Interdependent Relationships

The graph below shows populations, over several years, for two animals that share a habitat. Foxes are mammals that hunt for food, and grouse are birds, a common prey animal of foxes. According to the data, in which year did the population of foxes show a decrease that is most likely the result of a decrease in the availability of a source of food?

• 2003

• 2005

• 2008

• 2012

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These graphs show how two factors for a certain region changed over time: the number of predators that prey on mice and number of plants of the type that the mice eat. Based on the information from these graphs, in which of the following years would the population of mice have been the highest?

• 1996

• 1998

• 2000

• 2002

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

• when a population of sharks decrease 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.

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Which of the following describes a symbiotic relationship?

• Owl and field mouse

• Oak tree and pine tree

• Spider and fly

• Shark and remora fish

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Eagles and grizzly bears live together in the same habitat. There will be competition between the eagles and the grizzly bears only if which of the following is true?

• Grizzly bears hibernate during the winter while eagles reamin active.

• Pesticides in the fish population affect eagles eggs and decrease their population.

• Both grizzly bears and eagles feed on the same species of salmon.

• Laws prevent humans from being able to hunt Eagles or grizzly bears.

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The population of deer in a certain area is monitored over a period of six years. The data is represented in the graph provided. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the change in population in 2009?

• Wolves, which prey on deer, were being hunted more than usual.

• Rainfall in the previous spring was higher than the yearly average.

• Humans introduced grazing animals that feed on the same plants as the deer.

• More insects that pollinate flowering plants move into the habitat.

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A tick living on a dog and taking its blood is an example of 

• commensalism

• predation

• mutualism

• parasitism

Fish picking off and eating bits of algae or parasites from a turtle's shell is an example of

• competition

• predation

• commensalism

• mutualism

____________________ study how organisms interact with biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem.

• Chemists

• Biologists

• Ecologists

• Geologists

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If an organism is living inside another and causing it harm, it is an example

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism