Question 1

How is it that satellites can detect differences in primary productivity on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Photosynthetic organisms absorb more visible light in the 350- to 750-nm wavelengths. 
B)  Satellite instruments can detect reflectance patterns of the photosynthetic organisms of different ecosystems. 
C)  Sensitive satellite instruments can measure the amount of NADPH produced in the summative light reactions of different ecosystems. 
D)  Satellites detect differences by comparing the wavelengths of light captured and reflected by photoautotrophs to the amount of light reaching different ecosystems. 
E)  Satellites detect differences by measuring the amount of water vapor emitted by transpiring producers. 
A)  Photosynthetic organisms absorb more visible light in the 350- to 750-nm wavelengths. 
B)  Satellite instruments can detect reflectance patterns of the photosynthetic organisms of different ecosystems. 
C)  Sensitive satellite instruments can measure the amount of NADPH produced in the summative light reactions of different ecosystems. 
D)  Satellites detect differences by comparing the wavelengths of light captured and reflected by photoautotrophs to the amount of light reaching different ecosystems. 
E)  Satellites detect differences by measuring the amount of water vapor emitted by transpiring producers.

Question 2

A porcupine eats 3,000 J of plant material. Of this, 2,100 J are indigestible and are eliminated as feces, 800 J are used in cellular respiration, and 100 J are used for growth and reproduction. What is the approximate production efficiency of this animal?

Accepted Answer

A)  0.03% 
B)  3% 
C)  11% 
D)  27% 
E)  33% 
A)  0.03% 
B)  3% 
C)  11% 
D)  27% 
E)  33%

Question 3

How is net ecosystem production (NEP) typically estimated in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A)  the ratio of producers to consumers 
B)  the amount of heat energy released by the ecosystem 
C)  the net flux of CO₂ or O₂ in or out of an ecosystem 
D)  the rate of decomposition by detritivores 
E)  the annual total of incoming solar radiation per unit of area 
A)  the ratio of producers to consumers 
B)  the amount of heat energy released by the ecosystem 
C)  the net flux of CO₂ or O₂ in or out of an ecosystem 
D)  the rate of decomposition by detritivores 
E)  the annual total of incoming solar radiation per unit of area

Question 4

Photosynthetic organisms are unique to most ecosystems because they

Accepted Answer

A)  synthesize organic compounds they obtain from decaying heterotrophs. 
B)  synthesize inorganic compounds from organic compounds. 
C)  use light energy to synthesize organic compounds from inorganic compounds. 
D)  use chemical energy to synthesize organic compounds. 
E)  convert light energy into matter. 
A)  synthesize organic compounds they obtain from decaying heterotrophs. 
B)  synthesize inorganic compounds from organic compounds. 
C)  use light energy to synthesize organic compounds from inorganic compounds. 
D)  use chemical energy to synthesize organic compounds. 
E)  convert light energy into matter.

Question 5

What is secondary production?

Accepted Answer

A)  energy converted by secondary consumers from primary consumers 
B)  solar energy that is converted to chemical energy by photosynthesis 
C)  chemical energy in food that is converted to new biomass by consumers 
D)  energy that is not used by consumers for growth and reproduction 
E)  growth that takes place during the second year of life in consumers 
A)  energy converted by secondary consumers from primary consumers 
B)  solar energy that is converted to chemical energy by photosynthesis 
C)  chemical energy in food that is converted to new biomass by consumers 
D)  energy that is not used by consumers for growth and reproduction 
E)  growth that takes place during the second year of life in consumers

Question 6

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
The tundra biome is rapidly changing as a result of global warming. Studying the energy budget of the tundra can help scientists to evaluate the magnitude of these changes. In a randomly selected square meter of tundra, the amount of plant biomass is 200 g. The amount of new plant biomass added in a year is 100 g. In the same square meter, the total biomass added in a year is 15 g. A grasshopper that eats 1 g of plant biomass is able to use 0.15 g of that biomass for growth. The grasshopper cannot assimilate 50% of the plant's biomass.
-If the total amount of energy from light converted into chemical energy in this square meter of tundra is 200 g, what is the amount of autotrophic respiration?

Accepted Answer

A)  200 g 
B)  100 g 
C)  85 g 
D)  15 g 
E)  0.5 g 
A)  200 g 
B)  100 g 
C)  85 g 
D)  15 g 
E)  0.5 g

Question 7

Which statement best describes what ultimately happens to the chemical energy that is not converted to new biomass in the process of energy transfer between trophic levels in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A)  All of it is undigested and winds up in the feces and is not passed on to higher trophic levels. 
B)  It is only used by organisms to maintain their life processes through the reactions of cellular respiration. 
C)  Heat produced by cellular respiration is used by heterotrophs to thermoregulate. 
D)  It is eliminated as feces or is dissipated into space as heat in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics. 
E)  It is recycled by decomposers to a form that is once again usable by primary producers. 
A)  All of it is undigested and winds up in the feces and is not passed on to higher trophic levels. 
B)  It is only used by organisms to maintain their life processes through the reactions of cellular respiration. 
C)  Heat produced by cellular respiration is used by heterotrophs to thermoregulate. 
D)  It is eliminated as feces or is dissipated into space as heat in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics. 
E)  It is recycled by decomposers to a form that is once again usable by primary producers.

