Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of biomagnification in an aquatic food web?

Accepted Answer

Toxins increase in concentration at higher trophic levels because they are not easily broken down or excreted.

Question 2

A population of rabbits in a meadow increases rapidly until it reaches a plateau. This plateau is best explained by which ecological concept?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of coevolution?

Accepted Answer

A plant develops toxins, and a herbivore evolves resistance to those toxins.

Question 4

If two species occupy the same ecological niche in the same habitat, what is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

One species will outcompete the other, leading to competitive exclusion.

Question 5

Which of the following is a real-world example of a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

Sea otters in kelp forest ecosystems, because their predation on sea urchins maintains kelp populations.

Question 6

Which of the following best illustrates mutualism?

Accepted Answer

Bees pollinating flowers while obtaining nectar.

Question 7

A graph shows the number of different species in two forests: Forest A has 10 species, each with similar population sizes; Forest B has 10 species, but one species is much more abundant than the others. Which forest has higher relative species abundance?

Accepted Answer

Forest A, because species are more evenly represented.

Question 8

Which of the following is a predator avoidance mechanism used by animals?

Accepted Answer

Mimicry, such as a non-poisonous butterfly resembling a poisonous one.

Question 9

Which step is unique to the phosphorus cycle compared to the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Weathering of rocks releases phosphate ions into soil and water.

Question 10

A new plant species is introduced to an island and rapidly spreads, outcompeting native plants. This new species is best described as:

Accepted Answer

An invasive species

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a food web?

Accepted Answer

A complex network of interconnected food chains showing energy flow in an ecosystem.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of interspecific competition?

Accepted Answer

A squirrel and a bird both competing for acorns in a forest.

Question 13

Which of the following is a producer in a terrestrial ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Grass

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of pathogens in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

They cause disease in hosts, often reducing population sizes.

Question 15

Which of the following equations best represents the logistic growth of a population?

Accepted Answer

$$ \frac{dN}{dt} = rN \left(1 - \frac{N}{K}\right) $$

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of herbivory?

Accepted Answer

A caterpillar eating the leaves of a tomato plant.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes species richness?

Accepted Answer

The total number of different species present in a community.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of camouflage as a predator avoidance mechanism?

Accepted Answer

A stick insect resembling a twig to avoid being eaten by birds.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of consumers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

They obtain energy by eating other organisms.

Question 20

Which of the following steps is common to both the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles?

Accepted Answer

Uptake of nutrients by plants from the soil.

Chapter 37: Communities and Ecosystems – Study Guide and Key Concepts

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards