Question 1

Which of the following organisms would be considered a decomposer?

Accepted Answer

A)   green algae
B)   green plant
C)   caterpillar
D)   bird
E)   mushroomF) B) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 2

An inverted energy pyramid for an ecosystem, one where there are more consumers than producers at a given point in time, is possible if which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   Producers are reproducing more slowly than consumers.
B)   There is intense sunlight for long periods of time, as in the tropics.
C)   Producers are reproducing much more rapidly than consumers.
D)   Decomposers are reproducing much more rapidly than consumers.
E)   Consumers are reproducing more rapidly than producers.F) D) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 3

Which biogeochemical cycle is directly associated with fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

A)   carbon
B)   nitrogen
C)   hydrological
D)   phosphorus
E)   All of the answer choices are correct.F) None of the above
G) A) and B) A

Question 4

What eventually happens to the energy that is passed from one trophic level to the next in a food chain?

Accepted Answer

A)   It recycles back to the producers.
B)   It results in a much larger decomposer population.
C)   It is dissipated into the atmosphere in the form of heat.
D)   It is recaptured by another food chain.
E)   It is eventually sealed in fossil fuels such as coal and oil.F) A) and B)
G) None of the above

Question 5

Which of the following statements inaccurately describes a complex food web?

Accepted Answer

A)   It remains stable.
B)   Populations tend to remain about the same size.
C)   Energy levels remain about the same for all trophic levels.
D)   Inputs are constant and outputs are minimal except for heat.
E)   Most of the energy entering the system maintains the whole community.F) A) and C)
G) A) and B)

Question 6

In an ecosystem, which of the following is/are constantly recycled?

Accepted Answer

A)   carbon
B)   nitrogen
C)   water
D)   phosphorus
E)   All of the answer choices describe aspects of an ecosystem that are constantly recycled.F) A) and B)
G) A) and E)

Question 7

How are omnivores, carnivores, and herbivores similar?

Accepted Answer

A)   They are all producers.
B)   They are all consumers and produce oxygen.
C)   They all produce their own food.
D)   They all produce oxygen.
E)   They are all consumers and produce carbon dioxide.F) A) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 8

In a grassland biome, which organism would most likely be at the highest trophic level?

Accepted Answer

A)   hawk
B)   big bluestem grass
C)   sparrow
D)   caterpillar
E)   mouseF) A) and C)
G) A) and B)

Question 9

Which of the following can be classified as either a secondary or tertiary consumer?

Accepted Answer

A)   producer
B)   herbivore
C)   photoautotroph
D)   autotroph
E)   carnivoreF) A) and B)
G) C) and E)

Question 10

Which of the following is usually a limiting factor (nutrient)  for plants?

Accepted Answer

A)   nitrogen
B)   nitrites
C)   carbon dioxide
D)   phosphates
E)   hydrogenF) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 11

Which of the following is necessary to maintain a balanced (stable)  ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A)   Matter (i.e., elements)  has to cycle.
B)   There must be an outside energy source.
C)   Various populations of producers and consumers must be proportional.
D)   Energy must be allowed to flow through the ecosystem.
E)   All of the answer choices describe necessary factors for maintaining a balanced ecosystem.F) D) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 12

Which sequence illustrates the most plausible food chain?

Accepted Answer

A)   algae, insect larvae, fish, humans
B)   algae, fish, insect larvae, humans
C)   insect larvae, algae, fish, humans
D)   fish, insect larvae, algae, humans
E)   humans, fish, insect larvae, algaeF) A) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 13

Plants obtain nitrogen directly from the air.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

List the four biogeochemical cycles that need to be in balance in order to have stable ecosystems.

Accepted Answer

1. Hydrological cycl...

Question 15

Humans are biologically adapted to be

Accepted Answer

A)   omnivores.
B)   herbivores.
C)   decomposers.
D)   autotrophs.
E)   carnivores.F) B) and C)
G) None of the above

Question 16

When a plant produces food by photosynthesis, what is the fate of food stored as sugars, starches, etc.?

Accepted Answer

A)   All of the food stored by plants is eventually consumed by animal consumers.
B)   All of the food stored by plants is eventually consumed by either animals or decomposers.
C)   Most of the plant is consumed by animals and very little is consumed by decomposers.
D)   A portion of the food is used by the plant itself in cellular respiration and the rest is consumed by animals or by decomposers.
E)   A majority of the food is used by the plant itself in cellular respiration and very little is consumed by animals or by decomposers.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 17

The ultimate source of energy for the majority of organisms on Earth, including humans, is

Accepted Answer

A)   heat from burning fuels.
B)   heat from muscle contraction.
C)   sunlight.
D)   electric light.
E)   ultraviolet light.F) A) and D)
G) B) and E) C

Question 18

Living organisms need phosphate to produce

Accepted Answer

A)   DNA.
B)   sugar.
C)   amino acids.
D)   lipids.
E)   steroids.F) A) and E)
G) C) and D)

Question 19

At which point in a biogeochemical pathway are elements unavailable to plants?

Accepted Answer

A)   when the element is located in a reservoir
B)   when the element is located in the exchange pool
C)   when the element is dissolved in water
D)   when the element is located in the soil
E)   when the element is located in the atmosphereF) A) and D)
G) B) and C) A

Question 20

Which of the following processes removes carbon from the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)   photosynthesis
B)   burning fossil fuels
C)   removing trees from the forest
D)   cellular respiration in plant cells
E)   cellular respiration in animal cellsF) A) and B)
G) A) and E)

Exam 35: Nature of Ecosystems

Which of the following organisms would be considered a decomposer?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

An inverted energy pyramid for an ecosystem, one where there are more consumers than producers at a given point in time, is possible if which of the following is true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which biogeochemical cycle is directly associated with fossil fuels?

Correct AnswerverifiedA

What eventually happens to the energy that is passed from one trophic level to the next in a food chain?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements inaccurately describes a complex food web?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In an ecosystem, which of the following is/are constantly recycled?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How are omnivores, carnivores, and herbivores similar?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In a grassland biome, which organism would most likely be at the highest trophic level?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following can be classified as either a secondary or tertiary consumer?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is usually a limiting factor (nutrient) for plants?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is necessary to maintain a balanced (stable) ecosystem?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which sequence illustrates the most plausible food chain?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Plants obtain nitrogen directly from the air.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

List the four biogeochemical cycles that need to be in balance in order to have stable ecosystems.

Correct Answerverified1. Hydrological cycl...View AnswerShow Answer

Humans are biologically adapted to be

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When a plant produces food by photosynthesis, what is the fate of food stored as sugars, starches, etc.?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The ultimate source of energy for the majority of organisms on Earth, including humans, is

Correct AnswerverifiedC

Living organisms need phosphate to produce

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

At which point in a biogeochemical pathway are elements unavailable to plants?

Correct AnswerverifiedA

Which of the following processes removes carbon from the atmosphere?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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1. Hydrological cycl...
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