Life Science Test Russo

Explanation
Sunlight is considered an abiotic factor because it is a non-living component of the environment. Abiotic factors are physical or chemical factors that affect living organisms but are not themselves living. Sunlight is an essential abiotic factor for photosynthesis, a process that plants use to convert sunlight into energy. It plays a crucial role in determining the distribution and abundance of organisms in an ecosystem. In contrast, both trees and insects are living organisms and therefore considered biotic factors.

Explanation
A consumer is an organism that obtains its energy by consuming other organisms. In this case, a hawk is the only option that fits this definition. Grass is a producer, as it obtains energy from the sun through photosynthesis. Mushroom is a decomposer, as it obtains energy by breaking down dead organic matter. Therefore, the correct answer is hawk.

Explanation
A producer is an organism that can produce its own food through photosynthesis. Grass is a producer because it can convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis and produce its own food.

Explanation
Mushrooms are decomposers because they play a vital role in the decomposition process. They break down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves or dead animals, and recycle the nutrients back into the ecosystem. This process helps to maintain the balance in the ecosystem by returning essential nutrients to the soil, which can then be used by other organisms. Grass and hawk, on the other hand, are not decomposers as they do not participate in the decomposition process.

Explanation
A food chain shows how each living thing gets food and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. It illustrates the flow of energy and the transfer of nutrients within an ecosystem. Each organism in the food chain depends on the one before it for food and energy, creating a chain of interdependence. The food chain helps us understand the relationships and interactions between different organisms in an ecosystem and how they rely on each other for survival.

Explanation
A biotic factor refers to any living component of an ecosystem. Insects are living organisms, making them a biotic factor. They play a crucial role in various ecological processes such as pollination, decomposition, and as a food source for other organisms. Insects also contribute to the overall biodiversity of an ecosystem. Therefore, the presence of insects directly impacts the functioning and balance of the ecosystem, making them a biotic factor.

Explanation
The ability to walk is not a characteristic of all living things. While many living organisms have the ability to move, such as animals, there are also numerous living organisms, such as plants and microorganisms, that do not possess the ability to walk. Therefore, the ability to walk cannot be considered a universal characteristic of all living things.

Explanation
Homeostasis is the best characteristic of living things that explains why humans sweat when they get hot. Homeostasis refers to the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. When humans get hot, their body temperature rises, and sweating is a mechanism that helps to cool down the body and regulate its temperature. This process allows the body to maintain a stable internal temperature, which is essential for the proper functioning of bodily processes.

Explanation
An organism is another name for a living thing. It refers to any individual living entity that can carry out basic life functions such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Organisms can be unicellular, like bacteria, or multicellular, like plants and animals. The term "organism" encompasses a wide range of living beings found in various ecosystems and habitats.

Explanation
Evolution is the correct answer because it describes the process of change over time in living organisms. It refers to the gradual development and adaptation of species through genetic variations and natural selection. Evolution encompasses the idea that species evolve and transform over generations, leading to the diversity of life forms we see today. It is a fundamental concept in biology and helps explain how different species have emerged and evolved from common ancestors.