Unit 8

A researcher observing an ecosystem describes the amount of sunlight, precipitation, and type of soil present. Which factors is the researcher most likely describing?

• Biotic factors in a forest

• Biotic factors in a tundra

• Abiotic factors in a prairie

• Abiotic factors in an ocean

Which term best classifies all of the student's observations? 

-Two grey wolves 

-Five moose 

-Several species of conifer trees 

-Large granite rock

-Shallow pond 

• Population

• Food chain

• Ecosystem

• Community

Which sequence best orders ecological categories from the one with the fewest number of individuals to the one with the greatest number of individuals? 1 being fewest, 4 being greatest

• 1.ecosystem 2.population 3.community 4.biome

• 1.population, 2.community, 3.ecosystem, 4.biome

• 1. biome, 2.population, 3.community, 4.ecosystem

• 1.community, 2.biome, 3.population, 4.ecosystem

Which sequence correctly describes the flow of energy between organisms in the marine food web?

• From seals to penguins to krill

• From whales to krill to small fish

• From sea birds to seals to penguins

• From small fish to penguins to seals

A species of snapping turtles has a tongue that resembles a worm. The tongue is used to attract small fish. Which best describes the interaction between the fish and the snapping turtle? 

• Predation

• Symbiosis

• Parasitism

• Competition

Oak treehoppers are parasites of trees. Which statement describes the relationship between an oak treehopper and a tree?

•  Both the oak treehopper and the tree are harmed by one another

• The oak treehopper benefits from the tree, while the tree is unaffected

• The tree benefits from the oak treehopper, while the oak treehopper is unaffected

• The oak treehopper benefits from the tree, while the tree is harmed by the oak treehopper

 Strep throat is a common human illness often caused by the bacterium Streptococcus. Which term best classifies the colonies of Streptococcus in a person with strep throat?

• a population

• an organelle

• a community

• an ecosystem

Energy pyramids describe food and energy relationships within an ecosystem. Which factor most likely limits the number of levels an energy pyramid can have?

•  biomass of the top-level organisms

• predation by the top-level organisms

• energy loss between each level of organisms

• chemical energy being decomposed at each level of organisms

 A student listed characteristics of a classroom aquarium ecosystem. Which characteristic is a biotic component of the aquarium ecosystem?

• The water temperature is 23°C

• The pH of the water is usually between 6.5 and 6.8

• The ammonia is controlled with a filter that uses two types of bacteria

• The lighting is supplied by natural sunlight and a fluorescent light bulb

Photosynthesis is a process that helps cycle matter through the environment. Which statement best explains the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

• Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the air, and carbohydrates are produced.

• Carbon dioxide is released into the air, and carbohydrates are broken down

• Carbon and nitrogen are absorbed into the soil, and carbohydrates are produced

• Carbon and nitrogen are released from the soil, and carbohydrates are broken down.