Ecosystems

Explain what a food chain is and provide an example.

• An example of a food chain is tree (producer) -> squirrel (primary consumer) -> owl (secondary consumer).

• An example of a food chain is grass (producer) -> rabbit (primary consumer) -> fox (secondary consumer).

• A food chain is a type of necklace made of edible items like fruits and vegetables.

• A food chain is a mathematical equation used to calculate the nutritional value of a meal.

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Imagine you are setting up a terrarium. Identify the abiotic factors you would consider and provide three examples.

• Abiotic factors are living components in a terrarium

• Abiotic factors in a terrarium are non-living components that affect living organisms. They include physical and chemical factors. Three examples are sunlight, temperature, and soil composition.

• Abiotic factors have no impact on living organisms in a terrarium

• Examples of abiotic factors in a terrarium include plants, animals, and fungi

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Describe how energy flows through a forest ecosystem.

• Energy flows from the soil to trees, then to herbivores and carnivores, with no energy loss.

• Energy flows from carnivores to herbivores, then to trees, and finally to the sun, with energy being gained at each transfer.

• Energy flows from the sun to trees, then to herbivores, carnivores, and so on, with energy being lost as heat at each transfer.

• Energy flows from trees to the sun, then to herbivores and carnivores, with energy being lost as light at each transfer.

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Explain the concept of mutualisms in an ecosystem and provide an example.

• The mutualism in an ecosystem involves only one species benefiting from another without any mutual benefit.

• An example of mutualism in an ecosystem is the relationship between bees and flowers. Bees pollinate flowers while obtaining nectar for food, which benefits both the bees and the flowers.

• mutualism in an ecosystem refers to the physical contact between organisms.

• An example of mutualism in an ecosystem is the relationship between rocks and soil.

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Consider how competition among different tree species in the Amazon rainforest affects its ecosystem.

• Competition only benefits the dominant tree species in the Amazon rainforest

• Competition always leads to the extinction of certain tree species in the Amazon rainforest

• Competition influences the structure and dynamics of the Amazon rainforest by driving natural selection and promoting species coexistence among trees.

• Competition has no impact on the Amazon rainforest ecosystem

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Imagine you are observing a grassland ecosystem. How would an energy pyramid help you understand the flow of energy from grass to apex predators in this ecosystem?

• An energy pyramid is a tool used to measure the height of trees in a forest

• An energy pyramid is a method to calculate the population size of different species in an ecosystem

• An energy pyramid is a type of food chain found in aquatic ecosystems

• An energy pyramid is a visual representation of energy flow in an ecosystem, showcasing the decrease in available energy as you move up the trophic levels.

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Imagine walking through a forest. How is this ecosystem organized, and what are the levels of organization you observe?

• Ecosystems are organized into producers, consumers, and decomposers.

• Ecosystems are organized into individual organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.

• Ecosystems are organized into abiotic factors, biotic factors, and trophic levels.

• Ecosystems are organized into biomes, territories, and regions.

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Describe the cycles of matter in an ecosystem.

• The cycles of matter in an ecosystem involve processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and nutrient recycling.

• The cycles of matter in an ecosystem involve processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

• The cycles of matter in an ecosystem involve processes like migration, hibernation, and mating.

• The cycles of matter in an ecosystem involve processes like erosion, weathering, and sedimentation.

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Explain the importance of maintaining balance in an ecosystem.

• Maintaining balance in an ecosystem is not important as it disrupts natural selection.

• Ecosystem balance is irrelevant as long as humans are not affected.

• It is better to have one dominant species in an ecosystem for stability.

• Maintaining balance in an ecosystem is important to ensure the survival of various species and the overall health of the ecosystem.

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Examine the diagram that shows a pond and several organisms that live in it. The bacteria in the pond provide food for the small fish and produce oxygen for the pond. What word best describes the ecological role of the bacteria?

• abiotic factor

• biotic factors

• niche

• limited resources

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