decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 science quizlet

1. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

2. What happens to the speed of a sound wave when it travels from air to water?

A. It increases because water is denser.
B. It decreases because water is denser.
C. It remains the same.
D. Speed depends on the frequency, not the medium.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a sound wave travels from air to water, the speed of sound decreases because sound travels faster in denser mediums. Water, being denser than air, causes the speed of sound to slow down. Choice A is incorrect because sound travels faster in denser mediums, so the speed would not increase. Choice C is incorrect because the speed of sound changes when transitioning between different mediums. Choice D is incorrect because while frequency does affect sound, the medium it travels through also plays a significant role in determining the speed of sound.

3. What is the shape of the DNA molecule?

A. Linear
B. Circular
C. Double helix
D. Straight chain

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Double helix. The shape of the DNA molecule is a double helix, a structure first described by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. This shape consists of two strands twisted around each other in a spiral. The double helix structure allows DNA to be compactly stored within the cell nucleus and provides stability to the molecule. Options (A) Linear, (B) Circular, and (D) Straight chain are incorrect as they do not accurately represent the shape of the DNA molecule. DNA is not linear but rather forms a twisted double helix; it is not circular like a ring but has a spiral structure, and it is not a straight chain but a twisted ladder-like structure.

4. What does the phrase 'survival of the fittest' refer to?

A. Organisms with the most complex anatomical structures are more likely to survive and reproduce.
B. Organisms that demonstrate the best adaptations to their environment have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.
C. All organisms have an equal probability of survival and reproductive success regardless of their traits.
D. Only the strongest and most aggressive individuals within a population will survive and reproduce.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The phrase 'survival of the fittest' is often associated with the concept of natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin. Natural selection is the process by which organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to the next generation. This process does not necessarily favor the most complex anatomical structures (option A) or the strongest and most aggressive individuals (option D). Instead, it emphasizes the importance of adaptations that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. Option C is incorrect because natural selection results in differential reproductive success based on an organism's traits, meaning that not all organisms have an equal probability of survival and reproductive success.

5. What is the relationship between the wavelength (λ) and frequency (f) of a wave with a constant speed (v)?

A. λ = v / f
B. λ = f / v
C. λ = vf
D. λ is independent of f and v

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The relationship between wavelength (λ), frequency (f), and speed (v) of a wave is given by the formula λ = v / f. This formula is derived from the wave equation v = fλ, where v is the speed of the wave, f is the frequency, and λ is the wavelength. By rearranging the equation, we get λ = v / f, indicating that the wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency when the speed of the wave is constant. Therefore, choice A, λ = v / f, correctly represents the relationship between wavelength and frequency when the speed of the wave is held constant. Choice B, λ = f / v, is incorrect because it represents an inverse relationship between wavelength and speed, which is not the case. Choice C, λ = vf, is incorrect as it implies a direct relationship between wavelength, frequency, and speed, which is not accurate. Choice D, λ is independent of f and v, is incorrect as both frequency and speed affect the wavelength of a wave, as shown by the correct formula λ = v / f.