Preview Ecosystem Interactions and Survival Quiz

What is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Plants

• Water

• Animals

• Bacteria

Answer explanation

An abiotic factor is a non-living component of an ecosystem. Water is essential for life and influences the environment, making it an abiotic factor. In contrast, plants, animals, and bacteria are all biotic factors.

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Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Sunlight

• Soil

• Fish

• Temperature

Answer explanation

Fish are living organisms and represent a biotic factor in an ecosystem, while sunlight, soil, and temperature are abiotic factors, as they are non-living components that affect the environment.

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What happens to the energy flow in a food web if a top predator is removed?

• Energy flow increases

• Energy flow decreases

• Energy flow remains the same

• Energy flow stops completely

Answer explanation

Removing a top predator disrupts the balance of the food web, leading to an increase in prey populations. This can result in overgrazing or depletion of primary producers, ultimately decreasing the overall energy flow in the ecosystem.

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How does the removal of plants affect the cycling of matter in an ecosystem?

• Increases cycling of matter

• Decreases cycling of matter

• No effect on cycling of matter

• Stops cycling of matter

Answer explanation

The removal of plants decreases cycling of matter because plants play a crucial role in nutrient uptake and energy flow. Without them, decomposition and nutrient recycling are hindered, leading to reduced matter cycling in the ecosystem.

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Which of the following describes a healthy ecosystem?

• High pollution levels

• Balanced interactions between organisms

• Lack of biodiversity

• Overpopulation of one species

Answer explanation

A healthy ecosystem is characterized by balanced interactions between organisms, which promotes stability and resilience. High pollution, lack of biodiversity, and overpopulation disrupt these interactions, leading to an unhealthy environment.

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How can human activities be beneficial to an ecosystem?

• By introducing invasive species

• By conserving natural habitats

• By polluting water sources

• By deforestation

Answer explanation

Human activities can benefit ecosystems by conserving natural habitats, which helps maintain biodiversity and supports the health of various species. This contrasts with harmful actions like pollution and deforestation.

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What structure helps fish to survive in water?

• Wings

• Gills

• Legs

• Feathers

Answer explanation

Gills are specialized structures that allow fish to extract oxygen from water, enabling them to breathe and survive in aquatic environments. Other options like wings, legs, and feathers are not suited for underwater life.

Which function of a bird's beak helps it to survive in its environment?

• Swimming

• Flying

• Catching food

• Digging

Answer explanation

A bird's beak is primarily adapted for catching food, which is essential for its survival. Different beak shapes and sizes allow birds to access various food sources, making this function crucial in their environment.

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What is an example of an instinctual behavioral trait?

• A dog learning to fetch

• A cat using a litter box

• Turtle hatchlings returning to the sea

• A parrot mimicking speech

Answer explanation

Turtle hatchlings returning to the sea is an instinctual behavior, as it is an innate response to their environment. Unlike learned behaviors, this action is hardwired and essential for their survival.

Which of the following is a learned behavioral trait?

• Birds migrating south for the winter

• Bears hibernating in the winter

• Orcas hunting in packs

• Spiders spinning webs

Answer explanation

Orcas hunting in packs is a learned behavior, as young orcas observe and mimic their elders. In contrast, the other options are instinctual behaviors that do not require learning from others.