Science 20F Course Trivia Quiz! Exam

The correct answer is the sun. The sun is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems on earth through the process of photosynthesis. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy, which is then passed on to other organisms in the food chain. This energy is essential for the survival and functioning of all living organisms in the ecosystem.

Abiotic factors refer to non-living components of an ecosystem that can influence organisms. These factors include sunlight, wind, temperature, water availability, soil composition, and more. Since the question states that "factors, such as sunlight and wind," influence organisms, it is clear that the correct answer is "abiotic." The repetition of "Abiotic" in the answer options reinforces the correct choice.

Organisms that break down organic matter and return nutrients to the ecosystem for further growth are known as decomposers. Decomposers play a vital role in the food web by breaking down dead plants and animals, as well as waste materials, into simpler forms that can be reused by other organisms. They help in the process of decomposition and nutrient cycling, which is essential for the overall health and functioning of the ecosystem.

A group of animals of the same species, and living in the same area, is referred to as a population. The term "population" is used to describe a specific group of organisms that share common characteristics and are found within a particular geographical location. It is important to note that the term can be used in both singular and plural forms, hence "population" and "populations" are both correct answers.

The area of Canada with limited precipitation, few large plants, permafrost, and cold winters is called the tundra biome. The tundra biome is characterized by its extreme cold temperatures, short growing season, and low biodiversity. It is dominated by small shrubs, mosses, and lichens, with very few large plants. The permafrost, which is permanently frozen soil, restricts the growth of deep-rooted plants. The tundra biome is found in the northernmost regions of Canada and other Arctic regions around the world.

An ecosystem is an area where organisms interact with the physical environment, including abiotic factors. It refers to the interconnectedness and interdependence of living organisms and their environment. In an ecosystem, organisms rely on each other and the non-living components of their surroundings for survival and resource availability. This term encompasses the relationships and interactions between plants, animals, and their surroundings, highlighting the complex web of life and environmental factors that shape an ecosystem.

In a food web, plants are classified as producers because they produce their own food through photosynthesis. Animals, on the other hand, are classified as consumers because they obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. Therefore, the correct answer is "producers consumers."

If the birth rate increases while the death rate and immigration remain constant, it means that more babies are being born. This would result in a higher population because the number of births is exceeding the number of deaths and people leaving the area. Therefore, the statement is true.

Warmer biomes generally have greater biodiversity because higher temperatures provide favorable conditions for the growth and survival of a wide variety of species. Warmer climates support more diverse ecosystems with a greater number of plant and animal species. The increased availability of sunlight and longer growing seasons in warmer biomes also contribute to higher biodiversity. Additionally, warm temperatures facilitate faster rates of evolution and speciation, leading to a greater variety of species in these biomes.

A food chain is a step-by-step sequence that shows how organisms in an ecosystem feed on each other. It represents the flow of energy and nutrients from one organism to another, starting with producers (plants) and ending with decomposers. Each organism in the chain depends on the organism below it for food. This hierarchical structure helps to illustrate the interdependence and interconnectedness of different species within an ecosystem.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. Water is one of the reactants in this process, as it is absorbed by the plant's roots and transported to the leaves where it is used in the light-dependent reactions. Oxygen is produced as a byproduct of photosynthesis and is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, the statement that water is a reactant and oxygen is a product of photosynthesis is true.

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP. During this process, glucose is oxidized and carbon dioxide is released as a waste product. Therefore, glucose is indeed a reactant and carbon dioxide is a product of cellular respiration, making the statement true.

As you move in latitude from south to north, the climate changes, which in turn affects the types of vegetation that can grow in an area. This change in vegetation can be compared to climbing a mountain, where the vegetation also changes as you ascend to higher altitudes. Both scenarios involve a gradual transition from one type of vegetation to another, making the statement true.

Removing plants from an area will not increase the fertility of the soil. In fact, plants play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility. They help to prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and cycle nutrients. When plants are removed, the soil is exposed to erosion and nutrient depletion. Additionally, plants contribute organic matter to the soil through their roots and fallen leaves, which helps to increase fertility. Therefore, the statement that removing plants from an area increases soil fertility is false.

False. Boreal forests actually receive more precipitation than tundra. Boreal forests are characterized by their abundance of trees and are found in regions with more moderate climates. These forests typically receive a higher amount of rainfall compared to the tundra, which is a treeless biome with cold temperatures and low precipitation.

Green plants are referred to as autotrophs because they carry out photosynthesis. Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using energy from the sun. Green plants have chlorophyll, which allows them to capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. This chemical energy is then used to produce glucose, which serves as the plant's source of energy. Therefore, the correct answer is that green plants carry out photosynthesis.

Humus is a type of organic matter that is formed from the decomposition of plant and animal material. It is typically found in soil and is rich in nutrients that are beneficial for plant growth. Therefore, humus does not contain only animal decomposing matter, but also includes decomposed plant material.

Fungi, mushrooms, and bread mould are all decomposers because they break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. They play a crucial role in the decomposition process by releasing enzymes that break down complex organic compounds into simpler forms. This helps in the recycling of nutrients and the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem.

Density-independent factors are environmental factors that affect the members of a population regardless of the population density. These factors include natural disasters, such as floods or fires, as well as extreme weather conditions like droughts or hurricanes. They can also include human activities such as deforestation or pollution. Since density-independent factors are not influenced by the size or density of a population, they can affect individuals regardless of how many individuals are present in the population. Therefore, the statement that density-independent factors affect members of a population regardless of population density is true.

The term "carrying capacity" refers to the maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustain over a long period of time. It takes into account factors such as available resources, space, and environmental conditions. This concept is important in understanding population dynamics and the balance between population growth and resource availability. The other options, such as "top carnivore" and "top capacity," do not accurately describe the largest population that an ecosystem can support.

