Ecology Questions

1.
Which of the following is the best definition of a population?

A.
A group of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
B.
The number of individuals of the same species in a given area
C.
A group of species living and interacting with each other in a given area
D.
The total number of individuals in a given area

(Total 1 mark)
2.
The diagram below shows a simplified food web.
What is the role of the snake in this food web?

A.
Primary consumer
B.
Secondary consumer
C.
Tertiary consumer
D.
Producer
(Total 1 mark)
IB Questionbank Biology
3.
The graph below represents a sigmoid (S-shaped) population growth curve. Three sections of
the curve are indicated (1, 2 and 3).
In which of the sections is natality plus immigration greater than mortality plus emigration?
A.
1 only
B.
2 only
C.
1 and 2 only
D.
3 only
(Total 1 mark)
4.
Two different trees have been classified as Pinus pinea and Pinus nigra. Which of the following
statements is correct?
A.
Both trees belong to the same class but a different genus.
B.
Both trees belong to the same family and same genus.
C.
The species name of both trees is Pinus.
D.
The family names are pinea and nigra.

(Total 1 mark)
5.
A collection of four animal specimens is observed and a dichotomous key is applied. Which
specimen is an arthropod?
1.
Non-segmented body ......................................... go to 2

Segmented body ................................................. go to 3
2.
Body is not symmetrical ..................................... specimen A

Body is symmetrical ........................................... specimen B
3.
Jointed appendages present ................................ specimen C

Jointed appendages absent ................................. specimen D
A.
Specimen A
B.
Specimen B
C.
Specimen C
D.
Specimen D
(Total 1 mark)
6.
Which of the following ecological units includes abiotic factors?

A.
A community
B.
An ecosystem
C.
A population
D.
A trophic level
(Total 1 mark)
7.
In the forest zone between Gabon and the Republic of Congo it is estimated that an epidemic of
the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus (ZEBOV) killed nearly 5000 gorillas, significantly reducing
the population. Which statement is supported by this information?
A.
Natality was greater than mortality.
B.
Mortality was equal to natality.
C.
Natality and immigration was greater than mortality and emigration.
D.
Mortality was greater than immigration and natality.

(Total 1 mark)
8.
If humans become infected with the Ebola virus it can have devastating effects. Strong, but not
certain, evidence suggests that trading in animal products is the main reason for the spread of
the Ebola virus to humans. Which statement about the precautionary principle is correct?
A.
In the absence of certainty about cause and effect, people should not be asked to stop
trading in animal products.
B.
The burden of proof regarding a cause and effect relationship lies with scientists.
C.
Because it is a probable cause, trading in animal products should be banned because of

the potentially devastating consequences.
D.
The precautionary principle is not relevant in this case.

(Total 1 mark)
9.
Which group of organisms in the carbon cycle converts carbon into a form that is available to
primary consumers?
A.
Decomposers
B.
Saprotrophs
C.
Detritus feeders
D.
Producers
(Total 1 mark)
10.
What is a community composed of?

A.
Habitats
B.
Populations
C.
Abiotic factors
D.
Biotic and abiotic factors

(Total 1 mark)
11.
Which of the following are greenhouse gases?

I.
Oxides of nitrogen
II.
Carbon dioxide
III.
Methane
A.
I and II only
B.
I and III only
C.
II and III only
D.
I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)
12.
The population of white-tailed deer in Nova Scotia (Canada) suffered a significant decline in the
late 1970s. Which of the following is most likely to have caused the decline?
A.
The population had depleted resources in the environment
B.
A decrease in hunting
C.
A decrease in predation
D.
Natality and immigration exceeded mortality and emigration

(Total 1 mark)
13.
What do all of the organisms in the diagram represent when considered together?
A.
A food chain
B.
A population
C.
A community
D.
An ecosystem
(Total 1 mark)
14.
What is a community?
A.
A group of organisms living and interacting in the same trophic level
B.
A group of populations living and interacting in a food chain
C.
A group of organisms of the same species living and interacting in an ecosystem
D.
A group of populations living and interacting in an area

(Total 1 mark)
15.
What are the units of a pyramid of energy?

