Unit 3 Test review (biodiversity, succession, ecosystem)

Which of the following represents a population?

• All the fish in a pond

• A single fish

• Fish, plants, and insects in a pond

• The water, soil, and rocks in a pond

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'All the fish in a pond', represents a population because it includes all individuals of a species in a specific area, while the other options refer to individual organisms or different species.

What level of organization includes both living and nonliving components in a particular area?

• population

• community

• ecosystem

• organism

Answer explanation

An ecosystem includes both living organisms (like plants and animals) and nonliving elements (such as water and soil) in a specific area, making it the correct choice for this question.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What term describes a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area?

• Population

• Community

• Species

• Ecosystem

Answer explanation

The term 'Population' refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. In contrast, 'Community' includes multiple species, 'Species' refers to the type itself, and 'Ecosystem' encompasses both living and non-living components.

If a scientist studies interactions between squirrels, birds, and trees in a forest, they are focusing on which level of organization?

• Organism

• Population

• Community

• Biosphere

Answer explanation

The scientist is studying interactions among different species (squirrels and birds) and their environment (trees), which defines a community. A community includes all the populations of different species in a specific area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and organisms is called a ________.

• community

• biosphere

• biome

• population

Answer explanation

A biome is a large area characterized by its climate and specific types of plants and animals. It encompasses multiple ecosystems that share these features, making 'biome' the correct answer.

Match each level of organization to its correct example:

1. 1. Organism

2. 2. Population

3. 3. Community

4. 4. Ecosystem

• 1- A single wolf, 2 - A pack of wolves, 3 - Wolves, deer, and trees, 4 - A forest with animals, plants, and water

• 1- A pack of wolves, 2 - A single wolf, 3 - Wolves, deer, and trees, 4 - Rocks and soil

• 1- A forest with animals, plants, and water, 2 - A single wolf, 3 - Wolves, deer, and trees, 4 - A pack of wolves

• 1- Wolves, deer, and trees, 2 - A forest with animals, plants, and water, 3 - A single wolf, 4 - A pack of wolves

Answer explanation

The correct matches are: 1 - A single wolf (organism), 2 - A pack of wolves (population), 3 - Wolves, deer, and trees (community), 4 - A forest with animals, plants, and water (ecosystem).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

What is primary succession?

• Succession that occurs in areas where life has previously existed

• Succession that starts on bare rock or areas without soil

• Succession that occurs in forests

• Succession that replaces aquatic ecosystems

Answer explanation

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, such as bare rock or regions without soil, where new ecosystems develop from scratch. This distinguishes it from secondary succession, which happens in previously inhabited areas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following is an example of a pioneer species?

• Oak trees

• Moss and lichen

• Deer

• Birds

Answer explanation

Moss and lichen are pioneer species that colonize bare or disturbed environments, helping to create soil for other plants. They are among the first organisms to establish in such areas, unlike oak trees, deer, or birds.

What is secondary succession?

• Succession that occurs on bare rock

• Succession in an area that has existing soil but was disturbed

• Succession that only includes animals

• Succession that is unrelated to human activites

Answer explanation

Secondary succession occurs in areas where soil is already present but has been disturbed, allowing ecosystems to recover and re-establish after events like fires or human activities.

Which of the following disturbances could lead to primary succession?

• Forrest fire

• Hurricane

• Volcanic eruption creating new rock

• Flooding

Answer explanation

Primary succession occurs on newly formed surfaces, like those created by a volcanic eruption. Unlike forest fires, hurricanes, or flooding, which disturb existing ecosystems, volcanic eruptions create bare rock for new life to colonize.