Topic 1: Ecosystems + Symbiosis

Which symbiotic relationship is when one organism benefits and the other is not impacted (positively or negatively)?

• Predation

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

Answer explanation

Commensalism is the symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. This distinguishes it from mutualism, where both benefit, and other relationships like predation and parasitism.

An individual living thing is a/an __________.

• habitat

• ecosystem

• organism

• population

Answer explanation

An individual living thing is called an organism. This term encompasses all forms of life, distinguishing them from habitats (where they live), ecosystems (communities of organisms), and populations (groups of the same species).

Tags

NGSS.3-LS1-1

The place where an organism lives is its _________.

• habitat

• abiotic

• ecosystem

• community

Answer explanation

The place where an organism lives is called its habitat. This term specifically refers to the natural environment that supports the organism, distinguishing it from related concepts like ecosystem or community.

Tags

NGSS.3-LS4-3

All of the nonliving parts of an ecosystem are _______.

• biography

• biotic

• abiotic

• biology

Answer explanation

All nonliving parts of an ecosystem, such as water, soil, and air, are classified as abiotic factors. This distinguishes them from biotic factors, which are the living components of the ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

All of the living and nonliving things in an area that interact with each other are called a/an ______.

• community

• habitat

• population

• ecosystem

Answer explanation

An ecosystem includes all living (plants, animals) and nonliving (water, soil) things in an area that interact with each other. This makes 'ecosystem' the correct choice, as it encompasses both types of components.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Temperature, light, air, water, and soil are all  _____  parts of the environment

• alive

• biotic 

• abiotic

• living

Answer explanation

Temperature, light, air, water, and soil are all abiotic parts of the environment, meaning they are non-living components that influence ecosystems, unlike biotic factors which are living organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A bird hitches a free, safe ride on the back of a grey elephant. The elephant doesn't seem to mind and barely notices the bird. Which type of relationship is this?

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Answer explanation

The relationship is commensalism because the bird benefits from the ride without affecting the elephant, which remains indifferent. In mutualism, both species benefit, and in parasitism, one harms the other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

A relationship where one organism benefits and one organism is harmed is called __________.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Answer explanation

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another is known as parasitism. In this interaction, the parasite gains resources while harming the host organism.

A relationship where both organisms benefit is called __________.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Answer explanation

A relationship where both organisms benefit is called mutualism. In mutualism, both species gain advantages, unlike commensalism, where one benefits and the other is unaffected, or parasitism, where one benefits at the other's expense.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

What is the difference between the biotic and abiotic factors?

• Biotic factors are living things and abiotic factors are nonliving things.

• Biotic factors are nonliving things and abiotic factors are living things.

Answer explanation

Biotic factors refer to all living organisms, such as plants and animals, while abiotic factors include nonliving elements like water, soil, and climate. Therefore, the correct choice is that biotic factors are living things and abiotic factors are nonliving things.