SCIENCE 809 Flashcards
Biotic factors
are all the factors that are living or were once living. Examples include plants, animals, and decaying leaves.
Abiotic factors
are things that are non-living. Examples include temperature, precipitation, and soil type.
A population of antelope normally graze on the abundant grasses in the savannah. However, a drought occurs and the amount of grass decreases. That year, many young, sick, and old antelope starve to death. A change in what variable lowered the antelope’s population?
carrying capacity
Honey badgers like to eat honey. Honeyguide birds lead honey badgers to beehives, and the badgers break the hives open. Honeyguide birds feed on the honey, as well. Which type of relationship is this?
mutualistic
Note: In a mutualistic relationship, both organisms’ benefit. Since the honeyguide and the honey badger both benefit with a meal of honey, this is a mutualistic relationship.
Clownfish live in the ocean. While the clownfish hatch their eggs, they hide them in and around sea anemones. When the eggs develop, the clownfish explore the ocean in search for food. If the sea anemones were damaged by strong ocean currents, what would most likely be the first thing to happen to the clownfish?
decrease in population
Note: Without protection, the clownfish eggs are more likely to be eaten, lowering the overall population.
In a temperate forest ecosystem, which of the following organisms is a primary consumer?
deer
Note: The deer are the primary consumers in this ecosystem. They are the organisms that consume the producer (ex: blackberry).
The water lily depends on the neutral pH of pond water, pH 7, to maintain homeostasis. Because of air pollution, the precipitation increased the level of acidity in a pond’s water. Which term describes the factor directly endangering the water lily in this pond?
physical factor
Note: Air pollution is causing acidity to rise. This is a physical factor in the pond.
Cattle egrets are birds that live near cattle because as the cattle graze, insects in the ground are stirred up to the surface. When the insects are stirred to the surface, the birds eat the insects. The cattle are unaffected by the birds or the insects. This relationship between the cattle egrets and the cattle can best be described as:
commensalism.
Note: Commensalism is a relationship between two organisms where one organism receives benefits from the relationship (cattle egrets) and the other organism is unharmed or unaffected (cattle).
Which of the following shows energy flow from a primary producer to a primary consumer?
eucalyptus leaves -> koala
Note: Plants like eucalyptus are primary producers because they use photosynthesis to convert light energy to chemical energy. In this example, the koala is eating the plant, so it is a primary consumer.
Which of the following can function as a catalyst in living organisms?
enzymes
Note: Enzymes function as catalysts. The substrate provides an environment for the chemical reaction, which lowers the activation energy.
Which of the following is a reactant of the photosynthesis reaction?
carbon dioxide
Note: Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide, water, and light energy to produce oxygen and glucose.
Which of the following is an example of interspecific competition?
A mountain lion and a wolf both hunt within the same deer population.
Note: Interspecific competition deals with competition between two different species, so this is the correct answer.
Which specific biological molecules lower the activation energy for metabolic reactions in the body?
enzymes
Note: Enzymes are responsible for speeding up chemical reactions in living things. They do this by lowering the activation energy required to start the reaction.
Carbon can bond with other elements to form a wide variety of molecules. This is essential to carrying out biological processes. What property allows carbon to form these molecules?
Carbon has four electrons in its outer shell, which allows it to form bonds with four other molecules.
Note: Carbon has four valence electrons, or outer-shell electrons. It can form single, double, and even triple bonds with other atoms. This allows it to form a wide variety of structures, like rings and chains.
A population of fruit flies are placed in a terrarium with fresh water, food, and air. In the first few weeks, their population grows rapidly. Which term describes this type of growth?
exponential growth
Note: Exponential growth is a result of no limits on a population. If a population has all of its needs met, it will grow rapidly along an exponential growth curve.
Amino acids join into chains to form which of the following macromolecules?
proteins
Note: Amino acids join to become polypeptides, which fold into proteins.
In the savannah, a pride of lions stalk antelope. When they spot a weak one, they work together to kill it. This relationship between the lions and antelope can best be described as:
predation.
Note: Predation is a relationship where one organism hunts or feeds upon another (lion upon antelope).
Which of the following is the basic unit of matter?
atoms
Ticks are mites that attach themselves to animals, such as dogs, and suck blood. In doing so, ticks transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease, to the animals. Which type of interaction does this describe?
parasitism
Note: The dog and tick example describes parasitism. Parasitism is a form of symbiosis in which an organism benefits from or lives off the other.
In the savannah, a pride of lions stalks antelope. When they spot a weak one, they work together to kill it. Sometimes, hyena appear and attempt to steal the carcass. This relationship between the lions and hyena can best be described as:
competition.
Enzymes are an example of which macromolecule?
protein
Mr. Hardy asks his students to play a card matching game in which they match organisms that live in close relationship with one another. The students then explain to each other what kind of relationship those organisms have, why, and how each organism is affected. This activity is effective for teaching which of the following topics?
symbiosis
Note: This game is a good strategy for teaching symbiosis. Symbiosis happens when organisms live in close relationship with one another.
Which of the following choices best completes the analogy listed below?
Lipids are to storing energy as nucleic acids are to ____.
carrying genetic material
Note: Nucleic acids include DNA and RNA, which carry the cell’s genetic information.
Small ticks often live on deer. The ticks pierce the skin of the deer and drink its blood for nutrition. This relationship between the ticks and deer can best be described as:
parasitism.
Note: Parasitism is a relationship between two organisms where one organism receives benefits from the relationship (ticks) and the other organism is harmed (deer).
Which of the following is a product of the photosynthesis reaction?
oxygen
Note: Photosynthesis produces oxygen and glucose.
If the producer trophic level of a food web had 10,000 KJ of energy, what level would you expect at the secondary consumer level?
100 KJ
Note: The amount of energy at each trophic level goes down by 10%. Since secondary consumers are two levels up, it would go down by 10% twice, leaving 1%, or 100 KJ in this case.
