marine biologist checks the turtles' injuries when she feed them.

Answer explanation

Water and air are not living.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The cactus wren is a small bird that makes its home in the desert. They make their nests in cactus where they are protected by the sharp spines. They often put the entrance to the nest facing the direction that the wind blows. This breeze helps keep the nest cool. Cactus wrens eat mostly spiders and insects. Cactus wrens also eat fruit, especially cactus fruits. They get all the water they need from the food they eat.

Which of the following is a way that cactus wrens interact with a nonliving part of their environment?

• Cactus wrens eat fruit from the cactus.

• Cactus wrens build their nests in cactus for protection.

• Cactus wrens get the water that they need from their food.

• Cactus wrens build their nest so that the wind will cool them off.

Students were playing outside during their science class to make some observations around the playground. The table shows some of the observations they made.

1. Butterflies were drinking nectar from the flowers.

2.The wind was blowing dust from the track across the playground.

3.Birds were perched in the trees.

4.Squirrels were burying acorns that they had found. 5.Students were swinging on the swings.

6. Leaves were moving as the wind was blowing.

Which of the observations are of two living things interacting with each other?

• Observation 4 and 6

• Observation 2

• Observation 5

• Observation 1, 3, and 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which of the following changes would most likely benefit baleen whales?

• an increase in the krill population

• a decrease in the size of krill population

• an increase in the manta ray population

• a decrease in the size of the manta ray population

Answer explanation

If there was more krill, there would be more food!

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A partial food web is shown.

Which change would most likely occur if all the sea stars in this ecosystem were removed?

• The larger fish would start eating sea urchins.

• All the animals would either move away or die.

• The number of snails would increase.

• There would be no food left for the sea otters.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Many forest animals depend on the live oak tree.

What role does the live oak play in the forest food web?

• It obtains energy from producers.

• It returns nutrients to the soil.

• It preys upon other organisms.

• It provides energy to consumers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A partial coastal food web is shown below.

In the food web, energy flows directly between-

• shrimp and heron

• algae and snapper

• bacteria and heron

• shrimp and crab

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A forest ecosystem has various food webs. One of these food webs is shown.

Which organisms transfer the most energy within the food web?

• Shrews, because they are producers in this web.

• Grasses, because they are the producers in this web.

• Mice, because they support two chains in this web.

• Cougar, because they are at the top of this web.

Answer explanation

There is always more energy stored up in the producers than any other part of the food web.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3