wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Biology-Principles of Ecology

Total questions: 105

Worksheet time: 3hrs 52mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Organisms like fungus and bacteria that break down organic matter into simpler compounds
a)
decomposers
b)
detritivores
c)
scavengers
d)
carnivores
2.
Living factor in an ecosystem (plants, animals).
a)
abiotic
b)
energy
c)
biotic
d)
matter
3.
All the living communities in an area PLUS the abiotic factors.
a)
population
b)
ecosystem
c)
biome
d)
habitat
4.
Non living factor in an ecosystem (rocks, water, air)
a)
biotic
b)
organism
c)
humus
d)
abiotic
5.
Organism that eats only plants.
a)
herbivore
b)
omnivore
c)
carnivore
d)
detritivore
6.
Regional type of ecosystem characterized by a particular climate and plant community.
a)
ecosystem
b)
biome
c)
habitat
d)
community
7.
Level of nourishment in a food chain (ex primary consumer)
a)
web level
b)
top predator
c)
omnivore
d)
trophic level
8.
Model that shows the movement of energy and complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
a)
food chain
b)
food web
c)
energy pyramid
d)
trophic level
9.
Study of interactions between living things and their environment.
a)
Biology
b)
chemistry
c)
paleontology
d)
ecology
10.
Organism the eats both plants and animals.
a)
herbivore
b)
omnivore
c)
carnivore
d)
decomposer
11.

Organism that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.

a)

top predator

b)

tertiary consumer

c)

producer

d)

keystone species

12.
Collection of all the different populations that live in an ecosystem.
a)
community
b)
biome
c)
habitat
d)
assemblage
13.
Organism that obtains it�s energy and by consuming other organisms.
a)
autotroph
b)
producer
c)
fungus
d)
heterotroph
14.
Organism that makes its own food from abiotic sources.
a)
autotroph
b)
producer
c)
fungus
d)
heterotroph
15.
Organism that obtains energy from eating only animals.
a)
herbivore
b)
omnivore
c)
producer
d)
carnivore
16.
Animals that specialize on eating decaying organic matter.
a)
omnivores
b)
autotrophes
c)
detritivore
d)
decomposer
17.
Simple model that links organisms based on their feeding relationships in a single line.
a)
food pyramid
b)
food chain
c)
food web
d)
venn diagram
18.

Examples of biotic factors include all the following EXCEPT

a)

parasitism

b)

disease

c)

predation

d)

temperature

19.

A thin layer around Earth, extends several kilometers above and below Earth's surface, that includes all parts of the Earth where life exists.

a)

Population

b)

Biological Community

c)

Ecosystem

d)

Biome

e)

Biosphere

20.

An area where an organism lives.

a)

Habitat

b)

Niche

c)

Competition

d)

Predation

21.

The role or position that an organism has in its environment.

a)

Habitat

b)

Niche

c)

Competition

d)

Predation

22.

Occurs when more than one organism uses a resource at the same time.

a)

Habitat

b)

Niche

c)

Competition

d)

Predation

23.

Relationship in which one organism hunts and eventually eats another.

a)

Habitat

b)

Niche

c)

Competition

d)

Predation

24.

Organism that eats the prey.

a)

Predation

b)

Prey

c)

Predator

d)

Detrivore

25.

Organism that is being eaten by the predator.

a)

Predation

b)

Prey

c)

Predator

d)

Detrivore

26.

Type of symbiosis in which both organisms benefit form the relationship.

a)

Symbiosis

b)

Mutualism

c)

Commensalism

d)

Parasitism

27.

Type of symbiosis in which one organism benefits and the other is unharmed.

a)

Symbiosis

b)

Mutualism

c)

Commensalism

d)

Parasitism

28.

Type of symbiosis in which the parasite benefits at the expense of the host.

a)

Symbiosis

b)

Mutualism

c)

Commensalism

d)

Parasitism

29.

Organism that collects energy from sunlight or inorganic substances to produce food.

a)

Heterotroph

b)

Autotroph

c)

Detrivores

d)

Decomposers

30.

Organism that gets its energy requirements by consuming other organisms.

a)

Heterotroph

b)

Autotroph

c)

Detrivores

d)

Decomposers

31.

