LS.8.2.1 - Investigating Ecosystems

Analyze the impact of biotic interactions, such as predation and competition, on population sizes in an ecosystem.

• Biotic interactions always increase population sizes.

• Biotic interactions can regulate and stabilize population sizes.

• Biotic interactions have no effect on population sizes.

• Biotic interactions only affect plant populations.

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Describe how competition for food can lead to changes in population sizes over time.

• Competition for food always leads to population growth.

• Competition for food can lead to decreased population sizes if resources are scarce.

• Competition for food has no effect on population sizes.

• Competition for food only affects predator species.

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Evaluate the potential consequences of introducing a new predator into an ecosystem.

• The new predator will have no impact on the ecosystem.

• The new predator may decrease the population of prey species and alter the food web.

• The new predator will increase the population of prey species.

• The new predator will only affect plant species.

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Predict the impact of removing a keystone species from an ecosystem.

• The ecosystem will remain unchanged.

• The removal may lead to significant changes in the ecosystem structure and population dynamics.

• The removal will only affect the keystone species.

• The removal will only affect abiotic factors.

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What role does shelter play in the survival of a species within an ecosystem?

• Shelter is only important for predator species.

• Shelter provides protection and a place for reproduction.

• Shelter is not necessary for any species.

• Shelter only affects plant species.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following is a biotic factor that can affect population dynamics?

• Sunlight

• Soil composition

• Predation

• Temperature

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Assess the effects of abiotic factors like temperature and rainfall on the distribution of species in an ecosystem.

• Abiotic factors have no effect on species distribution.

• Abiotic factors can determine where species can survive and thrive.

• Abiotic factors only affect aquatic species.

• Abiotic factors only influence plant species.

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What is the effect of increased competition for space on a population?

• Increased competition for space leads to population growth.

• Increased competition for space can limit population growth and lead to territorial behavior.

• Increased competition for space has no effect on populations.

• Increased competition for space only affects predator species.

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Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor affecting a population?

• Predation

• Competition

• Temperature

• Parasitism

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Explain how water scarcity might lead to competition among species in an ecosystem.

• Species will share water resources equally.

• Species will compete for limited water resources, leading to potential conflict.

• Water scarcity will not affect species interactions.

• Species will migrate to areas with more water.

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