A Semiarid Ecosystem Is Dominated by a Mixture of Shortgrass

question 156

Multiple Choice

A semiarid ecosystem is dominated by a mixture of shortgrass prairies and chaparral.Prairie primary producers include grasses and other herbaceous flowering plants (forbs) .The chaparral is dominated by shrubs, including mesquite and yucca intermixed with grasses and forbs.Herbivores (jackrabbits and cottontails) in turn are eaten by "mesopredators," including badgers, bobcats, skunks, and gray foxes.The top-level predator is the coyote.How many trophic levels are described in this ecosystem?

• A) Five
• B) Four
• C) Three
• D) Two
• E) One

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Definitions:

21st Pair

Refers to the 21st pair of chromosomes in humans, which is critical for determining genetic conditions such as Down syndrome.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system, characterized by thick, sticky mucus that can lead to severe respiratory and gastrointestinal problems.

Carrier

An individual who possesses one copy of a recessive gene for a genetic trait or disease and can pass it to their offspring without showing symptoms themselves.

Dominant

Exhibiting influence or control over others; in genetics, it refers to an allele that expresses its phenotypic effect in the presence of another allele.