What is Ecology?
Energy, Producers, and Consumers
Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Cycles of Matter
Miscellaneous
100
The branch of biology dealing with interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment is called... A. Economy B. Modeling C. Recycling D. Ecology
D: Ecology
100
Which of the following descriptions about the organization of an ecosystem is correct? A. Communities make up species, which make up populations B. Populations make up species, which make up communities C. Species make up communities, which make up populations D. Species make up populations, which make up communities
D: Species make up populations, which make up communities
100
Plants are A. Primary Producers B. Primary Consumers C. Herbivores D. Omnivores
A: Primary Producers
100
The repeated movement of water between Earth's surface and the atmosphere is called A. The Water Cycle B. The Condensation Cycle C. Precipitation D. Evaporation
A: The Water Cycle
100
Which of the following organisms does NOT require sunlight to live? A. Chemosynthetic bacteria B. Algae C. Trees D. Photosynthetic bacteria
A: Chemosynthetic bacteria
200
The simplest grouping of more than one kind of organism in the biosphere is A. A population B. A community C. An ecosystem D. A species
B: A community
200
Which ecological inquiry method is an ecologist using when he or she sets up a greenhouse and measures the effects of different levels of carbon dioxide on an endangered plant species? A. Questioning B. Observing C. Experimenting D. Modeling
C: Experimenting
200
The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level is called the A. Organic Mass B. Trophic Mass C. Energy Mass D. Biomass
D: Biomass
200
Carbon cycles through the biosphere in all of the following processes EXCEPT A. Photosynthesis B. Transpiration C. Burning of fossil Fuels D. Decomposition of plants and animals
B: Transpiration
200
In what way are herbivores and carnivores alike? A. They both use photosynthesis to make their own food B. They both obtain energy by consuming other organisms C. They both directly consume producers D. They both are considered to be autotrophs
B: They both obtain energy by consuming other organisms
300
Which of the following is NOT a basic method used by ecologists to study the living world? A. Experimenting B. Animal Training C. Modeling D. Observing
B: Animal Training
300
How do most primary producers make their own food? A. By using light energy to make carbohydrates B. By using chemical energy to make carbohydrates C. By changing water into carbon dioxide D. By breaking down remains to make carbon dioxide
A: By using light energy to make carbohydrates
300
A model of the complex feeding interactions among organisms in a community from producers to decomposers is called a A. Food Web B. Ecosystem C. Food Chain D. Population
A: Food Web
300
Nitrogen fixation is carried out primarily by A. Humans B. Plants C. Bacteria D. Consumers
C: Bacteria
300
Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the environment EXCEPT A. Plant Life B. Soil Type C. Rainfall D. Temperature
A: Plant Life
400
Because of biogeochemical cycling, A. Human activity has no effect on elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter B. Living organisms are not limited by any one nutrient C. Nutrients are circulated throughout the biosphere D. Many nutrients do not reach toxic concentrations in the biosphere
C: Nutrients are circulated throughout the biosphere
400
Only 10 percent of the energy stored in an organism can be passed on to the next trophic level. Of the remaining energy, some is used for the organism's life processes, and the rest is A. Used in reproduction B. Stored as body tissue C. Stored as fat D. Eliminated as heat
D: Eliminated as heat
400
What are the three kinds of ecological pyramids?
Energy, Biomass, and Numbers
400
Which of the following is true about phosphorus? A. Phosphorus is found primarily in the atmosphere B. Phosphorus is an important component of RNA and DNA C. Phosphorus can be "fixed" by lightening D. Phosphorus is released into the air when animals exhale carbon dioxide
B: Phosphorus is an important component of RNA and DNA
400
A word that means the same thing as consumer is...
Heterotroph
500
Which is an example of how biotic and abiotic factors interact? A. Sunlight increases the temperature of pond water B. Water and soil mix together to make mud C. Tree roots split apart rocks in the ground D. Humidity in the air forms fog in a valley
C: Tree roots split apart rocks in the ground
500
Explain how a food web differs from a food chain.
A food chain is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten. A food web is a feeding relationship among the various organisms in an ecosystem that forms a network of complex interactions. A food web links all the food chains in an ecosystem together.
500
What is the base of all ecological pyramids? A. Consumers B. Decomposers C. Producers D. Scavengers
C: Producers
500
Animals get most of the nitrogen they need A. By consuming plants or other animals B. By breathing in atmospheric nitrogen C. Directly from bacteria in the soil D. From the process of denitrification
A: By consuming plants or other animals
500
Describe the flow of energy to a third-level consumer if the producers provide 1500 calories of energy to the first-level consumers.
The first level consumers would provide 10 percent (one tenth) of 1,500 calories, or 150 calories, of energy to second level consumers. The second level consumers would provide one tenth of 150 calories, or 15 calories, of energy to the third level consumer.
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