Question 1

Interactions among organisms are always mutually beneficial.

Accepted Answer

Interactions among organisms can be mutually beneficial, but they can also be harmful or have no effect on one or both parties involved. Examples of harmful interactions include predation and competition, while examples of neutral interactions include commensalism and amensalism.

Question 2

All natural communities consist of an equivalent number of species.

Accepted Answer

Natural communities vary in the number of species they contain, with some having more diversity than others.

Question 3

A community whose species are not replaced by other species is classified as a ________ community.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A community whose species are not replaced...

Question 4

Mutualistic relationships can have an effect on the distribution and abundance of the species involved.

Accepted Answer

Mutualistic relationships involve interactions between two species that benefit each other. These relationships can affect the distribution and abundance of the species involved as they rely on each other for survival and reproduction. For example, a plant and its pollinator may have a mutualistic relationship where the pollinator helps to distribute the plant's pollen, leading to increased reproduction and distribution of the plant species.

Question 5

Mistletoe participates in forest communities in many beneficial roles;its berries and leaves are food for herbivorous birds and insects,but to the trees that host it,mistletoe is strictly an undesirable ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mistletoe participates in forest communities in many...

Question 6

A species can participate in several symbiotic relationships simultaneously;for example,Scotch broom,an invasive shrub,competes with native vegetation for soil nutrients and maintains a mutualistic relationship with root bacteria.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. A species can participate in multiple types of symbiotic relationships at the same time. In the given example of Scotch broom, the plant is engaged in both a competitive relationship with native vegetation and a mutualistic relationship with root bacteria.

Question 7

If initially present,a mature community will reform immediately after a habitat disturbance.

Accepted Answer

A disturbance typically creates an opportunity for new species to establish themselves, and a new community will eventually form. It may take some time for the new community to become fully established and mature.

Question 8

Secondary succession is more likely to follow a disturbance to a mature community than primary succession because ________ typically remain intact.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Secondary succession is more likely to follow...

Question 9

Pollinators ingest seeds at the flowers they visit,carry those seeds in their digestive tracts,and later deposit them far from the plant that they fed on.

Accepted Answer

Pollinators typically transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, facilitating fertilization, not ingesting and dispersing seeds. Seed dispersal is usually done by other means, such as by animals that eat fruits and then excrete the seeds elsewhere.

Question 10

Black oak trees are one of the earliest colonists after bare sand dunes are created.

Accepted Answer

Black oak trees are not typically early colonists of bare sand dunes; pioneer species that are more tolerant of harsh conditions usually colonize new dunes first.

Question 11

The general process by which species in a community are replaced over time is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The general process by which species in...

Question 12

Succession has a major impact on the species makeup of a community at any given point in time.

Accepted Answer

Succession involves the gradual replacement of species in a community over time, which can result in significant changes to the species makeup of the community. As such, succession has a major impact on the species makeup of a community at any given point in time.

Question 13

Without pollinator mutualism,agricultural productivity could fall significantly.

Accepted Answer

Many crop plants rely on pollinators (such as bees and butterflies) for their reproduction, leading to the production of fruits, seeds, and other products. Without pollinator mutualism, agricultural productivity could fall significantly due to reduced pollination of crops.

Question 14

During exploitation,consumer organisms never cause their prey to become extinct.

Accepted Answer

It is not uncommon for consumer organisms to cause their prey to become extinct due to overconsumption or other factors such as changes in the environment or introduction of new predators.

Question 15

The interactions among organisms that reside in the same community or ecosystem are unlikely to have much effect on the physical aspects of those systems.

Accepted Answer

Interactions among organisms in a community or ecosystem have significant effects on the physical aspects of those systems, including nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the physical structure of habitats. These effects can influence factors such as soil quality, water quality, and atmospheric composition, which in turn can have cascading effects on other organisms in the system.

Question 16

The terms mutualistic and symbiotic can be used interchangeably;any mutualistic relationship is an example of symbiosis,whereas any symbiotic relationship is also mutualistic.

Accepted Answer

While all mutualistic relationships are symbiotic, not all symbiotic relationships are mutualistic. Symbiosis refers to the close and long-term physical interaction between two different species, whereas mutualism specifically describes a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the interaction. However, some symbiotic relationships may be parasitic, in which one species benefits at the expense of the other, or commensal, in which one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Question 17

Desertification,the transformation of dry grassland to a desert shrubland,can be natural or human caused;when humans are involved,the process is almost always associated with ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Desertification,the transformation of dry grassland to a...

Question 18

The inhabitants of an aquarium,despite its small size,could be considered a community.

Accepted Answer

The different organisms living in an aquarium interact with each other and form a community, despite the limited space. They can have complex relationships and influence each other's behavior and well-being. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 19

The consumer in a predator-prey interaction can be a selective force in the evolution of the prey species.

Accepted Answer

The behavior of the consumer (predator) can directly influence the survival and reproduction of the prey species. Over time, this can lead to natural selection and potentially the evolution of certain traits in the prey that provide a survival advantage against the predator.

Question 20

Humans negatively affect communities in a variety of ways;the community most common disrupted,usually by its complete removal,are ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Humans negatively affect communities in a variety...

Quiz 23: Ecological Communities