Ecology Practice Test

What is ecology?

• The study of only animals

• The study of interactions between organisms and their environment

• The study of plants only

• The study of rocks

Answer explanation

Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment, encompassing both plants and animals, rather than focusing solely on one group or on non-living elements like rocks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which is a biotic factor?

• Sunlight

• Water

• Plants

• Rocks

Answer explanation

Plants are biotic factors as they are living organisms that interact with other living things in an ecosystem. In contrast, sunlight, water, and rocks are abiotic factors, as they are non-living components.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What are abiotic factors?

• Living parts of an environment

• Non-living parts of an environment

• Animals

• Plants

Answer explanation

Abiotic factors refer to the non-living parts of an environment, such as water, sunlight, and minerals. This distinguishes them from biotic factors, which are the living parts like animals and plants.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which level of organization includes multiple populations?

• Organism

• Community

• Ecosystem

• Population

Answer explanation

The community level of organization includes multiple populations of different species interacting in a specific area. This distinguishes it from a population, which consists of individuals of the same species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Primary producers are also known as:

• Herbivores

• Autotrophs

• Carnivores

• Omnivores

Answer explanation

Primary producers, or autotrophs, are organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They form the base of the food chain, unlike herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, which rely on other organisms for energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which process do plants use to create energy?

• Photosynthesis

• Respiration

• Decomposition

• Chemosynthesis

Answer explanation

Plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into energy-rich compounds like glucose, making it the correct process for energy creation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Which organisms perform photosynthesis?

• Consumers

• Primary producers

• Decomposers

• Omnivores

Answer explanation

Photosynthesis is primarily carried out by primary producers, such as plants and algae, which convert sunlight into energy. Consumers and decomposers do not perform photosynthesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

What is a food chain?

• A network of food webs

• Steps where organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

• A cycle of nutrients

• A type of ecosystem

Answer explanation

A food chain is defined as a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten. This highlights the direct relationships between different species in an ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

How much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?

• 100%

• 50%

• 10%

• 1%

Answer explanation

Typically, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next. This is due to energy loss through metabolic processes and heat, making 10% the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which organisms break down dead matter?

• Herbivores

• Decomposers

• Carnivores

• Omnivores

Answer explanation

Decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores consume living plants or animals, not dead matter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3