Ecological Relationships and Biodiversity

This lesson explores how organisms interact within ecosystems, focusing on predator-prey dynamics, symbiotic relationships like parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism, and the role of competition. It highlights the importance of niches and biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem balance.

What is the primary focus of the predator-prey relationship?

• Mutual benefit

• One organism consuming another

• Long-term coexistence

• Sharing resources

In a parasitic relationship, what is the outcome for the host organism?

• It gains protection

• It remains unaffected

• It is harmed

• It benefits

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

• A bee pollinating a flower

• A tick on a dog

• A clownfish in an anemone

• Two lions competing for prey

In commensalism, how is the second organism affected?

• It provides food

• It is harmed

• It benefits

• It is unaffected

What is the main reason organisms compete in an ecosystem?

• To establish dominance

• To fulfill similar niches

• To share resources

• To increase biodiversity

What role does an oak tree play in its environment?

• It provides shelter and food

• It competes for sunlight

• It reduces biodiversity

• It harms other plants

What is the relationship between niche overlap and competition?

• Overlap has no effect on competition

• More overlap leads to more competition

• No overlap leads to more competition

• More overlap leads to less competition

How does biodiversity benefit an ecosystem?

• It increases competition

• It reduces the number of species

• It ensures balance and reduces competition

• It leads to extinction

What happens when biodiversity decreases?

• Ecosystem roles may go unfulfilled

• Competition decreases

• Organisms have more roles to fill

• Ecosystem balance improves

Why is it important to maintain biodiversity?

• To increase competition

• To ensure ecosystem balance

• To promote extinction

• To reduce the number of species