Chapter 10 - Assessment

1.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

A species in immediate danger of extinction is best classified as

a species under watch

a species of special concern

a threatened species

an endangered species

2.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

The loss of biodiversity could lead to which of the following?

niche generalization

genetic diversity

overpopulation

extinction

3.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following is a major cause in the loss of biodiversity?

the establishment of nature preserves

the movement of the ocean's tides

habitat destruction

nutrient cycling

4.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

What effect have mass extinctions had on the surviving species?

halted the expansion of the surviving species due to limited food resources

spurred the rapid evolution and expansion of the surviving species

resulted in a reduction of diversity among the surviving species

prompted million years without species diversification, followed by very slow growth

5.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following is NOT a density dependent limiting factor?

competition

disease

earthquake

predation

6.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

A North American grassland is usually more productive when it contains diverse plant communities. How does the biodiversity of a North American grassland affect its sustainability?

The biodiversity allows all plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences severe weather.

The biodiversity prevents all plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences a heat wave.

The biodiversity prevents some plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences consistent weather patterns.

The biodiversity allows some plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences slightly different weather patterns.

7.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Sustainability is defined as the ability of an ecosystem to survive over time. How does biodiversity affect the sustainability of an ecosystem?

It introduces fewer new species of organisms

It helps to keep the ecosystem balanced

It allows organisms to avoid competition

It creates a constant state of change

8.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Padre Island, the largest of Texas' barrier islands, is a nesting area for a variety of sea turtles. It is also a temporary home for a variety of rare birds that migrate from North America to South America. How does the biodiversity of Padre Island affect the sustainability of its ecosystems?

The biodiversity of Padre Island allows the island's ecosystems to be sustainable only during the summer months

The biodiversity of Padre Island allows the island's ecosystems to be sustainable throughout the year

The biodiversity of Padre Island prevents the island's ecosystems from being sustainable during the summer months.

The biodiversity of Padre Island prevents the island's ecosystems from being sustainable throughout the year

9.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

The population of field mice in an ecosystem near Naples, Florida, has remained steady for many years. What is the most likely reason that the population has not increased or decreased?

The field mice have no natural predators in the ecosystem.

The number of decomposers in the ecosystem has increased.

The carrying capacity of the environment has remained constant

The weather of recent years has allowed more vegetation to grow

10.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following is the best reason to protect a section of an oak forest?

to prevent oak trees from reproducing too quickly

to cause the extinction of undesirable animal species

to provide more land for agricultural purposes

to maintain the diversity of the living environment

11.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

The size of a mouse population in a natural ecosystem tends to remain relatively constant due to

the cycling of energy

the lack of natural predators

the increased numbers of decomposers

the carrying capacity of the environment

12.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

What impact do the amounts of available energy, water, and oxygen have on an ecosystem?

They are used as nutrients by living organisms

They recycle the residue of dead organisms.

They control the environment's energy source

They act as limiting factors on the organisms

13.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Dumping raw sewage into a river will reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. What effect could dumping raw sewage most likely have on a river ecosystem?

an increase in fish populations

a decrease in aquatic animal populations

a decrease in water temperature due to the energy transfer from osmosis

an increase in cellular respiration due to the rising level of phosphates in the water

14.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Bears and wolves eat deer, boar, sheep, and other livestock. If the bear population in an ecosystem decreases, what would be the effect on the deer population?

The population would increase, as predation by bears is a limiting factor

The population would increase, as competition for food is a limiting factor.

The population would decrease, as shelters created by bear caves is a limiting factor.

The population would decrease, as the loss of bears as part of their diet is a limiting factor.

15.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

which factor does NOT directly limit the number of polar bears in a population?

the amount of floating ice available

the number of aquatic food sources

. the number of seal pups born

the amount of annual snowfall

16.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

In ponds and lakes in the eastern United States, northern snakeheads are spreading. These fast-reproducing fish are native to Asia but have been accidentally introduced to ecosystems by humans on the East Coast. Adults grow up to a meter long. They feed on frogs and other fish, and they can survive out of water for hours, and even days, at a time. Scientists are now trying to figure out how to get rid of snakeheads, and in many areas it is illegal to own a live snakehead. Why are these fish a problem for the East Coast ecosystem?

They have the potential to crowd out or kill native fish species.

They have no natural predators to control the population

They are not useful as a food source for humans.

They are poisonous to the local animal life

17.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Sharks feed on a wide variety of prey and have low mortality rates. It is important that an ecosystem containing sharks contain a high degree of biodiversity. If an ecosystem containing sharks does not contain a high degree of biodiversity, the sharks will consume

the immature members of key species, and the ecosystem will no longer be stable.

many members of a key species, and the ecosystem will no longer be stable.

the adult members of key species, and the ecosystem will remain stable.

a few members of a key species, and the ecosystem will remain stable.

18.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Scientists researching Pacific sea otters find that many members of the population are infected by a parasite, and a number of the sea otters must be destroyed to save the entire sea otter population. One of the main foods of sea otters is sea urchin, which eat kelp. The kelp forest is home to many species of fish. How is destroying some of the sea otters most likely to affect fish living in the kelp forest?

Destroying the sea otters will cause the fish population to increase.

Destroying the sea otters will cause the fish population to become extinct.

Destroying the sea otters will allow the fish population to remain constant.

Destroying the sea otters will cause the fish population to decrease.

19.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

The graph shows the population growth of a colony of insects over time. Which statement below best explains what might have occurred to the population of insects at point A?

The health of the insects improved, causing the population to stabilize.

A predator was introduced, causing a decline in population growth.

The population growth decreased as individual insects aged.

The population reached a carrying capacity and stabilized.

20.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Alligators will use their powerful feet, tail, and snouts to dig a hole through the mud, producing small ponds known as "alligator holes." Many other species benefit from alligator holes. During the dry season, fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals live in the alligator holes. Birds, terrestrial animals, and plants use these holes as a source of water. What term best describes the role of alligators in this ecosystem?

Invasive exotic species

Keystone species

Producer

Primary consumer

21.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

If two species of organisms occupy the same niche ____________

one will find a new habitat.

competition will be very intense

both organisms will become extinct.

both will need to enlarge their habitat.

22.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

According to the information above, which of these is responsible for the decrease in the blackfooted ferret population?

Competition with prairie dogs for resources

Reduced numbers of prairie dogs

Activity of research institutes

Development of managed wildlife areas

23.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

The difference between a habitat and a niche is that a niche is

The specific functional role of an organism

The organism's preferred habitat

The kind of place an organism occupies

None of the above.

24.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

The term “biodiversity” refers to

The number and variety of species living on Earth.

The number and variety of species that are considered renewable.

The number and variety of species that live in an area

25.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Why is the world’s loss of biodiversity a source of concern?

Humans depend upon other organisms for food and oxygen.

Loss of biodiversity is not a concern because extinctions are common.

Both (a) and (b)

Explore this activity with a free account