Unit 2, Topic 1: Introduction to Ecology

Mountain goats have split hooves for better grip on steepy mountains. What kind of adaptation is this? A) Structural B) Physiological C) Biochemical D) Ecological

b

According to the simulation, __________ helps predators to survive by allowing them to sneak up on their prey. A) camouflage B) mimicry C) speed D) night vision

a

Deer run in zigzag patterns when being chased by predators. What type of adaptation is this? A) behavioral B) physiological C) structural D) ecological E) biochemical

a

Explain why the marine ecosystem generates a significant fraction of the oxygen in the atmosphere. A) The marine ecosystem generates 32% of the world's primary producers. B) The organisms in the marine ecosystem converts carbon dioxide to oxygen faster than organisms in other ecosystems. C) Sunlight can easily penetrate the marine ecosystem. D) Evaporation is higher in the marine ecosystem than any other ecosystem.

a

Greater temperature fluctuations occur __________. A) in terrestrial ecosystems B) in marine ecosystems C) in river ecosystems D) in lake ecosystems

a

If a predator is eliminated from an ecosystem its prey's population will likely __________. A) increase B) decrease C) increase and then decrease D) change, but the direction cannot be predicted E) stay the same

a

Suppose a predator species became extinct over a short period of time. Which of the following would most likely happen to that predator's prey species in the short term? A) They will increase in numbers. B) Their numbers will decrease significantly. C) They will become extinct as well. D) There will be no change in the prey species. E) They will be preyed upon by a new predator species.

a

The population of bison in a prairie ecosystem has significantly declined. What will most likely happen to the grass population the bison feeds on? A) The grass population will increase. B) The grass population will decrease. C) The grass population will be wiped out. D) The grass population will remain unchanged.

a

Trapping has severely reduced the population of rabbits in an ecosystem, as shown in the bar graph below. What is the most likely effect this will have on other organisms? A) The snake population will decrease rapidly and the grass population will increase rapidly. B) The hawk population will increase rapidly and the rabbit population will decrease rapidly. C) The grass population will decrease rapidly, and the snake population will increase rapidly. D) The grass, rabbit, snake, and hawk populations will all decrease rapidly.

a

Tundra is known for its __________. A) sparse precipitation and extreme cold temperatures B) sparse precipitation and mild winters C) coniferous forests D) heavy rainfall and extreme cold temperatures E) glacial areas

a

What types of organisms will be affected by a decreased supply of water in an ecosystem? A) Producers, consumers, and decomposers will be affected. B) Producers and consumers will be affected. C) Consumers and decomposers will be affected. D) Only producers will be affected. E) Only decomposers will be affected.

a

Which class of organisms gather their energy directly from the sun? A) autotrophs B) carnivores C) herbivores D) detritivores

a

Which of the following are most responsible for the success of the cane toad as an invasive species in Australia? A) venom glands and varied diet B) varied diet and prolific reproduction C) prolific reproduction and strong hind legs D) strong hind legs and venom glands E) ability to camouflage

a

Which of the following is not a part of Darwin's theory of evolution? A) Changes in organisms occur immediately. B) Organisms change over time. C) Species evolution occurs through natural selection. D) Organisms developed from common ancestors.

a

Which organism contributes to soil formation in primary succession? A) lichens B) grass C) small plants D) trees

a

Quaternary consumers are not __________. A) heterotrophs B) prey C) predators D) animals

b

A recent study has shown an increase in the number of predators in an ecosystem. Which of the following is a possible cause for the growth? A) a decrease in the land space available B) an increase in the population of prey it feeds on C) a decrease in the biodiversity of the ecosystem D) an increase in the number of predators that feed on it E) an increase in the plant life in the ecosystem

b

Arrange the events of succession in their proper order. A) pioneer species, plant growth, soil formation, climax species B) pioneer species, soil formation, plant growth, climax species C) soil formation, pioneer species, plant growth, climax species D) soil formation, plant growth, pioneer species, climax species

b

How was the cane toad introduced to Australia? The toad was accidentally introduced when a pet escaped. The toad was intentionally introduced to control the cane beetle population The toad was intentionally introduced to increase the food supply for endangered hawks. The toad was accidentally introduced because it was carried over in shipping crates.

b

If two predators prey upon the same prey species and one of them is eliminated, the population of the second will likely __________. A) be eliminated B) increase C) decrease D) remain the same E) decrease and then remain the same

b

Some mushrooms are poisonous to organisms that eat them. This is an example of __________. A) a physiological adaptation B) a biochemical adaptation C) a ecological adaptation D) a structural adaptation

b

Spittlebugs release foam to hide themselves in branches. What kind of adaptation is this? A) Biochemical B) Ecological C) Structural D) Physiological

b

Suppose a group of bobcats that normally live and hunt in the tops of mountains, start hunting prey at the base of the mountain and move into the valley below. Which of the following will most likely happen to the prey in the valley? A) Their numbers will soon increase. B) Their numbers will soon decrease. C) They will become extinct. D) They will move to the tops of the mountains. E) They will remain unchanged.

