Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
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Middle School Life Science › Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Which of the following is the most immediate and direct impact of deforestation?
eutrophication of surrounding bodies of water
loss of native biodiversity
climate change
industrialization and ozone depletion
Explanation
The answer is "loss of native biodiversity."
Biodiversity is the biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals. Maintaining biodiversity is beneficial for the environment but also for humans who rely on it for survival. Biodiversity provides billions of dollars’ worth of resources, which we call ecosystem services A few of the ways humans can help maintain biodiversity are by: Restoring habitats, limiting the spread of invasive species, using energy efficiently, passing laws that protect ecosystems, conducting research, slowing climate change, and using products that are environmentally sustainable.
In a food chain, the animals on the highest trophic level:
all of these
are the top predators
receive the smallest proportion of energy transferred from the bottom of the chain
are heterotrophs
Explanation
The answer is "all of these."
The transfer of energy in ecosystems occurs when organisms consume one another. Energy is transferred from the organism that is consumed to the organism that does the consuming. A food chain is a representation of this, and shows the “chain” of organisms through which nutrients and energy move.
In a food chain, each organism occupies a different trophic level, defined by how many energy transfers separate it from where the chain begins, with “producers” or “autotrophs” at the bottom, collecting energy from the sun. As you move up the food chain, more and more energy is lost to heat and used by organisms so top predators need to consume more prey to get the same amount of energy from the trophic level below them. Food webs consist of many interconnected food chains and are a more realistic representation of consumption relationships in ecosystems.
Atlantic salmon migrate to rivers in New England to reproduce and to the coast of Greenland to feed. Which of these scenarios could cause a decrease in salmon populations due to competition?
Limited food resources in Greenland
An abundance of food resources in Greenland
An abundance of space in Greenland
none of these
Explanation
The answer is "Limited food resources in Greenland"
Symbiosis is a close relationship between two species in which at least one species benefits. For the other species, the relationship may be positive, negative, or neutral. There are three basic types of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit. Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other species is not affected. One species typically uses the other for a purpose other than food. Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species (the parasite) benefits while the other species (the host) is harmed.
A type of relationship that is not symbiotic but still seen often in ecology is the Predator-Prey relationship. The predator prey relationship consists of the interactions between two species and their consequent effects on each other. In the predator prey relationship, one species is feeding on the other species. The prey species is the animal being fed on, and the predator is the animal being fed. Usually these populations go through cycles.
In a food chain, the animals on the highest trophic level:
all of these
are the top predators
receive the smallest proportion of energy transferred from the bottom of the chain
are heterotrophs
Explanation
The answer is "all of these."
The transfer of energy in ecosystems occurs when organisms consume one another. Energy is transferred from the organism that is consumed to the organism that does the consuming. A food chain is a representation of this, and shows the “chain” of organisms through which nutrients and energy move.
In a food chain, each organism occupies a different trophic level, defined by how many energy transfers separate it from where the chain begins, with “producers” or “autotrophs” at the bottom, collecting energy from the sun. As you move up the food chain, more and more energy is lost to heat and used by organisms so top predators need to consume more prey to get the same amount of energy from the trophic level below them. Food webs consist of many interconnected food chains and are a more realistic representation of consumption relationships in ecosystems.
In desert environments, fresh water is a limited resource. Which of these is NOT a way organisms have responded to the lack of availability of water?
animals spend more time in the sun than they usually would
plants like cacti have adapted ways of conserving water
top predators like lions will defend their territories with water from competition
some animals will die and further limit food resources for other animals
Explanation
The answer is "animals spend more time in the sun than they usually would." This would require more water from their bodies to be used in the cooling process when water is already scarce. Most animals spend more time in the shade when water is not readily available.
Resources are defined as a substance or object in the environment required by an organism for normal growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Resources can be consumed by one organism and, as a result, become unavailable to another organism. When resources are limited, “competition,” increases and some populations of organisms will decrease. Some individuals may even be weaker or smaller without the resources they need.
Natural disasters, environmental changes, and humans can all have an effect on the availability of resources. When a drought occurs, many plants and animals die. When forests are cleared for human use, animals and plants do not have habitat.
