Unit: Ecology

When introduced into a new habitat, non-native plants can threaten native plants of the new habitat.

What could be the reasons for this? Select TWO correct answers.

• Non-native plants have the ability to change (mutate) rapidly.

• Non-native plants would cause the native plants to become a new species.

• Non-native plants will compete with native ones for food and resources.

• Non-native plants could bring disease to the native plants of this ecosystem.

• The native plants will probably become extinct.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

Many acres in a large woodland area are sold to a new home development company who begins building a new neighborhood of houses as well as paving new roads. How will this new housing development most likely affect the ecosystem?

• The native species will be forced to relocate due to the loss of habitat.

• The buildings and roads will remove producers resulting in a reduction in the energy available to the native species.

• The increase in automobile traffic will result in pollution that will make it harder for the native species to survive.

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which human activities would have a negative impact on the carbon cycle?

Select TWO correct answers.

• rotating crops

• burning fossil fuels

• cutting down trees

• planting trees

• walking to the park

What is a side effect of the use of fertilizers associated with raising livestock?

• The nitrogen becomes a permanent part of the soil and can no longer join the nitrogen cycle.

• The fertilizers are passed through the digestive system of the livestock and have no effect on the bacteria in the soil.

• Excess nitrogen is washed into nearby waterways, affecting the ecosystem by stimulating plant and algae growth there.

• The nitrogen builds within the body of the livestock and gives a false impression of muscular growth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which of the following is most likely to cause a decrease in a predator population?

• fewer prey

• a reduction in competition

• more primary producers

• predator populations never vary

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

In a marine tide pool, 15 species of invertebrates were reduced to five after one species was removed. The species removed was likely to be a –

• dominant competitor

• species that does not interact with other species

• generalized predator

• keystone predator

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The diagram illustrates the relationship of two species living in a grassland biome. What is the best explanation of the influence of Species A on Species B?

• Species B is a predator of Species A.

• Species A benefits from living in the same area as Species B.

• Species A is unaffected by Species B.

• Species B is a major food source of Species A.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The chestnut lamprey is a jawless native fish that can attach its mouth to the side of another fish, such as a lake trout. The lamprey releases a substance that prevents the lake trout's blood from clotting and uses its tongue to create suction that draws a steady flow of blood and body fluids from the lake trout. This type of lamprey rarely kills the lake trout before detaching and moving on. The relationship between a chestnut lamprey and a lake trout can best be described as –

• commensalism

• mutualism

• predation

• parasitism

Hermit crabs live inside shells produced by other organisms. Sea anemones often attach to the top of a hermit crab's shell. When the crab moves, the shell and anemone are carried along. Most predators of hermit crabs avoid sea anemones. Which symbiotic relationship best describes the hermit crab and sea anemone?

• parasitism

• commensalism

• mutualism

• competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Rabbits normally eat some grass as a food source. In a habitat, a new species of grass is introduced that out-competes most of the original species of grass. The new species of grass contains a chemical that is usually toxic and fatal to most rabbits. Assuming that all rabbits in this habitat will eat some of the new species of grass, how will the presence of the new grass most likely decrease the diversity of the rabbit population in this habitat?

• Only rabbits that eat less grass will survive.

• Only rabbits that eat more grass will survive.

• Only rabbits that can find old grass to eat will survive.

• Only rabbits that are resistant to the chemical will survive.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4