b

The ecosystem is the lowest level of the biosphere hierarchy to include __________. A) the animal species present B) weather patterns and soil conditions C) interactions between different species D) the plant species present

b

The proper order, from smallest to largest, for the level of organization is __________. A) population,species,organism,biome,community,ecosystem,biosphere B) organism,species,population,community,ecosystem,biome,biosphere C) biosphere,biome,ecosystem,community,population,species,organism D) community,population,ecosystem,biome,organism,biosphere,species

b

What determines the carrying capacity of an ecosystem? A) the number of different types of organisms in an ecosystem B) the amount of available resources C) the square mileage it encompasses D) the ratio of biotic to abiotic factors

b

What is the lowest level of organization to include both biotic and abiotic factors? A) Organism B) Ecosystem C) Population D) Biome

b

What types of organisms would you expect to see in an area that recently experienced a volcanic eruption? A) trees B) mosses and algae C) grass and bushes D) all types of organisms in fewer numbers

b

Which is not an advantage of using the Pyramid of Energy? A) It takes into account the rate of production over a period of time. B) It assigns the decomposers and detritivores to a particular trophic level. C) There are no inverted pyramids. D) The input of solar energy can be added.

b

Which of the following is a physiological adaptation? A) group hunting B) hyoid bone adapted for roaring C) camouflage D) keen eyesight

b

Which of the following is an adaptation that would not help a lion to catch its prey? A) group hunting B) hyoid bone adapted for roaring C) camouflage D) keen eyesight E) strong jaw bone

b

Which of the following is the best description of the cane toad's introduction to Australia? A) It was a successful biological control mechanism for cane beetles. B) It was a failed biological control mechanism for cane beetles. C) It was a successful method for reducing freshwater crocodile populations. D) It was a failed attempt to eradicate South American fire ants. E) It was a successful attempt to eradicate South American fire ants.

b

Which of the following would be considered a limited resource in the lower depths of the ocean? A) water B) sunlight C) prey D) predators

b

Which of the following is an adaptation that would not help prey avoid a predator? A) keen eyesight B) spines C) camouflage D) fur E) mimicry

b?

A healthy, balanced ecosystem has __________. A) fewer producers than consumers B) more quaternary consumers than primary consumers C) more producers than consumers D) fewer primary consumers than tertiary consumers

c

An ecosystem has experienced a recent decrease in its plant populations. Which of the following is a possible reason for the decline? A) an increase in the number of predators B) a decrease in the number of prey C) a decrease in the available water D) an increase in the available land space E) a decrease in human activities

c

Carnivores have sharp, pointed teeth that allow them to tear flesh from prey. What type of adaptation is this? A) behavior B) biochemical C) structural D) ecological

c

In general the warmest biomes in the world are found __________. A) at the poles B) in the southern hemisphere C) near the equator D) on the western coasts of continents E) in the northern hemisphere

c

In the stable food chain shown below, what would you expect to happen initially if you were to suddenly double the population of rabbits? A) The populations of the other three species would also increase. B) The populations of the other three species would decrease. C) The grass population would decrease. The snake population and hawk population would increase. D) The grass population and hawk population would decrease. The snake population would increase.

c

Kelp plant have been known to grow up to __________. A) 1 foot per week B) 2 inches per day C) 10 inches per day D) 1 inch per hour

c

Rabbits are best described as __________. A) autotrophic herbivores B) heterotrophic omnivores C) heterotrophic herbivores D) autotrophic detritivores

c

The biosphere is best described as the regions of Earth that support __________. A) plant life B) animal life C) all life D) human life E) marine life

c

The brown tree snake is used as an example of a(n) __________. A) poisonous species B) endangered species C) invasive species D) domesticated species

c

Which among these is a biotic factor? A) weather B) water temperature C) interactions between organisms D) sunlight

c

Which of the following is most likely to be a limited resource on the floor of a tropical rainforest? A) water B) shelter C) sunlight D) prey

c

Which of the following scenarios represents change to an ecosystem brought about by biotic factors? A) a wildfire caused by lightning striking a tree B) a flood caused by a severe storm C) a landslide caused by cattle overgrazing D) a volcano E) a mudslide caused by loose soil

c

For the following organisms, choose the correct order of increasing trophic level. A) mushroom, deer, wolf and grass B) mushroom, grass, wolf and deer C) grass, deer, wolf and mushroom D) grass, mushroom, wolf and deer E) grass, wolf, deer, mushroom

c?

