Ecology Quiz

What is climate?

• The average conditions of temperature and precipitation in a region.

• The average conditions of wind and humidity in a region.

• The average conditions of sunlight and cloud cover in a region.

• The average conditions of soil and vegetation in a region.

Answer explanation

Climate refers to the average conditions of temperature and precipitation in a region over a long period of time. It is not about wind, humidity, sunlight, cloud cover, soil, or vegetation, which are separate aspects of the environment. The correct answer highlights the key components of climate: temperature and precipitation.

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Which factors determine global climate?

• Solar energy, latitude, and transport of heat by winds and ocean currents.

• Solar energy, altitude, and transport of heat by winds and ocean currents.

• Solar energy, longitude, and transport of heat by winds and ocean currents.

• Solar energy, latitude, and transport of heat by rivers and ocean currents.

Answer explanation

The factors that determine global climate include solar energy, latitude, and the transport of heat by winds and ocean currents. Solar energy drives the climate system, while latitude affects the amount of solar energy received. The transport of heat by winds and ocean currents helps distribute this energy across the planet, influencing regional climates.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is a niche?

• The full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions.

• The specific role an organism plays in its environment.

• The interaction between organisms in a community.

• The process of natural selection.

Which of the following is a biotic factor?

• Air

• Water

• Soil

• Predators

Answer explanation

A biotic factor refers to living organisms that affect an ecosystem. The question asks which of the options is a biotic factor. Among air, water, soil, and predators, only predators are living organisms. Therefore, predators are the correct choice as they represent a biotic factor in an ecosystem.

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Which of the following is an abiotic factor?

• Bacteria

• Producers

• Predators

• Air

Answer explanation

In the context of the question, an abiotic factor refers to a non-living part of an ecosystem that influences living organisms. The options provided include Bacteria, Producers, Predators, and Air. Among these, Air is the only abiotic factor as it is not a living organism. Therefore, the correct answer is Air.

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How does competition shape communities?

• By causing species to divide resources, competition helps determine the number and kinds of species in a community and the niche each species occupies.

• By causing species to cooperate and share resources, competition helps determine the number and kinds of species in a community and the niche each species occupies.

• Competition has no effect on communities.

• Competition only affects the size of prey populations.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is that competition shapes communities by causing species to divide resources. This division of resources determines the number and kinds of species in a community and the niche each species occupies. It's not about cooperation or sharing resources, and it's not true that competition has no effect or only affects prey populations.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

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How do predators shape communities?

• Predators can affect the size of prey populations in a community and determine the places that certain plants can survive and grow.

• Predators have no impact on communities.

• Predators only affect the size of predator populations.

• Predators only affect the size of herbivore populations.

Answer explanation

Predators play a crucial role in shaping communities. They can influence the size of prey populations, which in turn affects the overall community structure. Predators can also determine the habitats in which certain plants can survive and grow. This is because the presence or absence of predators can influence the behavior and distribution of herbivores, which are primary consumers of plants. Therefore, the correct answer is that predators can affect prey populations and plant survival.

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What is mutualism?

• Both species benefit.

• One species benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

• One species benefits, while the other is harmed.

• None of the above.

Answer explanation

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit from the interaction. This is reflected in the correct answer, 'Both species benefit.' The other options describe different types of symbiotic relationships, not mutualism.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

What is commensalism?

• Both species benefit.

• One species benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

• One species benefits, while the other is harmed.

• None of the above.

Answer explanation

Commensalism is a type of relationship between two species where one species benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed. This is the correct choice because it accurately describes the nature of commensalism. The other options are incorrect as they describe different types of species interactions, not commensalism.

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What is parasitism?

• Both species benefit.

• One species benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

• One species benefits, while the other is harmed.

• None of the above.

Answer explanation

Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. The host is harmed in this relationship, while the parasite derives benefit. This aligns with the correct option: 'One species benefits, while the other is harmed.'

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