BVHS Ecology Quiz: Trivia!
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Which of the following organisms is an autotroph?
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Algae
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A bear
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A cheetah
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A fish
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How well do you know about BVHS ecology? Ecology is the study of relationships that an organism has in its environment. For this quiz, you will want to understand what a secondary consumer is, items that may or may not be recycled, different factors in an ecosystem, and what constitutes a trophic level. This educational quiz will explain this branch of science. Good luck with this quiz.
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- 2.
On average, the amount of energy that is passed from one organism to the next in a food chain is:
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5%
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10%
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15%
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20%
Correct Answer
A. 10%Explanation
On average, only 10% of the energy stored in the tissue of one trophic level is converted into stored energy at the next trophic level. Where does the other 90% go? Used to heat body, move around, lost as waste and lost as carbon dioxide after respiration releases the energy from our food.Rate this question:
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- 3.
On what trophic level would you find organisms that use the sun's energy directly to make their own food?
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1
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2
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3
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4
Correct Answer
A. 1Explanation
Only producers get their energy directly from the sun; all others (consumers) get their energy from eating other living things. Producers are found at the bottom, or the first level, of an energy pyramid.Rate this question:
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- 4.
An animal that only eats the flesh of another animal is called a:
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Producer
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Herbivore
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Carnivore
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Omnivore
Correct Answer
A. CarnivoreExplanation
This includes "flesh of animal" so it isn't an omnivore, which would consumer some plants.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The ecological role of an organism within an ecosystem is called its:
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Food web
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Niche
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Habitat
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Biomass
Correct Answer
A. NicheExplanation
Niche describes how an organism uses its habitat (the physical world in which it lives); what it eats, where it dens/sleep, how it captures food, etc. Biomass is just the mass of all the living tissue in an area.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Mushrooms and other fungi are responsible for breaking down dead organic matter. In the ecosystem, they are called:
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Producers
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Consumers
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Decomposers
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Scavengers
Correct Answer
A. DecomposersExplanation
Decomposers are consumers and they feed at all trophic levels (if any organism dies, it decomposed by bacteria, bugs, mushrooms, etc)Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which of the following is considered the main source of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to global climate change?
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Carbon gas released into the atmosphere from factories and cars
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Carbon dioxide being released from animals during the process of cellular respiration
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Carbon gas released into the soil through the process of decomposition
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Carbon dioxide released into the oceans during deposition and decomposition
Correct Answer
A. Carbon gas released into the atmosphere from factories and carsExplanation
The other three options release carbon dioxide but they have been doing so for millions of years. The recent rise in carbon dioxide levels is due to the great increase is combustion as we burn fossil fuels.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
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Bird
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Tree
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Rock
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Deer
Correct Answer
A. RockExplanation
Abiotic means not-living; all other options are living, or BIOTIC.Rate this question:
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- 9.
In which cycle would you find transpiration?
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Water
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Carbon
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Nitrogen
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Energy
Correct Answer
A. WaterExplanation
Transpiration is the lose of water from plant leaves (plant sweat).Rate this question:
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- 10.
The ultimate source of energy for most organisms is:
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Water
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Oxygen
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Nitrogen
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The sun
Correct Answer
A. The sunExplanation
Organisms need all these things, but only the sun is a source of energy.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The above image represents what type of relationship?
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Competition
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Mutualism
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Parasitism
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Predator-prey
Correct Answer
A. ParasitismExplanation
Mosquito gets nutrients from the blood and humans suffer a little bit from losing the nutrients from the blood.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which of the following cannot be recycled?
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Nitrogen
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Carbon
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Water
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Energy
Correct Answer
A. EnergyExplanation
We say energy flows (one-way, from the sun to producers to consumers, and if we don't constantly get input from the sun, energy on plant Earth will runout) while nutrients cycle (other three options continually cycle through our planet).Rate this question:
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- 13.
The release of water vapor from the leaves of trees is called:
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Evaporation
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Precipitation
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Condensation
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Transpiration
Correct Answer
A. TranspirationExplanation
Transpiration is the process by which water vapor is released from the leaves of trees. It is a vital part of the water cycle, where water is absorbed by the roots, transported to the leaves, and then evaporated through small openings called stomata. This process helps to regulate the temperature of the plant, transport nutrients, and maintain the plant's structure. Therefore, transpiration is the correct term for the release of water vapor from tree leaves.Rate this question:
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- 14.