Organisms that consume fragments of dead matter in an ecosystem, and return nutrients to the soil, air and water where the nutrients can be resused by organisms.

a)

Heterotroph

b)

Autotroph

c)

Detrivores

d)

Decomposers

32.

Each step in a food chain or food web.

a)

Trophic level

b)

Food Web

c)

Food chain

d)

Energy

33.

The rabbit would be a

a)

Producer

b)

Primary consumer

c)

Secondary consumer

d)

Tertiary consumer

e)

Decomposer

34.

The caterpiller would be a

a)

Producer

b)

Primary consumer

c)

Secondary consumer

d)

Tertiary consumer

e)

Decomposer

35.

The thrush would be a

a)

Producer

b)

Primary consumer

c)

Secondary consumer

d)

Tertiary consumer

e)

Decomposer

36.

The grass would be a

a)

Producer

b)

Primary consumer

c)

Secondary consumer

d)

Tertiary consumer

e)

Decomposer

37.

The shrubs would be a

a)

Producer

b)

Primary consumer

c)

Secondary consumer

d)

Tertiary consumer

e)

Decomposer

38.

The weasel would be a

a)

Producer

b)

Primary consumer

c)

Secondary consumer

d)

Tertiary consumer

e)

Decomposer

39.

The mouse would be a

a)

Producer

b)

Primary consumer

c)

Secondary consumer

d)

Tertiary consumer

e)

Decomposer

40.

If there are 45,670kcal of energy available at the level of the grass, how much energy would be gained by the hawk?

a)

45,670kcal

b)

456.7kcal

c)

45.67kcal

d)

4.567kcal

e)

4,567kcal

41.

If there are 45,670kcal of energy available at the level of the grass, how much energy would be gained by the snake?

a)

45,670kcal

b)

456.7kcal

c)

45.67kcal

d)

4.567kcal

e)

4,567kcal

42.

If there are 45,670kcal of energy available at the level of the grass, how much energy would be gained by the grasshopper?

a)

45,670kcal

b)

456.7kcal

c)

45.67kcal

d)

4.567kcal

e)

4,567kcal

43.

If there are 45,670kcal of energy available at the level of the grass, how much energy would be lost by the grasshopper?

a)

41,103kcal

b)

456.7kcal

c)

4,110.3kcal

d)

4.567kcal

e)

4,567kcal

44.

If there are 45,670kcal of energy available at the level of the grass, how much energy would be lost by the frog?

a)

41,103kcal

b)

456.7kcal

c)

4,110.3kcal

d)

411.03kcal

e)

4,567kcal

45.

The direction of the arrow in a food chain/web points in the direction of _____ flow.

a)

energy

b)

trophic

c)

sun

d)

symbiotic

46.

As energy flows through a food chain/web, _____% of energy is ______.

a)

10, gained

b)

90, lost

c)

90, gained

d)

10, lost

e)

50, lost

47.

Barnacles create home sites by attaching themselves to whales. As the barnacle is a filter-feeder, it also gets access to more water (and more food) due to the relationship. The whale is unaffected by the relationship.


This is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

48.

A cuckoo lays its eggs in the nest of the warbler. The cuckoo's eggs hatch first and the young kick the warbler eggs out of the nest. The warbler raises the cuckoo babies and the warbler babies aren't hatched.


This is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

49.

Remoras attach themselves to a shark's body. They travel with the shark and feed on the left over food scraps after the shark has finished its meal. The shark is unaffected as it's done eating anyway


This is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

50.

Ostriches and gazelles feed next to each other. They both watch for predators. Because the visual abilities of the two species are different, they can each identify threats that the other animal may not see as readily.


This is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

51.

Mistletoe extracts water and nutrients from the spruce tree to the detriment (ill effect) of the spruce.


This is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

52.

Silverfish live and hunt with army ants and share the prey. The silverfish neither help nor harm the ants


This is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

53.

Oxpeckers feed on the ticks found on a rhinoceros. The oxpecker eats the tick as food and the rhino is freed from a parasite.


The relationship between the oxpecker and the rhino is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

54.

A flea feeds on a mouse's blood to the mouse's detriment


This relationship is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

55.

