Ecology Milestone Review Questions

Use the image to help you answer this question. Students were investigating the cycling of carbon dioxide within an ecosystem. Tube one contains water only, tube two has a snail only, tube three has an aquatic plant, and tube four contains a snail and an aquatic plant. Which of the following statements best explains the color change in tube 4.

• The snail was using the carbon dioxide given off by the plant to complete cellular respiration. 

• The snail was using the carbon dioxide given off by the plant to complete photosynthesis

• The plant was using the carbon dioxide given off by the snail to complete photosynthesis 

• The plant was using the carbon dioxide given off by the snail to complete cellular respiration

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In a typical body of freshwater there exists a diversity of aquatic animal species. Consider the following scenario. A freshwater lake, pH of the water ranging between 5.5 and 6.5, falls prey to acid rain. Over several decades the pH of the lake water declines to 4.5. What are the consequences of such a change on the aquatic animal populations? Choose ALL that apply.

• While species may fluctuate, the number of animals remains constant.

• Decrease in one species is compensated for by an increase in another species.

• According to the graph of pH sensitivity, biodiversity of animal species will decrease.

• Invasive species will migrate into the lake habitat to replace those species that die off.

• Because pH tolerance varies, only species with a tolerance level 4.5 and below will survive.

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 The line labeled A would most likely represent which of the following? 

• The exponential growth of bacteria with unlimited resources

• The exponential growth of a population of deer in a small forest

• The logistic growth of a population of wolves during a disease outbreak

• The logistic growth of a population of pine trees during a drought

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In order for matter to recycle and return in the food chain shown here, what must be present at level A?

• Producers

• Decomposers

• Tertiary consumers

• Secondary consumers

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Examine the model for two cellular organelles found in many eukaryotic cells. Which molecule(s) could be represented by the circle labeled Z that is produced as an output of the mitochondria and required by the chloroplast? Select ALL that apply.

• Letter Z could be carbon dioxide because it is produced in cellular respiration and is a reactant of photosynthesis.

• Letter Z could be a water molecule because it is produced in cellular respiration and is a reactant of photosynthesis.

• Letter Z could be a water molecule because it is produced in photosynthesis and is a reactant of cellular respiration.

• Letter Z could be a glucose molecule because it is produced in photosynthesis and is a reactant of cellular respiration.

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Jesse is studying the red mangrove trees in a coastline environment. The following illustration shows the structure of a red mangrove. Jesse’s data indicates that the salt content in the water on this coastline is increasing. Which of the following adaptations allows the red mangrove to survive in this coastline environment.

• Flowers that attract insects for pollination, causing genetic variation in offspring.

• Large leaves that allow for oxygen and gas exchange from the air instead of the sand.

• Roots with a filtration system that allows water to enter but keeps out the large salt molecules.

• Roots that prop the tree above the sand, giving it support so it can withstand the force of ocean tides.

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 Some fishermen add a type of large fish into a lake. The fish reproduce and increase in number. The following food web shows that this large fish becomes a top predator. Which statement correctly describes a change that could happen to the organisms in this food web as a result of the introduction of the large fish? 

• Heron, raccoon, and duck populations will decrease because the large fish is competing for their food source.

• The duck population will increase because they will eat the large fish as a new food source.

• Small fish will have more offspring to feed the heron, raccoon, duck, and large fish populations.

• The crab population will decrease because raccoons will eat more cattails. 

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A team of ecologists observed feeding patterns of several populations in the desert. The energy pyramid shown below depicts the feeding patterns the ecologist observed. Which of the following best explains the difference in the amount of available energy in the trophic levels of the desert ecosystem? 

• There is less energy available in the producers because their tissues are less dense than those at higher trophic levels.

• There is more energy available in the second trophic level because less energy is needed for hunting compared to the higher trophic levels.

• There is more available energy in the birds of prey because they have greater muscle mass for storing energy than organisms in lower trophic levels have.

• There is less available energy in the fourth trophic level because of the loss of energy through metabolism in each of the lower trophic levels. 

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Keystone species are those that are a necessary component to the stability of the ecosystem, and without them, many other organisms would not survive, and the ecosystem can collapse. Which of these is NOT an example of a keystone species and the role it plays in Georgia's ecosystems?

• beaver; their dams create small ponds to help other species have a place to live and helps to stimulate the growth of plants

• kudzu; kudzu was introduced from Japan as an ornamental plant, and the Civilian Conservation Corps used it to help reduce soil erosion

•  alligators; their tails dig holes that hold water during times of drought, and this water is used as a source for drinking water by many species

•  red cockaded woodpecker; they drill deep nests into Georgia's pine trees, and when not in use by the woodpecker, many other organisms will use them

Farmers use fertilizers on their crops to help grow healthy plants. These fertilizers contain a large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus. Which of the follows describes why using a fertilizer would help a farmer’s crop grow healthy plants?

• The nitrogen and phosphorus are reactants of photosynthesis

• The nitrogen and phosphorus are used to create DNA

• The nitrogen and phosphorus are used to create glucose

• The nitrogen and phosphorus are reactants of cellular respiration

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