Interdependence of Living Systems #2

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Plants grow in many different shapes and sizes. Much of their shape depends on an internal structure that is composed of carbon-containing molecules such as cellulose and lignin. Plants that have a strong internal structure can grow larger than other plants because their structure can support their size. Plants obtain the majority of the carbon necessary for building these structural molecules from what abiotic factor?

• air
• microorganisms
• soil
• water
• temperature

In the densely forested areas, the trees were within 1 m of each other. The scientists observed that these trees had dead branches near the ground. They measured the height above the ground at which the first living branches were found on different-sized trees in the forest. Then they repeated this procedure on the same kind of trees in an open meadow. What inference is best supported by this data?

• Pine trees in a dense forest can grow taller than pine trees in an open meadow.
• Pine trees in a dense forest compete for sunlight with the surrounding trees.
• Pine trees in a dense forest are part of a less-complex food web than pine trees in an open meadow.
• Pine trees in a dense forest have more living branches than pine trees in an open meadow.

Whitetip reef sharks spend most of the day lying on the ocean floor as seen in the picture. Sharks pump water across their gills. Why is this process necessary?

• staying cool
• accessing food
• obtaining oxygen
• avoiding predators

Water with which of these conditions would cause the most competition for resources among all 3 species? Select 3

• mild temperatures
• some suspended particles
• flows at a medium speed
• very cold
• very clear

The strangler fig is a vine that starts out as a seed in the tree canopy of the rain forest. It drops its roots down from the canopy to the forest floor. By sprouting in the rain-forest canopy, the strangler fig seedling is exposed to more —

• sunlight
• soil
• nutrients
• consumers

Immediately after a forest fire, primary consumers in the area will compete most ,for which biotic factor?

• oxygen
• sunlight
• food
• space

Plants that live on the floor of densely populated forests must compete for sunlight. Which type of leaves are most likely found on plants that are best suited to living on the floor of a dense forest?

• leaves that are needle-shaped
• leaves that are smallest
• leaves that store the greatest amount of water
• leaves with the greatest amount of surface area