2
yr
yr
A.
kJ m
B.
kJ m
C.
Jm
D.
Jm s
1
1
(Total 1 mark)
16.
What is a potential consequence of the rise in global temperatures on the Arctic

ecosystem?
A.
Increased exposure to UV light
B.
Increased rate of decomposition of detritus
C.
Decreased success of pest species
D.
Increase in the ice habitat available to polar bears

(Total 1 mark)
17.
What can limit increases in population size?

I.
Decrease in prey
II.
Decrease in parasites
III.
Increase in predators
A.
I and II only
B.
I and III only
C.
II and III only
D.
I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)
10
18.
A poodle and a chihuahua are both dogs and classified as Canis familiaris. What
conclusion can be made?
A.
They belong to the same genus but not the same species.
B.
They are the same species but not the same genus.
C.
They are different species but can interbreed.
D.
They belong to the same genus and are the same species.
(Total 1 mark)
11
19.
This question is about the food web below.
[Source: http://cbc.amnh.org/crisis/foodweb.html. Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American

Museum of Natural History]
What will happen to the sizes of the populations in the food web above if the sea otter
disappears?
A.
Large fish increase and sea urchins decrease.
B.
Abalones increase and sharks increase.
C.
Sea urchins increase and kelps decrease.
D.
Sea stars decrease and sharks increase.

(Total 1 mark)
12
20.
Which gas will enhance the greenhouse effect if released into the atmosphere?
A.
Hydrogen
B.
Oxide of nitrogen
C.
Oxygen
D.
Nitrogen
(Total 1 mark)
21.
What do the graphs below show?
A.
Population in the United States is increasing at a higher rate.
B.
Infant death rate is high in both countries.
C.
Males live longer than females in both countries.
D.
Birth rate is higher in Mexico than in the United States.

(Total 1 mark)
13
22.
Which phylum does the plant below belong to?
A.
Angiospermophyta
B.
Bryophyta
C.
Coniferophyta
D.
Filicinophyta
(Total 1 mark)
23.
Population size is influenced by certain factors.

If I = immigration, E = emigration, N = natality, M = mortality and (N + M) = (I + E) = 0,
which phase is this population in?
A.
Exponential phase
B.
Transitional phase
C.
Plateau phase
D.
Growth phase
(Total 1 mark)
14
24.
An animal has radial symmetry, a sac-like body with only one opening and tentacles
with stinging structures. To which phylum does this animal belong?
A.
Annelida
B.
Cnidaria
C.
Mollusca
D.
Porifera
(Total 1 mark)
25.
Which of the following is a consequence of global temperature rise on arctic

ecosystems?
A.
Increased rates of decomposition of detritus trapped in permafrost
B.
Decrease of geographical range of habitats for temperate species
C.
Decrease of pest species and increase of permafrost species
D.
Increase of geographical range of habitats for permafrost species

(Total 1 mark)
26.
Which of the following is a characteristic of platyhelminthes?

A.
Many pairs of legs
B.
Flat body
C.
Hard exoskeleton
D.
Presence of cnidocytes
(Total 1 mark)
15
27.
This question is about the food web below
What is the energy transfer level from the kangaroo rat to the weasel shown in the food
web above?
A.
Three times greater than the energy transfer from the roadrunner to the bobcat
B.
Half the energy transfer from chaparral plants to the meadow mouse
C.
A quarter of the energy transfer from the quail to the bobcat
D.
Approximately the same as the energy transfer from the meadow mouse to the
opossum
(Total 1 mark)
28.
What features distinguish Platyhelminthes from Annelida?

Platyhelminthes
Annelida
A.
segmented body
non-segmented body
B.
non-segmented body
segmented body
C.
bilateral symmetry
no bilateral symmetry
D.
no bilateral symmetry
bilateral symmetry
(Total 1 mark)
16
29.
Which taxa do Zerynthia rumina and Zerynthia polyxena share?

