STAAR Biology Challenge

Front

What essential element is converted to a usable form by rhizobium bacteria in leguminous plants?

Back

Nitrogen

Front

What is the primary role of producers in an energy pyramid?

Back

Producers convert sunlight into energy, forming the base of the energy pyramid.

Front

What is punctuated equilibrium in the context of evolution?

Back

Punctuated equilibrium is a theory that suggests species evolve rapidly during short periods of time, followed by long periods of stability.

Front

What type of relationship is represented when one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed?

Back

Commensalism.

Front

What is the function of the cell membrane?

Back

To regulate what enters and leaves the cell.

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

What is parasitism?

Back

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Front

What is the significance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in ecosystems?

Back

They convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants, enriching the soil.

Front

What does an energy pyramid illustrate?

Back

The flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Front

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Back

A food chain shows a linear sequence of energy transfer, while a food web illustrates the interconnected relationships among multiple food chains.