Predict Interaction Outcomes - Middle School Life Science
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Identify the most likely outcome if an invasive predator is introduced to an island ecosystem.
Identify the most likely outcome if an invasive predator is introduced to an island ecosystem.
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Native prey populations decline; food web becomes less stable. Invasive species lack natural controls and disrupt balance.
Native prey populations decline; food web becomes less stable. Invasive species lack natural controls and disrupt balance.
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What is the ecological role of a scavenger?
What is the ecological role of a scavenger?
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Consumes dead animals without breaking them down chemically. Different from decomposers - they don't chemically break down tissue.
Consumes dead animals without breaking them down chemically. Different from decomposers - they don't chemically break down tissue.
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What type of interaction is mutualism?
What type of interaction is mutualism?
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Both species benefit. A win-win relationship where both organisms gain advantages.
Both species benefit. A win-win relationship where both organisms gain advantages.
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Which outcome is most likely if a limiting resource becomes more scarce?
Which outcome is most likely if a limiting resource becomes more scarce?
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Competition increases and population growth decreases. Scarcity intensifies struggle for resources, limiting growth.
Competition increases and population growth decreases. Scarcity intensifies struggle for resources, limiting growth.
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Which outcome is most likely if a predator population increases in a stable system?
Which outcome is most likely if a predator population increases in a stable system?
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Prey population decreases. More predators consume more prey, reducing prey numbers.
Prey population decreases. More predators consume more prey, reducing prey numbers.
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Identify the interaction if two bird species use the same nesting sites and food source.
Identify the interaction if two bird species use the same nesting sites and food source.
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Competition. Sharing limited resources creates competitive pressure.
Competition. Sharing limited resources creates competitive pressure.
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Which outcome is most likely if sunlight increases and water is sufficient for plants?
Which outcome is most likely if sunlight increases and water is sufficient for plants?
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Producer growth increases; higher-level consumer populations may increase. More light energy drives photosynthesis and ecosystem productivity.
Producer growth increases; higher-level consumer populations may increase. More light energy drives photosynthesis and ecosystem productivity.
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Which outcome is most likely if a drought reduces available water for plants?
Which outcome is most likely if a drought reduces available water for plants?
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Producer population decreases; consumers decline due to less food. Water stress limits photosynthesis, cascading up the food chain.
Producer population decreases; consumers decline due to less food. Water stress limits photosynthesis, cascading up the food chain.
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Which outcome is most likely if decomposers are greatly reduced in an ecosystem?
Which outcome is most likely if decomposers are greatly reduced in an ecosystem?
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Nutrient recycling slows; soil fertility and producer growth decrease. Dead matter accumulates without decomposers to process it.
Nutrient recycling slows; soil fertility and producer growth decrease. Dead matter accumulates without decomposers to process it.
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Which outcome is most likely if a disease reduces a top predator population?
Which outcome is most likely if a disease reduces a top predator population?
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Prey increase; producers may decline due to higher grazing pressure. Fewer predators allow prey to multiply and overgraze plants.
Prey increase; producers may decline due to higher grazing pressure. Fewer predators allow prey to multiply and overgraze plants.
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What is the ecological role of a decomposer?
What is the ecological role of a decomposer?
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Breaks down dead matter and recycles nutrients to the ecosystem. Essential for nutrient cycling and soil enrichment.
Breaks down dead matter and recycles nutrients to the ecosystem. Essential for nutrient cycling and soil enrichment.
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What type of interaction is parasitism?
What type of interaction is parasitism?
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Parasite benefits; host is harmed. The parasite depends on but weakens its host organism.
Parasite benefits; host is harmed. The parasite depends on but weakens its host organism.
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What type of interaction is predation?
What type of interaction is predation?
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Predator kills and eats prey. One organism hunts and consumes another for energy.
Predator kills and eats prey. One organism hunts and consumes another for energy.
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What type of interaction is competition?
What type of interaction is competition?
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Organisms compete for the same limited resource. Both organisms need the same resource that's in short supply.
Organisms compete for the same limited resource. Both organisms need the same resource that's in short supply.
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Which outcome is most likely if a prey population sharply decreases?
Which outcome is most likely if a prey population sharply decreases?
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Predator population decreases after a time lag. Less food causes predator starvation and population decline.
Predator population decreases after a time lag. Less food causes predator starvation and population decline.
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What is the ecological role of a secondary consumer?
What is the ecological role of a secondary consumer?
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Carnivore or omnivore that eats primary consumers. Second-level consumers occupy the third trophic level.
Carnivore or omnivore that eats primary consumers. Second-level consumers occupy the third trophic level.
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What is the ecological role of a primary consumer?
What is the ecological role of a primary consumer?
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Herbivore that eats producers. First-level consumers feed directly on plants or algae.
Herbivore that eats producers. First-level consumers feed directly on plants or algae.
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What is the ecological role of a producer in a food web?
What is the ecological role of a producer in a food web?
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Makes its own food; base energy source for other organisms. Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Makes its own food; base energy source for other organisms. Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
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What type of interaction is commensalism?
What type of interaction is commensalism?
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One benefits; the other is unaffected. One organism gains while causing no harm or help to the other.
One benefits; the other is unaffected. One organism gains while causing no harm or help to the other.
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Which outcome is most likely if a keystone species is removed from its ecosystem?
Which outcome is most likely if a keystone species is removed from its ecosystem?
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Large community changes; some populations crash and biodiversity decreases. Keystone species have disproportionate ecosystem impact.
Large community changes; some populations crash and biodiversity decreases. Keystone species have disproportionate ecosystem impact.
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What is competition in ecology?
What is competition in ecology?
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Organisms vie for the same limited resource. Competition is a (-/-) interaction that reduces fitness for both species.
Organisms vie for the same limited resource. Competition is a (-/-) interaction that reduces fitness for both species.
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What type of interaction is predation?
What type of interaction is predation?
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Predator kills and eats prey. Predation is a (+/-) interaction involving consumption of prey.
Predator kills and eats prey. Predation is a (+/-) interaction involving consumption of prey.
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What is the role of a primary consumer in a food chain?
What is the role of a primary consumer in a food chain?
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Herbivore that eats producers. Primary consumers occupy the second trophic level by eating plants.
Herbivore that eats producers. Primary consumers occupy the second trophic level by eating plants.
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What is the role of a producer in an ecosystem food web?
What is the role of a producer in an ecosystem food web?
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Makes its own food; base energy source for other organisms. Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Makes its own food; base energy source for other organisms. Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
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Which outcome is most likely if decomposers are reduced in a forest ecosystem?
Which outcome is most likely if decomposers are reduced in a forest ecosystem?
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Nutrients recycle more slowly; plant growth decreases over time. Fewer decomposers means slower nutrient cycling to producers.
Nutrients recycle more slowly; plant growth decreases over time. Fewer decomposers means slower nutrient cycling to producers.
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