Ecology Test Review

Which type of organism is being described. These organisms feed on dead and decaying organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

• Decomposers
• Consumers
• Producers
• Omnivores

Answer explanation

Decomposers are technically consumers, but they eat dead things. Therefore, they get their own category.

Which type of organism is being described. These organisms feed on other living organisms. They can be divided into carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.

• Consumers
• Producers
• Decomposers
• Omnivores

Answer explanation

These consume! They eat other organisms (both plants or animals).

Which food chain best represents the transfer of energy from grasses to owls in this food web?

• Grasses→rabbit→owls
• Owl→rabbits→grasses
• Wheat → mice → snakes
• Grasses→ mice→ snakes

Answer explanation

Read carefully. If you picked the one that ended with the snake, that is a food chain, just not the one I was looking for.

Which is an example of a consumer?

• A wolf eating a rabbit
• A rabbit eating grass
• Grass growing in the soil
• Bacteria decomposing decaying organic material

Answer explanation

All of these are examples of consumers, except for the grass. That is a producer.

What is the source of all energy in every food chain?

• The Sun
• Producers
• Consumers
• Decomposers

Answer explanation

This is a trick question. The sun is the source for all energy in an ecosystem including that biotic and abiotic factors. The producers just make the energy available for the biotic factors.

What is something all organisms need to survive?

• Energy
• Oxygen
• Chlorine
• Matter

Answer explanation

All orgnaisms need energy!

Which of these makes their own Food?

• Autotrophs
• Producers
• Heterotrophs
• Consumers

Answer explanation

Autotrophs and producers are the same thing. Use the terms interchangibly.

Which of these CANNOT make their own Food?

• Autotrophs
• Producers
• Heterotrophs
• Consumers

Answer explanation

Heterotrophs and consumers are the same thing. Use the terms interchangibly.

Energy flows through an ecosystem in how many directions?

• 1.0
• 2.0
• 3.0
• 4.0

Answer explanation

Energy flows in 1 direction, but it can take many paths.

The energy in an ecosystem begins with the ...

• Sun
• Moon
• Earth
• Plants

Answer explanation

This is a trick question. The sun is the source for all energy in an ecosystem including that biotic and abiotic factors. The producers just make the energy available for the biotic factors.