Ecology & Symbiosis Review 1

Which of the following best describes a food chain?

• A process by which energy is recycled in an ecosystem

• A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

• A community of animals living together

• The cycle of water through an ecosystem

Answer explanation

The best description of a food chain is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is mutualism?

• A relationship where both species benefit

• A relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed

• A relationship where one species benefits and the other is unaffected

• A relationship where both species are harmed

Answer explanation

Mutualism is a relationship where both species benefit, making it the correct choice.

Which of the following is an example of commensalism?

• A flea feeding on a dog

• A bee pollinating a flower

• A barnacle attaching to a whale

• A lion eating a gazelle

Answer explanation

Commensalism is a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. A barnacle attaching to a whale is an example of commensalism as the barnacle benefits by having a place to live while the whale is not affected.

What does parasitism involve?

• Both organisms benefit

• One organism benefits and the other is unaffected

• One organism benefits at the expense of the other

• Both organisms are harmed

Answer explanation

Parasitism involves one organism benefiting at the expense of the other, where the parasite benefits while the host is harmed.

Which of the following is an adaptation?

• A bear hibernating in winter

• A plant being watered

• A fish swimming in a school

• A person wearing a coat in the cold

Answer explanation

The correct adaptation among the choices is a bear hibernating in winter, which is a behavior that helps the bear survive the cold season by conserving energy and avoiding harsh conditions.

In a food chain, what is the primary source of energy?

• Water

• The Sun

• Plants

• Animals

Answer explanation

The primary source of energy in a food chain is The Sun, as it provides light energy for photosynthesis in plants, which is then consumed by animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following best describes the role of producers in an ecosystem?

• They consume other organisms for energy

• They decompose dead organisms

• They produce energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms

• They regulate the population of other species

Answer explanation

Producers in an ecosystem produce energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms, making them essential for the energy flow within the ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• To produce food for other organisms

• To consume living plants and animals

• To break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem

• To pollinate plants

Answer explanation

Decomposers play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down dead organisms and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, contributing to nutrient cycling and overall ecosystem health.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following is an example of a predator-prey relationship?

• A squirrel and a tree

• A shark and a fish

• A bee and a flower

• A rabbit and grass

Answer explanation

The correct example of a predator-prey relationship is a shark and a fish, where the shark preys on the fish for food.

What is the main difference between commensalism and mutualism?

• In commensalism, both organisms benefit; in mutualism, only one benefits.

• In mutualism, both organisms benefit; in commensalism, only one benefits while the other is unaffected.

• In commensalism, both organisms are harmed; in mutualism, both benefit.

• There is no difference; they are the same.

Answer explanation

In mutualism, both organisms benefit; in commensalism, only one benefits while the other is unaffected.