A.
They share the same class but not the same family.
B.
They share the same species but not the same class.
C.
They share the same class but not the same genus.
D.
They share the same family but not the same species.
(Total 1 mark)
30.
What conclusion can be made from the following evidence from an analysis of DNA
fragments?
A.
Both children are related to both parents.
B.
Child I is related to the man but child II is not.
C.
Both children are unrelated to either of the parents.
D.
Child II is related to the man but child I is not.

(Total 1 mark)
17
31.
The following diagram shows part of a food web from Yellowstone Park.
What would be the short-term effects on the populations of the other species if the gray
wolf were exterminated?
Beaver
Moose
Elk
Aspen
A.
Increase
Decrease
Increase
Increase
B.
Decrease
Decrease
Decrease
Decrease
C.
Increase
Increase
Decrease
Increase
D.
Decrease
Increase
Increase
Decrease
(Total 1 mark)
32.
Slime moulds (Acrasiomycota) are protoctists. They feed on decaying organic matter,
bacteria and protozoa.
Which of the terms describes their nutrition?
I.
Detritivore
II.
Autotroph
III.
Heterotroph
A.
I only
B.
I and II only
C.
I and III only
D.
I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)
18
33.
Why do food chains in an ecosystem rarely contain more than five organisms?
A.
Nutrients are recycled by the decomposers back to the producers.
B.
Nutrients are lost from the ecosystem when organisms die.
C.
The conversion of food into growth by an organism is not very efficient.
D.
Energy is recycled by the decomposers back to the producers.

(Total 1 mark)
34.
Several greenhouse gases occur in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of
them but so are methane (CH4) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
Why are oxides of nitrogen classed as greenhouse gases?
A.
They trap some of the long-wave radiation emitted by the Earths surface.
B.
They prevent short-wave radiation from reaching the Earths surface.
C.
They dissolve in rainwater to produce acid rain.
D.
They are only produced by human activity whereas CO 2 and CH4 are also produced
naturally.
(Total 1 mark)
19
35.
Population growth, as shown by the curve below, is the result of changes in mortality,
natality, immigration and emigration. Which of the following statements about
population growth is correct?
A.
In phase I there is no mortality.
B.
In phase II mortality equals natality and immigration equals emigration.
C.
In phase II mortality and emigration are less than natality and immigration.
D.
In phase III mortality and emigration are less than natality and immigration.
(Total 1 mark)
36.
Which of the organisms AD, identified by the key below, represents an Annelid?
1. Shows bilateral symmetry
Does not show bilateral symmetry
go to 2
Cnidaria
2. Has a segmented body

Does not have a segmented body
go to 3
go to 4
3. Has jointed legs

Does not have jointed legs
A
B
4. Has a shell
Does not have a shell
C
D
(Total 1 mark)
20
37.
To which group do sponges belong?

A.
Cnidaria
B.
Filicinophyta
C.
Porifera
D.
Mollusca
(Total 1 mark)
38.
The diagram below shows a population growth curve.
At which time in the population growth curve does the population size begin to decline?
A.
Between the time marked 1 and 2
B.
During the time marked 2
C.
Between the time marked 2 and 3
D.
The graph does not show a time when population size declines
(Total 1 mark)
21
39.
The graph below shows variation in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere as
measured at Mauna Loa in Hawaii. The small inset graph shows the variations in CO2
during a one year period.
[Source: adapted from Dr P Tans, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory]
Why does the amount of CO2 fall between April and August?
A.
Seasonal increase in the rate of photosynthesis in the northern hemisphere

forests
B.
Seasonal decrease in the rate of photosynthesis in the northern hemisphere

forests
C.
Seasonal decrease in the rate of fossil fuel consumption
D.
Seasonal increase in the amount of CO2 dissolved in the oceans

