Life Science Test Russo (Slosarik)

Mushroom is a decomposer because it is a type of fungus that breaks down dead organic matter, such as decaying plants and animals. Decomposers play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and breaking down organic material into simpler forms that can be used by other organisms. Grass and hawk are not decomposers as they do not have the ability to break down organic matter.

Grass is a producer because it is capable of photosynthesis, which means it can convert sunlight into energy. Producers are organisms that can produce their own food, and grass does this by using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create glucose. This process not only provides energy for the grass itself but also serves as a food source for other organisms in the ecosystem. In contrast, hawks and mushrooms are not producers as they do not have the ability to produce their own food. Hawks are consumers, specifically carnivores, as they feed on other organisms. Mushrooms are decomposers, playing a role in breaking down dead organic matter.

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 produces its own energy through photosynthesis. Mushroom is a decomposer, as it obtains its energy by breaking down dead organisms. Therefore, the correct answer is Hawk.

An organism is another name for a living thing because it refers to any individual living entity that can carry out the basic life processes such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Organisms can be unicellular, like bacteria or amoeba, or multicellular, like plants and animals. The term "organism" encompasses a wide range of living beings, from microscopic organisms to complex organisms like humans.

An abiotic factor refers to a non-living component of an ecosystem that influences the organisms within it. Sunlight is considered an abiotic factor because it is not a living organism and plays a crucial role in various ecological processes. It provides energy for photosynthesis, which is essential for the survival of plants and other autotrophs. Sunlight also affects temperature, climate, and weather patterns, influencing the distribution and behavior of organisms in an ecosystem. Therefore, sunlight is the correct answer as it is a non-living factor that significantly impacts the ecosystem.

An insect is considered a biotic factor because it is a living organism that directly affects the environment and interacts with other living organisms. Biotic factors are all the living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Insects play various roles in ecosystems, such as pollinating plants, decomposing organic matter, and serving as a food source for other organisms. Therefore, an insect is a clear example of a biotic factor in this question.

Evolution is the correct answer because it refers to the process of gradual change and development over time. It specifically relates to the changes in living organisms and species over successive generations. Evolution involves the mechanisms of genetic variation, natural selection, and adaptation, leading to the diversification and complexity of life forms. Therefore, it accurately describes the concept of change over time in the context of biological and ecological processes.

A food chain shows how each living thing gets food and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. It demonstrates the interconnectedness of different organisms in an ecosystem and the flow of energy through the food web. By depicting the feeding relationships between organisms, a food chain helps us understand how energy and nutrients are transferred and utilized in an ecosystem.

The ability to walk is not a characteristic of all living things. While many living organisms can move in some way, such as crawling, swimming, or flying, not all have the ability to walk. Some organisms, like plants, bacteria, and certain types of animals, are not capable of walking but still exhibit other characteristics of living things such as growth, development, the ability to reproduce, and the ability to get rid of waste and breathe.

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 changes in the external environment. When humans get hot, their body temperature rises, and sweating is a mechanism that helps regulate and cool down the body temperature. By sweating, the body releases moisture through the skin, which evaporates and helps in dissipating heat, thereby maintaining the body's internal temperature within a narrow range.