All AP Environmental Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Ecosystems And Biology
Beavers build dams and manipulate the terrestrial-aquatic system to their advantage. A species like the beaver that strongly modifies their environment is called a(n) __________.
ecosystem engineer
keystone species
None of these
community dominant
dominant species
ecosystem engineer
The correct response is "ecosystem engineer." An ecosystem engineer manipulates and engineers the habitat to benefit them in a significant way. If an ecosystem engineer like the beaver is removed from the environment, it can have detrimental effects on other species and the community structure.
Example Question #12 : Ecosystem Development And Relationships
Two organisms with the same behavioral, evolutionary, and genetic traits living in different geographic locations can best be described as being which of these?
In the same species, population and community
In the same species, but not the same community or population
In the same species and population, but not the same community
In the same community and population, but not the same species
In the same species, but not the same community or population
Because the organisms are genetically, behaviorally, and evolutionarily the same, they are the same species. However, their difference in location means that they cannot be in the same population. Additionally, to be in the same community, they must be in the same population. Hence, they are only related to each other by species and nothing else listed.
Example Question #11 : Ecosystems And Biology
Which classification encompasses all the others?
A Species
A Biome
The Biosphere
An Ecological Community
The Biosphere
The Biosphere is the collection of all biomes on Earth and the interactions between them. A species is representative of a group of organisms, while a population is a specific subset of a species. A community is the collection of all the populations that interact with each other within a given geographic area. An ecosystem is the interactions between a community and the abiotic factors within their geographic proximity. A biome is the overall interplay between similar ecosystems. Only the Biosphere contains all other answer choices within itself.
Example Question #12 : Ecosystems And Biology
Choose the correct order, from smallest to largest group size.
Individual, community, population, ecosystem
Individual, population, ecosystem, community
Individual, community, ecosystem, population
Individual, population, community, ecosystem
Individual, population, community, ecosystem
Obviously, the smallest level of organization is the individual. This is followed by the same-species population, then the complete community of all species in a given area. Finally, the ecosystem is the largest level, including abiotic elements of the habitat.
Example Question #13 : Ecosystems And Biology
Symbiosis is an association between two or more species. Generally one species is living on or in another. These relationships can be helpful, harmful or have no effect.
What are the three types of symbioses?
Competitive exclusion, commensalism, and coevolution
Competition, commensalism, and parisitism
Mutualism, coevolution, and parisitism
Mutualism, predation, and parasitism
Mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism
Mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism
Mutualism is when both species benefit. Commensalism is when one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped. Parasitism is when one species is negatively affected by the other.
Example Question #14 : Ecosystems And Biology
What is the limit on the population size given a finite amount of resources?
Social darwinism
Population size
Asymptote
Eutrophication
Carrying capacity
Carrying capacity
The correct response is carrying capacity. This is threshold or limit that restricts population growth when resources are limited. Carrying capacity is the reason that we don't have billions of elephants in the world - there is only so much space and resources. The concept of carrying capacity is true for all populations in the world - including humans.
Example Question #15 : Ecosystems And Biology
What does the I=PAT equation describe?
The impact of pesticides, antibiotics, and temperature change on food production
The influence of people, attitudes, and technology on sustainability
The impact of pollution, acid rain, and temperature change on the environment
The impact of human population, affluence, and technology on the environment
The influence of perception, attitudes, and trends on sustainability
The impact of human population, affluence, and technology on the environment
The I=PAT equation was developed in the 1970s and it describes the impact of human population, affluence and technology on the environment. The equation is used as an aid in understanding how the size of a population, its affluence (i.e., the average consumption of each person), and the efficiency level of the population’s technology will affect the population’s general impact on the environment. The equation is simplistic and should not be seen as an accurate assessment of a population. Rather, it is a thought-provoking tool.
Example Question #16 : Ecosystems And Biology
Which of the following is not true of human population growth?
The rate is unsustainable
It is exponential
When graphed to date, it shows an S-shaped curve
When graphed to date, it shows a J-shaped curve
Developing countries have a higher rate of population growth
When graphed to date, it shows an S-shaped curve
When graphed, the human population shows a J-shaped curve. The human population grew very slowly at first. However, its growth is exponential, so the human population doubles in a shorter time period every time. An S-shaped curve, by comparison, would show a leveling off or decrease in population.
Example Question #17 : Ecosystems And Biology
What is the name for two genetically distinct populations of the same species?
Genus
Breed
Communities
Morphs
Subspecies
Subspecies
A subspecies is the taxonomic rank below species, meaning subspecies are members of the same species, but have some characteristics that set them apart. As a result, two different subspecies of the same species are usually physically capable of interbreeding, but generally do not, due to either selection or geographic isolation.
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