Unit 2: Populations

A population of baboons has access to plenty of food, shelter, and space to live but has an inadequate supply of water. Which of these BEST defines the water in this case?

• limiting factor

• limiting reagent

• Darwinian shortfall

• biochemical constraint

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A prey population typically increases when its primary predator is removed from the ecosystem. What MOST likely happens after this increase in the prey population?

• Other members of the ecosystem become predators and hunt the prey.

• Disease transmission affects the prey’s ability to reproduce.

• Food shortages and disease reduce the prey population.

• Humans successfully manage the prey population.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A food web for an ecosystem is shown. The removal of which of these would negatively affect the MOST populations in this ecosystem?

• Snakes

• Owls

• Frogs

• Insects

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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Use the population graph to answer the question that follows. During which year did the population MOST likely encounter a severe drought and forest fire?

• 1992

• 1993

• 1995

• 1996

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Scientists have found that high temperatures and lack of rainfall can result in a sharp decline in the number of fish in a lake. This is MOST likely an example of what process?

• abiotic factors increasing runoff pollution

• abiotic factors decreasing the availability of resources

• biotic factors increasing the salt content of water resources

• biotic factors contributing to the decline in the amount of plant life

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which is a biotic limiting factor that would influence the growth of a deer population?

• a forest fire

• high temperatures

• amount of plant growth

• amount of monthly rainfall

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which describes the impact predators have on the population growth of the prey?

• Predators maintain the prey population.

• Predators increase the prey population growth.

• Predators decrease the prey population growth.

• Predators have no impact on the prey population growth.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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Which scenario provides the best example for the basis of a food web?

• A snake is eaten by a hawk.

• The grass is eaten by grasshoppers.

• The sun provides energy to the grass.

• Trees produce acorns which are eaten by mice, insects, and deer.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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In order for an ecological pyramid of biomass to remain stable and support an ecosystem, which trophic levels will have to remain the largest in the majority of ecosystems?

• primary producers

• primary consumers 

• tertiary consumers 

• secondary consumers 

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

How is disease affected by a population’s size?

• Population size has no effect on the spread of disease. 

• As population size increases, the spread of disease is increased.

• As population size increases, the spread of disease is decreased. 

• As population size decreases, the spread of disease is increased.

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