Fertilizers contain nutrients that promote the growth of algae. When these fertilizers are carried from the land to an aquatic ecosystem with spring runoff, they can lead to an increase in the population of algae, not a decrease. Algae thrive in nutrient-rich environments, and the addition of fertilizers can cause excessive growth, leading to algal blooms. These blooms can have negative effects on the ecosystem, such as depleting oxygen levels and harming other organisms. Therefore, the statement that the population of algae will decrease is incorrect.

The term "population" refers to a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area and can interbreed. In this scenario, the description states that there are 2000 white-tailed deer in a specific forest, indicating that it is referring to a specific group of deer living in that area. Therefore, the correct answer is "population."

Denitrification is the process where bacteria break down nitrates to nitrites, and then further to nitrogen gas. This process occurs at various stages in the decay process.

The statement is false because the time of day that an animal is most active is actually a crucial part of its ecological niche. An animal's activity patterns, including when it is active or inactive, play a significant role in its survival and interactions with other species. This information helps determine its feeding habits, mating behavior, predator avoidance strategies, and more. Therefore, the time of day an animal is most active is an essential component of its ecological niche.

The statement is false because a rapid increase in the deer population does not always indicate a healthy ecosystem. While a healthy ecosystem can support a larger deer population, a sudden increase can also be a result of other factors such as lack of predators or overabundance of food. It is important to consider other factors and indicators of ecosystem health before concluding that a rapid increase in the deer population is solely due to a healthy ecosystem.

The increasing concentration of a toxin in organisms as you move up the food chain is referred to as bio amplification, bio magnification, bioamplification, biomagnification, or bio-amplification.

A hawk would have the least amount of energy available to it because it is at the top of the food chain and consumes other organisms. As energy is transferred through each trophic level, there is a loss of energy, with only a fraction being passed on to the next level. Therefore, the hawk, being a tertiary consumer, would have the least amount of energy available compared to the beetle, spider, and sparrow, which are lower in the food chain and have access to more energy sources.

Water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia are all inorganic compounds because they do not contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. Inorganic compounds typically do not involve organic matter and are often minerals or non-living substances. Water (H2O) is a compound composed of hydrogen and oxygen, carbon dioxide (CO2) is composed of carbon and oxygen, and ammonia (NH3) is composed of nitrogen and hydrogen. None of these compounds contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, which are characteristic of organic compounds. Therefore, they are considered inorganic compounds.

During the winter, lakes that are covered by a thick layer of ice actually have less oxygen compared to open lakes. This is because the ice acts as a barrier, preventing oxygen from entering the water through diffusion with the atmosphere. In open lakes, oxygen can freely dissolve into the water from the air, maintaining higher oxygen levels. Therefore, the statement that lakes covered by ice contain more oxygen during winter is false.

The statement contradicts itself by saying that Moss loves acidic soils, but then states that acidic soils have a pH above 7. In reality, acidic soils have a pH below 7. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

The statement is false because biotic potential refers to the maximum number of offspring that a species could produce, not the minimum. Biotic potential is determined by factors such as reproductive rate, survival rate, and availability of resources. If resources were unlimited, a species would be able to reach its maximum biotic potential.

Abiotic factors in an ecosystem refer to the non-living components that influence the environment and the organisms within it. These factors include physical factors such as temperature, sunlight, water availability, soil composition, and air quality. They do not involve competition between species, predator-prey relationships, birth rate, or ecological niche, which are all biotic factors that involve living organisms and their interactions within the ecosystem.

Permafrost is a layer of soil that remains permanently frozen, not just during the summertime. This frozen layer is found in the tundra biome and is characterized by its ability to stay frozen year-round, even in the warmer months. Therefore, the statement that permafrost thaws only in the summertime is incorrect.

The hawk would be part of a population that would have the least biomass because hawks are higher up in the food chain and typically have a smaller population size compared to the other organisms listed. They are carnivorous predators that feed on smaller animals, such as beetles, spiders, and sparrows. Due to their predatory nature and higher trophic level, hawks require more energy and resources to sustain themselves, resulting in a smaller overall population and biomass.

The statement is false because bacteria are actually organic organisms, not inorganic. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that play a crucial role in various ecological processes, such as nutrient cycling, decomposition, and symbiotic relationships. They are living organisms composed of organic molecules and are vital for maintaining the balance and functioning of ecosystems.

The albedo effect is not the measure of sunlight absorbed by an object. Instead, it refers to the measure of sunlight reflected by an object. Albedo is a term used to describe the reflectivity of a surface, indicating how much of the incident light is reflected back into space. Therefore, the given statement is false.

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into a form that can be used by plants, such as nitrates. It does not convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

The beetle would have the greatest population because insects tend to have higher reproductive rates compared to other organisms. They lay a large number of eggs and have shorter generation times, allowing them to reproduce quickly and increase their population size rapidly. Additionally, beetles have a wide range of habitats and can adapt to various environmental conditions, further contributing to their ability to thrive and have a larger population compared to the other organisms listed.

The eastern cougar is an example of an endangered Canadian species because its population has significantly declined and it is at risk of extinction. This species was once found in eastern North America, including parts of Canada, but it is now believed to be extinct in Canada. The main threats to the eastern cougar include habitat loss, fragmentation, and human activities such as hunting and trapping. Efforts are being made to protect and conserve this species, but its future remains uncertain.

An oligotrophic lake is typically deep and cold. This type of lake has low nutrient levels, resulting in low productivity and a limited amount of plant and animal life. The lack of nutrients creates a clear and transparent water body, as there is not enough organic matter to support excessive growth of algae or other plants. The cold temperature is often a result of the lake's depth and the lack of sunlight penetrating to the bottom. Therefore, oligotrophic is the correct answer for a lake that is typically deep and cold.