Ecology Unit Review (Questions From The 2005 Md Hsa)
This test consists of 2005 HSA questions related to the ecology unit of the MCPS biology curriculum.
- 1.
What is the relationship between the sea otter and the seat urchin?
- A.
Competition
- B.
Predation
- C.
Mutualism
- D.
Parasitism
Correct Answer
B. PredationExplanation
The relationship between the sea otter and the sea urchin is one of predation. Sea otters feed on sea urchins, making them the predator, while sea urchins are the prey. Predation is a relationship where one organism hunts and consumes another organism for food. In this case, the sea otter preys on the sea urchin as a source of sustenance.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What is the relationship between the sea urchin and the kelp crab?
- A.
Competition
- B.
Predation
- C.
Mutualism
- D.
Parasitism
Correct Answer
A. CompetitionExplanation
Sea urchins and kelp crabs have a competitive relationship. They both rely on the same resources, such as food and shelter, and therefore compete with each other for these resources. This competition can occur directly, where they actively compete for the same resources, or indirectly, where the presence of one species limits the availability of resources for the other species. Overall, their relationship is characterized by competition rather than predation, mutualism, or parasitism.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Cholera bacteria live inside copepods, tiny marine organisms. This type of microscopic bacteria harms the copepods by feeding off their internal tissues.Which of these describes the relationship between cholera bacteria and copepods?
- A.
Mutualism
- B.
Parasite–host
- C.
Commensalism
- D.
Producer–consumer
Correct Answer
B. Parasite–hostExplanation
Cholera bacteria and copepods have a parasite-host relationship. The bacteria harm the copepods by feeding off their internal tissues, which indicates that the bacteria benefit at the expense of the copepods. This relationship is characteristic of a parasite-host interaction, where the parasite benefits while the host is harmed.Rate this question:
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- 4.
A team of marine scientists is studying biotic and abiotic factors that affect the stability of a deep-sea ecosystem.The scientists discovered a species of fish that eats other fish and decaying matter. Which of these does not describe the newly discovered fish?
- A.
Consumer
- B.
Predator
- C.
Scavenger
- D.
Producer
Correct Answer
D. ProducerExplanation
The newly discovered fish does not describe a producer because producers are organisms that can create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Since the fish in question eats other fish and decaying matter, it is not capable of producing its own food and therefore cannot be classified as a producer.Rate this question:
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- 5.
A team of marine scientists is studying biotic and abiotic factors that affect the stability of a deep-sea ecosystem.The deep-sea ecosystem is a stable ecosystem. Which of these is a characteristic of most stable ecosystems?
- A.
They contain a wide variety of organisms.
- B.
They contain very few organisms.
- C.
Organic nutrients are in short supply.
- D.
Sunlight is not used to make food.
Correct Answer
A. They contain a wide variety of organisms.Explanation
A stable ecosystem is characterized by a wide variety of organisms. This is because a diverse range of species helps to maintain balance and resilience within the ecosystem. Each organism plays a specific role and contributes to the overall stability of the ecosystem. If there were only a few organisms, the ecosystem would be more vulnerable to disturbances and would have a higher risk of collapse. Additionally, a wide variety of organisms ensures that resources are efficiently utilized and prevents any one species from dominating the ecosystem.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Hydrothermal vent communities are often destroyed by lava erupting from the ocean floor. After the lava has cooled, different organisms begin to inhabit the area. Over a period of a few years, organisms inhabit the area in the following order:sulfur bacteria -> crabs -> giant tubeworms -> clams and musselsWhich of these best identifies this sequence of events?
- A.
Evolution
- B.
Mutation
- C.
Succession
- D.
Translation
Correct Answer
C. SuccessionExplanation
The given sequence of events, where different organisms inhabit the area after the destruction of hydrothermal vent communities by lava, can be best described as succession. Succession refers to the gradual and predictable changes in the composition of species in an ecosystem over time. In this case, the sulfur bacteria are the first to colonize the area, followed by crabs, giant tubeworms, and finally clams and mussels. This orderly progression of organisms colonizing the area after the disturbance is a clear example of ecological succession.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The organisms in this community live near heated vents. Inorganic compounds such as sulfides mix with extremely hot water when they are released from the vents. Bacteria use the sulfides to make food for themselves and other animals. Many of these bacteria live in the bodies of the giant tubeworms and the giant white clams that live in this community.Which of these is an abiotic factor that influences this ecosystem?
- A.
Food
- B.
Bacteria
- C.
Water temperature
- D.
Giant tubeworms
Correct Answer
C. Water temperatureExplanation
Water temperature is an abiotic factor that influences this ecosystem because it affects the survival and metabolic activities of the organisms living near the heated vents. The extremely hot water released from the vents provides the necessary energy for the bacteria to convert inorganic compounds into food. The temperature of the water determines the availability of this energy source and influences the overall productivity and diversity of the ecosystem.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of these describes the role of the vole in the Yellowstone ecosystem?
- A.
Decomposer
- B.
Producer
- C.
Herbivore
- D.
Carnivore
Correct Answer
C. HerbivoreExplanation
The vole's role in the Yellowstone ecosystem is that of a herbivore. Herbivores are animals that primarily consume plants as their main source of food. Voles are small rodents that feed on grasses, herbs, and other vegetation, making them herbivores. They play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling plant growth through grazing and serving as a food source for predators.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Scientists estimate that 200 non-native organisms have been introduced into Chesapeake Bay. Which of these statements is not true about non-native organisms?
- A.
They often form mutualistic relationships with native organisms.
- B.
They can deplete the food sources of native organisms.
- C.
They are often aggressive at acquiring and maintaining territory.
- D.
They can prey on native organisms causing them to go extinct.
Correct Answer
A. They often form mutualistic relationships with native organisms.Explanation
Non-native organisms are typically known to have negative impacts on native ecosystems. They can deplete the food sources of native organisms, be aggressive at acquiring and maintaining territory, and prey on native organisms causing them to go extinct. However, it is not true that they often form mutualistic relationships with native organisms. Mutualistic relationships involve a mutually beneficial interaction between two different species, and non-native organisms are more likely to disrupt the balance and harmony of native ecosystems rather than contribute to mutualistic relationships.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Reef-building coral are marine animals with single-celled algae living in their tissues. The coral provide protection for the algae and the algae provides food for the coral. Which of these statements best explains what would happen to the coral if the algae die?
- A.
The coral would grow well because it does not have a competitor.
- B.
The coral would die because it needs the food produced by the algae.
- C.
The coral would grow well because it does not have a parasite.
- D.
The coral would die because it cannot produce food for the algae.
Correct Answer
B. The coral would die because it needs the food produced by the algae.Explanation
The algae living in the tissues of reef-building coral provide food for the coral. If the algae were to die, the coral would not receive the necessary food and nutrients it needs to survive. As a result, the coral would ultimately die.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Striped fish are affected by biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. Which of these factors is biotic?
- A.
Water temperatuure
- B.
Mineral nutrients
- C.
Freshwater algae
- D.
Inorganic sediments
Correct Answer
C. Freshwater algaeExplanation
Freshwater algae is a biotic factor because it is a living organism that directly interacts with striped fish in their environment. Biotic factors include all living organisms that can influence the survival, behavior, and distribution of other organisms. In this case, freshwater algae can serve as a food source for striped fish or affect their habitat and water quality.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Mar 14, 2011Quiz Created by
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