Backyard Biology

The organisms in a typical backyard are likely to include bacteria, grass, shrubs, trees, insects, spiders, birds, and small mammals. Together, all these organisms make up −

• a population

• an experimental group

• a kingdom

• a community

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Temperature, moisture, air, salinity, and pH are examples of −

• biotic factors

• abiotic factors

The organisms at the beginning of a food chain are −

• producers

• consumers

• decomposers

• omnivores

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

This food chain can be found in the coastal waters of Virginia. The population of which organisms in the food chain would be the first to decline if commercial fishing over-harvested shrimp?

• Algae

• Zooplankton

• Damselfish

• Barracuda

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

According to the energy pyramid, the most energy is present in organisms living at the same level as the −

• bobcat

• birds

• grasshoppers

• grass

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

How much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next trophic level?

• 0%

• 10%

• 50%

• 90%

• 100%

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

In 1847, a scientist noted that when physicians washed their hands before they had contact with their patients, there was a decreased number of infections. This was one of the first clues that −

• bacteria generate spontaneously on hands

• physicians deliberately infected patients

• bacteria are present in water

• substances such as bacteria may cause diseases

The German physician Robert Koch provided evidence to support the germ theory of infectious disease. Koch isolated bacteria from a cow with anthrax, then injected the bacteria into a healthy mouse. To support germ theory, what must have happened to the healthy mouse?

• It became sick.

• It spread smallpox.

• It produced antibiotics.

• It became immune to viral infections.

One student in a class becomes sick with a fever and cough. Two days later, three other students in the same class become sick with the same symptoms. This is evidence that the illness is most likely caused by −

• cold weather

• a pathogen

• a genetic mutation

• nutritional deficiencies

Although controversial at first, the germ theory of disease proposed the microorganisms were the cause of many diseases. Which of these was a result of the general acceptance that microorganisms cause disease?

• The development and use of antibiotics

• The belief in spontaneous generation

• The link between viruses and RNA

• The proof of a supernatural cause for illness