Question 1

Most primary production does not pass through the live consumer system.Which of the following is correct relative to this statement?

Accepted Answer

A)  Much primary production dies without being grazed and supports the decomposer system. 
B)  Not all primary productivity is assimilated to biomass because a proportion is lost to respiratory heat. 
C)  Plant biomass that is eaten by herbivores and herbivore biomass eaten by carnivores is not entirely incorporated into consumer biomass. What is not used is lost in feces and is used by the decomposer system. 
D)  All primary productivity is grazed. 
A)  Much primary production dies without being grazed and supports the decomposer system. 
B)  Not all primary productivity is assimilated to biomass because a proportion is lost to respiratory heat. 
C)  Plant biomass that is eaten by herbivores and herbivore biomass eaten by carnivores is not entirely incorporated into consumer biomass. What is not used is lost in feces and is used by the decomposer system. 
D)  All primary productivity is grazed.

Question 2

The main source of nutrients such as calcium,iron,magnesium,phosphorous,and potassium in many terrestrial ecosystems is _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  The Amazon River 
B)  The weathering of parent bedrock and soil 
C)  Acid rain 
D)  Detritivores 
A)  The Amazon River 
B)  The weathering of parent bedrock and soil 
C)  Acid rain 
D)  Detritivores

Question 3

Which terms would be important to an ecologist when measuring primary productivity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Net primary productivity only since all that is important is the actual rate of decomposition of biomass. 
B)  Gross primary productivity because all that is important is the total amount of energy gained after photosynthesis. 
C)  Net primary productivity and gross primary productivity because net primary productivity tells you the rate of new biomass produced and gross primary productivity tells you the total fixation of energy via photosynthesis. 
D)  Only primary productivity; there is no need for an ecologist to look at net or gross primary productivity. 
A)  Net primary productivity only since all that is important is the actual rate of decomposition of biomass. 
B)  Gross primary productivity because all that is important is the total amount of energy gained after photosynthesis. 
C)  Net primary productivity and gross primary productivity because net primary productivity tells you the rate of new biomass produced and gross primary productivity tells you the total fixation of energy via photosynthesis. 
D)  Only primary productivity; there is no need for an ecologist to look at net or gross primary productivity.

Question 4

Where would NPP be lowest?

Accepted Answer

A)  A freshwater lake 
B)  An estuary 
C)  A subtropical ocean gyre 
D)  A stream 
A)  A freshwater lake 
B)  An estuary 
C)  A subtropical ocean gyre 
D)  A stream

Question 5

If an oak tree loses its leaves,what happens to the productivity of that tree?

Accepted Answer

A)  Its productivity is zero 
B)  Nothing happens to its rate of productivity 
C)  Its productivity is halved 
D)  It produces a module 
A)  Its productivity is zero 
B)  Nothing happens to its rate of productivity 
C)  Its productivity is halved 
D)  It produces a module

Question 6

According to Figure 11.22,which of the following statements are accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The mean trophic transfer efficiency is 10.13 
B)  A transfer efficiency of 20% is outside of one standard deviation from the mean 
C)  The mean could be between 9.64 and 10.62 given the standard error 
D)  The distribution of transfer efficiency percentages is not normally distributed 
A)  The mean trophic transfer efficiency is 10.13 
B)  A transfer efficiency of 20% is outside of one standard deviation from the mean 
C)  The mean could be between 9.64 and 10.62 given the standard error 
D)  The distribution of transfer efficiency percentages is not normally distributed

Question 7

What would be considered a high level of net photosynthetic efficiency for a naturally occurring ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A)  30% efficiency 
B)  10% efficiency 
C)  3% efficiency 
D)  0.01% efficiency 
A)  30% efficiency 
B)  10% efficiency 
C)  3% efficiency 
D)  0.01% efficiency

Question 8

If you were doing an experiment using aquatic phytoplankton and you noticed an increase in the uptake of molybdenum,what might you predict will happen to the rate of nitrogen fixation?

Accepted Answer

A)  The rate of nitrogen fixation could or would be increased 
B)  The rate of nitrogen fixation will not change; molybdenum has no role in nitrogen fixation 
C)  The rate of nitrogen fixation would be decreased 
D)  Nitrogen fixation will be stopped 
A)  The rate of nitrogen fixation could or would be increased 
B)  The rate of nitrogen fixation will not change; molybdenum has no role in nitrogen fixation 
C)  The rate of nitrogen fixation would be decreased 
D)  Nitrogen fixation will be stopped

Question 9

According to Figure 11.10,which part of North America has a greater rate of nitrogen fixation?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Gulf of Mexico 
B)  The Pacific Northwest 
C)  New England 
D)  The Great Lakes 
A)  The Gulf of Mexico 
B)  The Pacific Northwest 
C)  New England 
D)  The Great Lakes

Question 10

According to Figure 11.24,which of the following statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  The median percentage of NPP consumed by herbivores in benthic microalgal beds is 40% 
B)  The median percentage of NPP consumed by herbivores by ecosystem is nearly always greater than 40% 
C)  The median percentage of NPP channeled to the DOM compartment in grasslands is nearly 100% 
D)  Forests and shrublands channel the lowest proportions of NPP to the DOM compartment. 
A)  The median percentage of NPP consumed by herbivores in benthic microalgal beds is 40% 
B)  The median percentage of NPP consumed by herbivores by ecosystem is nearly always greater than 40% 
C)  The median percentage of NPP channeled to the DOM compartment in grasslands is nearly 100% 
D)  Forests and shrublands channel the lowest proportions of NPP to the DOM compartment.

