Unit 5: Ecology

Which of the following CORRECTLY explains how atmospheric nitrogen is converted to nitrogen compounds used by living organisms?

• Bacteria in soil convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by plants.

• Invertebrate animals in soil convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by fungi.

• Sunlight converts atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by protists.

• Plant leaves convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by animals.

Scientists are investigating the cause of the large increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration since about 1800. Which of the following provides the BEST explanation for the increase seen in the graph?

• Natural fluctuations of climate.

• Eruptions of large volcanoes.

• Use of fossil fuels by humans.

• Photosynthesis by phytoplankton.

If decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, were removed from the earth, what would the GREATEST consequence be to the carbon cycle?

• Limestone in the oceans would degrade and ruin coral reef ecosystems.

• Excess carbon dioxide would accumulate in the atmosphere.

• Plants would no longer be able to photosynthesize.

• Organic compounds (carbon) would fail to recycle.

Part of a tundra food web is shown in the image. Which of the following describes the relationship between the sedge and the arctic hare?

• competition

• host-parasite

• mutualism

• producer-consumer

In one of the steps of the carbon cycle, a person exhales a molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY to happen next to the atom of carbon in this molecule?

• It may become part of a protein in an animal.

• It may be consumed as a fossil fuel is burned.

• It may be used as part of a sugar in a plant through photosynthesis.

• It may be decomposed into carbon and oxygen by a bacterium.

What happens during transpiration?

• Water vapor leaves the ocean.

• Carbon dioxide is used to glucose in plants

• water vapor is released from plants

• water falls to earth's surface as rain

True or False: Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast & Cellular respiration takes place in the nucleus

• True! Those are the 2 organelles used

• False: Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria

"All the living and non-living things in a particular area" is the definition for which vocabulary word?

• Ecosystem

• Biome

• Biodiversity

• Abiotic Factors

Fill in the blank: The non-living things in an ecosystems are called __________ factors.

Which one of the following is NOT an adaptation of this Polar bear?

• Thick fur to keep them warm

• Big claws to help them catch prey

• White coloration to help them camouflage

• Wings to help them fly