Ecology Review

In which of the Earth's spheres would you find a stone, ground, minerals, and soil?

• Lithosphere/ Geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

Answer explanation

The question asks about the Earth's sphere where one would find elements such as a stone, ground, minerals, and soil. The correct choice is Lithosphere/Geosphere. This is because the Lithosphere, also known as the Geosphere, is the solid outer layer of the earth that includes the crust and upper mantle. It contains rocks, minerals, and soils.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

The place where an organism lives is called its ___________.

• community

• niche

• trophic level

• habitat

Answer explanation

In the context of the question, the term that describes the place where an organism lives is called its 'habitat'. A 'community' refers to a group of different species living in the same area, while a 'niche' refers to an organism's role in its community. 'Trophic level' is related to an organism's position in the food chain. Therefore, 'habitat' is the correct answer.

The group of organisms of one species that can be found in one area at a given time is known as a(n) _____________________.

• ecosystem

• community

• population

• trophic level

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'population'. The definition given in the question corresponds to that of a 'population'. A population refers to a group of the same species located in a specific area at a particular time. Other options such as ecosystem, community, and trophic level do not fit the description.

Which of the following may be included in the biotic factors of an ecosystem?

• light

• atmosphere

• plants

• temperature

Answer explanation

The biotic factors of an ecosystem include all the living organisms that inhabit it. In the context of the question, 'plants' is the correct option as they are living organisms. Options such as 'light', 'atmosphere', and 'temperature' are abiotic factors, which are the non-living parts of an ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environments.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement in the question is correct. Ecology is indeed the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environments. Therefore, the true is the right option.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

An organism's fundamental niche is occupied without competition. A _________ niche is smaller due to competition.

• unique

• realized

• beneficial

• competitive

Answer explanation

In the context of ecology, the term 'fundamental niche' refers to the potential lifestyle and distribution a species could have without competition. However, in the real world, competition and other biotic interactions exist, thus, an organism usually occupies a 'realized niche'. The 'realized niche' is smaller than the 'fundamental niche' because it takes into account competition and other biotic factors.

Which sphere does the cryosphere belong to?

• Lithosphere/Geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

Answer explanation

The cryosphere belongs to the Hydrosphere. This is because the cryosphere, which includes all of Earth's frozen water, is a significant component of the Earth's water cycle and thus forms an integral part of the Hydrosphere, not the Lithosphere/Geosphere, Atmosphere, or Biosphere.

In which sphere are nitrogen and oxygen considered to be?

• Lithosphere/geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

Answer explanation

Nitrogen and oxygen are considered to be in the 'Atmosphere' sphere. The atmosphere is the layer of gases, commonly known as air, that surrounds the planet Earth and is retained by Earth's gravity. Nitrogen and oxygen are the two most abundant gases in the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The portion of the Earth that can sustain life is called the:

• hydrosphere

• lithosphere

• atmosphere

• biosphere

Answer explanation

The question asks about the part of the Earth that can sustain life. The correct answer is 'biosphere'. It comprises all the regions of earth where life exists like land, water and air. The other options like hydrosphere (water), lithosphere (land), and atmosphere (air) are parts of the biosphere but on their own, they don't sustain all forms of life.

__________ data includes observations/descriptions of organisms.

• Qualitative

• Quantitative

Answer explanation

Qualitative data is the correct answer since it refers to non-numerical information like observations and descriptions of organisms. Quantitative data, on the other hand, refers to numerical data or data that can be measured. Hence, in the context of the question, qualitative data includes observations or descriptions of organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2