WorksheetsLesson 24 – Ecology and Species Interactions
Total questions: 88
Worksheet time: 44mins
What is Ecology?
Study of interactions among organisms and their environment
Study of physical factors only
Study of chemical reactions
Study of weather patterns
Fill in the blank: Biotic interactions are interactions among ________ things.
living
non-living
artificial
imaginary
Fill in the blank: Abiotic interactions are between organisms and their ________ environment.
nonliving
living
social
internal
Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?
B) Hypothesis formation
E) Experimentation
D) Guessing
C) Data analysis
A) Observations
Fill in the blank: Physical factors such as ________ regulate physiological processes, dictating species survival and geographic distribution based on growth conditions.
Temperature
Humidity
Altitude
Salinity
Which physical factor shapes vegetation structures and influences seed dispersal?
Temperature
Wind
Water
Light
Water determines species aggregation, vegetation, and biodiversity.
True
False
Fill in the blank: High salinity reduces plant growth; affects ________ in marine and freshwater environments.
osmosis
photosynthesis
respiration
transpiration
In polar areas, the Sun’s rays strike the Earth at an oblique angle and deliver ________ less energy than at tropical locations.
10%
25%
40%
60%
In tropical areas, the Sun’s energy is concentrated over a smaller surface area and travels a shorter distance through the atmosphere.
True
False
Fill in the blank: Majority of heat radiated from Earth is redirected back to Earth by ________ gases.
greenhouse
oxygen
nitrogen
argon
What type of interaction is described by the following: Both species benefit from the interaction?
A) Mutualism
B) Predation
C) Commensalism
D) Amensalism
According to the competitive exclusion principle, can two different species occupy the same exact ecological niche at the same time?
True
False
What is resource partitioning? Fill in the blank: Resource partitioning is the differentiation of ______ in space and time that enables similar species to coexist.
niches
habitats
populations
ecosystems
Based on the graph of lynx and hare populations, what is the relationship between lynx predation and hare population density?
A) Lynx predation increases hare population
B) Lynx predation decreases hare population
C) Lynx predation has no effect on hare population
D) Lynx predation causes hare population to oscillate
What is the main idea of the bottom-up control model in ecology?
A) Predators control population dynamics
B) Resources such as nutrients and food control population dynamics
C) Both predators and resources control population dynamics
D) None of the above
In the top-down control model, what regulates the population of lower trophic levels? Fill in the blank: In the top-down control model, ______ regulate the population of lower trophic levels by their feeding interactions.
predators
plants
decomposers
nutrients
Refer to the table of species interactions. Which type of interaction is described as '+/+'?
A) Mutualism
B) Predation
C) Commensalism
D) Amensalism
According to the competitive exclusion principle, can two different species occupy the same exact ecological niche at the same time?
True
False
What is resource partitioning?
Resource partitioning is the differentiation of niches in space and time that enables similar species to coexist.
Resource partitioning is the process by which organisms compete for the same resources until one is eliminated.
Resource partitioning refers to the physical separation of species by barriers such as mountains or rivers.
Resource partitioning is the sharing of food resources equally among all species in an ecosystem.
Which of the following is an example of aposematic coloration?
A) Blue poison dart frog
B) King snake
C) Hare
D) Bird
According to the graph, what is the relationship between the abundance of lynx and hares over time?
The abundance of lynx and hares shows a characteristic 9–11-year oscillation, with lynx populations following the fluctuations in hare populations.
The abundance of lynx and hares remains constant over time, with no noticeable fluctuations.
Lynx populations peak before hare populations, showing no correlation between their abundances.
Hare populations decrease steadily while lynx populations increase continuously.
Which model suggests that the abundance and distribution of populations are regulated by the availability of resources such as nutrients and food?
A) Top-down control
B) Bottom-up control
In the top-down control model, what is the primary factor regulating the population dynamics of lower trophic levels?
The impact of consumers (predators) at higher trophic levels.
The availability of sunlight.
The rate of nutrient cycling.
The amount of rainfall.
What is the study of interactions among organisms and their environment called?
Biotic interactions
Ecology
Abiotic interactions
Population
Fill in the blank: Biotic interactions are interactions among ________ things.
living
non-living
artificial
imaginary
Which of the following investigates how adaptations and choices by individual animals affect reproduction and survival?
Population
Organismal
Community
Ecosystem
Which level of ecological organization focuses on groups of inter-breeding individuals and species interactions?
