WorksheetsEcology Quizzes
Total questions: 94
Worksheet time: 50mins
An organism’s niche is
the range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which it uses those conditions.
all the physical and biological factors in the organism’s environment.
the range of temperatures that the organism needs to survive.
a full description of the place an organism lives.
The interaction between two species in which both species may be harmed is...
mutualism.
parasitism.
commensalism.
competition.
predation.
The series of predictable changes that occurs in a community over time is called
climax community.
ecological succession.
climate change.
population growth.
An interaction in which one species benefits and the second species is neither harmed nor benefited is
mutualism.
parasitism.
commensalism
competition.
Primary succession can begin after
A severe storm.
a lava flow
farm land is abandoned
a forest fire
Which of the following is(are) an adaptation(s) against predation?
thorns
thorns and camouflage
mimicry
thorns, camouflage, and mimicry
Pioneer plant species are usually characterized by
small size
slow maturation
small size, efficient dispersal mechanisms, and slow maturation.
small size and efficient dispersal mechanisms.
Competitive exclusion is the result of
commensalism
competition
mutualism
predation
Which of the following represents an early stage in primary succession?
moss and lichens on bare rock
climax species in succession
pine trees
weedy annual plants in an open field
Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the environment EXCEPT
rainfall
temperature
soil life
plant life
Which bird is a social parasite and lays its eggs in the nests of other birds?
cowbird
magpie
cardinal
Kirtland warbler
A goat eating by pulling a plant out of the ground is an example of
mutualism
competition
predation
commensalism
Competitive exclusion is based on the idea that
the more two species overlap in their capacity to obtain and use resources the less likely they are to coexist.
all of these are true
none of these are true
no two species can completely occupy the same niche.
one species will hold some sort of advantage over the other one.
Gause's experiments with Paramecium growing in test tubes demonstrated that
organisms with similar niches evolve enough to survive in different niches.
organisms with slightly different nutritional requirements change to become exclusive competitors, and organisms with similar nutritional requirements may compete to the point of extinction.
organisms with similar niches evolve enough to survive in different niches, and organisms with similar nutritional requirements may compete to the point of extinction.
organisms with similar nutritional requirements may compete to the point of extinction.
Which of the following does NOT apply to parasitoids?
smaller in size than prey
host usually survives
kill animals on which they feed
insects
Which of the following occurs during the ecological succession of an ecosystem?
Living organisms modify their environment a little at a time.
An ecosystem reaches a final, unchanging stage.
Parts of communities split off to form new communities.
Changes occur that are caused by organisms outside the ecosystem.
In contrast to a predator, a parasite usually
does not kill the animal on which or in which it lives.
Kills its host
short-term visitor
does not kill the animal on which or in which it lives and is larger than its host.
Hover flies like to drop in at outdoor picnics to sample the sweets, but the reaction of the humans is to flee the scene because of the flies' uncanny resemblance to bees. Thus, the survival of the hover fly is enhanced by
chemical defenses
camouflage
mimicry
display behavior
An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism is called
symbiosis
predation
mutualism
competition
Use the figure above showing root systems of three annual plant species that live together to answer the following questions.
The fact that all three species survive in the same habitat is due to
resource partitioning, overlapping but nonidentical niches, and interference competition.
resource partitioning.
resource partitioning and overlapping but nonidentical niches.
interference competition.
resource partitioning.
Which is a biotic factor that affects the size of a population in a specific ecosystem?
average temperature of the ecosystem
number and kinds of predators in the ecosystem
type of soil in the ecosystem
concentration of oxygen in the ecosystem
Which of the following statements about ecological succession is false?
A disturbed area within a community may recover quickly if improved soil remains.
Pioneer species are the start of community structure.
Secondary succession occurs on a new volcanic island.
Later successional species outcompete earlier species.
Different species can share the same habitat, but competition among them is reduced if they
eat less.
increase their populations.
occupy different niches.
reproduce at different times
Which of the following statements is false about pioneer species?
They remain permanent residents of the community.
Many are mutualistic with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
They have wide ranges of tolerance
They are often small annuals with an abundance of easily dispersed seeds.
Gause's exclusion principle refers to
niche removal
competition
habitat preference
isolation
What is one difference between primary and secondary succession?
