Class Act
Put these taxonomic levels in order from broadest to most specific: species, family, kingdom, genus, phylum, class, order.
A leech sucks blood from a human, which benefits the leech but harms the human. Which ecological relationship does this scenario represent?
parasitism
True or False? Although they do not contain organelles, viruses contain DNA and RNA as their genetic material.
False; DNA OR RNA
Which ecological level of organization consists of one individual living thing?
organism
Which trophic level contains organisms that make their own food?
producers/autotrophs
What is the scientific naming system that gives every organism a two-part name?
binomial nomenclature
An orchid grows high on the branches of a tree in the rain forest, allowing it to receive more sunlight. It obtains its nutrients from rainwater and debris, rather than from the tree itself. The tree experiences no measurable effect. Which ecological interaction does this scenario represent?
commensalism
What do you call the structure that surrounds and protects a virus?
protein coat/capsid
Several populations of different species living and interacting within the same area form which level of ecological organization?
community
In the food chain tree -> giraffe -> lion, which type of consumer is the giraffe?
primary consumer/herbivore
In the scientific name Panthera leo, which level of classification does Panthera represent?
genus
Two tropical birds perform mating dances in an effort to gain the attention of a female of their species. Which ecological interaction is occurring in this scenario?
competition
Can viruses reproduce independently (by themselves)?
No, they require hosts.
An ecologist studies fish, algae, bacteria, water temperature, sunlight, and dissolved oxygen in a pond. Which ecological level of organization is the ecologist studying?
ecosystem
What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
They break down dead organisms/waste and return materials to the environment.
On a cladogram, Species A and B share a more recent common ancestor than either one shares with Species C. Which two species are most closely related?
Species A and B
D͓̽A͓̽I͓̽L͓̽Y͓̽ ͓̽D͓̽O͓̽U͓̽B͓̽L͓̽E͓̽!!!: Consider the following scenarios: A tapeworm obtains nutrients from a mammal's intestines, reducing the nutrients available to the mammal. Nearby, another mammal feeds peacefully on grass. Which of these represents an example of symbiosis: one or the other, both, or neither?
the tapeworm and the mammal
Name one structure or cellular feature found in cells but absent from viruses.
[Any organelle serves as a correct response.]
A researcher expands her study from all the organisms in a rain forest, to include the rain forest's soil, rainfall, temperature, and sunlight. From which level of ecological organization to which has she moved her study?
community to ecosystem
In the food chain algae -> zooplankton -> small fish -> tuna, identify the tertiary consumer.
tuna
Two organisms look very similar, but they appear on distant branches of a cladogram. What does this suggest about their evolutionary relationship?
Even though they look alike, they are not closely related. They share a relatively distant common ancestor.
Birds and mice feed on the same limited supply of seeds. A falcon begins preying heavily on the bird species, causing its population to decline. Identify the two different ecological interactions occurring in this scenario, and explain the expected effect on the abundance of mice over time. (increase, decrease, or remain the same)
Competition is occurring between the birds and the mice. Predation is occurring between the falcon and the birds. The mouse population would be expected to increase.
Scientists discover an infectious particle containing DNA and RNA inside a cell wall. Is it most likely a virus or a bacterium? Explain your answer.
It is most likely a bacterium, because viruses do not contain a cell wall. Furthermore, viruses contain either DNA OR RNA, but never both.
D̾A̾I̾L̾Y̾ ̾D̾O̾U̾B̾L̾E̾!!!: Name an example of a population.
[any multiple members of the same species, living together in one relatively small, contiguous (a.k.a. connected) area, at the same time]
An organism eats both producers and primary consumers. Which two trophic levels does this organism technically occupy?
primary consumer and secondary consumer