Question 8

A cow's herbivorous diet indicates that it is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  primary consumer. 
B)  secondary consumer. 
C)  decomposer. 
D)  autotroph. 
E)  producer. 
A)  primary consumer. 
B)  secondary consumer. 
C)  decomposer. 
D)  autotroph. 
E)  producer.

Question 9

Which of the following ecosystems would likely have a larger net primary productivity/hectare, and why?

Accepted Answer

A)  open ocean, because of the total biomass of photosynthetic autotrophs 
B)  a temperate grassland, because of the small standing crop biomass that results from consumption by herbivores and rapid decomposition 
C)  tropical rain forest, because of the long growing season and large amount of leaf surface area 
D)  a cave, due to the lack of photosynthetic autotrophs 
E)  tundra, because of the incredibly rapid period of growth during the summer season 
A)  open ocean, because of the total biomass of photosynthetic autotrophs 
B)  a temperate grassland, because of the small standing crop biomass that results from consumption by herbivores and rapid decomposition 
C)  tropical rain forest, because of the long growing season and large amount of leaf surface area 
D)  a cave, due to the lack of photosynthetic autotrophs 
E)  tundra, because of the incredibly rapid period of growth during the summer season

Question 10

How is it that the open ocean produces the highest net primary productivity of Earth's ecosystems, yet net primary productivity per square meter is relatively low?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oceans contain greater concentrations of nutrients compared to other ecosystems. 
B)  Oceans receive a lesser amount of solar energy per unit area. 
C)  Oceans have the largest area of all the ecosystems on Earth. 
D)  Ocean ecosystems have less species diversity. 
E)  Oceanic producers are generally much smaller than oceanic consumers. 
A)  Oceans contain greater concentrations of nutrients compared to other ecosystems. 
B)  Oceans receive a lesser amount of solar energy per unit area. 
C)  Oceans have the largest area of all the ecosystems on Earth. 
D)  Ocean ecosystems have less species diversity. 
E)  Oceanic producers are generally much smaller than oceanic consumers.

Question 11

Which trophic level is most vulnerable to extinction?

Accepted Answer

A)  milkweed plants 
B)  monarch caterpillars that eat milkweed plants 
C)  goldfinches that eat monarch caterpillars 
D)  golden eagles that eat goldfinches 
E)  inky cap fungus that breaks down plant material 
A)  milkweed plants 
B)  monarch caterpillars that eat milkweed plants 
C)  goldfinches that eat monarch caterpillars 
D)  golden eagles that eat goldfinches 
E)  inky cap fungus that breaks down plant material

Question 12

Figure 42.1 Food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem (arrows represent energy flow and numbers represent species)
-Examine the food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem in Figure 42.1. Which species is most likely a decomposer in this food web?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  3 
D)  4 
E)  5 
A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  3 
D)  4 
E)  5

Question 13

Which of these ecosystems has the highest net primary productivity per square meter annually?

Accepted Answer

A)  savanna 
B)  open ocean 
C)  boreal forest 
D)  tropical rain forest 
E)  temperate forest 
A)  savanna 
B)  open ocean 
C)  boreal forest 
D)  tropical rain forest 
E)  temperate forest

Question 14

Figure 42.3
-In the diagram of the nitrogen cycle in Figure 42.3, which number represents nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A)  5 
B)  6 
C)  7 
D)  1 
A)  5 
B)  6 
C)  7 
D)  1

Question 15

Subtraction of which of the following will convert gross primary productivity into net primary productivity?

Accepted Answer

A)  the energy contained in the standing crop 
B)  the energy used by heterotrophs in respiration 
C)  the energy used by autotrophs in respiration 
D)  the energy fixed by photosynthesis 
E)  all solar energy 
A)  the energy contained in the standing crop 
B)  the energy used by heterotrophs in respiration 
C)  the energy used by autotrophs in respiration 
D)  the energy fixed by photosynthesis 
E)  all solar energy

Question 16

Figure 42.1 Food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem (arrows represent energy flow and numbers represent species)
-Examine the food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem in Figure 42.1. Which pair of species acquire energy from more than one trophic level?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 and 2 
B)  1 and 4 
C)  2 and 3 
D)  3 and 4 
E)  3 and 5 
A)  1 and 2 
B)  1 and 4 
C)  2 and 3 
D)  3 and 4 
E)  3 and 5

Question 17

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
A scientist conducts an experiment to quantify the effect of mycorrhizae and soil nitrogen levels on plant growth in a grassland. The experiment has four treatments: (1) Mycorrhizae present and ambient levels of nitrogen, (2) mycorrhizae present and nitrogen added, (3) mycorrhizae absent and ambient levels of nitrogen, and (3) mycorrhizae absent and nitrogen added. After four weeks, the scientist removes the aboveground plant material for weighing.   Figure 42.4.
-What is the dependent variable in the experiment shown in Figure 42.4?