Secondary succession begins with lichens and primary succession begins with trees
Primary succession is slow and secondary succession is rapid.
Primary succession modifies the environment and secondary succession does not.
Secondary succession begins on soil and primary succession begins on newly exposed surfaces.
A relationship in which two species are dependent on each other for survival is
competitive exclusion
neutral
mutualism
parasitism
The relationship between the yucca plant and the yucca moth that pollinates it is
camouflage
obligate mutualism
all of these
commensalism
No two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time
unless the species require different biotic factors.
because of the competition exclusion principle
because of the interactions that shape the ecosystem.
unless the species require different abiotic factors.
The weakest symbiotic association, in which one species simply lives better in the presence of another species, is
competition.
commensalism.
parasitism.
facultative obligate mutualism.
A predator can increase the numbers of certain species in its habitat by
living symbiotically with other species.
crowding out the species it does not eat.
avoiding certain species of prey
killing and eating competitors of other species
A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit is
mutualism
predation
commensalism
parasitism
An interaction between two species in which both species benefit is
commensalism
mutualism
predation
symbiosis
An interaction between two species in which one species benefits and the other species is harmed is
mutualism
none of these
commensalism
predation
A one-way relationship in which one species benefits at the expense of another is
obligate mutualism
parasitism
a neutral relationship
predation
Use the figure above showing root systems of three annual plant species that live together to answer the following questions.
The plant species that has a root system adapted for rapid absorption of water during rains is
Smartweed roots
Indian Mallow roots
all of these
bristly foxtail
Coevolution is
random association between two individuals that allows similarity patterns to emerge.
where each species is a selective agent that guides the evolutionary changes in the other.
none of these
mutualistic associations and commensalism.
Use the figure above showing root systems of three annual plant species that live together to answer the following questions.
The plant species whose root system absorbs water from regions where the soil is always moist is
Indian mallow roots
bristly foxtail
smartweed
none of these
all of these
Several species of warblers can live in the same spruce tree ONLY because they
have different habitats within the tree.
occupy different niches within the tree.
eat different foods within the tree.
can find different temperatures within the tree.
The symbiotic relationship between a flower and the insect that feeds on its nectar is an example of
mutualism because the flower provides the insect with food and the insect pollinates the flower.
parasitism because the insect lives off the nectar from the flower.
commensalism because the insect does not harm the flower and the flower does not benefit from the relationship.
predation because the insect feeds on the flower.
Niche refers to the
feeding levels of species
preferred habitat for an organism.
functional role of a species in a community.
territory occupied by a species.
The relationship between an insect and the plants it pollinates is
all of these
mutualism
predation
commensalism
How does most nitrogen leave the atmosphere?
Through the action of denitrifying bacteria
Through the action of nitrifying bacteria
Through the action of nitrogen-reducing bacteria
Through the action of nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Which of the following is currently a primary cause of species decline worldwide?
habitat destruction
random mating
viral outbreak
all of these
Ticks carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Ticks do not get Lyme disease, but they can transfer the bacteria to humans, who can get the disease.
Which of the following statements best describes the relationships among the bacteria, the ticks, and the humans?
The relationship between the bacteria and the ticks is competition, and the relationship between the ticks and the humans is predation.
The relationship between the bacteria and the ticks is competition, and the relationship between the ticks and the humans is parasitism.
The relationship between the bacteria and the ticks is commensalism, and the relationship between the ticks and the humans is parasitism.
The relationship between the bacteria and the ticks is commensalism, and the relationship between the ticks and the humans is predation.
A relationship in which two species are dependent on each other for survival is
commensalism
mutualism
neutral
competitive exclusion
How does the combustion of fossil fuels affect the overall temperature of the Earth?
CO2 is taken up causing heat to be retained more
CO2 is produced causing heat to be retained more
CO2 is taken up causing heat to be lost more easily
CO2 is produced causing heat to be lost more easily
What would happen to a population that is in the equilibrium phase of a logistic growth curve if resources became more scarce?
its limiting factors would cease to be a factor
It would leave exponential growth.
Its carrying capacity would increase.
Its carrying capacity would decrease.
