Question 1

Almost all life on Earth is directly or indirectly dependent on

Accepted Answer

A) solar energy. 
B) predation. 
C) physical productivity. 
D) human civilization. 
A) solar energy. 
B) predation. 
C) physical productivity. 
D) human civilization.

Question 2

How might a decline in phytoplankton affect the climate of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the carbon cycle by moving less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming. 
B) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the phosphorous cycle by moving less phosphorous from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since phosphorous is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming. 
C) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the hydrologic cycle by moving less water from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since water is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming. 
D) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the oxygen cycle by moving less oxygen from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since oxygen is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming. 
A) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the carbon cycle by moving less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming. 
B) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the phosphorous cycle by moving less phosphorous from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since phosphorous is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming. 
C) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the hydrologic cycle by moving less water from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since water is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming. 
D) A decline in phytoplankton could alter the oxygen cycle by moving less oxygen from the atmosphere into phytoplankton tissues.Since oxygen is a greenhouse gas,more of it in the atmosphere could contribute to global warming.

Question 3

In an ecosystem,energy differs from nutrients in that

Accepted Answer

A) energy is recycled through photosynthesis,but nutrients are recycled through the atmosphere. 
B) nutrients are recycled,but energy eventually moves out of the system and is lost. 
C) nutrients are recycled through plant roots,but energy is recycled through leaves. 
D) energy is recycled by producers,but nutrients are recycled by consumers. 
A) energy is recycled through photosynthesis,but nutrients are recycled through the atmosphere. 
B) nutrients are recycled,but energy eventually moves out of the system and is lost. 
C) nutrients are recycled through plant roots,but energy is recycled through leaves. 
D) energy is recycled by producers,but nutrients are recycled by consumers.

Question 4

Within the ecosystem,nutrients

Accepted Answer

A) move in a one-way path from producers toward consumers. 
B) regularly cycle between organisms and the nonliving environment. 
C) are consumed by their use and thus are not available for recycling. 
D) are rarely limiting because they are constantly replenished as the Earth's crust is eroded. 
A) move in a one-way path from producers toward consumers. 
B) regularly cycle between organisms and the nonliving environment. 
C) are consumed by their use and thus are not available for recycling. 
D) are rarely limiting because they are constantly replenished as the Earth's crust is eroded.

Question 5

Which of the following series best represents the energy flow in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A) sun ® consumer ® producer ® metabolic heat 
B) consumer ® producer ® decomposer ® sun 
C) producer ® consumer ® decomposer ® sun 
D) sun ® producer ® consumer ® metabolic heat 
A) sun ® consumer ® producer ® metabolic heat 
B) consumer ® producer ® decomposer ® sun 
C) producer ® consumer ® decomposer ® sun 
D) sun ® producer ® consumer ® metabolic heat

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT an easily testable hypothesis regarding net primary productivity?

Accepted Answer

A) An increase in temperature will likely result in an increase of net primary productivity (NPP)in some terrestrial ecosystems. 
B) An increase in temperature will likely result in an increase of NPP in some marine ecosystems. 
C) An increase in available sunlight will likely result in an increase of NPP in some marine and terrestrial ecosystems. 
D) An increase of water in a marine ecosystem will likely result in tastier products of NPP. 
A) An increase in temperature will likely result in an increase of net primary productivity (NPP)in some terrestrial ecosystems. 
B) An increase in temperature will likely result in an increase of NPP in some marine ecosystems. 
C) An increase in available sunlight will likely result in an increase of NPP in some marine and terrestrial ecosystems. 
D) An increase of water in a marine ecosystem will likely result in tastier products of NPP.

Question 7

Which of the following groups of organisms would NOT be considered to be consumers?

Accepted Answer

A) herbivores 
B) predators 
C) decomposers 
D) photosynthesizers 
A) herbivores 
B) predators 
C) decomposers 
D) photosynthesizers

Question 8

In the absence of ________,nutrient recycling within the ecosystem would completely stop.

Accepted Answer

A) rocks 
B) secondary consumers 
C) decomposers 
D) predators 
A) rocks 
B) secondary consumers 
C) decomposers 
D) predators

Question 9

Match each term to its correct description below.
-Nearly one third of the Earth's land surface is covered with this biome that does not retain heat because it lacks moisture.The plants have small leaves,like the spines on cacti,to minimize water loss.Most of the animals are nocturnal.

Accepted Answer

A) tropical forest 
B) chaparral 
C) boreal forest 
D) tundra 
E) desert
F)temperate deciduous forest
G)grassland 
A) tropical forest 
B) chaparral 
C) boreal forest 
D) tundra 
E) desert
F)temperate deciduous forest
G)grassland

Question 10

To best use the Earth's net primary productivity to feed the most people,diets should be modified to include ________,and gathering the maximum amount of energy available from a given biomass of producers.

