Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?

• all the living organisms in an area and their physical surroundings
• a region with a distinct climate
• all the living organisms of the same species throughout the world
• all the living organisms in an area

A pod of dolphins hunting and feeding on a school of fish is an example of

• an ecosystem interaction.
• a population interaction.
• a community interaction.
• a biome interaction.

The animal species shown above would most likely be found wild in which of the following biomes?

• grassland
• temperate forest
• tropical rainforest
• arctic tundra

The taiga biome that covers most of Alaska is pictured above.  Which of the following only lists biotic factors that can be found in this ecosystem?

• freezing temperatures, low precipitation, bogs, and acidic soil
• owls, poor soils, moss, and caribou
• moss, aspen trees, weasels, and raccoons
• birch trees, short summers, lichen ground cover, and bears

What is the ultimate source of energy for all ecosystems?

• the Sun
• plants
• secondary consumers
• primary consumers

The energy pyramid below shows a possible amount of energy, in kilocalories, available in the organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.  According to the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed.  If this is true, why is there less energy in the top of the energy pyramid than there is in the bottom of the energy pyramid?

• Energy is lost between each trophic level as heat.
• The law of conservation of energy does not apply to ecosystems.
• Organisms in the top of the energy pyramid use up energy the fastest.
• The extra energy in the bottom is slower to reach the top.

In a simple food chain, small fish eat algae; bigger fish eat the smaller fish; bears eat the bigger fish. 
Using the above scenario, which of these would have the largest amount of energy?

• algae
• bears
• big fish
• small fish

In the organization of living things, a ______________ would include the largest number of individuals.

• community
• population
• ecosystem
• species

The snake in this food chain is a

• producer

• primary consumer

• secondary consumer

The rabbit, field mouse, and the deer are all

• producers

• primary consumers

• secondary consumers

• tertiary consumers