SC.912.L.17.5- Populations Review Questions

Which of the following statements best describes the diagram above?

• A population overshot carrying capacity, used up its resources too quickly, and plummeted to a new carrying capacity

• A predator was introduced to tame the population growth a population overshot carrying capacity.

• A population was flourishing when a natural disaster hit and lowered the carrying capacity.

• A population was flourishing when a mutation occurred in the gene pool, which produced sterile males, effectively shrinking population size

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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Since the 1900s, the human population has increased in Florida. As a result, much of the fresh water that had previously made its way to the Everglades has been diverted and moved elsewhere for human use (away from its original location). This would cause...

• an increase in the amount of erosion in the Everglades

• a decrease in the amount of salt water in the Everglades

• a decrease in the populations of native plants and animals

• an increase in the reproductive rates of native plants and animals

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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In a forested region, mountain lions and wolves prey upon the deer population to near disappearance. To protect the deer population, most of the mountain lions and wolves in this region were eliminated through hunting. As a result, over-hunting occurred and the deer population increased rapidly. After several years, what MOST likely will happen to the deer population in the absence of its predators?

• It will stabilize as the birth rate equals the death rate.

• It will continue to increase steadily from year to year.

• It will increase as other herbivores move into the region.

• It will decrease due to overcrowding causing a food shortage

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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In Graph 1, there are no external factors acting on a population. What is the MOST likely factor causing the change in Graph 2?

• the maximum rate of adaptation

• the limitation of genetic diversity

• the maximum rate of reproduction

• the limitation of available resources

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The graph above shows changes in the size of a rabbit population over a 12 year period. Which of the following BEST accounts for the change in population size?

• low emigration, high birth rate

• low birth rate, low death rate

• high immigration, high death rate

• high birth rate, high death rate

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following best describes what is happening between time 1 and 2 on the graph above?

• The decrease in prey has led to a decrease in predators.

• The decrease in the prey has led to an increase in the predator population.

• Both populations are increasing and have gone over the carrying capacity.

• When the prey decreases the predators increase because they have enough food to survive.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

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Which of the following best describes the relationship between the two lines on the graph above.

• Predators and prey have no relation and do not affect one another.

• The prey and predators regulate and control one another's populations.

• As the prey decreases the predator population will always increase.

• As the predator population increases, the prey will always increase.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

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A species of cactus is adapted to a desert climate. Over a period of many years, the climate becomes wetter. How will the cactus population likely change?

• It will shrink as the climate becomes less suitable for the cactus.

• It will fluctuate but remain at approximately the same level.

• There is no way to predict the change in the cactus population.

• It will grow as more water resources become available.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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In an Antarctic ecosystem, phytoplanktons are the main producers. A species of zooplankton, called krill, are the primary consumers. To some extent, fish, penguins, seals, whales, and other animals of the ecosystem depend on the krill to survive. Which of these is a biotic factor in this ecosystem?

• The amount of ice at any given time.

• The temperature of the air and water.

• The size of the krill population.

• The amount of salt in the ocean water.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A forest area is cleared for farms. A few years later, the farms are abandoned, letting weeds and grasses overtake the land. If the area is not disrupted again by natural forces or human activity, what will MOST likely happen over a long period of time?

• The area will continue to be dominated by grasses.

• The grasses will be replaced by shrubs and trees similar to those that made up the original forest reaching the climax community.

• The grasses will deplete the resources available.

• The area will support the growth of small shrubs, but will not be able to support a forest again.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4