(Total 1 mark)
22
40.
The scarlet cup fungus (Sarcoscypha coccinea) obtains its nutrition from decaying
wood by releasing digestive enzymes into the wood and absorbing the digested
products.
Which of the following terms describe(s) the fungus?
I.
Autotroph
II.
Heterotroph
III.
Saprotroph
A.
III only
B.
II and III only
C.
I and III only
D.
I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)
23
41.
The graph below shows variation in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere as
measured at Mauna Loa in Hawaii. The small inset graph shows the variations in CO2
during a one year period.
[Source: adapted from Dr P Tans, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory]
Why does the amount of CO2 fall between April and August?
A.
Seasonal increase in the rate of photosynthesis in the northern hemisphere

forests
B.
Seasonal decrease in the rate of photosynthesis in the northern hemisphere

forests
C.
Seasonal decrease in the rate of fossil fuel consumption
D.
Seasonal increase in the amount of CO2 dissolved in the oceans

(Total 1 mark)
24
42.
The scarlet cup fungus (Sarcoscypha coccinea) obtains its nutrition from decaying
wood by releasing digestive enzymes into the wood and absorbing the digested
products.
Which of the following terms describe(s) the fungus?
I.
Autotroph
II.
Heterotroph
III.
Saprotroph
A.
III only
B.
II and III only
C.
I and III only
D.
I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)
43.
Zoophobas morio is an insect. Its larvae feed on bat feces in caves in Guatemala.
What type of organism is a Zoophobas morio larva?
A.
Autotroph
B.
Consumer
C.
Detritivore
D.
Saprotroph
(Total 1 mark)
25
44.
The diagram below shows some of the links in the carbon cycle.
What processes are taking place at I, II and III?

I
II
III
A.
photosynthesis
fossilization
combustion
B.
cell respiration
fossilization
greenhouse effect
C.
photosynthesis
decomposition
combustion
D.
cell respiration
decomposition
greenhouse effect
(Total 1 mark)
26
45.
Global warming threatens the survival of Arctic foxes. Which of the following factors
could be involved?
I.
Competition with other fox species spreading north
II.
Reduction in numbers of prey species of Arctic foxes
III.
Decrease in oxygen availability to Arctic foxes
A.
I only
B.
I and II only
C.
II and III only
D.
I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)
46.
Which graph shows the sigmoid population growth curve?
(Total 1 mark)
27
47.
Ants, bees and wasps are classified in the same order. What can be deduced about
these animals?
A.
They are classified in the same class.
B.
They are classified in different phyla.
C.
They are classified in the same family.
D.
They are classified in different kingdoms.

(Total 1 mark)
48.
Pseudolarix amabilis produces seeds but not flowers. Physcomitrella patens has
leaves but not roots.
To which groups do they belong?
Pseudolarix amabilis
Physcomitrella patens
A.
coniferophyta
filicinophyta
B.
filicinophyta
angiospermophyta
C.
coniferophyta
bryophyta
D.
angiospermophyta
coniferophyta
(Total 1 mark)
49.
How is energy passed from one trophic level to the next?

I.
Food
II.
Light
III.
Heat
A.
I only
B.
I and II only
C.
II and III only
D.
I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)
28
50.
The food web below shows a community in central France 24 000 years ago.
S a lix
h erba cea
B e tu la
nana
V a c c in iu m
oxycoccos
Lem m us
le m m u s
A lo p e x
la g o p u s
C a n is
lu p u s
R a n g ife r
ta r a n d u s
C la d o n ia
r a n g ife r in a
M e g a lo c e ro s
g ig a n te u s
G r a m in a c e a e
U rsu s
s p e la e u s
Lepus
a rc tic u s
H om o
s a p ie n s
M a m m u th u s
p r im ig e n iu s
Which statement is a correct description of Ursus spelaeus?

