Ecology
Unit V Assessment
Introduction
In previous chapters, we learned that life is very diverse. Organisms range from single cells to multi-celled. Some organisms cannot even be seen with the naked eye. Is diversity increasing or decreasing? In the future, will we have more organisms? Does our population play a role in the lives of other organisms? Should we be concerned if an organism goes extinct? The following exploratory activity will help you understand threats to organisms, what is being done to save them, and how organisms are classified.
Objective
1. Subdivide organisms according to taxonomic classification.
2. Evaluate the effects of human habits on ecosystems and organisms.
Materials
Computer with internet access
Directions
2. In the Search Term Box, type in your state or a state you are interested in (Alabama, Florida, etc.)
3. Pick one of the organisms from the list, and answer the following questions. Do not pick an organism that is of least concern.
Questions 1 – 20 are short answer questions and should be answered in a few words. Each question is worth 2 points.Total: 40 points
1. What is the IUCN Red List?
2. What state did you type in the box?
3. What is the scientific name for the organism you picked?
4. What is the common name(s) for the organism you picked?
5. Before completing this exercise, had you ever heard of the species that you picked?
6. What is the geographic range for your organism?
7. What is the population trend?
8. In what habitat and system does your organism live?
9. In which kingdom is your organism classified?
10. In which phylum is your organism classified?
11. In which class is your organism classified?
12. In which order is your organism classified?
13. In which family is your organism classified?
14. What Red List Category is your organism classified?
15. Why was this organism classified as such?
16. What are the major threats to the organism?
17. What human actions threaten this organism?
18. What (if anything) is currently being done to protect the species?
19. What does it matter if this species goes extinct in your state? In other words, why is it important?
20. In your opinion, can this species be saved or is it too late? Briefly explain your answer.
Question 21 is an extended response question and should be at least 100 words. Total: 10 points
21. Considering what you have learned from this activity and the textbook chapters, explain your thoughts about the following statement.
Humans rely on other organisms for survival; however, other organisms do not need humans for survival.
Take a stand. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?
Review Test Submission: Unit V Assessment
· Question 1
5 out of 5 points
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The characteristics that scientists use to distinguish different freshwater environments from each other are ________. Answer |
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· Question 2
5 out of 5 points
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In spite of natural factors that might influence human population growth rates, population growth in some countries appears to be declining because ________. Answer |
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· Question 3
5 out of 5 points
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Banana is an agricultural crop that is exclusively reproduced by cloning. Which of the following statements best explains why banana crops are so vulnerable to devastating epidemics of pathogenic fungi and other pests? Answer |
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· Question 4
5 out of 5 points
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The “urban heat island effect” is due to ________. Answer |
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· Question 5
0 out of 5 points
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When a population’s doubling time is_______ , the population increases more rapidly. Answer |
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· Question 6
5 out of 5 points
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As a general rule of thumb, as the size of a natural area increases, ________. Answer |
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· Question 7
5 out of 5 points
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The annual growth rate of a population is ________. Answer |
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· Question 8
5 out of 5 points
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A group of citizens concerned with the environmental cost of modern agriculture decides to take a proactive step. Instead of legislation and bureaucracy aimed at farmers, they decide to focus on the consumer end of the problem with an educational curriculum aimed at high school students. Which of the following concepts should they include in their curriculum? Answer |
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· Question 9
5 out of 5 points
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On an S-curve representing population growth, the proximity to carrying capacity is marked by ________. Answer |
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· Question 10
5 out of 5 points
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One indication that a population is in a period of exponential growth is that ________. Answer |
