AP Environmental Science
Name:______________________________________
Quiz 1: Ecosystem Basics, Symbiotic Relationships, and Biomes
10 points total (1 point per question)
1.) One single living organism (one elephant, for example) is called an: ____________________
2.) Define the word “community” and give at least three examples of things that would be
included in a community.
3.) True or false? Parasitism is an interaction in which one species typically consumes and kills
another organism.
4.) A terrestrial biome is a geographic region categorized by a particular combination of:
a.) average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and salinity
b.) average annual temperature, rate of evaporation, and plant growth forms
c.) annual precipitation, plant growth forms, and organism distribution
d.) average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinct plant growth forms
5.) Which terrestrial biome is characterized by the following:
- coastal, with moderate temperatures and large amount of precipitation
- nearly a 12 month long growing season
- redwoods (very large trees), ferns, and mosses are typical vegetation
6.) True or false? (If false, write the name of the correct biome). The boreal forest biome has
the shortest growing season of any biome. It is typically cold and dry. Ox and caribou are
common, found alongside low growing vegetation such as lichens and moss.
7.) Fill in the blanks:
Aquatic biomes are characterized by salinity, temperature, ______________________, and
________________________.
8.) A friend asks you how to tell the difference between the littoral and the limnetic zone of a
pond. How would you explain it to them?
9.) Which marine biome is the most diverse (contains the largest amount/types of species)?
10.) In which freshwater biome do plants need to be uniquely adapted to living with their soil
submerged/saturated in water for at least part of the year (ex: swamp, marsh, bog)?
Extra Credit:
a.) ( ½ pt.) Which aquatic biome can be characterized as having:
- a mixture of fresh/saltwater
- mangroves, seagrasses, and many baby fish/birds
- abundant plant growth because of nutrient-rich soil delivered from upstream
b.) ( ½ pt.) Tell me what your favorite biome is, and why!