A.
It is an omnivore which feeds on Lemmus lemmus.
B.
It is a producer preyed upon by Vaccinium oxycoccos.
C.
It is a top carnivore and a primary consumer.
D.
It is a decomposer and it competes with Rangifer tarandus.

(Total 1 mark)
29
51.
Which diagram shows the flow of energy through a community with three trophic
levels?
A .
B.
C.
D .
(Total 1 mark)
52.
According to the precautionary principle, what should happen if there are fears that
eating a food might cause a health problem?
A.
People should be warned about the possible health problem.
B.
The company producing the food should be warned about the possible health
problem.
C.
People who have fears about the food should test it to see if it causes a real
health problem.
D.
The company producing the food should test the food to prove that it does not
cause a health problem.
(Total 1 mark)
53.
If natality is slightly larger than mortality, and immigration is much larger than
emigration, what will happen to the size of a population?
A.
It will increase
B.
It will decrease
C.
It will fluctuate up and down
D.
It will remain constant

(Total 1 mark)
30
54.
In the hierarchy of taxa, what is in a family?

A.
A group of classes
B.
A group of genera
C.
A group of orders
D.
A group of phyla
(Total 1 mark)
55.
Which group of organisms in the carbon cycle converts carbon into a form that is
available to primary consumers?
A.
Decomposers
B.
Detritus feeders
C.
Producers
D.
Secondary consumers
(Total 1 mark)
56.
Which phylum does an animal belong to, if it has stinging tentacles and a mouth, but no
anus?
A.
Annelida
B.
Cnidaria
C.
Porifera
D.
Platyhelminthes
(Total 1 mark)
31

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1.

Which of the following is the best definition of a population?

A group of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

The number of individuals of the same species in a given area

The total number of individuals in a given area

The diagram below shows a simplified food web.

What is the role of the snake in this food web?

Both trees belong to the same class but a different genus.

Both trees belong to the same family and same genus.

The species name of both trees is Pinus.

The family names are pinea and nigra.

Non-segmented body ......................................... go to 2

Body is not symmetrical ..................................... specimen A

Jointed appendages present ................................ specimen C

Which of the following ecological units includes abiotic factors?

Natality was greater than mortality.

Mortality was equal to natality.

Natality and immigration was greater than mortality and emigration.

Mortality was greater than immigration and natality.

Because it is a probable cause, trading in animal products should be banned because of

The precautionary principle is not relevant in this case.

What is a community composed of?

Biotic and abiotic factors

Which of the following are greenhouse gases?

I and III only

II and III only

The population had depleted resources in the environment

Natality and immigration exceeded mortality and emigration

A group of organisms living and interacting in the same trophic level

A group of populations living and interacting in a food chain

A group of organisms of the same species living and interacting in an ecosystem

A group of populations living and interacting in an area

What are the units of a pyramid of energy?

What is a potential consequence of the rise in global temperatures on the Arctic

Increased exposure to UV light

Increased rate of decomposition of detritus

Decreased success of pest species

Increase in the ice habitat available to polar bears

What can limit increases in population size?

I and III only

II and III only

They are different species but can interbreed.

This question is about the food web below.

[Source: http://cbc.amnh.org/crisis/foodweb.html. Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American

Large fish increase and sea urchins decrease.

Abalones increase and sharks increase.

Sea urchins increase and kelps decrease.

Sea stars decrease and sharks increase.

What do the graphs below show?

Population in the United States is increasing at a higher rate.

Infant death rate is high in both countries.

Males live longer than females in both countries.

Birth rate is higher in Mexico than in the United States.

Which phylum does the plant below belong to?

Population size is influenced by certain factors.

Which of the following is a consequence of global temperature rise on arctic

Increased rates of decomposition of detritus trapped in permafrost

Decrease of geographical range of habitats for temperate species

Decrease of pest species and increase of permafrost species

Increase of geographical range of habitats for permafrost species

Which of the following is a characteristic of platyhelminthes?

Many pairs of legs

This question is about the food web below

A quarter of the energy transfer from the quail to the bobcat