WG BZMN Communities

What is the primary focus of the scientific study of ecology?

• The study of individual organisms' internal systems

• The study of how life on Earth interacts with its environment

• The study of the chemical composition of living matter

• The study of the genetic makeup of populations

What ecological level includes all the living organisms in an area, along with the non-living physical and chemical factors?

• Population

• Ecosystem

• Community

• Biome

Where on Earth would you generally expect to find the highest species diversity?

• At the poles

• In rainforests

• At the equator

• In deserts

What type of symbiotic relationship exists between leafcutter ants and the fungus they cultivate?

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Competition

What type of symbiotic relationship is exemplified by the bacteria living on leaf-cutter ants, which produce antibiotics to protect the fungus cultivated by the ants?

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

• Mutualism

• Competition

Which of the following is considered a density-dependent limiting factor for population growth?

• A volcanic eruption

• A tsunami

• Lack of available food

• An extreme weather event

What term describes population growth that initially increases rapidly but then slows down and stabilizes as it approaches the maximum number of individuals an environment can support?

• Exponential growth

• Linear growth

• Logistic growth

• Declining growth

An age structure diagram that displays a broad base, indicating a large proportion of young individuals, typically predicts what future trend for the population?

• A stable population size

• A declining population

• Rapid exponential growth

• A population approaching its carrying capacity

Mr. Anderson discussed population growth graphs that would be smaller at the base, like Italy. What does this mean is happening to the population of the country?

• The population of the country is decreasing or aging.
• The population of the country is primarily young and growing.
• The population of the country is stable and unchanged.
• The population of the country is rapidly increasing.