Biology Evolution
Data on the immigration and emigration of a fish species would be most helpful in determining which of the following? A biological magnification B interspecies competition C population of the species D predator-prey relationships
c
As forested areas are cut down, habitats are often permanently changed to agriculture or other land use. How does the conversion of natural forest to human land uses affect an ecosystem? A There will be a decrease in biodiversity in the ecosystem. B There will be an increase in animal populations in the ecosystem. C There will be less space to plant crops and build houses in the ecosystem. D There will be more nutrients in the ecosystem's soil after the forests are cut down.
a
The framework of organic molecules essential to all organisms is composed mainly of carbon atoms. Which processes are involved in the cycling of carbon within an environment? A photosynthesis and respiration B evaporation and condensation C transcription and translation D diffusion and transpiration
a
The pH of the water in several lakes in Norway and Sweden had decreased to below 5.0 due to an increase in acid rain. Which of the following is most likely to happen in these lakes? A the decline of several fish populations. B an increase in numbers of fish C an increase in the amount of primary producers D increased predator-prey relationships
a
When an environment has reached its carrying capacity for a certain population, which of the following is true? A Growth and immigration rate is equal to death and emigration rate. B Growth and immigration rate is greater than death and emigration rate. C Growth and immigration rate is less than death and emigration rate. D Growth rate is exponential.
a
During the summer of 1988, fires burned much of Yellowstone National Park, leaving a patchwork of burned and unburned areas. In the year following the fires, wildflowers sprouted in all the burned areas, closely followed in subsequent years by seedlings of the trees that normally grow in the area, such as aspens and lodgepole pines. What changes in the ecosystem will take place during the course of succession? A The flowers will shade out the small trees creating a permanent meadow. B The flowers will eventually be shaded out by the trees and will not be able to grow. C The trees will not grow well because of the toxic chemicals produced by the flowers. D The trees will take the nutrients that the flowers need, and the flowers will be stunted.
b
Housefly populations tend to grow exponentially until they reach the carrying capacity of their environment. Which of the following determines an environment's carrying capacity? A the stage of succession of the community B the needed resource that begins to run out first C the number of carnivores occupying the food web D the number of organisms that share an environmental niche
b
Why are there so few aquatic plants and phytoplankton that live at the bottom zones in the ocean? A The ocean floor contains many decomposers. B Most sunlight is absorbed before reaching these levels. C Water is a limiting factor. D The temperature in these zones is extremely low.
b
In a marsh ecosystem, alligators, woodstorks, muskrats, cattails, ferns, and grasses make up a food web. If a disease eliminates the fern population, which of the following is the most likely consequence? A The herbivores would consume the decomposers. B The carnivores would adapt to become herbivores. C The animals relying solely on ferns for food would die out. D All trophic levels would be affected except the top consumers.
c
In a process called transpiration, plants get rid of excess water through pores in the leaves called stomata. This excess water is then released into the atmosphere as part of the water cycle. Which of the following terms best describes how the released water enters the atmosphere? A condensation B precipitation C evaporation D capillary action
c
Scientists that study the effects of global warming predict that a change in Earth's average temperature of even a few degrees will have dramatic effects. One consequence of global warming is the melting of the polar ice caps, which will in turn affect polar bears that use sea ice as a platform for hunting seals. What will most likely happen to the population of polar bears as a result of global warming? A It will increase as polar bears adapt to other habitats. B It will increase because polar bears will have fewer predators. C It will decrease as the habitat suitable for polar bears decreases. D It will decrease because polar bears will become easier to hunt.
c
The common brushtail possum is a marsupial native to Australia. This possum was introduced to New Zealand where it had no natural predators and had an abundant food supply. Which of these likely occurred a few years after the introduction of this possum to New Zealand? A The possums became extinct. B The possums developed shorter life spans. C The possum population grew to a larger size. D The possum population evolved into a different species.
c
The number of pythons found throughout Everglades National Park has increased in recent years. These huge snakes are not native to Florida and are believed to have been released into the wild by pet owners. Wildlife biologists have initiated attempts to capture and remove these pythons. Which statement best explains the biologists' reasons for removing these pythons from the Everglades? A The pythons could upset the territorial boundaries of native organisms. B The pythons could adapt to overcome diseases common to native snakes. C The pythons could prey on native organisms and cause native population to decline. D The pythons could begin to interbreed with native snakes and produce a more successful species.