In the terrestrial food web above, what would be the effect of a farmer introducing a rat poison into the ecosystem that is toxic to rats and mice?
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The population of fox would decrease
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The population of grasshoppers would decrease
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The population of hawks would increase
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The population of rabbits would decrease
Correct Answer
A. The population of fox would decreaseExplanation
In this food web, look for the most direct connection; the fox eats mice directly.Rate this question:
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- 15.
An area was recently destroyed by a raging wildfire. Which of the following events would allow secondary succession to take place?
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All the animals that survive migrate to surrounding areas
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Plant life that survive begin to die out as a result of the lack of available nutrients
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The dead bodies of animals that did not survive the fire return nutrients to the soil
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Omnivores that survive create a decline of both the herbivore and carnivore population
Correct Answer
A. The dead bodies of animals that did not survive the fire return nutrients to the soilExplanation
Secondary succession is when a community is disrupted (fire, flood) and a new community replaces a previously existing community. This is different from primary in a number of ways, but a big difference is the existence of good, nutrient-rich soil in secondary succession.Rate this question:
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- 16.
In the following food chain, which organism is the secondary consumer? grass ------> rabbit -------> snake ------> hawk
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Grass
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Rabbit
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Snake
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Hawk
Correct Answer
A. SnakeExplanation
The snake feeds at the THIRD trophic level, but it goes producer -- primary consumer --SECONDARY CONSUMER (snake eating rabbit, a herbivore).Rate this question:
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- 17.
The term "nitrogen fixation" refers to:
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The process that turns nitrates and nitites into nitrogen
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The process where bacteria in legumes turns nitrogen into a form that plants can use
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The process where nitrogen gas in the atmosphere is converted to nitrates
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None of the above
Correct Answer
A. The process where bacteria in legumes turns nitrogen into a form that plants can useExplanation
The correct answer is the process where bacteria in legumes turns nitrogen into a form that plants can use. Nitrogen fixation is the process in which certain bacteria, such as Rhizobium, convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into a form that can be used by plants. These bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with legumes, such as peas and beans, and live in nodules on their roots. The bacteria take in nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into ammonia, which is then used by the plants to synthesize proteins and other essential molecules. This process is important for maintaining nitrogen levels in the soil and promoting plant growth.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Succession where glaciers melt and expose new rock is called:
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Primary
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Secondary
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Tertiary
Correct Answer
A. PrimaryExplanation
There was no preexisting life, so this makes it primary succession.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Lichen is a symbiotic decomposer that attaches itself to trees and slowly breaks them down. They obtain nutrients from the tree, allowing them to survive and reproduce. What type of relationship is this?
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Predator-prey
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Mutualism
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Parasitism
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Competition
Correct Answer
A. ParasitismExplanation
Even if you don't know what a lichen is, you should recognize this organism is benefiting (getting food) while the tree suffers as it is weakened by the loss of tissue and nutrients as the lichen feeds on the tree. Similar to a tick and a human. A predator is usually larger than the prey and kills the organism when consuming/eating the organism.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which of the following statements is true about matter and energy?
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Matter is not recycled; energy is recycled
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Matter is recycled; energy is not recycled
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Both matter and energy are recycled
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Neither matter nor energy are recycled
Correct Answer
A. Matter is recycled; energy is not recycledExplanation
Recall water, nitrogen, and carbon are never used up, they just cycle into various forms. Energy needs are constantly added to our planet from the sun.Rate this question:
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- 21.
In the nitrogen cycle, the term "nitrification" refers to:
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Legumes converting nitrogen in the air into fertilizer
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The conversion of decaying organisms into fertilizer
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The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas
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Animals consuming plants which are rich in nitrogen/proteins
Correct Answer
A. The conversion of decaying organisms into fertilizerExplanation
When something dies and it decays, 'nitrification' is the process of converting the plant or animal into fertilizer. Legumes turning air into fertilizer is 'nitrogen fixation' and animals getting nitrogen from eating legumes is 'assimilation.'Rate this question:
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- 22.
What is respiration?
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Releasing carbon dioxide and water as an organism burns its food.
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Releasing carbon dioxide as an organism goes through photosynthesis.
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Using carbon dioxide and water to produce sugar.
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Using carbon dioxide as we breathe.
Correct Answer
A. Releasing carbon dioxide and water as an organism burns its food.Explanation
Know the equation for respiration! In our cells, we use oxygen to 'burn' our food, releasing useful energy and carbon dioxide and water.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 30, 2013Quiz Created by
Justin Lovrien
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