NAME: _____________________________
The map illustrates the general location of various
terrestrial biomes in selected areas of North, Central,
and South America. Select the biome that is most
closely associated with the following statement.
1. Deer nibble on low-lying shrubs while cardinals sit
on branches of trees in a large deciduous forest.
1) 1 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4 5) 5
2. Snowy owls hunt mice that try to escape among
the lichens growing on ground that has permanently
frozen subsoil.
1) 1 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4 5) 5
3. Prairie dogs hide in their burrows in a vast area of
tall grasses that provide food for herds of pronghorn
antelope and bison.
1) 1 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4 5) 5
4. Knowing the type of food consumed by an
organism helps to identify the role of the organism in
the community. This role is known as its
1) nesting site
2) territorial range
3) biomass
4) niche
5. Which factor determines the type of terrestrial
plants that grow in an area?
1) percentage of nitrogen in the air
2) depth of the ponds in the area
3) number of secondary consumers present
4) climate of the area
6. Base your answer to the following question on the
diagram shown of the nitrogen cycle and on your
knowledge of biology.
Which substance, acted on by A in the cycle, would
most likely be included in the area labeled "Wastes"?
1) urea
3) carbon dioxide
2) sulfur
4) mineral salt
7. In a self-sustaining ecosystem, which component
cannot be recycled because it is lost from food chains
and becomes unavailable?
1) carbon
2) nitrogen
3) water
4) energy
8. Which sequence represents a correct order of
succession that would involve these stages?
1) 2  3  1  4  5
2) 2  1  3  5  4
3) 3  1  2  4  5
4) 3  2  1  5  4
9. Termites can be found living in dead trees partially
buried under soil and stones. Within the tree trunks,
the termites feed on the wood fiber, creating
passageways having a high humidity. The wood fiber
is digested by protozoans living within the digestive
tract of the termite. What are the biotic factors in this
habitat?
1) tree trunk, stones, and protozoans
2) soil and humidity
3) termites and protozoans
4) humidity, soil, and stones
10. Although three different bird species all inhabit
the same type of tree in an area, competition between
the birds rarely occurs. The most likely explanation
for this lack of competition is that these birds
1) have different ecological niches
2) share food with each other
3) have a limited supply of food
4) are unable to interbreed
11. The diagram represents the nitrogen cycle. Which
letter in the diagram indicates the activity of bacteria
of decay?
1) W 2) X 3) Y 4) Z
For questions 12 and 13, select the type of symbiosis
that best identifies the relationship:
1) Commensalism
2) Mutualism
3) Parasitism
12. A tapeworm lives in the digestive tract of a
human.
13. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in nodules on the
roots of legumes.
14. In the nitrogen cycle, which type of bacteria
converts nitrogenous wastes into ammonia?
1) bacteria of decay
2) nitrogen-fixing bacteria
3) nitrifying bacteria
4) denitrifying bacteria
15. A student measured some abiotic factors present
in an aquarium in a biology laboratory. Which data
did the student most likely record?
1) the weight and color of each type of scavenger
2) the number of each type of green plant and each
type of snail
3) the size and number of each species of fish
4) the temperature and oxygen content of the water
16. Starting on bare rock, what is the usual ecological
succession of organisms?
1) grasses  shrubs  lichens  trees
2) lichens  shrubs  grasses  trees
3) grasses  shrubs  lichens  trees
4) lichens  grasses  shrubs  trees
17. The diagram represents a pyramid of biomass in
an aquatic environment. Which statement best
explains why mass decreases from one level to the
next in this pyramid?
1) More organisms die at higher levels than at lower
levels, resulting in less mass at higher levels.
2) When organisms die at higher levels, their remains
sink to lower levels, increasing the mass at lower
levels.
3) Energy is lost to the environment at each level, so
less mass can be supported at succeedingly higher
levels.
4) Organisms decay at each level, and thus less mass
can be supported at succeedingly higher levels.
18. The first organism in most natural food chains is
1) an herbivore
2) a decomposer
3) photosynthetic
19. Which statement best describes the pioneer
organisms involved in ecological succession?
1) They do not require sunlight.
2) They are the last organisms to appear.
3) They modify the environment.
4) They are restricted to desert biomes.
23. The diagram represents a tree containing three
different species of warbler, A, B, and C. Each
species occupies a different niche. A fourth species,
D, which has the same environmental requirements
as species B, enters the tree at point X. Members of
species B will most likely
20. An ecosystem is not considered to be self
sustaining if
1) there is interaction between biotic and abiotic
factors
2) some of its living systems incorporate energy into
organic compounds
3) cycling of materials occurs between organisms and
their environment
4) it lacks a constant supply of energy
21. Which group has the greatest biomass?
1) live in harmony with species D
2) move to a different level and live with species A or
species C
3) stay at that level but change their diet
4) compete with species D
1) omnivores
3) carnivores
2) herbivores
4) producers
22. In the diagram below, which processes are most
closely associated with the arrows labeled A?
