Trophic Levels: The Flow of Energy Quiz

Answer each question by clicking the correct blue button. Only the first answer selected is graded.

1.  Which of the following food chains correctly shows the path of matter and energy through an ecosystem?:
A. deer – bear - grass.
B. grass – deer - bear.
C. seeds – bear - chipmunk.
D. chipmunks – seed - deer.

2.  Which model would an ecologist use to show the weight of living material in an ecosystem?:
A. A food web.
B. A pyramid of energy.
C. A pyramid of numbers.
D. A pyramid of biomass.

3.  Which series correctly sequences interactions in nature from largest to smallest?:
A. Population, ecosystem, community.
B. Species, organism, community.
C. Ecosystem, community, population.
D. Community, population, ecosystem.

4.  What distinguishes producers from other organisms?:
A. They consume a variety of foods.
B. They feed at different trophic levels.
C. They photosynthesize.
D. They are abiotic.

5.  Which of the following is most like a recycling plant?:
A. The flow of matter through an ecosystem.
B. The flow of energy through an ecosystem.
C. A diagram showing different trophic levels.
D. A model of a food chain.

6.  A manufacturing plant is located on the banks of a river. One day, toxic chemicals from the plant accidentally spilled into the river. Fish absorbed some of these chemicals into their bodies. Later, a hawk living near the river is found to have the same toxic chemicals in its system. Which statement best explains why?
A. The chemicals entered the air.
B. The chemicals entered the food chain.
C. The chemicals were contagious.
D. The chemicals are commonly found in the environment.

7.  What advantage do food webs have over food chains as models?:
A. A food web shows numerous feeding relationships.
B. A food web shows how energy moves through an ecosystem.
C. A food web shows how matter moves through an ecosystem.
D. A food web represents feeding steps, or trophic levels.

8.  Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?:
A. Air.
B. Soil.
C. Water.
D. Tree.


Grade exam.