Levels of Organization

Woodpeckers, raccoons, hawks, and bacteria are some of the different types of organisms living in a forest. At what level of organization can a study of interactions among these organisms be done?

• Community

• Niche

• Population

• Species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The image shows a desert biome.

A student claims that both the cactus and sand are biotic factors. Is the student correct?

• No; the sand is made up of small rock fragments.

• No; 94% of the cactus is water.

• Yes; the cactus and the sand are found on the ground.

• Yes; the cactus and the sand are habitats for animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A student makes a diagram to show a level of organization in the ocean.

Which level of organization does the student show?

• Community

• Ecosystem

• Population

• Species

A student designed a model to represent a community.

What change should the student make to represent the community more accurately?

• Remove the tree from the model.

• Remove the elephant from the model.

• Add abiotic factors like water and soil to the model.

• Add more types of animals and plants to the model.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A student makes a model to demonstrate a functioning ecosystem by filling a glass jar with water and adding two goldfish and two butterfly fish. The student’s teacher says that the model could be improved.

What should the student do to improve the model?

• The student should add more goldfish or butterfly fish to the jar.

• The student should keep the glass jar in sunlight.

• The student should change the water of the jar daily.

• The student should add small rocks and aquatic plants to the jar.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What would be considered a biotic factor for a frog's habitat?

• the algae where the frog lays its eggs

• the air that the frog breathes

• the rocks on which the frog suns itself

• the water in which the frog lives

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which statement describes the niche of a specific population within an ecosystem?

• Bees swarm around a trash can.

• Male birds sing to mark their territory.

• Beetles inhabit a hollow log feeding on decaying wood.

• Male deer rub their antlers on tree trunks to remove the velvet.

The table lists some characteristics of a particular area.

What is the highest level of organization within an ecosystem that is being described?

• biome

• community

• niche

• population

A student creates a model of a garden ecosystem by filling a plastic crate with garden soil. The student sows the seeds of three different plants into the soil, places the crate outside, and waters the plants regularly. A teacher tells the student that the model can be improved.

What should the student do to improve the model?

• Sow more seeds of the same plant in the crate.

• Introduce several worms into the soil.

• Change the location of the crate to a room without windows.

• Decrease the amount of water given to the plants in the crate.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which scenario describes a population?

• all of the mice living in a barn

• a squirrel eating acorns

• a log providing shelter for beetles, spiders, and snakes

• all of the sunfish, bass, and catfish living in a lake

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4