Topic Test Answers

The ecosystem is the lowest level of the biosphere hierarchy to include _______.a.the animal species presentb.weather patterns and soil conditionsc.interactions between different speciesd.the plant species present

For the following organisms, choose the correct order of increasing trophic level.a.fungi, deer, wolf and grassb.fungi, grass, wolf and deerc.grass, deer, wolf and fungid.grass, fungi, wolf and deer

Which of the following is not an example of an abiotic factor?a.plantsb.airc.temperatured.soil

Similarities between seemingly unrelated organisms can be explained by Darwin’s theory that organisms come from common ancestors.

Which of the following is not true about Darwin’s book On the Origin of Species?a.He worked on the manuscript for three years.b.It was successful.c.It explained his theory of evolution.d.It was based on his findings in South Africa.

A portion of grass in a prairie ecosystem was destroyed by wildfire. What will most likely happen to the population of bison that feed on the grass?a.The number of bison will increase.b.The number of bison will decrease.c.The bison in the ecosystem will be completely wiped out.d.The number of bison will remain unchanged.

Less than 0.1% of the energy in a food chain generally makes it from the sun to quaternary consumers.

Which of the following human activities most likely resulted in the growth of the North American deer population?a.hunting bisonb.clearing land for farmingc.hunting wolvesd.city building

Which of the following is the best explanation for why finches on one of the islands in the Galapagos have large beaks while finches on another island have small beaks?a.Over time, the finches on the island adapted as a result of competition for resources.b.Finches migrated until they found finches with similar beak sizes.c.Finches spontaneously changed their beak size in order to better access food supplies.d.Finches with large beaks are always better adapted to their environment. Finches with small beaks only survive on islands where there were never finches with larger beaks.

A recent study has shown an increase in the number of predators in an ecosystem. Which of the following is a possible cause for the growth? a. A decrease in the population of prey it feeds on. b. An increase in the population of prey it feeds on c. A decrease in the biodiversity of the ecosystem d. An increase in the number of predators that feed on it Please select the best answer from the choices provided

The main producers in aquatic environments are _______.a.phytoplanktonb.zooplanktonc.kelpd.fish

Organisms use different types of adaptations to aid in their survival. One type of butterfly mimics a dead leaf to evade predators. What type of adaptation is this? a. Biochemical b. Ecological c. Structural d. Physiological Please select the best answer from the choices provided

Only the water of marine ecosystems contains dissolved salt.

Too much logging in the Oyamel fir forests could lead to the eastern monarch butterfly going extinct because _______. a. the entire population of the species spends winter in Oyamel c. the winters are too cold in Oyamel b. the butterflies breed in the Oyamel fir trees d. the butterflies feed on the Oyamel fir trees Please select the best answer from the choices provided

Which of the following is the biggest threat to the Monarch butterflies’ annual migration? a. illegal logging c. airplanes b. cold winters d. new predators Please select the best answer from the choices provided

The elimination of a predator has no negative impacts on that predator’s prey species.

The biggest threats to Christmas Island crabs during their annual migration are _______.a.dogsc.automobilesb.catsd.fences

All animals are _______.a.producersb.omnivoresc.herbivoresd.consumers

Producers are always the highest level in trophic pyramids. Please select the best answer from the choices provided

Sunlight can be considered a food resource.