AP Biology : Determine relationships of living organisms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

Which of the following terms describes a relationship between two different species, in which both species benefit?

Possible Answers:

Amensalism

Commensalism

Synnecrosis

Symbiosis

Parasitism

Correct answer:

Symbiosis

Explanation:

Symbiosis describes a relationship in which both parties benefit. It has been theorized that eukaryotic cells evolved from a symbiotic relationship in which one prokaryote engulfed another. The engulfed cell gained protection from the environment, while the engulfing cell gained an energy source from the engulfed cell.

Commensalism describes a relationship in which one party benefits and the other is neither helped, nor harmed. Parasitism describes a relationship in which one party benefits, while the other is harmed. Amensalism describes a relationship in which one party is unaffected, while the other party is obliterated. Synnecrosis is a relationship that is deadly to both parties involved.

Example Question #1 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

Which of the given choices is an example of a mutualistic relationship?

Possible Answers:

Barnacle and a mollusk shell

Plant roots and fungi

Human blood vessels and S. mansoni (worm)

Cat and mouse

Correct answer:

Plant roots and fungi

Explanation:

Mutualistic relationships exist when both organisms benefit from a shared relationship. In the correct answer choice, plants provide energy to the fungi through carbohydrates and the fungi provides nitrogenous compounds to the plant.

Human blood vessel and S. mansoni is a parasitic relationship, as the worm is actually damaging to the host. Cat and mouse is a predatory relationship. The barnacle and mollusk shell is commensalism, with the barnacle benefitting and no effect occurring on the mollusk shell.

Example Question #2 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

Which is not an example of symbiosis?

Possible Answers:

One organism preys on another organism 

Two organisms live in close proximity and benefit each other

A parasite gets nourishment from its host organism 

Two organisms live in close proximity and one organism benefits while the other does not

Two organism live intimately but only one organism benefits 

Correct answer:

One organism preys on another organism 

Explanation:

Symbiosis is when two organisms live in close proximity and usually benefit each other, such as in mutualism. However, this is not always the case. Commensalism is a type of symbiosis and only benefits one of the organisms or has neutral effects. Parasitism is another form of symbiosis, where one organism benefits at the expense of its host. 

Example Question #3 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

Which of the following describes the organization of living systems from most broad to most specific?

Possible Answers:

Biosphere-> Ecosystem->Community->Population->Organism->Organ System-> Organ-> Tissue-> Cell

Ecosystem->Community->Biosphere-> Population->Organism->Organ system-> Organ-> Tissue-> Cell

 Biosphere-> Community-> Ecosystem-> Population->Organism->Tissue->Organ->Organ System-> Cell

Biosphere-> Ecosystem-> Community-> Population-> Organism-> Cell-> Tissue-> Organ System

Correct answer:

Biosphere-> Ecosystem->Community->Population->Organism->Organ System-> Organ-> Tissue-> Cell

Explanation:

The biosphere consists of all parts of Earth that supports life. An ecosystem consists of communities of organisms interacting with their environment. A community consists of populations of various species living in close proximity and interacting. A population consists of organisms of the same species living in close proximity and interacting. An organism is a living being that can reproduce, react to stimuli, grow, and maintain homeostasis. An organ system consists of a group of organs working together to achieve a specific function. An organ is a group of tissues that performs a specific function. A tissue is a group of cells with similar structure working together to perform a specific function. A cell is the fundamental unit of life, and composes all living things.

Example Question #1 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

A group of interdependent organisms living in close proximity is called a

Possible Answers:

population

ecosystem

family

community

Correct answer:

community

Explanation:

An ecosystem consists of communities of organisms interacting with their environment. A community consists of populations of various species living in close proximity and interacting. A population consists of organisms of the same species living in close proximity and interacting.

Example Question #2 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

Interactions between two organisms where one organism benefits and the other organism neither benefits nor is harmed is called

Possible Answers:

predation

parasitism

commensalism

mutualism

Correct answer:

commensalism

Explanation:

Commensalism is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is neither benefited nor harmed. Mutualism is a relationship in which both organisms benefit. Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed. Predation is a relationship in which one organism hunts the other organism for food.

Example Question #1 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

This encompasses the abiotic and biotic components in a given area

Possible Answers:

community

population

tissue

ecosystem

Correct answer:

ecosystem

Explanation:

 An ecosystem consists of communities of organisms interacting with their environment. Abiotic components are nonliving aspects of the environment (sun, wind, soil, water, etc), and biotic components are living aspects of the environment.

Example Question #3 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

Oxpeckers eat bugs and parasites off zebras. Additionally, when a predatory animal is nearby, the oxpeckers make noise, alerting zebras to the presence of predators. This relationship between the oxpecker and zebra can best be described as

Possible Answers:

predatory

mutualistic

competition

commensalistic

Correct answer:

mutualistic

Explanation:

The zebra benefits because the oxpecker rids the zebra of harmful parasites and the zebra receives a warning from the oxpeckers when predators approach; the oxpecker benefits because the parasites serve as a food source. In this scenario, both organisms benefit from the relationship. Commensalism is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is neither benefited nor harmed. Mutualism is a relationship in which both organisms benefit. Competition is a relationship where both organisms are harmed, as they seek the same limited resource. Predation is a relationship in which one organism hunts the other organism for food.

Example Question #6 : Determine Relationships Of Living Organisms

Ticks attach to dogs and feed on their blood. This is an example of

Possible Answers:

predation

mutualism

parasitism

commensalism

Correct answer:

parasitism

Explanation:

 A tick benefits as they use the blood as a food source, and the dog is harmed as it can receive diseases from the tick, and if the tick consumes enough of their blood, the dog can become anemic. Commensalism is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is neither benefited nor harmed. Mutualism is a relationship in which both organisms benefit. Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed. Predation is a relationship in which one organism hunts the other organism for food.

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