Most nitrogen fixation occurs due to
N-fixing bacteria in soil or legume root nodules or from lightning
Deamination by bacteria
Denitrification by bacteria
Absorption by roots of non-legume plants
Which of the following is not a major route of CO2 entering the atmosphere?
respiration
combustion of fossil fuels
photosynthesis
A parasite infects the trout population in Box Lake. What type of limiting factor is it?
abiotic
density dependent
density independent
none of these
Squirrels tend to live in a forest type of ecosystem. Which of the following could be included into a squirrel’s niche?
all of the above could be included in the niche of a squirrel
the tree in which the squirrel makes its nest
the burying of nuts and seeds in burrows beneath the surface of the ground
herbivore feeding on acorns and other seeds
The following section focuses on the recolonization of an area after a volcanic eruption.Read the information below and use it to answer the multiple-choice questions that follow.
Kilauea is a Hawaiian volcano that erupted in 1959, destroying vegetation and animal life over an area of5 million square meters. Before the eruption, many organisms lived on the volcano in a rain forest community. The rain forest was dominated by ohia trees and two species of tree ferns. Small trees, tall shrubs, and herbaceous plants (plants lacking woody tissues) were also present. After the eruption, scientists closely monitored the area to track the recolonization of the devastated habitat. Scientists did not find any organisms living in this area for the first six months following the eruption. The table below shows the changes in one localized area that was covered by a massive amount of lava rock with many cracks and crevices. Despite the colonization of the area by several different types of organisms by year 9, the overall cover of the habitat was so low that the surface still looked barren.
The recolonization of this area by algae, mosses, ferns, and seed plants reestablished which trophic level in the devastated ecosystem?
secondary consumer
decomposer
primary consumer
producer
What form of nitrogen is usable by plants to build their proteins?
Atmospheric nitrogen
Ammonia in soil
Nitrates in soil
Nitrites in soil
Which of the following is a way that liquid water is converted into vapor?
nitrification
transmogrification
runoff
transpiration
A species’ population size has recently increased dramatically. Which of the following would be the most likely to become more important?
random genetic drift
disease
weather
abiotic limiting factors
Humans have increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere by
Increasing the amount of photosynthesis and the amount of combustion.
Decreasing the amount of photosynthesis and increasing the amount of combustion.
Decreasing the amount of photosynthesis and the amount of combustion.
Increasing the amount of photosynthesis and decreasing the amount of combustion.
The range of all factors that influence whether a species can obtain resources essential for survival and reproduction is its
habitat
niche
carrying capacity
community
What are two way that carbon enters the atmosphere?
I. respiration
II. Photosynthesis
III. Fossil fuel formation
IV. Combustion
V. Atmospheric CO2
VI. Carbon sink
V and I
II and IV
I and II
I and IV
Which of the following does NOT cycle through an ecosystem?
phosphorus
carbon
energy
water
nitrgogen
The plants and animals now present on acreage from which the trees were removed ten years earlier represent
species introduction
pioneer species
secondary succession
primary succession
Carbon is introduced into the atmosphere by all EXCEPT which of the following means?
combustion of wood
wind erosion of rocks
respiration
volcanic eruptions
The following section focuses on the recolonization of an area after a volcanic eruption.Read the information below and use it to answer the multiple-choice questions that follow.
Kilauea is a Hawaiian volcano that erupted in 1959, destroying vegetation and animal life over an area of5 million square meters. Before the eruption, many organisms lived on the volcano in a rain forest community. The rain forest was dominated by ohia trees and two species of tree ferns. Small trees, tall shrubs, and herbaceous plants (plants lacking woody tissues) were also present. After the eruption, scientists closely monitored the area to track the recolonization of the devastated habitat. Scientists did not find any organisms living in this area for the first six months following the eruption. The table below shows the changes in one localized area that was covered by a massive amount of lava rock with many cracks and crevices. Despite the colonization of the area by several different types of organisms by year 9, the overall cover of the habitat was so low that the surface still looked barren.
Pioneer species are the first species to take hold in a barren area after a disaster has occurred. Based on the data, most of the pioneer species in this area were which of the following types of organisms?
seed plants
mosses
ferns
algae
Tapeworms are sometimes found in the small intestines of sheep. A tapeworm attaches to the intestinal wall using suckers and then absorbs nutrients from the sheep’s intestine.
