Ecosystem Change Arguments - Middle School Life Science
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Identify the relationship: one benefits and the other is unaffected.
Identify the relationship: one benefits and the other is unaffected.
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Commensalism. One organism uses another without harm or help.
Commensalism. One organism uses another without harm or help.
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What is the best definition of a food web?
What is the best definition of a food web?
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A network showing many feeding relationships in an ecosystem. Shows complex energy flow between organisms.
A network showing many feeding relationships in an ecosystem. Shows complex energy flow between organisms.
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Which population change is most likely if pollution lowers dissolved oxygen in a lake?
Which population change is most likely if pollution lowers dissolved oxygen in a lake?
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Fish populations decrease. Low oxygen creates unsuitable habitat for fish.
Fish populations decrease. Low oxygen creates unsuitable habitat for fish.
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Which statement best completes a CER argument: the “reasoning” component does what?
Which statement best completes a CER argument: the “reasoning” component does what?
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Links evidence to the claim using scientific principles. Explains why evidence supports the claim.
Links evidence to the claim using scientific principles. Explains why evidence supports the claim.
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Identify the best evidence type to support a claim about a population shift over time.
Identify the best evidence type to support a claim about a population shift over time.
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Repeated population counts (survey data) across multiple times. Time series data shows population trends.
Repeated population counts (survey data) across multiple times. Time series data shows population trends.
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Which population shift is most likely if an invasive predator enters an ecosystem?
Which population shift is most likely if an invasive predator enters an ecosystem?
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Native prey populations decrease. New predators consume undefended native species.
Native prey populations decrease. New predators consume undefended native species.
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Which population change is most likely after a severe drought reduces plant biomass?
Which population change is most likely after a severe drought reduces plant biomass?
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Herbivore populations decrease. Plant loss reduces food for primary consumers.
Herbivore populations decrease. Plant loss reduces food for primary consumers.
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Identify the most likely population change if a predator population decreases sharply.
Identify the most likely population change if a predator population decreases sharply.
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Prey population increases. Reduced predation pressure allows prey growth.
Prey population increases. Reduced predation pressure allows prey growth.
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Identify the most likely population change if a key prey species decreases sharply.
Identify the most likely population change if a key prey species decreases sharply.
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Predator population decreases. Less food means fewer predators can survive.
Predator population decreases. Less food means fewer predators can survive.
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Identify the relationship: both species benefit from the interaction.
Identify the relationship: both species benefit from the interaction.
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Mutualism. Cooperative interaction helps both species survive.
Mutualism. Cooperative interaction helps both species survive.
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Which claim best matches a trophic cascade after a top predator is removed?
Which claim best matches a trophic cascade after a top predator is removed?
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Herbivores increase and producers often decrease. Loss of predator control releases herbivore pressure.
Herbivores increase and producers often decrease. Loss of predator control releases herbivore pressure.
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What is the best definition of a niche for a species?
What is the best definition of a niche for a species?
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A species’ role and resource use in its environment. Includes habitat, food sources, and behaviors.
A species’ role and resource use in its environment. Includes habitat, food sources, and behaviors.
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What is the correct meaning of an abiotic factor?
What is the correct meaning of an abiotic factor?
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A nonliving environmental condition that affects organisms. Physical and chemical factors shape ecosystems.
A nonliving environmental condition that affects organisms. Physical and chemical factors shape ecosystems.
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What is the correct meaning of a biotic factor?
What is the correct meaning of a biotic factor?
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A living part of the environment that affects organisms. Living organisms influence other organisms.
A living part of the environment that affects organisms. Living organisms influence other organisms.
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What is carrying capacity in an ecosystem?
What is carrying capacity in an ecosystem?
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Maximum population an environment can support long term. Resources determine sustainable population limits.
Maximum population an environment can support long term. Resources determine sustainable population limits.
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What is the best definition of a limiting factor for a population?
What is the best definition of a limiting factor for a population?
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A resource or condition that restricts population size. Environmental constraints prevent unlimited growth.
A resource or condition that restricts population size. Environmental constraints prevent unlimited growth.
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What is the best definition of a population in an ecosystem?
What is the best definition of a population in an ecosystem?
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All individuals of one species living in the same area. Same species in one location forms a population unit.
All individuals of one species living in the same area. Same species in one location forms a population unit.
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What is the best definition of an ecosystem in life science?
What is the best definition of an ecosystem in life science?
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All organisms and the nonliving environment interacting in an area. Includes both living organisms and physical components.
All organisms and the nonliving environment interacting in an area. Includes both living organisms and physical components.
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What is the best definition of carrying capacity?
What is the best definition of carrying capacity?
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Maximum population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
Maximum population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
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Identify the relationship: a predator population changes in response to prey numbers.
Identify the relationship: a predator population changes in response to prey numbers.
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Predator–prey relationship. Populations cycle together as one depends on the other for food.
Predator–prey relationship. Populations cycle together as one depends on the other for food.
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What is the best definition of a limiting factor in an ecosystem?
What is the best definition of a limiting factor in an ecosystem?
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A resource or condition that restricts population growth. Controls population size when resources become scarce.
A resource or condition that restricts population growth. Controls population size when resources become scarce.
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Which evidence type best supports an argument about population shifts after change?
Which evidence type best supports an argument about population shifts after change?
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Long-term population data collected before and after the change. Before/after comparison shows causal relationship to the change.
Long-term population data collected before and after the change. Before/after comparison shows causal relationship to the change.
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What is the correct meaning of a density-dependent limiting factor?
What is the correct meaning of a density-dependent limiting factor?
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Its effect increases as population density increases. Examples include disease and competition, which worsen with crowding.
Its effect increases as population density increases. Examples include disease and competition, which worsen with crowding.
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What is the best definition of a limiting factor in an ecosystem?
What is the best definition of a limiting factor in an ecosystem?
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A resource or condition that restricts population growth. Limits like food, water, or space prevent unlimited population growth.
A resource or condition that restricts population growth. Limits like food, water, or space prevent unlimited population growth.
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What is carrying capacity in an ecosystem?
What is carrying capacity in an ecosystem?
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The maximum population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
The maximum population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
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