Question 11

All the primary producer biomass produced is not consumed alive by herbivores.That which dies supports a community of _________?

Accepted Answer

A)  Primary consumers 
B)  Decomposers 
C)  Autotrophs 
D)  None of the above 
A)  Primary consumers 
B)  Decomposers 
C)  Autotrophs 
D)  None of the above

Question 12

Which two general systems describe how net primary productivity is used by organisms?

Accepted Answer

A)  Deep sea conveyor system 
B)  Live consumer system 
C)  Decomposer system 
D)  Terrestrial consumer system 
A)  Deep sea conveyor system 
B)  Live consumer system 
C)  Decomposer system 
D)  Terrestrial consumer system

Question 13

If you were interested in further understanding the relationship of abundances of elements in organisms,then you should probably do a scholarly search for which topic?

Accepted Answer

A)  Organismal biology 
B)  Organic chemistry 
C)  Evolutionary biology 
D)  Stoichiometry 
A)  Organismal biology 
B)  Organic chemistry 
C)  Evolutionary biology 
D)  Stoichiometry

Question 14

Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the total potential rate of net primary productivity (NPP)of Earth's natural ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A)  Almost all NPP is produced in terrestrial ecosystems 
B)  Almost all NPP is produced in the oceans 
C)  Slightly more NPP is produced in terrestrial ecosystems and slightly less NPP is produced in the oceans 
D)  NPP is equal between terrestrial ecosystems and the oceans. 
A)  Almost all NPP is produced in terrestrial ecosystems 
B)  Almost all NPP is produced in the oceans 
C)  Slightly more NPP is produced in terrestrial ecosystems and slightly less NPP is produced in the oceans 
D)  NPP is equal between terrestrial ecosystems and the oceans.

Question 15

Which of the following is an explanation as to why cyanobacteria blooms are prevented in oceans?

Accepted Answer

A)  High availability of sulfate increases the rate of cyanobacteria growth, but abundance is grazed upon by zooplankton 
B)  Net primary productivity is low in all ocean zones and that prevents cyanobacteria blooms 
C)  A low availability of moldybenum in seawater slows the growth of cyanobacteria, which in turn grazing by zooplankton is sufficient to prevent blooms 
D)  All of the above 
A)  High availability of sulfate increases the rate of cyanobacteria growth, but abundance is grazed upon by zooplankton 
B)  Net primary productivity is low in all ocean zones and that prevents cyanobacteria blooms 
C)  A low availability of moldybenum in seawater slows the growth of cyanobacteria, which in turn grazing by zooplankton is sufficient to prevent blooms 
D)  All of the above

Question 16

Plants respire a proportion of the total amount of energy they fix during photosynthesis.How is this accounted for when considering productivity?

Accepted Answer

A)  The proportion is subtracted from the biomass 
B)  Rauto is the term used to account for this proportion of energy lost 
C)  The proportion is added to the total biomass 
D)  No energy is lost during the process of photosynthesis 
A)  The proportion is subtracted from the biomass 
B)  Rauto is the term used to account for this proportion of energy lost 
C)  The proportion is added to the total biomass 
D)  No energy is lost during the process of photosynthesis

Question 17

A graduate student has told you that the average net primary productivity (NPP)per area is greater on land than in oceans despite the fact that their total NPP potential is the same.What is one possible reason for this difference?

Accepted Answer

A)  Terrestrial systems always have the highest NPP because terrestrial animals need to consume more biomass than oceanic organisms 
B)  She is not correct. Oceans will always have the highest NPP because there is such an abundance of phyto- and zoo- plankton 
C)  Per area, land will have an average NPP greater than oceans because oceans cover much more of Earths total area 
D)  The NPP per area is equal between land and ocean 
A)  Terrestrial systems always have the highest NPP because terrestrial animals need to consume more biomass than oceanic organisms 
B)  She is not correct. Oceans will always have the highest NPP because there is such an abundance of phyto- and zoo- plankton 
C)  Per area, land will have an average NPP greater than oceans because oceans cover much more of Earths total area 
D)  The NPP per area is equal between land and ocean

Question 18

Which organisms would be the early colonists of newly dead material?

Accepted Answer

A)  Bacteria 
B)  Fungi 
C)  Grazers 
D)  Archaea 
A)  Bacteria 
B)  Fungi 
C)  Grazers 
D)  Archaea

Question 19

According to Figure 11.1,where is the annual average rate of net primary productivity greater?

