Ecosystems Review

Which statement best describes both forest and grassland ecosystems?

• Both are aquatic (water-based) ecosystems.

• Both are terrestrial (land-based) ecosystems.

• Both are made up of mostly trees.

• Both are always found in cold places.

How are estuaries different from ponds, lakes, and oceans?

• Estuaries contain only salt water.

• Estuaries contain only freshwater.

• Estuaries contain a mixture of both salt water and freshwater.

• Estuaries are terrestrial (land-based) ecosystems.

How are mushrooms, bacteria, and worms best classified in a terrestrial (land-based) ecosystem?

• They are best classified as decomposers.

• They are best classified as producers.

• They are best classified as consumers.

• They are best classified as both producers and consumers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

What information does a food chain represent about an ecosystem?

• The flow of water through an ecosystem.

• The flow of food between animals.

• The flow of food between decomposers.

• The flow of energy from the sun, to producers, to a series of consumers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

In a grassland ecosystem, mice and rabbits eat plants. Hawks eat mice and rabbits. Suppose a disease kills many of the rabbits in the grassland. Which of the following is most likely to occur?

• The mice will move to another grassland.

• The hawks will eat more mice.

• The mice will run out of food.

• The hawks will begin to eat plants.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How are plants and algae best classified in an aquatic (water-based) ecosystem?

• Plants and algae are best classified as producers.

• Plants and algae are best classified as consumers.

• Plants and algae are best classified as decomposers.

• Plants and algae are best classified as abiotic (nonliving).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Which statement best describes how organisms get energy?

• Decomposers get energy directly from the sun.

• Consumers eat only other consumers for energy.

• Consumers eat only producers for energy.

• Decomposers feed on decaying organisms and wastes for energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Eelgrass is a flowering underwater plant. It has wide green leaves and its roots anchor the plant in the muddy or sandy soil. Eelgrass is a source of food for birds and turtles in an estuary ecosystem. What might happen to the bird and turtle populations in the estuary ecosystem if eelgrass is removed to build a bridge?

• The turtle population might increase (get bigger) and the bird population might decrease

  (get smaller).

• The turtle population might decrease (get smaller) and the bird population might increase

  (get bigger).

• Both the turtle and bird populations might decrease (get smaller).

• Both the turtle and bird populations might increase (get bigger).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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Rabbits eat field grains such as wheat and oats. Great horned owls eat rabbits. Bacteria feed on the wastes of organisms and decaying (nonliving) organisms.

Which would most likely cause the population of great horned owls to decrease (get smaller)?

• An increase (more) in the number of field grain plants

• A decrease (less) in the number of bacteria

• An increase (more) in the number of rabbits

• A decrease (less) in the number of rabbits

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which food chain below models the flow of energy from a producer to a consumer to another consumer?

• crow -> caterpillar -> shrub

• shrub -> caterpillar -> crow

• hawk -> shrub -> caterpillar

• caterpillar -> shrub -> hawk

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3