24. In a swamp ecosystem, the heron and the
snapping turtle feed on the same species of minnow.
These feeding patterns will most likely result in
1) ecological succession of plants in the swamp
2) competition between the heron and the turtle
3) extinction of the turtle
4) evolution of a new type of climax fauna
25. Some characteristics of four different biomes are
represented in the following chart. Which biome is
characterized by moderate precipitation, cold winters,
warm summers, and climax plants that lose their
leaves in the winter?
1) runoff and respiration
2) photosynthesis and decomposition
3) respiration and transpiration
4) nitrogen fixation and synthesis
1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D
26. Which term would be used to classify the patrons
of the restaurant "Chez Rotting Carcass" in the
cartoon?
29. This diagram shows an example of
interdependence among aquatic organisms. During
the day, the organisms either use or give off
substance A or B, as shown by the arrows.
Which substances are represented by A and B?
1) A represents oxygen and B represents carbon
dioxide.
2) A represents oxygen and B represents
carbohydrates.
3) A represents nitrogen and B represents carbon
dioxide.
4) A represents carbon dioxide and B represents
oxygen.
1) herbivores
3) scavengers
2) parasites
4) saprophytes
30. Base your answer to the following question on
the chart and on your knowledge of biology.
Which stage represents a pioneer community?
27. Which factor is not necessary for an ecosystem to
be self-sustaining?
1) a constant source of energy
2) living systems that incorporate energy into organic
molecules
3) a cycling of materials between organisms and their
environment
4) an equal number of producers and consumers
28. This diagram provides some information
concerning an ecosystem.
Which title is most appropriate for the diagram?
1) Energy Flow and Material Cycles in an Ecosystem
2) Evolution in an Ecosystem
3) Succession in an Ecosystem
4) The Water Cycle in an Ecosystem
1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D
31. An aquarium ecosystem is shown in the
accompanying diagram.
A community in this aquarium consists of the
1) plants and gravel
2) fish, water, and snails
3) fish, plants, and snails 4) water and gravel
32. Which group represents a population?
1) all the vertebrates living in New York State
2) all the Homo sapiens living in New York State
3) all the plant and animal species found in New
York State
4) all the flowering plants found in New York State
36. The use of ladybugs and praying mantises to
consume insect pests in gardens is an example of
1) biological control of insect pests
2) exploitation of insect pests
3) abiotic control of insect pests
4) use of biocides to control insect pests
33. Which statement regarding the ecosystem shown
in the diagram is correct?
37. Which human activity would most likely result in
the addition of an organism to the endangered species
list?
1) cover cropping
2) use of pollution controls
3) use of erosion controls
4) habitat destruction
Use the diagram to answer questions 38 and 39.
1) The community within this ecosystem consists of
seven guppies and one catfish.
2) The energy source for this ecosystem is the gas
from the air stone.
3) A population within this ecosystem is the three
snails.
4) Cycling of materials is not necessary in this selfsustaining ecosystem.
34. Which is an example of an ecosystem?
1) a population of monarch butterflies
2) the interdependent biotic and abiotic components
of a pond
3) all the abiotic factors found in a field
4) all the mammals that live in the Atlantic Ocean
35. Which human activity would be more likely to
have a negative impact on the environment than the
other three?
1) using reforestation and cover cropping to control
soil erosion
2) using insecticides to kill insects that compete with
humans for food
3) developing research aimed toward the preservation
of endangered species
4) investigating the use of biological controls for
pests
38. A carnivore in this desert community is
represented by the
1) lizard
2) sage
3) yeast
4) desert rat
39. Which is an example of the nutritional pattern of
a primary consumer?
1) grasshoppers  lizards
2) scorpions  bacteria
3) prickly pear cactuses  desert rats
4) lizards  roadrunners
40. Which concept includes the other three?
1) competition
2) survival of the fittest
3) natural selection
4) overproduction
41. In a natural community, all the living things that
directly or indirectly affect the environment are
known as
1) pioneer organisms 2) secondary consumers
3) climatic limitations 4) biotic factors
48. In the food pyramid represented, which level has
the greatest biomass?
42. A fungus is an example of
1) an herbivore
2) a saprophyte
3) an autotroph
4) an omnivore
43. Several years after a building had been tom down
and the ground cleared, grasses began to grow in that
area. After 10 years, small bushes replaced the
grasses. This pattern of plant growth is known as
1) biological control
2) ecological succession
3) land-use management
4) cover cropping
44. In order to preserve the biosphere for future
generations, humans must
1) make use of technology to develop new herbicides
2) put all wild animals in game preserves
3) explore ways to drain and fill wetlands along the
seacoast
4) understand how living things interact with their
environment
1) eagles
3) mice
2) snakes
4) green plants
49. Which factor promotes competition between
organisms in an ecosystem?
