6th_Unit 3 Review Quiz

At what level of organization in an ecosystem is an individual plant or animal?

• Population

• Organism

• Community

• Ecosystem

Answer explanation

An individual plant or animal is classified as an 'Organism' in an ecosystem. This level represents a single living entity, while 'Population' refers to a group of the same species, and 'Community' and 'Ecosystem' involve multiple organisms.

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Ecosystem is the level of organization that is best described as including -

• only a single individual of a single species plant or animal.

• two species that live in the same habitat and depend on each other

• all of the abiotic factors which characterize a geographic area

• various species in an area and the abiotic factors which they depend on

Answer explanation

An ecosystem includes various species interacting with each other and their abiotic environment, such as water, soil, and climate. This choice accurately reflects the complexity of ecosystems compared to the other options.

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Which of the following is an example of an interaction of a biotic factor with an abiotic factor in an ocean ecosystem?

• A jellyfish staining its prey

• A killer whale eating harbor seals

• Dolphins communicating with each other

• A sea turtle burying its eggs in sand

Answer explanation

A sea turtle burying its eggs in sand illustrates the interaction of a biotic factor (the turtle) with an abiotic factor (the sand), as the turtle uses the sand to protect its eggs from predators and environmental conditions.

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Four species were introduced to a new ecosystem. The number of organisms for each population for the first one hundred days are plotted in the graph below. Which species was first to reach their carrying capacity?

• Species 1

• Species 2

• Species 3

• Species 4

Answer explanation

Species 4 was the first to reach its carrying capacity, as indicated by the graph showing its population stabilizing before the others within the first hundred days.

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An example of a predator and a prey species for four separate ecosystems is provided below. Which of the following would demonstrate an appropriate prediction for the changes to one of the populations of organisms due to a predator/prey interaction?

• After a period of heavy rain and warmer temperatures, the population of mosquitos will increase.

• During hunting season, when many deer are killed by hunters, the mountain lion population will decline.

• When abundant resources allow the population of mice to increase, the population of snakes will decrease.

• When the population of sharks decreases because of fishing, the population of small fish will decreases.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that a decline in deer population due to hunting leads to a decrease in mountain lions, demonstrating the predator-prey relationship where the predator's population is affected by the availability of prey.

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The relationships that organisms have with one another are an important part of the balance among species within ecosystems. Which type of symbiotic relationship occurs when ecological niches overlap, and multiple organisms seek the same resources?

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predation

• Competition

Answer explanation

Competition occurs when multiple organisms seek the same resources due to overlapping ecological niches, leading to a struggle for survival. This distinguishes it from parasitism, commensalism, and predation.

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Remoras are fish that attach themselves to the underside of larger organisms, such as sharks. Which of the following observations best supports is relationship as an example of mutualism?

• Remoras get food by cleaning parasites from the sharks.

• Remoras sometimes associate with animals other than sharks.

• Remoras are capable of swimming on their own quite well.

• Like sharks, remoras reproduce by laying eggs.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights mutualism because remoras benefit by cleaning parasites from sharks, while sharks receive a cleaning service, illustrating a mutually beneficial relationship.

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Predation and parasitism are similar because in both predation and parasitism -

• both organisms receive a benefit.

• one organism is harmed while the other benefits.

• one organism is neither harmed nor benefits.

• both organisms are harmed in some way.

Answer explanation

Predation and parasitism both involve one organism benefiting at the expense of another. In predation, the predator benefits by consuming the prey, while in parasitism, the parasite benefits by living off the host, which is harmed.

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The energy organisms need to live and grow first enters a lake ecosystem when –

• plants take in radiant energy from the Sun

• decomposers break down dead organisms

• primary consumers eat plants for food

• secondary consumers eat primary consumers

Answer explanation

The energy in a lake ecosystem originates when plants take in radiant energy from the Sun through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain. This energy is then transferred to other organisms.

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Scientists studying two adjacent ecosystems observe different varieties of organisms in the two areas. All of the following factors would contribute to the differing varieties of organisms in these two habitats EXCEPT -

• climate.

• soil type.

• water resources.

• wind.

Answer explanation

Wind does not significantly affect the variety of organisms in ecosystems compared to climate, soil type, and water resources, which directly influence habitat conditions and species diversity.

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