Some animals are technically a “resource” for others. The predator prey relationship consists of the interactions between two species and their consequent effects on each other. In the predator prey relationship, one species is feeding on the other species. The prey species is the animal being fed on, and the predator is the animal being fed. Usually these populations go through cycles.
In this food chain, which species would have the smallest number of individuals?
grass -> grasshopper -> frog -> snake -> hawk
grass
grasshopper
frog
hawk
Explanation
The answer is "hawk."
The transfer of energy in ecosystems occurs when organisms consume one another. Energy is transferred from the organism that is consumed to the organism that does the consuming. A food chain is a representation of this, and shows the “chain” of organisms through which nutrients and energy move.
In a food chain, each organism occupies a different trophic level, defined by how many energy transfers separate it from where the chain begins, with “producers” or “autotrophs” at the bottom, collecting energy from the sun. As you move up the food chain, more and more energy is lost to heat and used by organisms so top predators need to consume more prey to get the same amount of energy from the trophic level below them. Food webs consist of many interconnected food chains and are a more realistic representation of consumption relationships in ecosystems.
Which of these is NOT a way humans can help maintain biodiversity?
overfishing
sustainable practices
invasive species management
reforestation
Explanation
The answer is "overfishing."
Biodiversity is the biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals. Maintaining biodiversity is beneficial for the environment but also for humans who rely on it for survival. Biodiversity provides billions of dollars’ worth of resources, which we call ecosystem services A few of the ways humans can help maintain biodiversity are by: Restoring habitats, limiting the spread of invasive species, using energy efficiently, passing laws that protect ecosystems, conducting research, slowing climate change, and using products that are environmentally sustainable.
In this food chain, which species would have the smallest number of individuals?
grass -> grasshopper -> frog -> snake -> hawk
grass
grasshopper
frog
hawk
Explanation
The answer is "hawk."
The transfer of energy in ecosystems occurs when organisms consume one another. Energy is transferred from the organism that is consumed to the organism that does the consuming. A food chain is a representation of this, and shows the “chain” of organisms through which nutrients and energy move.
In a food chain, each organism occupies a different trophic level, defined by how many energy transfers separate it from where the chain begins, with “producers” or “autotrophs” at the bottom, collecting energy from the sun. As you move up the food chain, more and more energy is lost to heat and used by organisms so top predators need to consume more prey to get the same amount of energy from the trophic level below them. Food webs consist of many interconnected food chains and are a more realistic representation of consumption relationships in ecosystems.
Which of the following is the most immediate and direct impact of deforestation?
eutrophication of surrounding bodies of water
loss of native biodiversity
climate change
industrialization and ozone depletion
Explanation
The answer is "loss of native biodiversity."
Biodiversity is the biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals. Maintaining biodiversity is beneficial for the environment but also for humans who rely on it for survival. Biodiversity provides billions of dollars’ worth of resources, which we call ecosystem services A few of the ways humans can help maintain biodiversity are by: Restoring habitats, limiting the spread of invasive species, using energy efficiently, passing laws that protect ecosystems, conducting research, slowing climate change, and using products that are environmentally sustainable.
In desert environments, fresh water is a limited resource. Which of these is NOT a way organisms have responded to the lack of availability of water?
animals spend more time in the sun than they usually would
plants like cacti have adapted ways of conserving water
top predators like lions will defend their territories with water from competition
some animals will die and further limit food resources for other animals
Explanation
The answer is "animals spend more time in the sun than they usually would." This would require more water from their bodies to be used in the cooling process when water is already scarce. Most animals spend more time in the shade when water is not readily available.
Resources are defined as a substance or object in the environment required by an organism for normal growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Resources can be consumed by one organism and, as a result, become unavailable to another organism. When resources are limited, “competition,” increases and some populations of organisms will decrease. Some individuals may even be weaker or smaller without the resources they need.
Natural disasters, environmental changes, and humans can all have an effect on the availability of resources. When a drought occurs, many plants and animals die. When forests are cleared for human use, animals and plants do not have habitat.
Some animals are technically a “resource” for others. The predator prey relationship consists of the interactions between two species and their consequent effects on each other. In the predator prey relationship, one species is feeding on the other species. The prey species is the animal being fed on, and the predator is the animal being fed. Usually these populations go through cycles.