Science STAAR Released Question

Many desert animals depend on the prickly pear cactus. What role does the prickly pear cactus play in a desert food web?

• It obtains energy from producers.

• It returns nutrients to the soil.

• It preys upon other organisms.

• It provides energy to consumers.

Which of the following prairie food chains is in the correct order?

• Eagles -- Prairie Dogs -- Coyotes

• Wildflowers -- Badgers -- Grasshoppers

• Sparrows -- Seeds -- Insects

• Grasses -- Prairie Dogs -- Badgers

Which organisms transfer the most energy within the food web?

• Bass, because they are predators in this web

• Copepods, because they support two chains in this web

• Crayfish, because they are at the bottom of this web

• Algae, because they are the producers in this web

What role do raccoons play in this food web?

• prey

• producer

• decomposer

• consumer

In this food web, energy is transferred directly between-

• conifer seeds and red crossbills

• conifer leaves and northern goshawks

• blue grouse and wolves

• elk and sharp-shinned hawks

What happens to plants and animals when they die? 

• They become food for decomposers.
• They become food for producers.
• They make their own food.
• They provide energy for the Sun.

The Sun is important in many ways.  What is the purpose of the Sun in a food chain? 

• The Sun provides energy for animals to stay warm.
• The Sun provides light for animals to see.
• The Sun provides energy for plants to survive.
• The Sun provides energy for plants to make food.

Example of a decomposer

• fungus
• mouse
• plants
• frogs

What is a herbivore?

• an animal that gets energy from eating other animals
• an organism that gets energy from eating only plants
• an animal that gets energy by eating both plants and other animals
• an animal that eats only herbs

The arrows in a food chain or web represents what?

• They point to the organism that is being eaten.
• It shows how sunlight flows within an ecosystem.
• They show what direction the energy is flowing between organisms. 
• They represent how water is transferred within a habitat.