Accepted Answer

A)  net primary productivity 
B)  gross primary productivity 
C)  net secondary productivity 
D)  standing crop 
A)  net primary productivity 
B)  gross primary productivity 
C)  net secondary productivity 
D)  standing crop

Question 18

Please use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
The tundra biome is rapidly changing as a result of global warming. Studying the energy budget of the tundra can help scientists to evaluate the magnitude of these changes. In a randomly selected square meter of tundra, the amount of plant biomass is 200 g. The amount of new plant biomass added in a year is 100 g. In the same square meter, the total biomass added in a year is 15 g. A grasshopper that eats 1 g of plant biomass is able to use 0.15 g of that biomass for growth. The grasshopper cannot assimilate 50% of the plant's biomass.
-What is the amount of secondary production described in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

A)  100 g 
B)  85 g 
C)  15 g 
D)  1 g 
E)  0.15 g 
A)  100 g 
B)  85 g 
C)  15 g 
D)  1 g 
E)  0.15 g

Question 19

The total biomass of photosynthetic autotrophs present in an ecosystem is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  gross primary productivity. 
B)  standing crop. 
C)  net primary productivity. 
D)  secondary productivity. 
E)  trophic efficiency. 
A)  gross primary productivity. 
B)  standing crop. 
C)  net primary productivity. 
D)  secondary productivity. 
E)  trophic efficiency.

Question 20

Figure 42.2 Diagram of a food web (arrows represent energy flow and numbers represent species)
-If Figure 42.2 represents a marine food web, the smallest organism might be

Accepted Answer

A)  1. 
B)  6. 
C)  3. 
D)  9. 
E)  5. 
A)  1. 
B)  6. 
C)  3. 
D)  9. 
E)  5.

Exam 42: Ecosystems and Energy

How is it that satellites can detect differences in primary productivity on Earth?

A porcupine eats 3,000 J of plant material. Of this, 2,100 J are indigestible and are eliminated as feces, 800 J are used in cellular respiration, and 100 J are used for growth and reproduction. What is the approximate production efficiency of this animal?

How is net ecosystem production (NEP) typically estimated in ecosystems?

Photosynthetic organisms are unique to most ecosystems because they

What is secondary production?

Which statement best describes what ultimately happens to the chemical energy that is not converted to new biomass in the process of energy transfer between trophic levels in an ecosystem?

A cow's herbivorous diet indicates that it is a(n)

Which of the following ecosystems would likely have a larger net primary productivity/hectare, and why?

How is it that the open ocean produces the highest net primary productivity of Earth's ecosystems, yet net primary productivity per square meter is relatively low?

Which trophic level is most vulnerable to extinction?

Figure 42.1 Food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem (arrows represent energy flow and numbers represent species) -Examine the food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem in Figure 42.1. Which species is most likely a decomposer in this food web?

Which of these ecosystems has the highest net primary productivity per square meter annually?

Figure 42.3 -In the diagram of the nitrogen cycle in Figure 42.3, which number represents nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

Subtraction of which of the following will convert gross primary productivity into net primary productivity?

Figure 42.1 Food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem (arrows represent energy flow and numbers represent species) -Examine the food web for a particular terrestrial ecosystem in Figure 42.1. Which pair of species acquire energy from more than one trophic level?

The total biomass of photosynthetic autotrophs present in an ecosystem is known as

Figure 42.2 Diagram of a food web (arrows represent energy flow and numbers represent species) -If Figure 42.2 represents a marine food web, the smallest organism might be

Introduction: Evolution and the Foundations of Biology

The Chemical Context of Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Development, Stem Cells, and Cancer

Viruses

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent With Modification

Phylogeny

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

Broad Patterns of Evolution

Early Life and the Diversification of Prokaryotes

The Origin and Diversification of Eukaryotes

The Colonization of Land by Plants and Fungi

The Rise of Animal Diversity

Plant Structure and Growth

Resource Acquisition, Nutrition, and Transport in Vascular Plants

Reproduction and Domestication of Flowering Plants

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Homeostasis and Endocrine Signaling

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Reproduction and Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous and Sensory Systems

Motor Mechanisms and Behavior

Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms

Species Interactions

Global Ecology and Conservation Biology

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