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BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 5

Describe the concept of an ecological niche and its significance within an ecosystem's structure.   (2 marks)

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→ An ecological niche refers to the unique role and position a species occupies within its ecosystem, encompassing not only its habitat but also its interactions with other species and its use of resources.

→ It includes factors such as the species’ diet, predators, competitors, and its impact on the environment.

→ Understanding ecological niches is crucial for predicting how changes in an ecosystem might affect different species and for explaining how multiple species can coexist in the same habitat by occupying different niches.

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→ An ecological niche refers to the unique role and position a species occupies within its ecosystem, encompassing not only its habitat but also its interactions with other species and its use of resources.

→ It includes factors such as the species’ diet, predators, competitors, and its impact on the environment.

→ Understanding ecological niches is crucial for predicting how changes in an ecosystem might affect different species and for explaining how multiple species can coexist in the same habitat by occupying different niches.

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 3 MC

Which of the following is an example of a parasitic relationship?

  1. A bee collecting nectar from a flower .
  2. A tapeworm living in a human intestine.
  3. Egrets following cattle, feeding on the insects.
  4. A bird eating berries from a bush.
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\(B\)

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→ Option B is a parasitic relationship because the tapeworm benefits by absorbing nutrients from the host’s digestive system, while the human host is harmed.

→ The other options which represent mutualism (bee and flower), commensalism (egret and cattle), or a predator-prey relationship (bird eating berries).

\(\Rightarrow B\)

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 2 MC

Which of the following relationships is an example of parasitism?

  1. A cleaner wrasse removing parasites from a larger fish.
  2. A lichen formed by a fungus and an alga growing together on a rock.
  3. An orchid growing on the branch of a rainforest tree without harming it.
  4. A cuckoo laying its eggs in another bird's nest for the host to raise.
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\(D\)

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Option A is an example of mutualism (both benefit).

Option B describes mutualism in the form of a lichen. The fungus provides structure and moisture, while the alga produces food through photosynthesis.

Option C is an example of commensalism. The orchid benefits from the support and access to sunlight, while the tree is unaffected.

Option D is an example of parasitism. The cuckoo benefits by having its offspring raised without expending energy, while the host bird is harmed by wasting resources on raising another species’ young.

\(\Rightarrow D\)

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 1 MC

Commensalism is a form of symbiotic relationship. Which of the following best describes a commensal relationship between two organisms?

  1. Both organisms benefit from the interaction.
  2. One organism benefits while the other is unaffected.
  3. One organism benefits at the expense of the other.
  4. Neither organism is affected by the interaction.
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\(B\)

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→ In a commensal relationship, one organism benefits from the interaction while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

\(\Rightarrow B\)

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 4

Describe the differences between mutualistic and parasitic symbiotic relationships in ecosystems. In your answer, provide one specific example of each type of relationship from nature.   (3 marks)

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→ Mutualistic and parasitic relationships are both types of symbiosis involving a relationship between two different species.

→ In a mutualistic relationship, both organisms benefit from the interaction.

→ Example: the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones, where the clownfish receive protection from predators among the anemone’s tentacles, while the anemone benefits from the fish’s waste products.

→ In contrast, in a parasitic relationship, one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host). 

→ Example: tapeworms living in a dog’s intestine, where the tapeworm gains nutrients from the dog’s digested food, causing potential health issues for the dog without providing any benefits. 

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→ Mutualistic and parasitic relationships are both types of symbiosis involving a relationship between two different species.

→ In a mutualistic relationship, both organisms benefit from the interaction.

→ Example: the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones, where the clownfish receive protection from predators among the anemone’s tentacles, while the anemone benefits from the fish’s waste products.

→ In contrast, in a parasitic relationship, one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host). 

→ Example: tapeworms living in a dog’s intestine, where the tapeworm gains nutrients from the dog’s digested food, causing potential health issues for the dog without providing any benefits. 

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 3

Consider a grassland ecosystem with a population of rabbits, foxes, and various grass species.

  1. Describe one example of predation in this ecosystem.   (1 mark)
  2. Explain two ways in which competition might occur between the rabbits.   (2 marks)
  3. Evaluate how the removal of foxes might affect both the rabbit population and the grass species.   (1 mark)
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a.   → Predation occurs when foxes hunt and eat rabbits.
 

b.   Competition among rabbits could result from (choose two):

→ limited resources such as food or water

→ suitable burrow sites

→ mating partners
 

c.   Removing foxes:

→ could lead to an increase in the rabbit population.

→ this growing population might then overgraze the grass species, potentially causing a decline in grass biodiversity and altering the ecosystem’s structure.

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a.   → Predation occurs when foxes hunt and eat rabbits.
 

b.   Competition among rabbits could result from (choose two):

→ limited resources such as food or water

→ suitable burrow sites

→ mating partners
 

c.   Removing foxes:

→ could lead to an increase in the rabbit population.

→ this growing population might then overgraze the grass species, potentially causing a decline in grass biodiversity and altering the ecosystem’s structure.

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 2

  1. Is soil pH a biotic or abiotic factor?   (1 mark)
  2. Describe how soil pH can affect plant growth.   (1 mark)
  3. Explain one way in which plants might alter soil pH.   (1 mark)
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a.   Abiotic factor
 

b.   Soil pH:

→ Affects plant growth by influencing nutrient availability and solubility.

→ Most plants thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0-7.0) where essential nutrients are most accessible.
 

c.   Plants alter soil pH (choose 1):

→ through root exudates, which release organic acids into the soil.

→ through the decomposition of their leaf litter, which can increase soil acidity over time.

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a.   Abiotic factor
 

b.   Soil pH:

→ Affects plant growth by influencing nutrient availability and solubility.

→ Most plants thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0-7.0) where essential nutrients are most accessible.
 

c.   Plants alter soil pH (choose 1):

→ through root exudates, which release organic acids into the soil.

→ through the decomposition of their leaf litter, which can increase soil acidity over time.

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 1

Explain the concept of a trophic relationship and evaluate its significance within an ecosystem's functioning.   (3 marks)

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→ A trophic relationship refers to the feeding connections between organisms in an ecosystem, essentially describing who eats whom.

→ This relationship forms the basis of energy transfer within an ecosystem, as energy flows from primary producers (like plants) through various levels of consumers.

→ Trophic relationships are crucial in maintaining the balance and structure of ecosystems, influencing population sizes, species interactions, and nutrient cycling.

→ Understanding these relationships helps ecologists predict how changes in one species’ population can affect others throughout the food web, making it a key concept in ecosystem management.

Show Worked Solution

→ A trophic relationship refers to the feeding connections between organisms in an ecosystem, essentially describing who eats whom.

→ This relationship forms the basis of energy transfer within an ecosystem, as energy flows from primary producers (like plants) through various levels of consumers.

→ Trophic relationships are crucial in maintaining the balance and structure of ecosystems, influencing population sizes, species interactions, and nutrient cycling.

→ Understanding these relationships helps ecologists predict how changes in one species’ population can affect others throughout the food web, making it a key concept in ecosystem management.