Honey guide birds alert and direct badgers to bee hives. The badgers then expose the hives and feed on the honey first. Next the honey guide birds eat.


This relationship is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

56.

As bison walk through grass, insects become active and are seen and eaten by cowbirds.


This relationship is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

57.

Yucca flowers are pollinated by yucca moths. The moths lay their eggs in the flowers where the larvae hatch and eat some of the developing seeds.


This relationship is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

58.

Clown fish live among anemones acting as a lure for the sea anemone's prey. The clownfish gets protection and shelter from the anemone.


This relationship is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

59.

Ants offer protection for the aphids who (have no protective features of their own) would otherwise would be food for all sorts of organisms. The aphids "repay" the ants by providing honeydew (a liquid they secrete) for the ants to use as food.


This relationship is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

60.

Epiphytes are a class of plants that grow in the crooks of tree branches. They simply use the tree branches as a way to be higher—closer to the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. The trees aren't affected by this relationship.


This relationship is an example of _____________.

a)

commensalism

b)

parasitism

c)

detrivorism

d)

mutualism

61.

Identify the 5 levels of Ecology in the correct order.

a)

organisms, communities, ecosystems, populations, and biospheres

b)

organisms, communities, biospheres, ecosystems, and populations

c)

organisms, ecosystems, populations, communities, and biospheres

d)

organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biospheres

62.
What term best describes this group of bison?
a)
Species
b)
Community
c)
Ecosystem
d)
Population
63.
What term best describes all the plants and animals in this image?
a)
Species
b)
Population
c)
Ecosystem
d)
Community
64.
How many different animal populations are in this image?
a)
1
b)
6
c)
17
d)
26
65.
This image shows both living and non living things in an area.  What term best describes this?
a)
species
b)
community
c)
population
d)
ecosystem
66.
The ___________ is all the area on and around earth where living things exist.
a)
Biome
b)
Biosphere
c)
Ecosystem
d)
Ecosphere
67.
Which term best describes this baobab tree?
a)
Autotroph
b)
Heterotroph
c)
Herbivore
d)
Omnivore
68.

An organisms role in the environment

a)

Community

b)

Biome

c)

Niche

d)

adaptation

69.
What level of organization can be observed in the image?
a)
Species
b)
Population
c)
Community
d)
Ecosystem
70.
Which level of ecological organization is composed of many similar ecosystems with the same climate and geographic locations? 
a)
A community
b)
A population
c)
A biome
d)
A biosphere
71.
Which is NOT a process of the water cycle?
a)
precipitation
b)
freezing
c)
transpiration
d)
evaporation
72.
The process of plants losing water through their leaves is called ____.
a)
condensation
b)
evaporation
c)
transpiration
d)
exhaling
73.
What are the swellings found on the roots of legumes called?
a)
noodles
b)
nodularisms
c)
nodules
d)
tubers
74.
This is released by the weathering of rocks.
a)
Carbon
b)
Oxygen
c)
Phosphorus
d)
Nitrogen
75.
Identify the cycle pictured.
a)
The Water cycle
b)
The Carbon cycle
c)
The Nitrogen cycle
d)
The Phosphorus cycle
76.
Identify the cycle pictured.
a)
The Water cycle
b)
The Carbon cycle
c)
The Nitrogen cycle
d)
The Phosphorus cycle.
77.
How do animals get nitrogen?
a)
the atmosphere 
b)
eating other organisms
c)
rainwater
d)
lightning 
78.
Organisms require nitrogen to make which of the following?
a)
glucose and starch
b)
lipids and nucleic acids
c)
proteins and nucleic acids
d)
carbohydrates and proteins
79.
What is the energy source for the water cycle?
a)
the sun
b)
the earth
c)
water
d)
the moon
80.
What is condensation?
a)
The part of the water cycle when the sun heats up water, turning it from a liquid into water vapor or steam. It rises from the ground into the air.
b)
The part of the water cycle when the water vapor in the air gets cold. The water turns back into a liquid and forms clouds.
c)
The part of the water cycle when clouds get heavy and can no longer hold the liquid water. This causes the water to fall from the sky to the earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
81.

