Ecology STAAR Questions

During an extended dry season in an area, the majority of the ground

cover dried up. Which description best explains how this would affect

the ecosystem in that area?

• The ecosystem would become less stable because the ranges of

  many organisms would expand and overlap

• The ecosystem would become more stable because there would be

  less competition among canopy plants

• The ecosystem would become less stable because less energy

  would be available to it from the decrease in producers

• The ecosystem would become more stable because organisms in

  higher trophic levels would be able to find prey more easily

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On average, how much energy is lost between each trophic level?

• 0%

• 10%

• 90%

• 100%

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In a Central Texas grassland, the producers incorporate 12,000 kJ of

energy from the sun into their tissues. About how much energy would

be incorporated into the tissues of herbivores?

• 12,000 KJ

• 1,200 KJ

• 10,080 KJ

• 1,008 KJ

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

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White clovers, Trifolium repens, are plants that are native to Europe

and Central Asia and are able to produce the poison cyanide within

their cells. Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus, is a plant that

is native to eastern North America and can produce a chemical that

makes it have a strong, foul odor and bitter taste.

The chemicals produced by both the white clovers and skunk

cabbages are adaptations that allow them to —

• attract more pollinators

• survive a long-term drought

• protect against herbivores

• grow better in colder habitats

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In some coral reefs, a symbiotic relationship exists between pygmy

seahorses and sea fans. The pygmy seahorse can wrap its tail around

the branches of the sea fan. This allows the pygmy seahorse to be

camouflaged within the sea fan, protecting it from predators. The

pygmy seahorse does not harm or benefit the sea fan while it grasps

the branches with its tail

• Predator/prey

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

• Parasite/host

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

After a wheat field is cleared, wild grasses and weeds begin growing.

This process is considered —

• primary succession because pioneer species appear

• primary succession because there are no large trees

• secondary succession because soil is already present

• secondary succession because the field contains inorganic matter

• A

• B

• C

• D

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• A

• B

• C

• D

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

• A

• B

• C

• D

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NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

• A

• B

• C

• D

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4