TEST1APES

Which of the following is the best explanation of the fact that agricultural production on floodplains is often relatively high?

On floodplains, soils tend to be nutrient-rich and fertile.

The graph below shows the results obtained when two species of Paramecium were grown together in the same medium.

competitive exclusion

Wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995. In addition to tracking changes in the wolf population, scientists were interested in how the wolves would affect other parts of the Yellowstone ecosystem. In particular, they were interested in changes to the population of elk, the wolves’ primary prey. The graph below shows the population size of the wolf and elk populations over time.

The elk population steadily decreased in numbers.

Wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995. In addition to tracking changes in the wolf population, scientists were interested in how the wolves would affect other parts of the Yellowstone ecosystem. In particular, they were interested in changes to the population of elk, the wolves’ primary prey. The graph below shows the population size of the wolf and elk populations over time.Based upon the data presented in the graph, which of the following best identifies the highest wolf population size?

170

The ultimate source of energy for terrestrial ecosystem is

the Sun

The greatest amount of fresh water is found in which of the following?

Polar ice caps and glaciers

The underlying subsoil of this biome is permafrost, which prevents both water draining through and deep-rooted plants from growing. Additionally, there is very little precipitation per year.

Tundra

Which of the following best helps to explain why phosphorus is often a limiting factor in many ecosystems?

Under many conditions, phosphorus forms stable insoluble compounds.

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following possible relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.

(A) Commensalism

(B) Parasitism

(C) Mutualism

(D) Predation

(E) Competition

Exemplified by starlings displacing bluebirds from nesting sites

Competition

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following possible relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.

(A) Commensalism

(B) Parasitism

(C) Mutualism

(D) Predation

(E) Competition

Exemplified by ticks feeding on a deer

Parasitism

For a primary producer, the main function of photosynthesis is to manufacture

glucose

Which of the following best describes the first law of thermodynamics?

In a closed system of constant mass, the energy involved in any physical or chemical change is neither created nor destroyed, but merely changed from one form to another.

Which of the following biogeochemical cycles is correctly paired with its largest reservoir?

The nitrogen cycle and the atmosphere

The graph shows the relative solar energy received at local noon each day of the year at two different locations.Assuming all other variables are constant, which of the following is the most likely conclusion about the greatest potential for gross primary productivity that can be supported by data in the graph?

Gross primary productivity in Location 1 is greater than that in Location 2 in March.

The major biological source of dissolved oxygen in the ocean comes from

photosynthesis by phytoplankton

Primary producers in a lake ecosystem store approximately of energy in their biomass. Which of the following identifies the most likely amount of energy available to a tertiary consumer in this ecosystem?

25kcal/m2/yr

Of the following ecosystems, which has the lowest net primary productivity, measured as kilocalories of energy produced per square meter per year?

Open ocean

The shaded regions in the diagram below show where different species of warblers, a type of bird, hunt for insects in the same tree.Which of the following interactions between the warbler species is shown in the diagram?

Resource partitioning

Which of the following best describes soil in many tropical rain forests?

They are quickly depleted nutrients when the forest is removed.

This biome has the highest net primary productivity, in part because of consistently warm temperatures and abundant sunlight.

Tropical rainforest

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following questions(s) refer to the following elements.

(A) Carbon

(B) Sodium

(C) Sulfur

(D) Phosphorus

(E) Potassium

Marine sediments that form limestone are a major sink for this element.

carbon

The net annual primary productivity of a particular wetland ecosystem is found to be 8,000 kcal/m2 per year. If respiration by the aquatic producers is 12,000 kcal/m2 per year, what is the gross annual primary productivity for this ecosystem, in kcal/m2 per year?

20,000

Which of the following is the primary energy source for producers in near-surface marine communities?

Solar energy from the Sun

The feeding relationships between several marine organisms are shown in the food web below.Based on the diagram, which of the following best describes the most likely direct effect of a decline of the small fish population on the marine food web?

The jellyfish population will increase because of decreased predation.

Open oceans produce the largest share of Earth’s biomass because the net primary productivity (NPP) of the oceans is

low, but the large expanse of the oceans supports enormous numbers of producers such as phytoplankton

Based on the diagram, which group of organisms would be considered herbivores?

Grasshoppers

Based on the laws of thermodynamics, which of the following is the applied mathematical routine used to estimate the biomass of the mice in the pyramid?

18,705kg x 0.10 × 0.10

Which process in the nitrogen cycle releases nitrogen gas into the atmosphere?

Denitrification of soil nitrates by bacteria

The great grasslands of the world have which of the following primary characteristics in common?

Seasonal cycles of temperature and precipitation produce abundant vegetative growth.

Which of the following is true of carbon as it cycles in nature?

Carbon sinks include forests and oceans.

The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide increased from 278 ppm in 1790 to 383 ppm in 2007. What is the approximate percent increase in carbon dioxide concentration from 1790 to 2007?

38%

Which of the following best illustrates an abiotic component of the environment affecting a biotic component of the environment?

Low phosphorus content in soil limits the growth of vegetation.

Which of the following is an example of a carbon sink?

Deposition of organic matter on the deep ocean floor

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following processes.

(A) Nitrification

(B) Denitrification

(C) Assimilation

(D) Ammonification

(E) Nitrogen fixation

Ammonia is converted to nitrite, then to nitrate.

Nitrification

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following processes.

(A) Nitrification

(B) Denitrification

(C) Assimilation

(D) Ammonification

(E) Nitrogen fixation

Nitrate ions and nitrite ions are converted into nitrous oxide gas and nitrogen gas (N₂).

Denitrification

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following processes.

(A) Nitrification

(B) Denitrification

(C) Assimilation

(D) Ammonification

(E) Nitrogen fixation

Plant roots absorb ammonium ions and nitrate ions for use in making molecules such as DNA, amino acids, and proteins.

Assimilation