SELF TEST: Choose the best answer

Question #1

Varying the size of a population of a species:

A) affects only other populations that are directly connected to it through a food chain.
B) affects the entire ecosystem to some degree.
C) does not affect the entire ecosystem because some organisms are not important.
D) will affect all other organisms within the ecosystem to the same degree.

Question #2

Of the energy gained by any trophic level (i.e. producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, etc.), what percentage is typically transferred to the next trophic level?

A) 90- 100%
B) 60-70%
C) 30-40%
D) 10-20%

Question #3

What causes the seasons?

A) Rotation of the Earth on its axis.
B) Varying distance of the Earth from the Sun.
C) Tilt of the Earth in relation to the Sun.
D) Tilt and curvature of the Earth.

Question #4

Where do plants get their food?

A) They make their own food internally, mainly from a gas.
B) They absorb it from the soil via the roots.
C) They get it from ground water.
D) They get it from the air which diffuses into pores in their leaves.

Question #5

Organisms higher in a food web:

A) eat everything that is lower on the food web.
B) have more energy within them than those lower in the food chain.
C) are no more efficient in harvesting energy than those lower in the food chain.
D) accumulate all of the energy that exists in the organisms that are lower in the food chain.

Question #6

Which of the following statements about adaptation is true?

A) Traits are developed by individuals in response to the needs of the individual.
B) Traits develop because they are part of a pre-determined plan.
C) Traits are developed across generations in response to environmental demands.
D) Traits are passed on by the bigger, stronger individuals that replace the smaller, weaker ones.

Question #7

Which of the following statements about tropical rainforests is accurate?

A) They have soils that are rich in nutrients.
B) They have an impenetrable understory.
C) They are particularly noisy with animal sounds.
D) They have wet and dry seasons.

Question #8

Which of the following statements regarding predator-prey relationships is accurate?

A) The relative sizes of predator and prey populations have no bearing on the population size of the other.
B) Both predator and prey have evolved in response to selective pressure from the other.
C) Predator-prey relationships center around a carnivore eating a defenseless herbivore.
D) If a prey species is depleted, the predator will automatically switch to another prey species.

Question #9

Populations exist in states of:

A) Either constant growth or decline, depending on their position in the food chain.
B) Constant growth.
C) Constant equilibrium.
D) Fluctuation around an average size.

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