Ecosystem relationships

Aphids are tiny bugs that most people consider garden pests. They feed on plants and can damage them. Ladybugs are predators of aphids. Which graph best displays the general relationship between ladybug and aphid populations in a garden?

Choose the correct answer.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Scientists are studying how the average temperature affects how roots of grasses in grassland ecosystems grow. The amount of plant roots found in the soil is called root matter. The graph shows the amount of root matter that can be found in soil depending on the average annual temperature.

 

Based on the graph, what prediction could scientists make about the populations of grass in this grassland ecosystem?

Choose the correct answer.

• • 
    

    In years with high temperatures, grass populations will increase.

• • 
    

    As the average annual temperatures increase, grass populations increase.

• During years with high average temperatures, all grasses in the ecosystem die.

• If average annual temperatures increase, over time grass populations will probably decrease.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Fragilaria is a type of algae found in many bodies of fresh water. Daphnia are small crustaceans that feed on the algae. The graph shows growth rates of Fragilaria at different temperatures of water.

Based on this graph, predict what would happen to the Daphnia population during a very hot summer.

Choose the correct answer.

• The Daphnia population would increase because the Fragilaria population would increase.

• The Daphnia population would increase because the Fragilaria population would decrease.

• The Daphnia population would decrease because the Fragilaria population would decrease.

• The Daphnia population would decrease because the Fragilaria population would increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Biologists believe that the tick-deer relationship is parasitic because the tick feeds off the deer and the deer is harmed by the tick bite. During springs with sufficient rain, forest vegetation increases, providing abundant food resources for deer to produce young.

Which of these patterns supports the idea that the tick-deer relationship is parasitic? 

Choose the correct answer.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Drought is a weather condition that may limit the amount of water resources available to an ecosystem. Which of the following may be one result of drought?

Choose the correct answer.

• • 
    

    Fish populations may decline due to lower river levels.

• • 
    

    Birds may not build nests due to temperature change.

• Flowering plants may produce more seeds due to lack of water.

• Predator populations may increase due to increased prey populations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Two separate food webs are pictured here.

According to the food webs, which two organisms do not exhibit a competitive relationship over resources?

Choose the correct answer.

• bison and elk

• eagle and black bear

• • 
    

    elk and beaver

• beaver and bison

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Spider crabs provide a habitat for algae, meanwhile, the algae provides camouflage for the spider crab

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Remoras ride along with sharks and eat scraps from shark meals, sharks are neither benefit nor are they harmed

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Mosquitos feed off the blood from humans, humans lose blood, have a itchy reaction to the bile, and may catch diseases.

• commensalism

• mutualism

• parasitism

In a forest ecosystem, deer feed on plants, and wolves prey on deer. What type of relationship exists between the wolves and the deer?

• predation

• mutualism

• commensalism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2