Final Exam 2024

1. Which organisms in the food web below compete for the same food source in this environment?

• Mountain lions & racoons
• Grasshoppers and Deer
• Deer & Coyotes
• Birds & Snakes

2. In an ecosystem, organisms depend on both biotic and abiotic factors to survive. Which of the following are examples of organisms depending on biotic factors? Select TWO answer choices.

• Grasshoppers eat grass and other plants in a meadow.
• Cacti need soil that has lots of sand so it drains easily.
• Lake trout live in lakes that range between 8º C and 18º C.
• Squirrels use leaves to build nests for the young in trees.

3. A scientist observes the plants in a forest ecosystem. In the spring, she notices that the wildflowers on the ground sprout and grow leaves before the trees grow leaves. What is the best explanation for this observation?

• The soil is better-suited to the needs of wildflowers than trees.
• Wildflowers require warmer temperatures than trees for growth.
• Wildflowers are better at competing for water than trees, so they grow leaves sooner.
• Growing leaves before the trees help wildflowers compete with the taller trees for sunlight.

4. Polar bears hunt for seals, which is their main food source while swimming across the ocean. The bears use sea ice as resting spots during their long swims. However, the sea ice is rapidly melting as a result of climate change. Which statement describes what most likely will happen if global warming continues?

• Polar bear and seal populations will both increase.
• Polar bear populations will decrease, and seal populations will increase.
• Polar bear populations will increase, and seal populations will decrease.
• Polar bear populations will decrease, and seal populations will stay the same.

5. Ticks are small organisms that feed on the blood of animals such as deer and humans. Ticks carry bacteria that cause diseases like Lyme disease. The ticks do not get Lyme disease but they can transfer the bacteria to humans, who can get the disease. Which of the following statements best describes the relationships among the bacteria, the ticks, and humans? Select TWO answers.

• The relationship between the bacteria and ticks is commensalism.
• The relationship between the ticks and humans is commensalism.
• The relationship between the bacteria and the ticks is competition.
• The relationship between the ticks and humans is parasitism.

6.Lichens are composed of fungi and algae. The fungi get sugars from the algae, and the algae get water, minerals, and proteins from the fungi. Which of the following terms best describes the ecological relationship between fungi and algae?

• commensalism
• mutualism
• parasitism
• competition

7. Which picture is an example of a population?

• A
• B
• C

8. Which picture below is an example of an ecosystem?

• A
• B
• C

9.What is the difference between a population and a community?

• Populations are part of ecosystems and communities are not.
• Populations include biotic and abiotic factors in an area and communities do not.
• Populations are made of multiple species of organisms and communities are not.
• Populations are made of one species of organisms and communities are made of more than one.

10. Abiotic factors are living factors.

• True
• False