Accepted Answer

A) only meat,moving higher up the food chain 
B) only meat,moving lower down the food chain 
C) plant material only,moving lower down the food chain 
D) plant material only,moving higher up the food chain 
A) only meat,moving higher up the food chain 
B) only meat,moving lower down the food chain 
C) plant material only,moving lower down the food chain 
D) plant material only,moving higher up the food chain

Question 11

When humans consume herbivores such as cattle,they occupy which trophic level of a food chain?

Accepted Answer

A) primary consumer 
B) secondary consumer 
C) tertiary consumer 
D) primary producer 
A) primary consumer 
B) secondary consumer 
C) tertiary consumer 
D) primary producer

Question 12

Rabbits,foxes,tapeworms,and fungi are all examples of

Accepted Answer

A) consumers. 
B) primary producers. 
C) abiotic ecosystem components. 
D) photosynthesizers. 
A) consumers. 
B) primary producers. 
C) abiotic ecosystem components. 
D) photosynthesizers.

Question 13

On average,what percentage of the energy from one trophic level of an energy pyramid is transferred to the next trophic level?

Accepted Answer

A) 10 percent 
B) 33 percent 
C) 50 percent 
D) 90 percent 
A) 10 percent 
B) 33 percent 
C) 50 percent 
D) 90 percent

Question 14

The primary contribution of decomposers to an ecosystem occurs when they

Accepted Answer

A) capture solar energy. 
B) recycle nutrients sequestered in organisms back to the physical environment. 
C) regulate the number of producers. 
D) prevent consumer overpopulation. 
A) capture solar energy. 
B) recycle nutrients sequestered in organisms back to the physical environment. 
C) regulate the number of producers. 
D) prevent consumer overpopulation.

Question 15

Areas of the ocean that are very cloudy due to large amounts of stirred sediment or eroded soil are likely to

Accepted Answer

A) experience decreased primary productivity levels. 
B) experience increased primary productivity levels. 
C) experience no change in primary productivity levels. 
D) experience an increase in primary productivity levels with a decrease in secondary productivity levels. 
A) experience decreased primary productivity levels. 
B) experience increased primary productivity levels. 
C) experience no change in primary productivity levels. 
D) experience an increase in primary productivity levels with a decrease in secondary productivity levels.

Question 16

If there are 5,000,000 kcal of energy stored in grain that could be fed either to beef cattle or humans and you choose to feed the grain to the cattle to fatten them up for the humans,how many kcal would now be available as beef to feed the humans?

Accepted Answer

A) 500,000 
B) 50,000 
C) 5,000 
D) 500 
A) 500,000 
B) 50,000 
C) 5,000 
D) 500

Question 17

If a person needs to consume 100 kcal of energy and she chooses to do that by eating chicken,how many kcal of grain would the chicken need to consume to make 100 kcal available to the human?

Accepted Answer

A) 1,000 kcal 
B) 10,000 kcal 
C) 100,000 kcal 
D) 1,000,000 kcal 
A) 1,000 kcal 
B) 10,000 kcal 
C) 100,000 kcal 
D) 1,000,000 kcal

Question 18

Human activities

Accepted Answer

A) rarely affect nutrient cycles. 
B) can alter nutrient cycles on local and global scales. 
C) tend to cause only local changes in nutrient cycles. 
D) generally improve nutrient cycling in ecosystems. 
A) rarely affect nutrient cycles. 
B) can alter nutrient cycles on local and global scales. 
C) tend to cause only local changes in nutrient cycles. 
D) generally improve nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

Question 19

The figure below shows the net primary productivity (NPP)in marine biomes around the world.The pattern of NPP in marine ecosystems as shown suggests that

Accepted Answer

A) marine productivity is as sensitive to temperature as terrestrial productivity. 
B) without shade from overhead vegetation,marine productivity typically exceeds that found in terrestrial ecosystems. 
C) marine ecosystems are also limited by sunlight,with the highest productivity at the equator. 
D) most marine productivity results from the input of terrestrially derived nutrients. 
A) marine productivity is as sensitive to temperature as terrestrial productivity. 
B) without shade from overhead vegetation,marine productivity typically exceeds that found in terrestrial ecosystems. 
C) marine ecosystems are also limited by sunlight,with the highest productivity at the equator. 
D) most marine productivity results from the input of terrestrially derived nutrients.

Question 20

You are relaxing on an island beach enjoying the warm air and sunshine when you notice the striking pure blue color of the water in the deep crater of the island's bay.The water in the surrounding ocean is more of a green color.Which of the following is a logical hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A) The water in the bay has a low level of phytoplankton while there is a higher concentration of phytoplankton in the surrounding ocean. 
B) The water in the bay has a high level of phytoplankton while there is a lower concentration of phytoplankton in the surrounding ocean. 
C) The concentration of phytoplankton in the bay and the surrounding ocean is the same,and it is very high. 
D) The concentration of phytoplankton in the bay and the surrounding ocean is the same and is almost zero. 
A) The water in the bay has a low level of phytoplankton while there is a higher concentration of phytoplankton in the surrounding ocean. 
B) The water in the bay has a high level of phytoplankton while there is a lower concentration of phytoplankton in the surrounding ocean. 
C) The concentration of phytoplankton in the bay and the surrounding ocean is the same,and it is very high. 
D) The concentration of phytoplankton in the bay and the surrounding ocean is the same and is almost zero.