Which of the following absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

a)

Plants

b)

The ocean

c)

Sedimentary rocks

d)

all of these

82.
How does carbon in a grass plant get into a lion?
a)
The lion eats the grass
b)
Carbon from grass doesn't end up in a lion. 
c)
The carbon ends up in the food the lion eats. 
d)
The lion breathes in carbon given out by the plant
83.

Which one of these does not add CO2 to the atmosphere?

a)

cooking with gas

b)

planting trees

c)

burning wood

d)

riding in a bus

84.

What is the process of rain, snow, or hail falling from the sky?

a)

evaporation

b)

condensation

c)

precipitation

d)

runoff

85.

Which cycle DOESN'T have an atmosphere component (part)?

a)

carbon

b)

nitrogen

c)

phosphorus

d)

water

86.
What does not produce carbon dioxide?
a)
Photosynthesis
b)
Burning Fossil Fuels
c)
Animal respiration
d)
Plants decaying
87.
How nitrogen is "fixed" into useable form for plants...
a)
through action of bacteria only
b)
through lightning only
c)
through action of bacteria & lightning
d)
through photosynthesis
88.
What is the process of combining nitrogen gas with other elements to make nitrogen into usable compounds?
a)
nitrogen composition
b)
ammonia 
c)
nitrogen fixation
d)
denitrification
89.
How do plants get the nitrogen they need?
a)
from the air
b)
from the soil or water in which they live
c)
from the Sun
d)
from broken-down rocks
90.

Organisms that need nitrogen to survive.

a)

only plants

b)

only animals

c)

only bacteria

d)

all living things

91.
_____ brings phosphorous into our waterways. .
a)
precipitation
b)
runoff
c)
transpiration
d)
condensation
92.
Which of the following statements is true of the phosphorus cycle?
a)
Phosphorus enters the atmosphere as phosphates.
b)
The phosphorus cycle utilizes the processes of erosion, and weathering.
c)
Phosphates are used in carbohydrate and glucose storage.
d)
The phosphorus cycle utilizes bacteria to breakdown phosphates and make them available for plants.
93.
What role do decomposers play in the phosphorous cycle?
a)
absorb phosphorous 
b)
release phosphorous into atmosphere
c)
return phosphorous into the soil
d)
combustion
94.
what does the #4 show in the diagram?
a)
condensation
b)
evaporation
c)
precipitation
d)
run off
95.
Which stage does the #2 show in the diagram?
a)
condensation
b)
evaporation
c)
precipitation
d)
run off
96.
Which stage does the #3 show in the diagram?
a)
condensation
b)
evaporation
c)
precipitation
d)
run off
97.
Combustion is another word for __________.
a)
Transportation
b)
Respiration
c)
Fossil Fuels
d)
Burning
98.
Carbon can be found in...
a)
The atmosphere
b)
Soil
c)
Fossil fuels
d)
All of the above
99.
Which of the following removes carbon from the atmosphere?
a)
Combustion
b)
Respiration
c)
Photosynthesis
d)
Death
100.
The average temperature of the surface of Earth has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which reason best explains this increase in temperature?
a)
lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere
b)
lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere
c)
higher levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
d)
higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere
101.

Plants use ____________________ to make their own food.

a)

Carbon Dioxide

b)

Oxygen

c)

Materials

d)

Gravity

102.
How does the law of conservation of energy relates to photosynthesis?
a)
The energy from glucose is transform into light energy
b)
Light energy from the sun is converted into chemical energy in glucose 
c)
Energy from carbon dioxide is converted into chemical energy in Oxygen
d)
All other answers are correct
103.
What is the role of decomposers in an Ecosystem? 
a)
They recycle matter and nutrients to form fossil fuels
b)
They are burn and release as carbon dioxide
c)
Decomposers are responsible to turn oxygen into carbon dioxide
d)
They recycle energy back to the sun
104.
Carbon dioxide is created by 
a)
Burning fossil fuels 
b)
Cellular respiration
c)
Decomposing organic matter
d)
All answers are correct
105.

Two arctic fox are fighting with a polar bear for a sea lion carcass. One fox distracts the bear while the other eats. What type of limiting factor is the polar bear?

a)

Predator-Prey Relationships

b)

Competition

c)

Herbivory Effect

d)

Weather