Ecology and Ecosystems Quiz

Gerald is studying the plants and animals of a meadow. He classifies the grasses and clover as (autotrophs / consumers / decomposers / heterotrophs) because they make their own food through the process of (chemosynthesis / decomposition / photosynthesis / regurgitation).

• decomposers

• consumers

• photosynthesis

• autotrophs

• heterotrophs

Lana concludes that all of the deer in a forest are members of the same (geosphere / ecosystem / species / hydrosphere) because they look alike and breed with one another. She observes how the deer (population / community / ecosystem / biosphere) interacts with trees, wolves, and other living things of the forest (population / community / species / geosphere).

• species

• community

• geosphere

• ecosystem

• hydrosphere

The three main gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere are (carbon dioxide/ oxygen / nitrogen / hydrogen), methane, and water vapor. They contribute to the (climate / ecosystem / greenhouse / biosphere) effect, which makes Earth’s temperatures warmer than they would be otherwise.

• oxygen

• hydrogen

• carbon dioxide

• nitrogen

• greenhouse

A scientist is developing a computer model to determine the maximum population size, or (carrying capacity / limiting factors / limiting population / immigration factors), of eagles and other birds of prey in a forest ecosystem. The model should represent all of the (carrying capacity / limiting factors / limiting population / immigration factors) that affect the populations.

• carrying capacity

• limiting factors

• limiting population

• immigration factors

A flea and dog are an example of (commensalism / herbivory / mutualism / parasitism), because the flea irritates the dog’s skin and feeds on its blood. Certain bacteria live in the digestive tract of humans, and their relationship is an example of (commensalism / herbivory / mutualism / parasitism) because the bacteria help humans to break down the food they eat.

• commensalism

• herbivory

• mutualism

• parasitism

In the open ocean, tiny organisms called (animal plankton / bacteria / decomposers / phytoplankton) perform photosynthesis. They are the primary producers in many (ecological pyramids / food chains / food webs / trophic levels) that overlap to form a(n) (ecological pyramid / food chain / food web / trophic level).

• food chain

• food web

• phytoplankton

• animal plankton

• bacteria

Carrying capacity is the

• Maximum number of predators in an ecosystem.

• Minimum number of prey in an ecosystem.

• Maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available.

• The amount of space available for a species in an ecosystem.

A cell is the

• Largest organ in an organism.

• Basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known organisms.

• Only found in animals.

• Only found in plants.

Biotic factors are

• Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as water and rocks.

• All living organisms in an environment, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.

• The physical and chemical conditions of an environment.

• The rate at which energy is transferred through an ecosystem.

An enzyme

• Slows down chemical reactions.

• Acts as a biological catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction.

• Is only found in plants.

• Requires sunlight to function.