Almost all life on Earth is directly or indirectly dependent on

How might a decline in phytoplankton affect the climate of Earth?

In an ecosystem,energy differs from nutrients in that

Within the ecosystem,nutrients

Which of the following series best represents the energy flow in an ecosystem?

Which of the following is NOT an easily testable hypothesis regarding net primary productivity?

Which of the following groups of organisms would NOT be considered to be consumers?

In the absence of ________,nutrient recycling within the ecosystem would completely stop.

Match each term to its correct description below. -Nearly one third of the Earth's land surface is covered with this biome that does not retain heat because it lacks moisture.The plants have small leaves,like the spines on cacti,to minimize water loss.Most of the animals are nocturnal.

To best use the Earth's net primary productivity to feed the most people,diets should be modified to include ________,and gathering the maximum amount of energy available from a given biomass of producers.

When humans consume herbivores such as cattle,they occupy which trophic level of a food chain?

Rabbits,foxes,tapeworms,and fungi are all examples of

On average,what percentage of the energy from one trophic level of an energy pyramid is transferred to the next trophic level?

The primary contribution of decomposers to an ecosystem occurs when they

Areas of the ocean that are very cloudy due to large amounts of stirred sediment or eroded soil are likely to

If there are 5,000,000 kcal of energy stored in grain that could be fed either to beef cattle or humans and you choose to feed the grain to the cattle to fatten them up for the humans,how many kcal would now be available as beef to feed the humans?

If a person needs to consume 100 kcal of energy and she chooses to do that by eating chicken,how many kcal of grain would the chicken need to consume to make 100 kcal available to the human?

Human activities

The figure below shows the net primary productivity (NPP)in marine biomes around the world.The pattern of NPP in marine ecosystems as shown suggests that

You are relaxing on an island beach enjoying the warm air and sunshine when you notice the striking pure blue color of the water in the deep crater of the island's bay.The water in the surrounding ocean is more of a green color.Which of the following is a logical hypothesis?

The Nature of Science

Chemistry of Life

Life Is Cellular

How Cells Work

Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance

Chromosomes and Human Genetics

What Genes Are

How Genes Work

Evidence for Evolution

Mechanisms of Evolution

Adaptation and Species

The History of Life

Human Evolution

General Principles of Ecology

Growth of Populations

Communities of Organisms

Applying the Science

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Exam 18: Ecosystems

Almost all life on Earth is directly or indirectly dependent on

How might a decline in phytoplankton affect the climate of Earth?

In an ecosystem,energy differs from nutrients in that

Within the ecosystem,nutrients

Which of the following series best represents the energy flow in an ecosystem?

Which of the following is NOT an easily testable hypothesis regarding net primary productivity?

Which of the following groups of organisms would NOT be considered to be consumers?

In the absence of ________,nutrient recycling within the ecosystem would completely stop.

Match each term to its correct description below. -Nearly one third of the Earth's land surface is covered with this biome that does not retain heat because it lacks moisture.The plants have small leaves,like the spines on cacti,to minimize water loss.Most of the animals are nocturnal.

To best use the Earth's net primary productivity to feed the most people,diets should be modified to include ________,and gathering the maximum amount of energy available from a given biomass of producers.

When humans consume herbivores such as cattle,they occupy which trophic level of a food chain?

Rabbits,foxes,tapeworms,and fungi are all examples of

On average,what percentage of the energy from one trophic level of an energy pyramid is transferred to the next trophic level?

The primary contribution of decomposers to an ecosystem occurs when they

Areas of the ocean that are very cloudy due to large amounts of stirred sediment or eroded soil are likely to

If there are 5,000,000 kcal of energy stored in grain that could be fed either to beef cattle or humans and you choose to feed the grain to the cattle to fatten them up for the humans,how many kcal would now be available as beef to feed the humans?

If a person needs to consume 100 kcal of energy and she chooses to do that by eating chicken,how many kcal of grain would the chicken need to consume to make 100 kcal available to the human?

Human activities

The figure below shows the net primary productivity (NPP)in marine biomes around the world.The pattern of NPP in marine ecosystems as shown suggests that

You are relaxing on an island beach enjoying the warm air and sunshine when you notice the striking pure blue color of the water in the deep crater of the island's bay.The water in the surrounding ocean is more of a green color.Which of the following is a logical hypothesis?

The Nature of Science

Chemistry of Life

Life Is Cellular

How Cells Work

Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance

Chromosomes and Human Genetics

What Genes Are

How Genes Work

Evidence for Evolution

Mechanisms of Evolution

Adaptation and Species

The History of Life

Human Evolution

General Principles of Ecology

Growth of Populations

Communities of Organisms

Applying the Science

Filters