1.
Which food chain correctly describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?
Correct Answer
A. Grass-->cow-->human
Explanation
The only food chain that correctly describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem is:
grass --> cow --> human
Here's why:
Primary producers: Plants like grass are the foundation of any ecosystem, capturing sunlight and converting it into energy through photosynthesis. They are the primary producers and the first level of the food chain.
Herbivores: Herbivores like cows are the next level, consuming primary producers like grass. They are called primary consumers and get their energy directly from plants.
Carnivores: Humans are carnivores and obtain their energy by consuming other animals, like cows, which makes them secondary consumers.
The other options are incorrect because:
Caterpillar --> leaf --> human: Leaves are primary producers, humans are carnivores, and caterpillars are herbivores. This chain reverses the order of energy flow.
Cow --> grass --> human: This places the producer (grass) after the consumer (cow), which is inaccurate.
Leaf --> bird --> caterpillar: Similar to the first option, this chain reverses the energy flow as birds are carnivores and caterpillars are herbivores.
Therefore, only the first option grass --> cow --> human depicts the proper flow of energy in an ecosystem, starting with a primary producer and moving through successive trophic levels of consumers.
2.
What does an omnivore animal eat?
Correct Answer
C. Both plants and meat
Explanation
The correct answer is: both plants and meat.
Omnivores are animals that can consume and digest both plant and animal matter. They have a more varied diet compared to herbivores (who only eat plants) and carnivores (who only eat meat). Some common examples of omnivores include humans, bears, pigs, raccoons, and crows.
While meat & flesh could technically be included in both plants and meat, the option "all of the above" might be misinterpreted to include things like fungi, bacteria, or inorganic materials, which aren't typical food sources for animals. So, "both plants and meat" is the most precise and concise answer.
3.
A habitat is a place where __________.
Correct Answer
A. An organism lives.
Explanation
A habitat is a place where an organism lives. This means that it provides the necessary resources and conditions for the survival and reproduction of a particular organism. It includes factors such as food, water, shelter, and suitable environmental conditions. A habitat can vary in size and can be as small as a leaf or as large as a forest, depending on the needs of the organism. Therefore, the correct answer is "an organism lives."
4.
Which of these is the example of a decomposer?
Correct Answer
A. Bacteria
Explanation
Bacteria are an example of decomposers because they break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and returning them to the soil, which allows for the growth of new plants and sustains the food chain. Unlike plants, fish, and snakes, bacteria do not produce their own food through photosynthesis or consume other organisms directly.
5.
Choose the type of organism that eats other plants or animals for energy and nutrients.
Correct Answer
B. Heterotroph
Explanation
A heterotroph is an organism that obtains energy and nutrients by consuming other plants or animals. Unlike autotrophs, which can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, heterotrophs rely on external sources for their energy needs. They can be further classified into different categories based on their specific feeding habits, such as carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is heterotroph.
6.
Rabbits eat grass and other plants to survive, but they do not eat animals. What kind of animal are rabbits?
Correct Answer
D. Herbivores
Explanation
Rabbits are herbivores because they eat grass and other plants for their survival. This means that their diet consists solely of plant material and they do not consume animals. Herbivores are animals that obtain their energy and nutrients from consuming plant matter, making them dependent on vegetation for their sustenance.
7.
How do decomposers help other organisms in an ecosystem?
Correct Answer
A. They break down dead organisms and add nutrients back to the soil that plants use.
Explanation
Decomposers play a crucial role in an ecosystem by breaking down dead organisms. This process releases nutrients back into the soil, which are then absorbed by plants for their growth and development. In this way, decomposers contribute to the nutrient cycle, ensuring that essential elements are recycled and made available to other organisms in the ecosystem. Without decomposers, dead organic matter would accumulate, and the nutrient availability for plants would decrease, ultimately affecting the entire food web.
8.
In what order do a hawk, grass, and rabbit form a food chain in a meadow?
Correct Answer
D. Grass-->rabbit-->hawk
Explanation
A food chain represents the flow of energy in an ecosystem. In this case, the correct answer is "grass-->rabbit-->hawk". This is because grass is a producer, meaning it converts sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. The rabbit is a primary consumer, as it feeds on the grass. Finally, the hawk is a secondary consumer, as it preys on the rabbit. This order follows the natural flow of energy from the lowest trophic level (producer) to the highest trophic level (top predator).
9.
Which of the following lists only consumers?
Correct Answer
A. Hawks, lizards, chipmunks
Explanation
The correct answer is hawks, lizards, chipmunks. This is because hawks, lizards, and chipmunks are all examples of consumers in an ecosystem. Consumers are organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. In this case, hawks and lizards are predators that feed on other animals, while chipmunks are herbivores that consume plants.
10.
Which of these organisms comprise the first level in a food chain?
Correct Answer
C. Producers
Explanation
Producers comprise the first level in a food chain. Producers are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They convert sunlight or inorganic substances into organic matter, which serves as a source of energy for other organisms. In a food chain, producers are consumed by primary consumers, which are then consumed by secondary consumers, and so on. Therefore, producers form the foundation of the food chain by providing energy for all other organisms in the ecosystem.