Ecology Quiz #2

The nonliving aspects of an ecosystem.

• abiotic factors

• biotic factors

An organism that must eat other organisms for energy, name translates to "other feeder"

• autotroph

• heterotroph

• omnivore

• carnivore

The role an organism plays in its environment is its

• habitat

• niche

Answer explanation

The role that a species plays is called its ecological niche. A niche includes more than what an organism eats or where it lives.

The place an organism lives is its

• habitat

• niche

Organisms that only eat plants are called herbivores and they serve as ______________ in an ecosystem.

• producers

• decomposers

• primary consumers

• secondary consumers

Fungi and bacteria breakdown dead and decaying organic matter. This makes them_______.

• producers

• scavengers

• decomposers

• predators

Water, food, predators, space and mates are all examples of _____________ in an ecosystem.

• abiotic factors

• biotic factors

• limiting factors

Answer explanation

Limiting factors are biotic or abiotic factors that restrict the number or reproduction of a population in a community. Water, space, & temperature are abiotic factors. Food and mates are biotic factors.

What is the scientific term for a consumer that eats an animal that is already dead?

• predator

• scavenger

• parasite

• autotroph

The relationship between the lynx and the snowshoe hare is best described as

• parasite - host

• producer - consumer

• predator - prey

Producers (plants) trap energy from the sun and "feed" themselves. All producers are ______.

• autotrophs

• heterotrophs

• omnivores

• carnivores