Selected Response - Ecosystems

A class of students took a field trip to observe a local nature area. From their observations, they made a list of abiotic and biotic factors and discussed the interactions between the two. What are some relationships between abiotic and biotic factors the students may have observed in the ecosystem?

• Biotic factors rely on abiotic factors for water, shelter, and light in an ecosystem.
• There is no relationship between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem.
• Abiotic factors rely on biotic factors to exist in an ecosystem.
• Biotic factors only rely on other biotic factors to survive in an ecosystem.

Tags

6.12.A

An ecosystem consists of interdependent components in that they interact with one another in a natural environment of a specific geographic area. Many of these interactions are critical for their survival. Energy from the Sun and material elements cycle through an ecosystem through food chains and other pathways. Which example includes a biotic factor affected by an abiotic factor in its ecosystem?

• Wind blows sand into a sand dune
• Lions consume other animals for energy
• Rain increases the rate of water flow in a river
• Climate in a given region affects the growth of trees

Tags

6.12.A

According to the food web, what would be the MOST LIKELY outcome if all of the mountain lions were removed from this ecosystem? Select TWO correct answers.

• The deer population would increase due to the lack of predation.
• The deer population would increase due to the lack of predation and the raccoon population would decrease because they lost their only food source.
• The turtle population would increase due to the lack of predation.
• The shrub population would decrease due to the lack of predation on the deer population.
• The egret population would increase due to the lack of predation.

Tags

6.12.B

6.3.A

Bees fly from flower to flower and pollen sticks to their bodies and collects on their legs. How does this interaction benefit the bees and the flowers? Select two correct answers.

• Bees are provided nectar for food.
• The bees provide oxygen for the flowers.
• The bee takes pollen from flower to flower which is needed to produce seeds.
• The flower provides carbon dioxide to the bees.
• The pollen kills the bees to protect the flowers.

Tags

6.12.B

6.3.A

For which resource are fish in a pond MOST LIKELY to compete with each other?

• food
• oxygen
• water
• sunlight

Tags

6.12.A

Complete the passage below. Clown fish live in the waving tentacles of sea anemones in the ocean. The sea anemone provides a safe place for the clown fish to escape predators. The anemone is provided with nutrients from the waste of the clownfish. Although the sea anemone has poisonous tentacles, it does not bother the clown fish and is not harmed by the clown fish. This relationship between organisms can be described as (a)   .

Tags

6.12.B

6.3.A

Which of the following is necessary for two organisms to be considered as coexisting in a mutualistic relationship?

• One organism benefits while the other neither benefits nor is harmed.
• One organism benefits while the other is harmed.
• Both organisms are harmed from the relationship.
• Both organisms benefit from the relationship.

Tags

6.12.B

6.3.A

Many times a shark is seen with pilot fish swimming around it, eating scraps of food from the shark's meal. The shark is not harmed by the pilot fish, and the pilot fish benefits from the shark. What kind of relationship is this?

• Parasitism
• Mutualism
• Predation
• Commensalism

Tags

6.12.B

6.3.A

Which of the following describes the mutualistic relationship shown in the image?

• The bee gets food, while the flower gets pollinated.
• The flower is unaffected by the presence of the bee.
• The bee gets protection, while the flower gets energy.
• The flower is damaged by the bee walking on the petals.

Tags

6.12.B

Ceratocystis fagacearum is a plant that lives on Oak trees, stealing their nutrients. What term best describes the relationship between Ceratocystis fagacearum and Oak trees?

• mutualism
• commensalism
• competition
• parasitism

Tags

6.12.B

6.3.A