Energy Test Review

What would happen if pesticides drastically reduced the number of caterpillars in this food chain?

• All populations would be relatively unaffected.
• The strangler fig population would increase; the lizard population would decrease.
• The lizard population would decrease; the strangler fig population would decrease.
• The strangler fig population would be unaffected; the lizard population would decrease.

Students were studying the role of decomposers in composting. A compost bin was set up and filled with sources of carbon and nitrogen, moist soil, and a starter solution containing microorganisms. The graph below shows the change in temperature of the bin after two weeks. What is the most probable cause for the increase in temperature?

• During decomposition, the bacteria gave off moisture which increased the temperature.
• The soil was heated to provide optimal growth conditions for the bacteria.
• During decomposition, the bacteria gave off energy in the form of heat.
• The soil chemistry was altered, which caused an increase in the temperature.

Mushrooms are vital components of the north Texas food chain.
Which description most closely explains why these mushrooms are so important?

• Mushrooms are an important food source for herbivores.
• Mushrooms consume nitrogen from the soil and release it into the atmosphere.
• Without them, organic matter could not be recycled into the food chain.
• The descriptions are false; mushrooms are not vital components of the food chain because most of them are poisonous.

In both the Nitrogen and Carbon cycles, the elements of life cycle through the environment.  Based on your observations and knowledge of matter moving within systems, what is the most important similarity between these two cycles?

• Both demonstrate how matter is continuously used and reused by all members of an ecosystem
• Both demonstrate that matter begins and ends with decomposers
• Both demonstrate that the elements carbon and nitrogen can be found in the soil and the atmosphere
• Both demonstrate how matter is changed through the process of photosynthesis

Complex interactions must occur before solar energy is converted into a form of energy humans need to work and perform many life processes. Choose the sequence that best shows this path of energy.

• radiant energy → mechanical energy → chemical energy
• heat energy → light energy → photosynthesis
• radiant energy → chemical energy → mechanical energy
• mechanical energy → chemical energy → radiant energy

When organisms die, the organic matter in their cells and tissues is returned to the environment for future use.  What is the name of this process?

• Photosynthesis
• Decomposition
• Respiration
• Consumption

Phytoplankton consists mainly of single-celled algae. They live in aquatic ecosystems and conduct photosynthesis. Which is the role of phytoplankton in an ecosystem?

• Consumer
• Decomposer
• Parasite
• Producer

A student noticed that the snow that fell on his family's compost pile melted before the snow in the rest of the yard melted. Which statement BEST explains the student's observation?

• Compost absorbs more sunlight than grass.
• Micoorganisms change chemical energy into solar energy.
• Chemical energy is being converted to heat by microorganisms.
• Microorganisms change the compost into salt, which melts the snow.

Why is it necessary to have sunlight  in this equation?

• Sunlight uses carbon dioxide and water to form sugar.
• The arrow represents the specific direction of sunlight.
• The process cannot occur without energy from the Sun.
• The arrow tells the equation to yield.

The annual goal of the Preservation Middle School Environmental Club is to reduce the amount of solid waste it contributes to the landfill by collecting and composting food waste from the school cafeteria.  Students then collect humus from the compost bins and add it to the planters in the school courtyard.  This composting is a form of —

• respiration
• pollution
• cycling of matter
• fermentation of matter