Topic 8: Ecology. 1. The graph below represents a change in event A that leads to changes in events B and C.

Transcription

1 1. The graph below represents a change in event A that leads to changes in events B and C. Which row in the chart best identifies each event in the graph? (1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4 2. A stable ecosystem is characterized by having (1) predators that outnumber their prey (2) a continual input of energy (3) limited autotrophic nutrition (4) no competition between species 3. Which two processes are responsible for keeping the percentage of atmospheric oxygen at relatively constant levels? (1) circulation and coordination (2) respiration and coordination (3) respiration and photosynthesis (4) photosynthesis and circulation 4. As water cycles through an ecosystem, which process returns it to the atmosphere? (1) hydrolysis (2) transpiration (3) condensation (4) cyclosis Page 1

2 5. The chart below shows three ecological terms used to describe levels of organization on Earth. Which diagram best represents the relationship of these ecological terms? (1) (2) (3) (4) 6. Decomposers are necessary in a food chain because they 8. The graph below indicates the size of a fish population over a period of time. (1) manufacture food by photosynthesis (2) return nutrients to the ecosystem (3) absorb energy from the Sun (4) produce organic nutrients 7. An earthworm lives and reproduces in the soil. It aerates the soil and adds organic material to it. The earthworm is a source of food for other organisms. All of these statements together best describe (1) a habitat (2) autotrophic nutrition (3) an ecological niche (4) competition What does the section of the graph labeled A represent? (1) biodiversity within the species (2) nutritional relationships of the species (3) a population becoming extinct (4) a population at equilibrium Page 2

3 9. A graph is shown below. The graph contains information about (1) finite resources (2) limiting factors (3) biotic factors (4) mineral availability 10. An aquarium ecosystem is shown below. 11. Which organisms directly help to reduce overpopulation in a deer herd? (1) parasites and predators (2) parasites and scavengers (3) decomposers and predators (4) decomposers and consumers A community in this aquarium consists of the (1) plants and gravel (2) fish, water, and snails (3) fish, plants, and snails (4) water and gravel 12. Which activity would reduce biodiversity in a forest ecosystem? (1) adding plants that are naturally resistant to insects (2) protecting wildflowers from logging activities (3) replacing harvested trees with young trees that are naturally found in the forest (4) clearing a large area and planting one species of hardwood tree that can be used for lumber Page 3

4 Base your answers to questions 13and 14on the graph below and on your knowledge of biology. The graph shows the growth of a population of rabbits in a specific ecosystem. 13.Over a period of time, the location of the dashed line would move from location B to location C on this graph if (1) the birthrate of the rabbit population was equal to the death rate of the rabbit population (2) there was a decrease in the number of rabbit predators and an increase in the availability of plants (3) there was a decrease in the availability of minerals, water, and shelter (4) the entire rabbit population rnigrated to a new ecosystem containing more autotrophs 14.Which environmental factor could have caused the change indicated at A? (1) increased predation by herbivores (2) increased availability of food (3) increased number of decomposers (4) increased competition among carnivores Page 4

5 15.The dichotomous key below provides a way to classify some animals into groups according to their physical characteristics. The key can he used to classify each of the four animals represented below. Which row in the chart shows the correct classification group for each animal? (1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) Which consequence could most likely be associated with a decrease in biodiversity in an area? (1) major environmental change. (2) The ecosystems in the area would become more stable. (3) The amount of genetic information in the species of the area would increase. (4) Some sources of future foods or medications would be lost. Page 5

6 17. Base your answer to the following question on the information below. An ecologist passed through different biomes while driving up a high mountain. At the lowest elevation (sea level), the ecologist saw deep-green vegetation, many birds, and small mammals. At the highest elevation, the ecologist saw bare rock, very little vegetation, and few birds. Which change was most likely encountered as the ecologist drove up the mountain? (1) an increase in the diversity of species (2) an increase in the amount of atmospheric oxygen (3) a decrease in temperature (4) a decrease in latitude 18. An ecological process is represented below. Base your answers to questions 19 and 20 on the information below, and on your knowledge of biology. New York State relies on natural gas for 24% of its energy supply. It is estimated that large deposits of natural gas are located in New York State. It is possible to extract the gas via high-volume hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking). Hydrofracking involves freeing the natural gas by using a large amount of water treated with chemicals, which produces large quantities of waste products. Some people are in favor of hydrofracking, while others are against it. One side is concerned about the negative effect it will have on the environment. The other side points out the potential benefits it might provide. 19. Identify one renewable alternative to natural gas as an energy source that New York State could use and describe the advantage of using this source, other than it is renewable. 20. Describe a trade-off that must be considered in the decision whether to move forward with hydrofracking. Which statement describes an event in this process? (1) Community B modifies the environment, making it suitable for community C. (2) Community D modifies the environment, making it suitable for community C. (3) Community E will develop into community A, if the environment remains stable. (4) Community A organisms will develop directly into community D organisms. Page 6