All animals are __________. A) autotrophs B) omnivores C) herbivores D) heterotrophs

d

Butterflies laying their eggs on milkweed plants occurs at what level of the biosphere hierarchy? A) ecosystem B) biome C) population D) community E) organism

d

Decomposers such as fungi break down the nutrients in dead plant and animal matter for use by __________. A) tertiary consumers B) primary consumers C) secondary consumers D) producers

d

If a disease strikes the snake population in the food chain shown, what will be the initial effect on the populations of hawks and rabbits? A) The populations of hawks and rabbits will decrease. B) The populations of hawks and rabbits will increase. C) The population of hawks will increase. The population of rabbits will decrease. D) The population of hawks will decrease. The population of rabbits will increase.

d

In what year was On the Origin of Species published? A) 1831 B) 1837 C) 1846 D) 1859

d

Plants in the _________ are succulent because they need to hold and store a lot of moisture. A rainforest B) taiga C) savanna D) desert

d

The principal characteristic that determines whether an aquatic ecosystem is classified as marine or freshwater is __________. A) surface area B) water depth C) temperature D) salinity

d

What are the two main categories of ecosystems? A) effective and ineffective B) marine and freshwater C) biotic and abiotic D) aquatic and terrestrial

d

What is the purpose of mimicry? A) It helps an animal evade predators. B) It allows an animal to fit in with a different species. C) It helps an animal to catch prey. D) All of the above E) None of the above

d

What kind of information can paleontologists not get from studying fossils? A) type of organisms that lived during a particular time period B) physical characteristics of organisms that lived during a particular time period C) type of environment organisms lived in at a particular time period D) number of organisms belonging to a population that existed during a particular time period

d

Which among these is considered as the recycler of the ecosystem? A) grass B) rabbits C) hawks D) mushroom

d

Which of the following has the most biomass? A) quaternary consumers B) secondary consumers C) primary consumers D) producers

d

Which of the following would not reduce the carrying capacity of an ecosystem for a particular prey species? A) drought B) fewer primary producers C) habitat destruction D) fewer predators

d

In a population of finches with mixed beak sizes, which finches would have a better chance of survival if there was a dramatic decrease in rain? A) finches with smaller beaks B) finches with thinner beaks C) finches with curved beaks D) finches with larger beaks

d?

Which ecosystem would you expect to have the greatest access to sunlight? A) open ocean B) lake C) muddy river D) springs E) kelp forest

d?

Which of the following is an example of a physiological adaptation? A) camouflage B) migration C) sharp teeth D) decreased oxygen use E) playing dead

d?

In which biome would you be most likely to enjoy leaves changing color in the fall? A) Taiga B) Rainforests C) Desert D) Tundra E) Temperate Forests

e

Read the description about the relationship between deer, bison, wolves, and bears. Then answer the question. North American deer eat the leaves of shrubs and trees. American bison eat vegetation near the ground. Both of these animals are prey to wolves and bears. Which of the following human activities would most likely result in the growth of the North American deer population? A) increased bison huntingB)increased clearing of land for farmingC)decreased bear huntingD)decreased city buildingE)increased wolf hunting

e

Which of the following represents change to an ecosystem brought about by abiotic factors? A) the increase in plant populations due to human activities B) the increase in a predator population due to the increase in prey population C) the decrease in plant species due to herd grazing D) the extinction of a plant species due to disease E) the decrease in plant populations due to a decrease in the available water supply

e

Why is it necessary to eliminate absolutely all invasive fire ant colonies to eradicate the invasive population? A) Every colony has a major impact on native flora and fauna. B) Fire ant clonies can spread by sending out winged members. C)Even a single remaining colony can rebuild the invasive species' population.D)None of the above.E)All of the above.

e

What are Earth's ten biomes? A) tundra, taiga, grasslands, deciduous forest, chaparral, desert, desert-scrub, savanna, rainforest, and alpine B) alpine, arctic, savanna, chaparral, desert, dry scrub, deciduous forest, taiga, tundra, and grasslands C) grasslands, desert, desert-scrub, savanna, chaparral, tundra, arctic, alpine, evergreen forest, and deciduous forest D) sahara, alpine, tundra, taiga, desert, desert-scrub, rainforest, deciduous forest, chaparral, and grasslands

not b

What most likely caused the rabbit population to decrease over the first time unit shown in the following graph? A) A disease in the population of rabbits B) A decreasing population of grasses C) An increasing population of hawks D) A higher-than-ideal population of snakes

not b