c
Which of these organisms would most likely be found at the top of an energy pyramid? A clams - a primary consumer B sardines - a primary consumer C sharks - a secondary consumer D kelp - a primary producer
c
A team of ecologists observed feeding patterns of several populations in the desert. The energy pyramid shown below depicts the feeding patterns the ecologist observed. Which of the following best explains the difference in the amount of available energy in the trophic levels of the desert ecosystem? A There is less energy available in the producers because their tissues are less dense than those at higher trophic levels. B There is more energy available in the second trophic level because less energy is needed for hunting compared to the higher trophic levels. C There is more available energy in the birds of prey because they have greater muscle mass for storing energy than organisms in lower trophic levels have. D There is less available energy in the fourth trophic level because of the loss of energy through metabolism in each of the lower trophic levels.
d
Complete burning of plant material returns carbon primarily to the A herbivores. B water. C vegetation. D atmosphere.
d
In the 1930s, the Red Imported Fire Ant was accidentally introduced into the United States. This species is native to South America, but has thrived in the United States because of a lack of natural enemies here. Which of the following best explains how the Red Imported Fire Ant has affected native ant species in the U.S. that do have predators? A Native ant species preyed on the Red Imported Fire Ant and increased in population. B Native ant species interbred with the Red Imported Fire Ant, creating new ant species. C The Red Imported Fire Ant caused native ant species to become more susceptible to predators. D The Red Imported Fire Ant caused a decline in native ant species by competing for their resources.
d
The diagram shows the flow of energy in a forest ecosystem. One year, a disease affecting lizards caused a widespread decline in their population. Which of the following is the most likely consequence of this event? A A decrease in the bird population B A decrease in the acorn population C An increase in the snake population D An increase in the insect population
d
Which of the following is a limiting factor in a population of organisms? A reproductive replacement B life spans of the members C fluctuations in atmospheric temperature D availability of food
d
In New England forests, birch trees are most often found growing in areas that have been opened up by fire or high winds. Their seeds rarely sprout in established beech-maple forests. Birch trees are an example of a pioneer species. Which of the following is a characteristic of pioneer species in general? A Their seeds tend to need full sunlight to sprout. B Their seeds generally rot in damp, shady forests. C They cannot grow tall enough to compete with other trees. D They can only grow when there are no other trees around.
a
A diagram of a food web is shown below. Which organism receives the least amount of energy from the producers? A Hawk B Rabbit C Grasshopper D Mouse
a
Ariel is studying ecosystems. She learns that there is a limit to the number of organisms an ecosystem can support. This limit is demonstrated by the example of a rabbit population, shown in the graph below. What does the dotted line on the graph represent in an ecosystem? A Carrying Capacity B Population Density C Predation Rate D Reproduction Rate
a
The diagram below shows the cycling of nutrients in an ecosystem. The removal of which of the following groups would cause an immediate decrease in the amount of energy flowing through the system? A Producers B Consumers C Decomposers D Inorganic nutrients
a
The carrying capacity of an ecosystem is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that can be supported on a long-term basis in a given amount of land. For example, the carrying capacity of the Florida Panther may be 50 panthers per 10,000 square kilometers of habitat in the Everglades ecosystem. Which of the following determines the carrying capacity of an ecosystem? A the average daily temperature of the ecosystem B the most limited resources required for survival C the number of predators found in the ecosystem D the amount of disease affecting organisms in the ecosystem
b
The diagram below shows the flow of carbon in a terrestrial ecosystem. Which will most likely happen if the decomposers are removed from the carbon cycle? A The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase. B The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will decrease. C The amount of carbon dioxide used by producers will increase. D The amount of carbon dioxide needed by consumers will decrease.
b
Which of the following are abiotic factors that shape ecosystems? A worms, plants and temperature B wind, precipitation, and soil type C niches, trees, and bacteria D sunlight, mushrooms, and wind
b
Which of the following statements is true about natural systems? A Consumers form the bottom levels of both the energy pyramid and the biomass pyramid. B Producers are at the bottom level of both the energy pyramid and the biomass pyramid. C Producers are at the bottom of the energy pyramid, but at the top of the biomass pyramid. D Consumers are at the bottom of the energy pyramid, but at the top of the biomass pyramid.
b
