Grade: Grade 6 Subject: Science Unit: Ecology Lesson: 6 of 6 SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Science

Unit Checkpoint

Unit Assessment

What is the primary energy source for most ecosystems?

Define niche.

What happens to energy as it moves up a food chain?

What is an energy pyramid?

Compare symbiosis and parasitism.

Why are apex predators important to ecosystems?

What is ecological succession?

How does pollution travel through food chains?

What is a keystone species?

Describe one way humans can help protect ecosystems.

Click to reveal answers

1. The Sun

2. An organism's role in the ecosystem - its food, habitat, and interactions

3. About 90% is lost at each level; only 10% passes to the next

4. A diagram showing decreasing energy at each trophic level

5. Symbiosis: close relationship between species; Parasitism: one benefits while harming the other

6. They control prey populations and maintain ecosystem balance

7. Gradual change in an ecosystem over time (primary or secondary)

8. Bioaccumulation - toxins concentrate at higher trophic levels

9. A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem

10. Examples: reduce pollution, conserve water, protect habitats, recycle, support conservation

Score	Mastery Level	Next Steps
9-10	Advanced	Move on to the next unit!
7-8	Proficient	Review missed concepts, then proceed.
5-6	Developing	Review lessons 3-5 before moving on.
0-4	Beginning	Restart the unit from Lesson 1.