Which of the following terms describes the relationship between the tapeworm and the sheep?
parasitism
predation
herbivory
In 1882, the tropical volcanic island Krakatoa exploded and was reduced to an abiotic island covered by a thick layer of volcanic ash. By 1933, populations of all of the following organisms were present.
Which population was probably established after the others?
Bacteria
Ferns
Rodents
Insects
Many introduced species have deleterious effects on communities and ecosystems because
coevolved parasites and competitors are absent.
predators prefer the introduced species; therefore, the local prey proliferate to dangerously high levels.
all of these occur
the introduced species are long-lived.
the communities from which they came lost an important predator, competitor, or parasite.
What do denitrifying bacteria do?
They convert nitrogen into carbon
They convert ammonia into nitrates
They convert nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen
They convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia
What causes an “s-shaped” growth curve to level off?6
the population shifts from a clumped to a uniformly spaced dispersion
the population reaches the environmental carrying capacity
“s-shaped” growth curves never level off
mortality decreases in the population
the population stops reproducing
Which of the following is not a major area of water storage on Earth?
groundwater
ocean
atmosphere
sedimentary rock
surface water
The pattern of dispersion known as ________________ results from a form of antagonism (competition) occurring between individuals.
random dispersion
uniform dispersion
clumped dispersion
allochronic dispersion
Carbon is stored in what form(s)?
all of these
biomass
fossil fuel
limestone rocks
shells of animals
Secondary succession occurs
on bare rock
after a fire
on a new sand dune.
immediately after the formation of a man-made lake.
Which of the following is a way that liquid water is converted into vapor?
transmogrification
the whole water cycle
nitrification
transpiration
runoff
The burning of fossil fuels is called
Respiration
Fossil fuel formation
Combustion
Photosynthesis
What are the four classes of organic compounds?
esters, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones
None of these
DNA, RNA, enzymes, and antibodies
airy, fruits & vegetables, grains, and meat
proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids
Which of the following processes associated with the water cycle might be responsible for helping to clean or filter the water?
I. precipitation
II. evaporation
III. condensation
IV. surface runoff
V. percolation
VI. transpiration
VII. Groundwater flow
VIII. Absorption (by plants)
III & VI
I and II
V, VI, & VIII
IV & VII
Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?
natural gases
peat
coal
wood
What does NOT cycle through an ecosystem?
(a)
Compared to transfers among organisms, transfers of essential elements to and from environment reservoirs are (a) .
Most of the water vapor in the earth’s atmosphere comes from evaporation from (a) .
Which of the following organisms give off Carbon as CO2—land animals, land plants, marine animals, marine plants, bacteria?
(a)
Carbon is introduced into the atmosphere by respiration, vocanoes, and (a) .
What gas is increasing in the atmosphere and is the primary cause of intensifying the greenhouse effect?
(a)
Carbon is introduced into the atmosphere by all EXCEPT which of the following means?
respiration
burning of fossil fuels
wind erosion of rocks
combustion of wood
Which of the following organisms give of carbon as CO2?
bacteria
all of the other choices give off CO2
marine animals
land plants
land animals
Chemical elements flow through an ecosystem but energy is recycled.
True
False
The biogeochemical cycle is the ways in which an element moves between its various living and nonliving forms and locations in the biosphere.
True
False
Mountains are part of the hydrosphere.
True
False
The atmosphere includes rivers and lakes.
True
False
Earthworms live in the geosphere.
True
False
Which of the following traces the path of the water cycle?
percolation, precipitation, condensation, evaporation
percolation, condensation, precipitation
evaporation, condensation, precipitation, percolation
condensation, evaporation, runoff
Large groundwater reservoirs are called
percolators
aquifers
sublimators
underground coeans
In the biotic portion of the carbon cycle,
carbon is taken out of the atmosphere by respiration and returned to the atmosphere by photosynthesis
carbon is taken out of the atmosphere by photosynthesis and returned to the atmosphere by respiration
carbon is taken out of the atmosphere by sedimentation and returned to the atmosphere by volcanoes
carbon is taken out of the atmosphere by deforestation and returned to the atmosphere by formation of fossil fuels.
The combustion of fossil fuels has had which effect on the carbon cycle?
More carbon in the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide
More carbon in the atmosphere in the form of glucose
Less carbon in the air due to increase respiration
Less carbon in the air due to accelerated formation of fossil fuels in the geosphere
