Unit 7 Ecosystem Vocabulary

Mangroves are small trees and shrubs that often grow in coastal areas near the

Equator. Mangrove trees can even survive in salt water, with roots and trunks that

grow below the surface of the water. Mangrove forest ecosystems support a large

number of different organisms, as shown in the model.

Based on the model, which changes would most likely increase the flow of energy through the mangrove forest ecosystem? Select the two correct answers.

• an increase in the number of decomposers

• a decrease in the amount of sunlight

• an increase in the amount of leaf litter

• an increase in the number of birds

• a decrease in the number of mangrove trees

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Use the information and your knowledge of science to answer the question. LS1-2

A group of students is comparing cells from plants that grow better in sunlight to cells from plants that grow better in shade. The plant leaf cells for both types of plants are shown in the model.

Which plant feature shown in the model allows the shade plants to better convert sunlight during photosynthesis in shaded areas?

• fewer leaves

• vertical leaf position

• larger chloroplasts

• smaller plant cells

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Use the information and your knowledge of science to answer the question. LS1-1

Students from a science class are taking a field trip to a local river. They plan on collecting these specimens from the riverbank and the river: leaf soil water insect rock

3. The teacher asks the students how they can determine which specimens are living and which are nonliving. Which statements from the students will best help the class identify the living and nonliving specimens? Select the two correct answers.

• All of the specimens are living because they are all part of the same ecosystem

• A microscope can be used to show how only living specimens contain cells

• only the living specimens can be seen using a microscope

• nonliving specimens will not show signs of growth over time

• nonliving specimens will only have one type of cell and living specimen will have many types of cells

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NGSS.MS-LS1-1

In the 1940s, the chemical DDT was used as a pesticide to control mosquito populations in different areas of the world. The use of this chemical contributed to a decrease in eagle populations due to weak egg shells that broke or eggs that did not hatch. An example of an ecosystem that includes eagles is shown in the model.

Based on information in the model, which statement best explains how DDT was introduced into eagle populations?

• The eagles absorbed the DDT directly from the air

• The eagles absorbed the DDT directly from the water

• The eagles absorbed the DDT after eating large fish

• The eagles absorbed the DDT after eating zooplankton

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The source of almost all energy on the earth is____.

• water

• plants

• the sun

• food

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How do organisms get nitrogen back into their body during the nitrogen cycle?

• Plants absorb the nitrogen gas

• The nitrogen must be changed into a form with the help of bacteria which lives in soil and water so that plants can use it.

• Plants absorb nitrogen after the process of photosynthesis.

• Water from the runoff gives nitrogen back to the plants.

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Energy from the sun is made available to all the organisms of the energy pyramid at which level?

• Tertiary Consumer

• Secondary Consumer

• Primary Consumer

• Producers

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Which level of the pyramid has the least amount of energy?

• Tertiary Consumer

• Secondary Consumer

• Primary Consumer

• Producers

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Using the organisms in the energy pyramid, construct a food chain model to show the transfer of energy in the ecosystem. Use the word bank below.

Snake Hawk Mouse Grass Mouse

Which organism belongs in the 1st box?

• Snake

• Hawk

• Grass

• Mouse

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Using the organisms in the energy pyramid, construct a food chain model to show the transfer of energy in the ecosystem. Use the word bank below.

Snake Hawk Mouse Grass Mouse

Which organism belongs in the 2nd box?

• Snake

• Hawk

• Grass

• Mouse

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