7 Base your answers to questions 21 through 24 on information and graph below and on your knowledge of biology. At an observatory in Mauna Loa, Hawaii, scientists have been measuring and collecting data related to changes in the atmosphere since the 1950s. The remote location of the observatory makes it ideal for studying atmospheric conditions that can cause climate change. One specific measurement taken is the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Information for a 7-year period is shown in the graph below. 21. State one possible cause for the overall change in the carbon dioxide levels shown in the graph 22. Identify the biological process that might account for the decreases in carbon dioxide levels 23. identify two actions carried out by humans that could lower carbon dioxide levels 24. State the overall relationship between time and carbon dioxide levels Page 7

8 Base your answers to questions 25 through 28 on the diagrams below and on your knowledge of biology. The diagrams represent how various populations interact in a forest environment. 25. Which diagram, A or B, most accurately represents interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in a forest environment? Support your answer. Diagram: 26. State what would most likely happen to one other population in this food web if all the squirrels and rabbits were suddenly killed by a viral disease. Support your answer. 27. If this forest community experienced a severe lack of rain throughout the spring and summer seasons, state what effect this drought could have on the grouse population. Support your answer. 28. State one possible reason why the deer population could remain relatively constant, even though the number of berry bushes and berries varies from year to year. Base your answers to questions 29 and 30 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology. Raw eggs and undercooked poultry may contain Salmonella bacteria. These bacteria can cause food poisoning by invading the cells lining the small intestine and producing a toxin that causes inflammation in the intestine. Symptoms usually appear 24 to 48 hours after the bacteria are ingested. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting. dehydration, and abdominal pain that may last for several days. 29. State one possible reason why the symptoms of food poisoning do not appear for 24 to 48 hours after eating food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Page 8

9 30. Explain why Salmonella bacteria are described as pathogens. Page 9

10 Answer Key Topic 8-Ecology solar energy energy from the Sun is free. wind energy - no air pollution. geothermal no carbon dioxide released. hydroelectricity Energy is generated locally. 20. The decision involves balancing the economic gains and the possible environmental damage. Fracking will provide people with more natural gas but might damage the environment. There might be more jobs, but there is a possiblity for increased water pollution. 21. increase in human population fewer photosynthetic organisms deforestation increased use of fossil fuels increased volcanic activity 22. photosynthesis autotrophic nutrition 23. planting more trees reducing the use of fossil fuels car pool/use public 24. As time increased, the levels of carbon dioxide increased. As time went by, the amount of carbon dioxide increased. Carbon dioxide production fluctuated with the seasons. 25. The diagram shows the Sun and living things. There are both biotic and abiotic factors shown in diagram A. Diagram A includes the Sun and raw materials. There are no abiotic factors in food web B. Diagram B does not show the original source of energy. Diagram B is missing an energy source and raw materials from the soil. 26. The fox/weasel/cougar population would decrease because of less food. The oak trees would increase because there would be more acorns. The deer population might increase due to less competition for available food. The deer population might decrease due to greater predation by cougars. There would be more competition among 27. Lack of rain could cause plants to die off, decreasing the food available for the beetles, which would die off, causing the grouse population to also decrease. 28. If there are not enough berries, then the deer population can eat more acorns and Hickory nuts. The deer have other food sources. 29. It takes time for the bacteria to reproduce. It takes time for the bacteria to produce enough toxins. It takes time for the bacteria to invade intestine walls. It takes time for the bacteria to cause inflammation. 30. It is an organism that causes disease. produces toxins that cause fewer and other symptoms because it invades cells and causes food poisoning Salmonella makes people sick. Page 10