Question 1

Only about__________ of the kilocalories in a trophic level is passed to the next trophic level (e.g. from autotroph to primary consumer).

Accepted Answer

On average, about 10% of the energy in one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level. This is known as the 10% law. Therefore, choice B is the best option as it is the closest to this average.

Question 2

In coral reefs,clownfish live unharmed among the poisonous tentacles of sea anemones.The sea anemones protect the clownfish from predation,while the clownfish scare off predators,such as the butterfly fish,which would otherwise eat the anemones.The clownfish may also provide important nutrients to the anemones.This arrangement is an example of which symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between clownfish and sea anemones is an example of mutualism, as both species benefit from the interaction. The sea anemones provide protection for the clownfish, while the clownfish scare off predators and may also provide nutrients to the anemones.

Question 3

The zonation of flora and fauna along an altitudinal transect similar to that found along latitudinal transects is an expression of the

Accepted Answer

The zonation of flora and fauna along an altitudinal transect is known as the life zone concept, which is based on the idea that different elevations support different communities of plants and animals. This concept is similar to the latitudinal zonation found along geographic latitudes.

Question 4

From the perspective of energy,which of the following is the most efficient trophic level?

Accepted Answer

Primary producers are the most efficient trophic level as they directly harness energy from the sun through photosynthesis, converting it into chemical energy. Only a fraction of this energy is passed on to the next trophic level, with an estimated 10% transfer efficiency. As a result, the higher up the trophic level, the less energy is available, with tertiary consumers receiving the least amount of energy.

Question 5

A lichen is made up of algae and fungi living together.In this relationship,the alga is the producer and food source for the fungus and the fungus provides structure and physical support for the alga.This is an example of which symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

In mutualism, both species benefit from the relationship, which is the case in the lichen relationship between the alga and the fungus. The alga provides food for the fungus, while the fungus provides structure and physical support for the alga.

Question 6

In food webs,toxic chemicals tend to accumulate and concentrate most in the

Accepted Answer

Toxic chemicals tend to accumulate and concentrate as they move up the food chain, so they will be most present in the top carnivores. These animals eat other animals that may have consumed contaminated prey or plants. As a result, the toxins accumulate in their tissues in greater concentrations.

Question 7

Currently,approximately __________of cultivated acreage in the United States and Canada is planted for animal consumption.

Accepted Answer

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, approximately 50% of cultivated acreage in the United States is used for animal feed production. This includes crops such as corn, sorghum, soybeans, and alfalfa. While this is a significant amount, it's worth noting that a large portion of these crops are also used for other purposes, such as ethanol production and human consumption.

Question 8

The environment in which an organism resides or is biologically adapted to live is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

Habitat refers to the specific environment in which an organism lives or is adapted to live. A niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment - including how it meets its needs for food and shelter, and how it survives and reproduces. A community refers to all the populations of different species that live in the same area and interact with each other, while an ecotone is a transition area between two different ecological communities where they may overlap or intermingle.

Question 9

The interacting populations of living plants and animals in a particular location are described as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A group of living organisms sharing a specific geographic area and interacting with each other is called a community. It includes both plants and animals. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Option A (niche) refers to the specific role or function of a particular species in the community, Option C (ecosystem) refers to the combination of living organisms and non-living components of the environment, and Option D (metapopulation) refers to a group of populations that are spread out and interact with each other.

Question 10

The specific,unique role that a species performs within a given area is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A species' niche refers to the specific, unique role it plays in its environment, including the resources it uses and how it interacts with other species. Habitat refers to the physical location where a species lives, while community refers to all the different species that exist and interact within a given area. Ecotone refers to the transition zone between two different habitats or ecosystems.

Question 11

When a community is disturbed to the point that most or all of its species are eliminated,a process called__________ occurs in which the area undergoes a series of changes in species composition as newer communities replace older ones.

Accepted Answer

Ecological succession is a process that occurs after a disturbance in a community that has eliminated most or all of its species. It involves a series of changes in species composition as newer communities replace older ones, eventually leading to a more stable and diverse ecosystem. Mass extinction refers to a global event in which a significant portion of all living species go extinct. Rejuvenation and patch dynamics don't fully capture the process of ecological recovery after a disturbance.

Question 12

Which of the following would NOT be a limiting factor for a plant species?

Accepted Answer

Predators would not limit a plant species as they are not directly affected by them. Plant species are limited by abiotic factors such as availability of nutrients in the soil, water and sunlight, and biotic factors such as competition with other plants, disease and herbivores.

Question 13

The proposition that no two species can occupy the same ecological niche is known as the

Accepted Answer

The proposition that no two species can occupy the same ecological niche is known as the competitive exclusion principle. This principle states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist in the same place, for long periods of time, leading to the extinction of one of the two species or their adaption to use different resources.

Question 14

Epiphytic plants,such as various species of orchids (Orchidaceae),grow upon another plant,using the plants for physical support,but bringing no harm to the host plant.This is an example of which symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

In commensalism, one organism benefits while the other organism is neither helped nor harmed. In this case, the epiphytic plants benefit by using the host plant for physical support, but do not harm the host plant.

Question 15

A black walnut (Juglans nigra)emits a chemical that may kill or inhibit the growth of other nearby shrubs or trees without harming itself.This is an example of which symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of amensalism, where one species is harmed (inhibited or killed) while the other is neither helped nor harmed. The black walnut is not benefited by the release of this chemical, but it does harm other nearby plants.

Question 16

A consumer,such as a bear,that eats both producers (plants)and consumers (animals)is a

Accepted Answer

An omnivore is an animal that eats both producers (plants) and consumers (animals). A bear is an example of an omnivore, as they eat plants such as berries and also hunt and eat animals such as fish and small mammals.

Question 17

__________refers to the biotic and abiotic characteristics in the environment that determine species distribution.

Accepted Answer

A limiting factor refers to the biotic and abiotic characteristics in the environment that determine species distribution by restricting their growth, abundance, or distribution.

Question 18

Mistletoe (Phoradendron)infest many taxa of plants,often causing the branches of the host species to become swollen and distorted and making the trees more susceptible to insect infestations.This is an example of which symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

The mistletoe negatively impacts the host plant by causing swelling and making it more vulnerable to insect infestations, indicating a parasitic relationship where the mistletoe benefits at the expense of the host plant.

Question 19

-The snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)is a specialist that feeds on only one specific type of snail.By comparison,the Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)is a generalist that feeds on diverse food sources.Whereas the snail kite has a very limited range,the Mallard Duck has a very broad range.The snail kiteʹs diet is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

The answer of 
-The snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)is a specialist...

Question 20

As chemical pesticides move through the trophic pyramid,they may be amplified at each higher level in a process called

Accepted Answer

Biomagnification is the process by which chemical pesticides become more concentrated and amplified at each higher level of the trophic pyramid, as they accumulate in the tissues of organisms that consume them. This can lead to high levels of toxins in top predators, which can have detrimental effects on their health and populations.

Quiz 16: Energy Flows and Nutrient Cycles

Only about__________ of the kilocalories in a trophic level is passed to the next trophic level (e.g. from autotroph to primary consumer) .