ENERGY FLOW THROUGH SYSTEMS TAKS QUESTIONS
Spring 2003 – 10
(30) Which organisms in this food web can be described as both primary and secondary
consumers?
F Hawks
G Weasels
H* Raccoons
J Mice
Spring 2003 – 10
(39) Wolves and hawks are at the same trophic level because they —
A both live on land
B are both large mammals
C* both eat primary consumers
D have similar hunting patterns
Spring 2003 – 10
(43) Approximately how much of the energy available in the tissues of the producer is
eventually incorporated into the tissues of a secondary consumer?
A* Less than 1%
B Between 20% and 30%
C Approximately 50%
D More than 50%
Spring 2003 – 10
(51) In this food chain, the spiders are —
A producers
B primary consumers
C competitors
D* secondary consumers
Spring 2002 – 11
( 37) Which of these groups of organisms would most likely have accumulated the largest
concentration of a long-lasting chemical pollutant in their bodies?
A Phytoplankton
B Zooplankton
C Lake trout
D* Gulls
April 2004 – 10
7 A person living near this pond wants to reduce the mosquito population. The mosquito
population included in this food web could be reduced by —
A planting more duckweed
B catching more minnows
C removing some martin houses
D* adding more shelter for frogs
April 2004 – 10
(28) According to this food web, which of these is an omnivore?
F Caterpillar
G Mouse
H* Ant
J Fly larva
April 2004 – 10
(34) The difference in the size of each layer of this food pyramid is primarily the result of
the difference in —
F food choices of individual niches
G oceanic zones of habitat
H* the amount of food energy at each trophic level
J the relative heights of the organisms
April 2004 – 11
(13) In this food pyramid, which level contains the greatest amount of energy?
A Tertiary consumers
B Secondary consumers
C Primary consumers
D* Producers
July 2004 - 11
48 The table lists four groups of factors found in a particular ecosystem. Which group consists of
only abiotic factors?
F Group 1
G Group 2
H* Group 3
J Group 4
October 2005 – 11
21 The diagram above represents a pyramid of biomass. Which of the following best explains why a
pyramid shape is useful in this representation?
A Most of the food consumed is recycled at every trophic level.
B Energy from the producers is equally distributed in all trophic levels.
C Decomposers receive a small amount of energy from the biomass.
D* Each trophic level supports a lesser amount of biomass.
Fall 2005 – 11
4 In a typical forest community, plants are producers, rabbits are primary consumers, and
wolves are secondary consumers. Which diagram correctly represents these
relationships? Answer H
February 2006 – 11
47 In this diagram of a marine food web, which term describes the sea turtles?
A Aquatic herbivores
B Autotrophic producers
C* Third-level consumers
D Primary decomposers
April 2006 – 10
30 The picture shows a piece of rotting wood. Which of these does the picture demonstrate?
F Photosynthesis occurring
G Wood regenerating
H* Decomposers growing
J Genes transforming
April 2006 – 11
3 Which of these is a food web based on the relationships described above? Answer B
Spring 2003 – 11
(18) Energy used by producers in a grassland food web is provided by —
F* sunlight
G photosynthesis
H oxygen
J carbon dioxide
April 2004 – 11
(51) In this food web, the bacteria probably function as —
A producers
B herbivores
C* decomposers
D carnivores
July 2004 – 11
44 A food pyramid represents the relative amount of energy in trophic levels. Which of the
following correctly shows a food pyramid? answer: H
October 2005 – 11
13 The diagram represents different levels of a marine food pyramid. Between which two levels is the
greatest amount of energy transferred?
A R and Q
B S and R
C T and S
D* U and T
February 2006 – 11
39 Which diagram best shows how the amount of stored energy changes going up a food chain? Answer A
April 2006 – 11
13 The diagram shows several phases of the nitrogen cycle. Which of the following describes the most
likely effect of removing some plants from the area by using chemical herbicides?
A The rate of erosion of rocks on the ground would be slowed.
B* The flow of necessary nutrients would be disrupted.
C The ability of plants to complete photosynthesis would be increased.
D The infiltration of water into the ground would be halted.
April 2006 – 11
15 About 10% of the energy at one trophic level is passed to the next level. What usually
happens to the energy that is not passed to the next trophic level or used to carry out life
processes?
A* It is given off as heat.
B It is stored as vitamins.
C It is used in reproduction.
D It is used in protein synthesis.
July 2006
42 The diagram above is intended to show relationships in an ecosystem. What do the arrows represent?
F The direction of population migration
G Differences in dietary habits
H Progressively smaller organisms
J* The direction of energy flow