Introduction to Ecology

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the field of ecology?

• The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment

• The classification of living organisms

• The study of rocks and minerals

• The process of photosynthesis

Open Ended

Why is it important to study the interactions between organisms and their environment?

Multiple Select

Which of the following are considered living parts of an ecosystem?

• Plants

• Soil

• Bacteria

• Water

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Water

• Fungi

• Animals

• Protists

Multiple Choice

At which level of organization would you find a group of giraffes living together in a savanna?

• Organism

• Population

• Community

• Ecosystem

Fill in the Blank

A large geographic area defined by climate, plant life, and animal life is called a ___.

Open Ended

Explain how biotic and abiotic factors interact within an ecosystem, using examples from the levels of organization.

Multiple Choice

Which sphere of the Earth system is made up of all water on Earth?

• Cryosphere

• Biosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Geosphere

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the role of the atmosphere in Earth's systems?

• It controls and distributes heat.

• It consists of all living things on earth.

• It is made up of rocks on and inside the earth.

• It forms the oceans and rivers.

Open Ended

In your own words, summarize what you learned about ecology and how organisms interact with their environment.