Organismal
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Fill in the blank: The scientific method includes observations, hypothesis formation, experimentation, data analysis, and ________ or rejection of hypothesis.
acceptance
prediction
measurement
classification
Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?
A) Observations
B) Hypothesis formation
C) Data analysis
D) Population growth
Temperature regulates physiological processes, dictating species survival and geographic distribution based on growth conditions.
True
False
In polar areas, the Sun’s rays strike the Earth at an oblique angle and deliver 40% less energy than at tropical locations.
True
False
What is the effect of greenhouse gases on Earth's heat radiation?
They increase heat loss to space
They redirect heat back to Earth
They have no effect
They cool the atmosphere
What is the definition of 'Population' as described in LO26.1?
A group of interbreeding individuals occupying the same habitat at the same time.
A collection of different species living in a region.
A group of non-interacting individuals in various locations.
A set of organisms sharing similar traits but living separately.
What does 'Population ecology' study according to LO26.1?
Studies factors affecting population size and how they change over space and time.
Studies the genetic makeup of populations and how it changes over generations.
Studies the interactions between different species in a community.
Studies the physical and chemical properties of ecosystems.
What is 'Demography' as defined in LO26.1?
Birth rates, death rates, age distributions, and sizes of populations.
The study of weather patterns and climate change.
Analysis of economic growth and market trends.
Research on animal behavior and migration.
What does 'Density' refer to in population ecology?
Number of organisms in a given unit area.
Total biomass of organisms in an ecosystem.
Rate of birth in a population.
Ratio of predators to prey in a habitat.
Which method estimates population size by counting individuals within a series of randomly placed square plots?
Mark-Recapture
Quadrat Method
Pitfall Trap
Mist Net
Which method involves capturing and marking some individuals, releasing them, and then recapturing to determine the percentage marked?
Quadrat Method
Mark-Recapture
Uniform Dispersion
Iteroparity
What is 'Dispersion' in the context of population ecology? (LO26.3)
Degree of spacing between individuals in a population.
Rate of population growth over time.
Total number of species in an ecosystem.
Average lifespan of individuals in a population.
What does 'Survivorship' refer to?
Proportion of individuals in a population that survive to a particular age.
Rate at which a population increases in size.
Number of offspring produced by an individual.
Average lifespan of a species.
What is 'Fecundity'?
The potential reproductive capacity of an individual or population, often measured by the number of offspring produced.
The ability of an organism to survive in extreme conditions.
The process of photosynthesis in plants.
The migration pattern of animals during winter.
Which of the following is a density-dependent factor? (LO26.5)
Weather
Natural disasters
Competition
Temperature
Which of the following is a density-independent factor? (LO26.5)
Disease
Predation
Weather
Competition
What is the difference between semelparity and iteroparity?
Semelparity: produce all offspring in a single reproductive event. Iteroparity: patterns of repeated reproduction throughout life cycle.
Semelparity: repeated reproduction throughout life cycle. Iteroparity: single reproductive event.
Semelparity: only occurs in mammals. Iteroparity: only occurs in birds.
Semelparity: involves no parental care. Iteroparity: involves extensive parental care.
In the exponential and logistic growth models (LO26.4), what does the carrying capacity (K) represent?
The maximum population size that an environment can sustain.
The rate at which a population grows exponentially.
The minimum population size required for survival.
The average lifespan of individuals in a population.
Which of the following is the correct definition of genetic diversity?
The number and relative abundance of species in a community.
The diversity of structure and function within an ecosystem.
The amount of genetic variation within and between populations.
The process of natural selection.
Which of the following is NOT a main cause of extinction listed in the worksheet?
Introduced species
Direct exploitation
Habitat creation
Climate change
Fill in the blank: The number and relative abundance of species in a community is called ________ diversity.
species
genetic
ecosystem
population
Fill in the blank: The diversity of structure and function within an ecosystem is called ________ diversity.
ecosystem
genetic
species
population
Healthy ecosystems provide essential services such as air filtration, water, fossil fuels, timber, and nutrient cycling.
True
False
Which hypothesis suggests a linear correlation between species diversity and ecosystem function, indicating that more diverse ecosystems tend to be more stable and resilient?
Species-Area Relationship
Biodiversity-Stability Hypothesis: Elton’s hypothesis
Community Function Hypothesis
Field Experiment Hypothesis
What is the effect of inbreeding in small populations?
