Ecosystem Hierarchal Organization

What is the definition of an organism?

• A group of different species living together

• A single living entity

• The non-living components of an environment

• A collection of ecosystems

Answer explanation

An organism is defined as a single living entity, which distinguishes it from groups of species, non-living components, or collections of ecosystems. Therefore, the correct answer is 'A single living entity'.

Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Water

• Temperature

• Plants

• Rocks

Answer explanation

Plants are biotic factors as they are living organisms that interact with other living and non-living components in an ecosystem. In contrast, water, temperature, and rocks are abiotic factors.

What is the primary difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

• Biotic factors are living, while abiotic factors are non-living

• Abiotic factors are living, while biotic factors are non-living

• Both are living components of an ecosystem

• Both are non-living components of an ecosystem

Answer explanation

The primary difference is that biotic factors are living organisms, such as plants and animals, while abiotic factors are non-living elements, like water and soil. Thus, the correct choice is that biotic factors are living, while abiotic factors are non-living.

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor?

• Fish

• Soil

• Trees

• Birds

Answer explanation

Soil is an abiotic factor, as it is a non-living component of the environment. In contrast, fish, trees, and birds are all biotic factors, as they are living organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is a population in the context of an ecosystem?

• A single organism

• A group of organisms of the same species living in an area

• Different species living together

• The non-living components of an environment

Answer explanation

In an ecosystem, a population refers to a group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area. This distinguishes it from individual organisms, different species, or non-living components.

How does a community differ from a population?

• A community includes only one species, while a population includes multiple species

• A community includes multiple species, while a population includes only one species

• A community is non-living, while a population is living

• A community is a single organism, while a population is a group of organisms

Answer explanation

A community consists of multiple species interacting in a specific area, while a population refers to a group of individuals of the same species. Thus, the correct choice is that a community includes multiple species, while a population includes only one species.

Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?

• A single organism

• A group of the same species

• A community of living organisms and their physical environment

• The non-living components of an environment

Answer explanation

An ecosystem consists of a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment, making the correct choice the best description of an ecosystem.

Identify an example of a community within an ecosystem.

• All the fish in a pond

• The water in a pond

• The rocks around a pond

• All the plants, animals, and microorganisms in a pond

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'All the plants, animals, and microorganisms in a pond', represents a community as it includes various living organisms interacting within the ecosystem, unlike the other options which are non-living components.

How might a change in an abiotic factor, like temperature, affect a community within an ecosystem?

• It would have no effect

• It could change the types of species that can survive there

• It would only affect the non-living components

• It would only affect the water levels

Answer explanation

A change in temperature can alter the survival of species in a community, as different species have specific temperature ranges for optimal growth and reproduction. Thus, it could change the types of species that can survive there.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a population?

• A single tree in a forest

• All the oak trees in a forest

• All the trees in a forest

• The soil in a forest

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'All the oak trees in a forest', illustrates a population as it refers to a specific group of the same species (oak trees) within a defined area (the forest), unlike the other options.