Evolution and Ecology

The fur of the snowshoe rabbit changes to a lighter color in the winter. This allows the rabbit to blend in with its surroundings. This change is an example of (1) extinction (2) competition (3) biological adaptation (4) ecological succession

Which factor would most likely limit the number of mice living in an area? plentiful resources (2) more predators (3) stable climate (4) less competition

Animals may fight, make threatening sounds, and act aggressively toward members of the same species. These behaviors usually occur as the result of (1) competition (3) decomposition (2) conservation (4) pollution

The diagram shows how modern types of flowers developed from early types of flowers over the last 75 million years. Which process is represented in this diagram? (1) evolution (3) selective breeding (2) photosynthesis (4) ecological succession

What is the most likely reason why these early flowers gradually changed to many different types of flowers over time? (1) The flowers’ traits were genetically engineered. (2) The environments of the flowers stayed the same. (3) The genetic material of the flowers stayed the same. (4) The flowers adapted to environmental conditions.

When the environment changes more quickly than a species can adapt, the species may become extinct (2) diverse (3) dominant (4) overpopulated

Over time, organisms evolve from a common ancestor Over time, organisms evolve from a common ancestor. Which process best explains why they now have different characteristics? extinction (2) asexual reproduction (3) metabolism (4) biological adaptation

The diagram below shows a cross section of a portion of Earth’s crust that has not been overturned. Letters A, B, C, and D represent sedimentary rock layers that contain fossils. Which rock layer contains the oldest fossils? (1) A (3) C (2) B (4) D

The sequence below occurs over a long period of geologic time The sequence below occurs over a long period of geologic time. The sequence shows the steps involved in the formation of (1) an element (3) a fault (2) an igneous rock (4) a fossil

Which event is the best example of competition between species in a pond environment? (1) dragonflies landing on lily pads (2) frogs and toads eating flies (3) lizards and snakes lying in the sun (4) hawks eating mice

Feathers, wings, and the hollow bones of birds are examples of (1) adaptations for flight (2) responses to stimuli (3) unnecessary body parts (4) reproductive structures

Which group of organisms can show significant trait changes in the shortest period of time? (1) bacteria (3) fish (2) birds (4) reptiles

Although change in multicellular species usually takes thousands of years, some species of bacteria undergo major changes in just a few years. One reason for this difference is that these bacteria (1) are microscopic (2) do not contain DNA (3) reproduce very quickly (4) cause infectious diseases

The beak structures of different species of finches are different The differences in the birds’ beaks show how the birds (1) compete for the same food in their community (2) require different amounts of food for survival (3) store food for the winter months (4) are adapted to get food from different sources

Some microorganisms cause human disease Some microorganisms cause human disease. Other microorganisms are used in making cheese, yogurt, and bread. Based on this information, the relationship between humans and microorganisms can be (1) beneficial, only (2) harmful, only (3) beneficial or harmful

The diagram below shows a food chain The diagram below shows a food chain. Which organisms in this food chain are herbivores? (1) green plants (3) birds (2) caterpillars (4) snakes

The diagram below shows a food web for a community. Which organisms in the diagram are carnivores? rabbits and birds (2) grasshoppers and mice (3) carrots and grasses (4) foxes and owls

The diagram below shows several different organisms found in an area The diagram below shows several different organisms found in an area. The worms in the diagram represent (1) a community (3) a habitat (2) an ecosystem (4) a population

Different species of carnivorous animals that share the same habitat in an ecosystem may (1) become decomposers (2) compete for food (3) produce their own food (4) mate with each other

What is the nutrient source for some fungi? sunlight (2) carbon dioxide (3) oxygen (4) dead organisms

In which organisms could evolution occur most rapidly? humans (2) birds (3) fish (4) bacteria

Grasses, shrubs, and trees are called producers because they make water (2) minerals (3) carbon dioxide (4) food

The diagram below shows how a plant community changed over 300 years The diagram below shows how a plant community changed over 300 years. Which process caused the gradual changes shown in this plant community? (1) urban growth (3) environmental pollution (2) global warming (4) ecological succession

Organisms that consume wastes to obtain the nutrients they need to survive are classified as (1) decomposers (3) predators (2) herbivores (4) producers

Pesticides and fertilizers can help farmers to produce more crops Pesticides and fertilizers can help farmers to produce more crops. However, overuse of these chemicals can result in (1) ecological succession (2) material recycling (3) environmental pollution (4) selective breeding

How do decomposers obtain their food How do decomposers obtain their food? (1) hunting and killing prey for food (2) changing carbon dioxide and water into food (3) absorbing food from dead organisms (4) producing food from oxygen and sunlight

The diagrams below show changes in a natural community over a period of 200 years. Which process is illustrated in the diagrams? ozone depletion (2) recycling resources (3) global warming (4) ecological succession

The diagram below shows a sequence of environmental changes in an area over a long period of time. Which statement best describes the changes shown in the diagram? (1) Over time, one natural area is replaced by another. (2) Over time, the number of fish increases. (3) The environment goes through seasonal changes. (4) Precipitation follows cloud formation.

Which order of succession of natural communities would most likely occur in New York State? (1) grasses → trees → bushes (2) trees → bushes → grasses (3) bushes → grasses → trees (4) grasses → bushes → trees

How do decomposers obtain their food How do decomposers obtain their food? (1) hunting and killing prey for food (2) changing carbon dioxide and water into food (3) absorbing food from dead organisms (4) producing food from oxygen and sunlight

Living things are classified as producers or consumers according to (1) their speed of movement (2) the size of their communities (3) how they obtain food (4) how they reproduce