Ecology Unit Pre-assessment (Grade 7)
Questions and Answers
- 1.
1. Termites are small insects that eat wood causing so much damage that they can eventually cause a house to fall down. However, termites cannot make enzymes that digest cellulose, the main component in wood. A small protozoan called Trichonympha sphaerica lives inside the termite’s gut and excretes enzymes to break down cellulose. However, the protozoa itself cannot make the enzymes. Instead, a species of bacteria that lives inside the protozoa produces the enzyme. What type of relationships are described in this passage? (Standards 6.1f, 6.1g, 6.3a).
- A.
Predator/Prey
- B.
Consumer/Decomposer
- C.
Parasitism
- D.
Mutualism
- E.
Commensalism
Correct Answer
D. MutualismExplanation
The passage describes a mutualistic relationship between termites and the protozoan Trichonympha sphaerica. The termites provide a habitat for the protozoa, which in turn provides the termites with the necessary enzymes to break down cellulose in wood. Both species benefit from this relationship, making it a mutualistic interaction.Rate this question:
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- 2.
In the food web depicted below, which organism is the autotroph (Standards 1.1a, 1.1b, 1.1c, 6.1a)?
- A.
Owl
- B.
Hawk
- C.
Tree
- D.
Grasshopper
- E.
Rabbit
Correct Answer
C. TreeExplanation
The correct answer is "Tree" because autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Trees are autotrophs because they can produce their own food through photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create glucose and oxygen.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What important biotic factor is missing from the food web (Standards 1.1b, 1.1c, 6.1a, 6.1g)?
- A.
Water
- B.
Decomposers
- C.
Producers
- D.
Consumers
- E.
Sunlight
Correct Answer
B. DecomposersExplanation
Decomposers are an important biotic factor that is missing from the food web. Decomposers play a crucial role in breaking down dead organisms and organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Without decomposers, the food web would not be able to efficiently cycle nutrients, leading to a buildup of dead material and a decrease in the availability of essential nutrients for other organisms.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The process is best described as:
- A.
Ecological Succession
- B.
An Energy Cycle
- C.
Negative Feedback
- D.
A Food Web
- E.
Commensalism
Correct Answer
A. Ecological SuccessionExplanation
Ecological succession refers to the process of change in the structure and composition of an ecosystem over time. It involves the gradual replacement of one community by another, as different species colonize and modify the environment. This process is driven by interactions between organisms and their environment, such as competition for resources and the ability of certain species to tolerate or adapt to specific conditions. Ecological succession is a dynamic process that allows ecosystems to recover and adapt to disturbances, making it the best description for the given process.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following organisms could fit in the space labeled x in this food chain? (Standards 1.1a, 1.1b, 1.1c) Grass → X → Snake → Puma
- A.
Raptors or Eagles
- B.
Mice
- C.
Leaves
- D.
Coyote
- E.
Algae
Correct Answer
B. MiceExplanation
Mice could fit in the space labeled x in this food chain because they are herbivores that eat grass. They are the primary consumers in this food chain, feeding on the grass. The snake is the secondary consumer, feeding on the mice, and the puma is the tertiary consumer, feeding on the snake. Therefore, mice are the most suitable organism to fit in the space labeled x.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Coyote, wolves, and other carnivores occasionally kill chickens, pigs, and cows that live on farms, although they mostly eat small mammals that live in the wild. Farmers will frequently kill these predators to protect their livestock. Which result is most likely to occur when the predator population decreases (Standard 6.1d, 6.1e)?
- A.
Herbivores will exceed carrying capacity and begin eating crops.
- B.
The amount of healthy livestock on the farm will double in size.
- C.
More grasses and seeds will be available for livestock to consume.
- D.
Decomposers will take the place of predators in the ecosystem.
- E.
The amount of parasites infecting the predators will increase.
Correct Answer
A. Herbivores will exceed carrying capacity and begin eating crops.Explanation
When the predator population decreases, there will be fewer predators to control the herbivore population. As a result, the herbivores will have less competition for resources and their population will increase. Eventually, the herbivores may exceed the carrying capacity of their environment and start consuming crops as a source of food. This is the most likely result when the predator population decreases.Rate this question:
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- 7.
All life requires energy, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Which statement best describes how they are used in the biosphere? (Standards 6.1a, 6.1b)
- A.
Energy is recycled but elements must be added from the outside.
- B.
Elements are recycled, but energy must be added from the outside.
- C.
Both energy and elements are recycled.
- D.
Neither energy nor elements are recycled.
- E.
The amount of elements and energy constantly increase.
Correct Answer
B. Elements are recycled, but energy must be added from the outside.Explanation
All life requires energy, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. While elements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen are recycled in the biosphere, energy cannot be recycled and must be constantly added from the outside. This is because energy is constantly being converted and used by organisms in various biological processes. Therefore, the statement "Elements are recycled, but energy must be added from the outside" best describes how energy and elements are used in the biosphere.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The main source of energy for a wetlands ecosystem is (Standard 1.1b, 1.1e, 1.1f)
- A.
Water
- B.
Soil
- C.
Plants
- D.
Fish
- E.
The Sun
Correct Answer
E. The SunExplanation
The Sun is the main source of energy for a wetlands ecosystem. Sunlight provides the energy needed for photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants convert sunlight into food. This food is then consumed by other organisms in the ecosystem, creating a food chain. Without the Sun, there would be no energy input into the ecosystem, and the ecosystem would not be able to sustain life.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What are the two major life processes that involve carbon and oxygen (Standards 6.1d, 6.1e)?
- A.
Coal formation and photosynthesis
- B.
Photosynthesis and respiration
- C.
Fuel combustion and open burning
- D.
Death and decay
- E.
Nitrogen fixation and denitrification
Correct Answer
B. Photosynthesis and respirationExplanation
Photosynthesis and respiration are the two major life processes that involve carbon and oxygen. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into glucose and oxygen. Respiration, on the other hand, is the process by which organisms break down glucose and other organic molecules to release energy, using oxygen and producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Both processes are essential for the exchange of carbon and oxygen in living organisms and play a crucial role in the carbon cycle.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which term represents an indirect economic value of biodiversity?
- A.
Food
- B.
Clothing
- C.
Flood Protection
- D.
Medicines
- E.
Fuel
Correct Answer
C. Flood ProtectionExplanation
Flood protection represents an indirect economic value of biodiversity because it helps to mitigate the impact of floods and reduce the damage caused by them. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, including wetlands and forests, which act as natural buffers against floods. These ecosystems absorb and store water, regulate water flow, and prevent soil erosion, thereby providing flood protection services. This indirectly benefits the economy by reducing the costs associated with flood damage, such as property damage, infrastructure repair, and loss of livelihoods.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how much do you know about ecology?
Correct Answer
1
2
3
4 - 12.
Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how interested you are in ecology?
Correct Answer
1
2
3
4Explanation
The given question asks the respondent to rate their level of interest in ecology on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer provided includes all four options (1, 2, 3, and 4), indicating that the respondent is equally open to any level of interest in ecology.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 02, 2009Quiz Created by
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