Accepted Answer

A)  Between 30 degrees north and the equator 
B)  Between 30 degrees south and the equator 
C)  Between 30 degrees north and 60 degrees north 
D)  Between 30 degrees south and 60 degrees south 
A)  Between 30 degrees north and the equator 
B)  Between 30 degrees south and the equator 
C)  Between 30 degrees north and 60 degrees north 
D)  Between 30 degrees south and 60 degrees south

Question 20

If the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous is slightly below 10:1 then _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  It is below the Redfield ratio 
B)  It is at the Redfield ratio 
C)  It is above the Redfield ratio 
D)  None of the above 
A)  It is below the Redfield ratio 
B)  It is at the Redfield ratio 
C)  It is above the Redfield ratio 
D)  None of the above

Most primary production does not pass through the live consumer system.Which of the following is correct relative to this statement?

The main source of nutrients such as calcium,iron,magnesium,phosphorous,and potassium in many terrestrial ecosystems is _______.

Which terms would be important to an ecologist when measuring primary productivity?

Where would NPP be lowest?

If an oak tree loses its leaves,what happens to the productivity of that tree?

According to Figure 11.22,which of the following statements are accurate?

What would be considered a high level of net photosynthetic efficiency for a naturally occurring ecosystem?

If you were doing an experiment using aquatic phytoplankton and you noticed an increase in the uptake of molybdenum,what might you predict will happen to the rate of nitrogen fixation?

According to Figure 11.10,which part of North America has a greater rate of nitrogen fixation?

According to Figure 11.24,which of the following statements are correct?

All the primary producer biomass produced is not consumed alive by herbivores.That which dies supports a community of _________?

Which two general systems describe how net primary productivity is used by organisms?

If you were interested in further understanding the relationship of abundances of elements in organisms,then you should probably do a scholarly search for which topic?

Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the total potential rate of net primary productivity (NPP)of Earth's natural ecosystems?

Which of the following is an explanation as to why cyanobacteria blooms are prevented in oceans?

Plants respire a proportion of the total amount of energy they fix during photosynthesis.How is this accounted for when considering productivity?

A graduate student has told you that the average net primary productivity (NPP)per area is greater on land than in oceans despite the fact that their total NPP potential is the same.What is one possible reason for this difference?

Which organisms would be the early colonists of newly dead material?

According to Figure 11.1,where is the annual average rate of net primary productivity greater?

If the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous is slightly below 10:1 then _______.

Ecology and How to Do It

Ecology’s Evolutionary Backdrop

Physical Conditions and the Availability of Resources

Climate and the World’s Biomes

Birth, Death and Movement

Interspecific Competition

Predation, Grazing and Disease

Molecular and Evolutionary Ecology

From Populations to Communities

Patterns in Species Richness

Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Their Alteration by Humans

Conservation Ecology

The Ecology of Human Population Growth, Disease, and Food Supply

Filters

Exam 11: The Flux of Energy and Matter Through Ecosystems

Most primary production does not pass through the live consumer system.Which of the following is correct relative to this statement?

The main source of nutrients such as calcium,iron,magnesium,phosphorous,and potassium in many terrestrial ecosystems is _______.

Which terms would be important to an ecologist when measuring primary productivity?

Where would NPP be lowest?

If an oak tree loses its leaves,what happens to the productivity of that tree?

According to Figure 11.22,which of the following statements are accurate?

What would be considered a high level of net photosynthetic efficiency for a naturally occurring ecosystem?

If you were doing an experiment using aquatic phytoplankton and you noticed an increase in the uptake of molybdenum,what might you predict will happen to the rate of nitrogen fixation?

According to Figure 11.10,which part of North America has a greater rate of nitrogen fixation?

According to Figure 11.24,which of the following statements are correct?

All the primary producer biomass produced is not consumed alive by herbivores.That which dies supports a community of _________?

Which two general systems describe how net primary productivity is used by organisms?

If you were interested in further understanding the relationship of abundances of elements in organisms,then you should probably do a scholarly search for which topic?

Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the total potential rate of net primary productivity (NPP)of Earth's natural ecosystems?

Which of the following is an explanation as to why cyanobacteria blooms are prevented in oceans?

Plants respire a proportion of the total amount of energy they fix during photosynthesis.How is this accounted for when considering productivity?

A graduate student has told you that the average net primary productivity (NPP)per area is greater on land than in oceans despite the fact that their total NPP potential is the same.What is one possible reason for this difference?

Which organisms would be the early colonists of newly dead material?

According to Figure 11.1,where is the annual average rate of net primary productivity greater?

If the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous is slightly below 10:1 then _______.

Ecology and How to Do It

Ecology’s Evolutionary Backdrop

Physical Conditions and the Availability of Resources

Climate and the World’s Biomes

Birth, Death and Movement

Interspecific Competition

Predation, Grazing and Disease

Molecular and Evolutionary Ecology

From Populations to Communities

Patterns in Species Richness

Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Their Alteration by Humans

Conservation Ecology

The Ecology of Human Population Growth, Disease, and Food Supply

Filters