1) cycling of minerals
2) decomposition of organic matter
3) limited resources
4) presence of saprophytes
Use the diagram to answer questions 50 and 51.
45. Which organisms would most likely have a
predator-prey relationship?
1) tapeworm and dog
2) barnacle and whale
3) hawk and mouse
4) rabbit and grass
46. Eggs of a wasp species are deposited inside the
body of a gypsy moth caterpillar. The wasp eggs
hatch into larvae, which feed on and destroy the
caterpillar. The relationship that exists between the
wasp larvae and the caterpillar is known as
1) mutualism
2) parasitism
3) commensalisms
4) saprophytism
47. Which processes are involved in the water cycle?
1) respiration and photosynthesis, only
2) transpiration and excretion, only
3) respiration, photosynthesis, evaporation, and
condensation, only
4) respiration, photosynthesis, transpiration,
excretion, evaporation, and condensation
50. Decomposer bacteria are indicated by letter
1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D
51. Denitrifying bacteria are indicated by letter
1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D
52. All the interacting populations in a given area
represent an ecological unit known as a
1) biosphere
2) community
3) world biome
4) saprophytic relationship
53. The diagram shows a relationship between
altitude, latitude, and tree growth. What is a valid
inference that can be made based on this graph?
54. A pioneer organism in the Pine Barrens is one
that
1) migrates to a different habitat
2) is the first to repopulate areas where fire destroyed
the vegetation
3) burrows out of the ground after the fire is
extinguished
4) is destroyed by the fire
55. In the pine barrens, pitch pine trees are part of a
1) tundra biome
2) pioneer community
3) climax community
4) grassland biome
1) Deciduous trees cannot grow at an altitude of
5,000 feet.
2) The effects of increasing altitude and latitude on
tree growth are similar.
3) There is less light available at 10,000 feet than at
lower elevations.
4) Trees do not grow rapidly in the tropics.
Base your answers to questions 54 - 56 on the
information shown and on your knowledge of
biology.
The Long Island Pine Barrens is a natural woodland
that once covered more than a quarter of a million
acres. The dominant tree in this woodland is the pitch
pine. Plant and animal distribution and abundance are
controlled by fire and soil conditions. Dry, sandy
soils encourage frequent wildfires, which periodically
consume all or part of the vegetation. Fires are
natural and important in maintaining the Pine
Barrens. Pine Barrens plants and animals must be fire
adapted; that is, they must have the ability to survive
fires or to colonize burned areas rapidly. Some Pine
Barrens insects, for example, escape fire by
burrowing deep into the ground during times of the
year when fires are likely to occur.
56. Which event normally takes place after a fire in
the Pine Barrens?
1) ecological succession, which helps reestablish the
Pine Barrens
2) hibernation of the insects in the ground
3) increased mutations in the pitch pines
4) rapid interbreeding of animal species that survive
the fire
57. Which statement is best supported by the diagram
of the carbon-oxygen cycle?
1) Decomposers add oxygen to the atmosphere and
remove carbon dioxide.
2) Combustion adds oxygen to the atmosphere and
removes carbon dioxide.
3) Producers generate oxygen and utilize carbon
dioxide.
4) Consumers generate oxygen and utilize carbon
dioxide.
58. If birds eat insects that feed on corn, which
pyramid level would birds occupy?
Use the diagram to answer questions 63 and 64.
1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D
59. In an attempt to prevent certain species from
becoming extinct, humans have
1) placed all endangered species in zoos
2) increased the trapping of predators
3) increased wildlife management and habitat
protection
4) attempted to mate organisms from different
species to create new and stronger organisms
60. Which is an abiotic factor that functions as a
limiting factor for the autotrophs in the ecosystem
shown?
1) grasshopper
3) fish
63. Which organisms are represented by box I in the
chart?
1) nitrifying bacteria
2) nitrogen-fixing bacteria
3) saprophytic bacteria
4) denitrifying bacteria
64. Which term belongs in box 2?
1) tropism
2) gradualism
3) saprophytism
4) commensalism
65. Which group in the food web represented would
most likely have the greatest biomass?
2) light
4) hawk
61. When animals excrete nitrogenous wastes into the
soil, certain soil bacteria convert these wastes into
nitrates, which are absorbed by plants. These soil
bacteria function as
1) autotrophs
2) secondary consumers
3) decomposers
4) abiotic factors
62. Which organisms would most likely be the
pioneer organisms on a newly formed volcanic
island?
1) conifers
2) lichens
3) deciduous trees
4) tall grasses
1) corn and oats
3) mice and rats
2) hawks and owls
4) snakes and raccoons
66. The science of ecology is best defined as the
study of
1) the classification of plants and animals
2) the interactions of living organisms and their
environment
3) technology and its effects on society
4) weather and its effects on food production in the
ocean