Ecosystem Trophic Levels Quiz

Imagine Avery is studying a garden where plants synthesize their own food using sunlight. Which of the following best describes the trophic level of these plants?

• Primary consumer

• Secondary consumer

• Tertiary consumer

• Producer

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Producer' because an organism that synthesizes its own food using sunlight is classified as a producer in the trophic level hierarchy.

In a garden ecosystem, what is the primary role of decomposers like fungi and bacteria?

• To consume primary consumers like insects

• To recycle nutrients by breaking down dead plants and animals

• To synthesize food from sunlight and water

• To prey on secondary consumers like birds

Answer explanation

In a food chain, decomposers play the primary role of recycling nutrients by breaking down dead organisms, returning essential elements back into the ecosystem.

In a typical school garden ecosystem, if primary consumers are represented by insects feeding on plants, which trophic level is directly above them?

• Producers

• Secondary consumers

• Tertiary consumers

• Decomposers

Answer explanation

The trophic level directly above primary consumers in a food chain is secondary consumers, as they feed on the primary consumers.

Imagine a food chain where grass is eaten by rabbits, and rabbits are eaten by foxes. What percentage of energy from the grass is typically transferred to the rabbits, and then from the rabbits to the foxes?

• About 10%

• About 25%

• About 50%

• About 75%

Answer explanation

About 10% of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next higher level, making it the correct choice.

In a forest ecosystem, which of the following organisms is an example of a tertiary consumer?

• Grass

• Rabbit

• Wolf

• Hawk

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Hawk because tertiary consumers are at the top of the food chain and feed on secondary consumers. Hawks are known to prey on animals like rabbits and other birds, making them an example of a tertiary consumer.

In a typical forest ecosystem, how does energy flow from one organism to another?

• From predators like wolves to herbivores like deer

• From primary producers like grass to apex predators like lions

• In a cyclic manner among producers, consumers, and decomposers

• Randomly between different species such as birds and insects

Answer explanation

From lower to higher trophic levels

What impact does the removal of wolves, a top predator, from Yellowstone National Park have on the ecosystem?

• Decreases biodiversity

• Increases primary consumer populations

• No significant impact

• Both A and B

Answer explanation

The removal of a top predator decreases biodiversity by disrupting the food chain and increases primary consumer populations due to reduced predation pressure. Therefore, the correct answer is Both A and B.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

In a typical forest ecosystem, compare the energy consumption between deer (primary consumers) and wolves (secondary consumers). Who typically requires more energy intake?

• Deer require more because they are larger in number.

• Wolves require more due to higher energy needs for hunting.

• Both require the same amount of energy.

• It depends on the specific forest ecosystem.

Answer explanation

Secondary consumers require more due to higher energy needs for hunting.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.2

Maya is studying an ecosystem and notes that rabbits (primary consumers) eat only plants, while foxes (secondary consumers) eat only meat. What is the main difference between primary and secondary consumers in terms of diet?

• Primary consumers eat only plants, while secondary consumers eat only meat.

• Primary consumers eat both plants and meat, while secondary consumers eat only plants.

• Both primary and secondary consumers eat only plants.

• Both primary and secondary consumers eat both plants and meat.

Answer explanation

Primary consumers eat only plants, while secondary consumers eat only meat.

In a forest ecosystem, which trophic level forms the foundation that supports all other levels?

• Primary consumers

• Secondary consumers

• Producers

• Tertiary consumers

Answer explanation

Producers provide the base for all other trophic levels in an ecosystem by converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.