Ecology

A major ecological disturbance could be distinguished from a minor one by which of the following?

• The number of species affected and the change of population of the species.

• The geographic range over which the disturbance had an effect on the organisms.

• The duration over which the ecological disturbance took place.

• The range of climatic conditions, such as temperature, in the affected area.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

The data table shows the populations of four species before and after an ecological disturbance. According to the data, which species suffered most from the hurricane, in terms of the percentage population?

• Buteo lineatus

• Buteo lineatus

• Rana pipiens

• Anax junius

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Mr. Smith discusses food webs with his students and asks them to identify the various ways matter is flowing through these relationships. Based on your knowledge of food webs, it is reasonable to conclude that matter could follow which of the following paths as it cycles through this ecosystem?

• Plant seeds → grass → deer

• Plant seeds → field mouse → robin

• Eagle → deer → plant seeds

• Grass → deer → mountain lion

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The relationships that organisms have with one another are an important part of the balance among species within ecosystems. Which type of symbiotic relationship occurs when ecological niches overlap and multiple organisms seek the same resources?

• Parasitism

• Predation

• Commensalism

• Competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

What are the different types of relationships found among organisms in an ecosystem?

• Mutualism, predation, parasitism, competition, and commensalism.

• Mutualism, predation, flowers, competition and commensalism

• Mutualism, predation, parasitism, competition and competition

• Mutualism, predation, parasitism, competition and mutal

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

An example of a predator and a prey species for four separate ecosystems is provided below. Which of the following would demonstrate an appropriate prediction for the changes to one of the populations of organisms due to a predator/prey interaction?

• When the population of sharks decreases because of fishing, the population of small fish will decrease.

• After a period of heavy rainfall and warmer temperatures, the population of mosquitos will increase.

• During hunting season, when many deer are killed by hunters, the mountain lion population will decline.

• When abundant resources allow the population of mice to increase, the population of snakes will decrease.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A food web shows all energy transfer interactions within a sample of organisms. A food web diagram is provided.

• To break down waste products made by producers, such as algae

• Top consumer that receives its energy from other consumers

• Converts light energy from the sun and transfers it to consumers

• Provides energy to the sunfish, snails, and bass

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Two interactions within an ecosystem are predation and parasitism. In predation, predator organisms feed on prey organisms. In parasitism, parasites depend on host organisms. Which of the following correctly describes the relative numbers of organisms in parasitism or predation?

• The number of parasites is usually greater than the number of host organisms

• The number of predators is usually greater than the number of prey organisms.

• The number of parasites is always equal to the number of host organisms.

• The number of predators is always equal to the number of prey organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Mutualism is a long lasting, mutually beneficial interaction among organisms. Which of the following relationships best reflects mutualism?

• A starfish provides a safe place for sea worms to reside; the starfish receives nothing in return.

• Reef corals build a hard protective skeleton that algae live in; the algae provide energy to the coral through photosynthesis.

• Butterfly larvae lay their eggs on jaguars and consume blood and nutrients from the jaguars.

• Galapagos tortoises eat all the branches of cactus plants; the plant is harmed and sometimes dies.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The diagram shows a woodland food web. Using the diagram, provide three examples of interactions where energy flows from one organism to another.

• Energy flows from the grasses to the tree

• Energy flows from the mountain lion to the deer, to the grasses

• Energy flow from tree/grasses,to deer, to mountain lion

• Energy flows from the frog to the cricket

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3