Increases genetic diversity
Decreases reproductive fitness
Increases population size
Decreases homozygosity
Fill in the blank: The effective population size (EPS) is the number of individuals that contribute ________ to future populations.
genes
energy
offspring
habitat
Genetic drift is more likely to decrease genetic diversity in large populations than in small populations.
True
False
The formula F = 1/(2N) represents which concept in the context of population genetics?
The probability of fixation of a new mutation
The inbreeding coefficient in a finite population
The rate of genetic drift in a population
The mutation rate per generation
According to the worksheet, the impact of human population growth on biodiversity is:
an increase in biodiversity
a decrease in biodiversity
no impact on biodiversity
biodiversity remains stable
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
Remove waste products from blood
Deliver oxygen to body tissues
Produce hormones
Digest food
Which of the following is NOT a structure of the respiratory system?
Gills
Lungs
Tracheae
Heart
Fill in the blank: Direct diffusion in respiration is sufficient for ______ organisms.
unicellular
multicellular
complex
plant
Which adaptation allows fish to obtain oxygen?
Lungs
Gills
Skin
Tracheae
Respiratory complexity correlates with organism size and environment.
True
False
What is the defined pressure of one atmosphere?
100 mm Hg
760 mm Hg
159.2 mm Hg
600.6 mm Hg
Fill in the blank: The partial pressure of oxygen (O2) in ambient air is ______ mm Hg.
160
100
80
200
Which part of the respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange in alveoli?
Bronchi
Capillaries
Alveolar sac
Diaphragm
Fill in the blank: The diaphragm contracts to increase ______ cavity volume, drawing air into the lungs.
thoracic
abdominal
cranial
pelvic
Which of the following is a common respiratory disease?
Diabetes
Asthma
Arthritis
Hypertension
Environmental factors like pollution and smoking can exacerbate respiratory diseases.
True
False
Which type of vertebrate has a single circuit and two-chambered heart?
Fish
Amphibians
Reptiles
Mammals
Mammals have a fully divided ______-chambered heart.
four
two
three
five
Which vessel has the thickest tunica media?
Large vein
Elastic artery
Muscular artery
Venule
The electrical impulses generated by the ______ node spread through the atria, causing atrial contraction.
sinoatrial (SA)
atrioventricular (AV)
bundle of His
Purkinje
Which phase of the ECG corresponds to ventricular excitation?
P wave
QRS complex
T wave
U wave
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) controls blood pressure by converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin II, causing vasoconstriction and aldosterone release.
True
False
Atherosclerosis impacts cardiovascular health by causing ______ buildup in arteries and higher risks of heart attacks and strokes.
plaque
glucose
oxygen
calcium
Which type of white blood cell is involved in the immune response?
Neutrophil
Monocyte
Lymphocyte
All of the above
The innermost layer of an artery is called the ______.
endothelium
adventitia
smooth muscle
pericardium
Which abiotic factor influences the metabolic rates of organisms and the timing of biological processes?
Precipitation
Temperature
Salinity
Light Availability
What does precipitation provide that is essential for plant growth, influencing vegetation types and density?
Water
Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Nutrients
Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor in an aquatic ecosystem?
Water
Temperature
Coral polyps
Salinity
Fill in the blank: The _______ zone of the marine biome is found between high and low tides and experiences submersion and exposure.
Intertidal
Abyssal
Pelagic
Benthic
Which marine zone is characterized by high productivity and is nutrient-rich, extending from low tide mark to continental shelf edge?
Neritic Zone
Pelagic Realm
Benthic Zone
Abyssal Zone
The abyssal zone is found at depths beyond 4,000 meters, is dark and cold, and has high pressure.
True
False
Which aquatic ecosystem is built by coral polyps and is highly sensitive to temperature and water quality?
Coral reefs
Mangrove forests
Freshwater lakes
Kelp forests
Which of the following is a freshwater region?
Coral reefs
Lentic habitats
Open ocean
Salt marshes
Which terrestrial biome has an average temperature of 25°C and precipitation of 100cm?
Tropical rain forest
Tropical grassland (savanna)
Temperate grassland (prairie)
Temp rain forest
Fill in the blank: The _______ zone of the ocean is home to bottom-dwelling organisms and has varying physical properties and nutrients from detritus.
Benthic
Pelagic
Abyssal
Photic
Which factor determines the depth of the photic zone and influences the distribution and diversity of photosynthetic organisms in aquatic biomes?
Water Density
Light Availability
Temperature
Salinity
