Populations and the Environment Answers

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1
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What is an organism’s niche?

A
the physical environment of the organism
B
the role that an organism plays in the environment
C
the traits that increase an organism’s survival
D
the competitors and predators of the organism
2
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The Phoenix area of the Southwestern desert typically receives 8 inches of precipitation yearly, in two seasonal patterns. Even though it is an arid region, it has high biological diversity. Thin-leaf trees abound, such as palo verde and desert ironwoods. Wide varieties of cactus thrive, including the cholla, prickly pear, and saguaro. Wildlife includes insects, reptiles, many bird species, small rodents, and other mammals. Which factor in the Southwestern desert ecosystem is abiotic?

A
a prickly pear seed
B
a fallen palo verde leaf
C
a rainstorm
D
a wolf spider
3

A biologist counts the number of rabbits in a population each year and observes a decrease in population. Since the coyote population has exploded, the biologist concludes that the coyote population has had a negative impact on the rabbit population. Which describes the biologist’s actions?

A
experimentation
B
inference
C
graphing
D
interacting
4

Why is a shell considered to be biotic?

A
because it is found in the biosphere
B
because it was alive
C
because it came from something living
D
because it is not living
5

Hunter is studying for his ecology test. Which fact would least likely show up in his notes?

A
Populations can have negative effects on their environment.
B
Populations can affect the size of other populations.
C
Populations have no effect on their environment.
D
Populations can adapt to changes in the environment.
6

Interactions between organisms and their environment impact the organism’s overall population. Zebra mussels are not native North America; they were brought here by ships travelling from Europe. They reproduce quickly and filter out plankton from the water reducing food for native fish. Native fish populations have started to decline. Which concept shows the relationship between zebra mussels and native fish?

A
adaptation principle
B
competitive exclusion principle
C
niche relationship
D
predator-prey relationship
7

Elephants shape their environment in many ways. They can change a forest to a grassy field or dig a hole that might become a pond. They clear large amounts of vegetation, which removes habitats for some organisms but makes the area inviting for other organisms. Which best describes possible interactions of elephants with the surrounding ecosystem?

A
positive
B
negative
C
neither positive nor negative
D
both positive and negative
8

Which describes the habitat of a frog?

A
color for camouflage
B
prey for snakes
C
eats insects
D
marshes and ponds
9

A rock is classified as

A
nonliving and abiotic.
B
nonliving and biotic.
C
living and abiotic.
D
living and biotic.
10

Which is a biotic factor?

A
rotting carcass
B
rock
C
drop of water
D
fire

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