1.
Succession where glaciers melt and expose new rock is called:
Correct Answer
A. Primary
Explanation
There was no preexisting life, so this makes it primary succession.
2.
In the following food chain, which organism is the secondary consumer?
grass ------> rabbit -------> snake ------> hawk
Correct Answer
C. Snake
Explanation
The snake feeds at the THIRD trophic level, but it goes producer -- primary consumer --SECONDARY CONSUMER (snake eating rabbit, a herbivore).
3.
Which of the following cannot be recycled?
Correct Answer
D. Energy
Explanation
We say energy flows (one-way, from the sun to producers to consumers, and if we don't constantly get input from the sun, energy on plant Earth will runout) while nutrients cycle (other three options continually cycle through our planet).
4.
The term "nitrogen fixation" refers to:
Correct Answer
B. The process where bacteria in legumes turns nitrogen into a form that plants can use
Explanation
The correct answer is the process where bacteria in legumes turns nitrogen into a form that plants can use. Nitrogen fixation is the process in which certain bacteria, such as Rhizobium, convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into a form that can be used by plants. These bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with legumes, such as peas and beans, and live in nodules on their roots. The bacteria take in nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into ammonia, which is then used by the plants to synthesize proteins and other essential molecules. This process is important for maintaining nitrogen levels in the soil and promoting plant growth.
5.
The release of water vapor from the leaves of trees is called:
Correct Answer
D. Transpiration
Explanation
Transpiration is the process by which water vapor is released from the leaves of trees. It is a vital part of the water cycle, where water is absorbed by the roots, transported to the leaves, and then evaporated through small openings called stomata. This process helps to regulate the temperature of the plant, transport nutrients, and maintain the plant's structure. Therefore, transpiration is the correct term for the release of water vapor from tree leaves.
6.
Which of the following is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
Correct Answer
C. Rock
Explanation
Abiotic means not-living; all other options are living, or BIOTIC.
7.
Mushrooms and other fungi are responsible for breaking down dead organic matter. In the ecosystem, they are called:
Correct Answer
C. Decomposers
Explanation
Decomposers are consumers and they feed at all trophic levels (if any organism dies, it decomposed by bacteria, bugs, mushrooms, etc)
8.
On average, the amount of energy that is passed from one organism to the next in a food chain is:
Correct Answer
B. 10%
Explanation
On average, only 10% of the energy stored in the tissue of one trophic level is converted into stored energy at the next trophic level. Where does the other 90% go? Used to heat body, move around, lost as waste and lost as carbon dioxide after respiration releases the energy from our food.
9.
On what trophic level would you find organisms that use the sun's energy directly to make their own food?
Correct Answer
A. 1
Explanation
Only producers get their energy directly from the sun; all others (consumers) get their energy from eating other living things. Producers are found at the bottom, or the first level, of an energy pyramid.
10.
Lichen is a symbiotic decomposer that attaches itself to trees and slowly breaks them down. They obtain nutrients from the tree, allowing them to survive and reproduce. What type of relationship is this?
Correct Answer
C. Parasitism
Explanation
Even if you don't know what a lichen is, you should recognize this organism is benefiting (getting food) while the tree suffers as it is weakened by the loss of tissue and nutrients as the lichen feeds on the tree. Similar to a tick and a human. A predator is usually larger than the prey and kills the organism when consuming/eating the organism.
11.
In the terrestrial food web above, what would be the effect of a farmer introducing a rat poison into the ecosystem that is toxic to rats and mice?
Correct Answer
A. The population of fox would decrease
Explanation
In this food web, look for the most direct connection; the fox eats mice directly.
12.
An animal that only eats the flesh of another animal is called a:
Correct Answer
C. Carnivore
Explanation
This includes "flesh of animal" so it isn't an omnivore, which would consumer some plants.
13.
Which of the following statements is true about matter and energy?
Correct Answer
B. Matter is recycled; energy is not recycled
Explanation
Recall water, nitrogen, and carbon are never used up, they just cycle into various forms. Energy needs are constantly added to our planet from the sun.
14.
The ultimate source of energy for most organisms is:
Correct Answer
D. The sun
Explanation
Organisms need all these things, but only the sun is a source of energy.
15.
In the nitrogen cycle, the term "nitrification" refers to:
Correct Answer
B. The conversion of decaying organisms into fertilizer
Explanation
When something dies and it decays, 'nitrification' is the process of converting the plant or animal into fertilizer. Legumes turning air into fertilizer is 'nitrogen fixation' and animals getting nitrogen from eating legumes is 'assimilation.'
16.
Which of the following is considered the main source of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to global climate change?
Correct Answer
A. Carbon gas released into the atmospHere from factories and cars
Explanation
The other three options release carbon dioxide but they have been doing so for millions of years. The recent rise in carbon dioxide levels is due to the great increase is combustion as we burn fossil fuels.
17.
The ecological role of an organism within an ecosystem is called its:
Correct Answer
B. Niche
Explanation
Niche describes how an organism uses its habitat (the physical world in which it lives); what it eats, where it dens/sleep, how it captures food, etc. Biomass is just the mass of all the living tissue in an area.
18.
The above image represents what type of relationship?
Correct Answer
C. Parasitism
Explanation
Mosquito gets nutrients from the blood and humans suffer a little bit from losing the nutrients from the blood.
19.
In which cycle would you find transpiration?
Correct Answer
A. Water
Explanation
Transpiration is the lose of water from plant leaves (plant sweat).
20.
Which of the following organisms is an autotroph?
Correct Answer
A. Algae
Explanation
Autotrophs get their energy from inorganic sources and they are also known as producers. Plants and algae.
21.
An area was recently destroyed by a raging wildfire. Which of the following events would allow secondary succession to take place?
Correct Answer
C. The dead bodies of animals that did not survive the fire return nutrients to the soil
Explanation
Secondary succession is when a community is disrupted (fire, flood) and a new community replaces a previously existing community. This is different from primary in a number of ways, but a big difference is the existence of good, nutrient-rich soil in secondary succession.
22.
What is respiration?
Correct Answer
A. Releasing carbon dioxide and water as an organism burns its food.
Explanation
Know the equation for respiration! In our cells, we use oxygen to 'burn' our food, releasing useful energy and carbon dioxide and water.