Unit 1 Review (Honors Biology) 2025

A rabbit population is near the carrying capacity of its ecosystem. If the population density of rabbits in an area were to increase, what direct effect would it most likely have?

• There would be more food available to the rabbits.

• The rabbit population would die off immediately.

• The rabbits would have greater competition for resources.

Answer explanation

This answer is correct because there would be a higher population of rabbits in the same amount of area. As the population of rabbits increased, the competition for food and other resources would also increase.

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Engineers are working to develop a new kind of artificial knee, which is used to replace damaged knees. Which of these would be considered a tradeoff of the artificial knee?

• The artificial knee reduces pain in people who have the knee.

• The artificial knee can lead to infection when the knee is implanted.

• The new artificial knee is heavier than previous artificial knees to improve its lifespan.

Answer explanation

. This is correct because the added weight is not desirable, so it would be a tradeoff in building a knee with a longer lifespan.

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An insect population feeds almost exclusively on a single species of plant. The carrying capacity of the insect population is dependent primarily on food availability. Recently, a fire destroyed 80% of the plants that the insects feed upon. By what factor will the carrying capacity change?

• 0.2

• 0.8

• 2

Answer explanation

This is correct because the carrying capacity of the population would be reduced by 80%, or to 20% of its original value.

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A scientist wants to study primary succession. After which ecological event should she begin her research?

• A fire burns down half of a forest.

• A hurricane devastates a coral reef.

• A retreating glacier exposes bare rock.

Answer explanation

This is correct because this is an example of primary succession, as there was not an existing ecosystem on the rock.

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Which of these best describes a climax community?

• a growing forest with varied tree and shrub species after a wildfire

• a balanced population of clownfish and sea anemones in a coral reef ecosystem

• a booming population of plankton after farming that increased fertilizer runoff

Answer explanation

This is correct because it describes the balanced ecosystem needed for a climax community

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A population of 2,000 deer lived on a plateau. In 1906, all hunting of the deer was banned, and natural predators were relocated. Sheep and cattle, which competed with the deer, were banned from the plateau. The graph shows the deer population in the years following this.

• From 1920 to 1924, competition for limited resources managed the deer population.

• From 1915 to 1920, predation managed the deer population.

• From 1925 to 1930, resource scarcity was the most influential factor on the changing deer population.

Answer explanation

This is correct because the population reached maximum levels in approximately 1925 and then the deer had to compete within their own population for the limited food resources of the plateau.

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Which of these changes in an ecosystem would most likely result in an increase of the carrying capacity of herbivores in the environment?

• an increase in the number of carnivores in the ecosystem

• a decrease in the amount of precipitation in the ecosystem

• an increase in the number and variety of plants in the ecosystem

Answer explanation

This is correct because an increase in the number of plants would provide more food for the herbivores, thus increasing their carrying capacity.

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The European green crab is an invasive species. This crab has recently found homes in salt marshes and the mouths of rivers in Washington. A biologist is collecting data about the impact of an invasive green crab. Which experimental design will provide accurate, reliable data for evidence?

• Count invasive crabs in quadrats at a single salt marsh and use the data to predict what is happening at all salt marshes.

• Count and record observations on the populations of invasive crabs and native organisms in quadrats at a variety of salt marshes and estuaries.

• Count and record observations on the populations of invasive crabs and native organisms at an entire salt marsh and use that to predict what is happening in all salt marshes.

Answer explanation

This is correct because sampling quadrats in a variety of areas and measuring all species present in those quadrats will give the most robust data for evidence.

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Students in Ms. Choi's class are using models to represent aspects of bacterial cells. Write one letter in each box to correctly classify each type of model.

• three-dimensional model of bacteria

• Physical Model

• a computer program to difference change

• Simulation

• a flow chart of ATP production

• Conceptual Model

Answer explanation

Conceptual model: This model belongs in conceptual model because the flow chart is illustrating a process.

Simulation: This model belongs in simulation, because the computer is being used to simulate a natural process.

Physical model: This model belongs in physical model because a three-dimensional model showing structures is a physical representation.

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A scientist is studying the factors that affect a population of mammals. Match each scenario to whether it would cause the population of that area to increase, decrease, or stabilize.

• increase population

• The birth rate and death rate in the population are roughly equal.

• stabilize population

• A deadly disease is spreading among predators of the population.

• decrease population

• A natural disaster occurs and destroys valuable resources the population needs for survival.

Answer explanation

Stabilize population: The birth rate and death rate in the population are roughly equal belongs with stabilize population, because this scenario would tend to cause the population to remain constant.

Increase population: A deadly disease is spreading among predators of the population belongs with increase population, because reduced predation will decrease the death rate of the population.

Decrease population: A natural disaster destroys resources the population needs for survival belongs with decrease population, because losing resources reduces the carrying capacity of the ecosystem for the population.

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