Ontario Grade 9 Science Class Practice Exam

What does charge capacity refer to in an ecological context?

1. The maximum charge an electronic device can hold

2. The ability of an ecosystem to support its population before death occurs from lack of resources

3. The total electrical charge of an ecosystem

4. The potential energy stored in chemical bonds of organisms

The correct answer is: The ability of an ecosystem to support its population before death occurs from lack of resources

Charge capacity in an ecological context refers to the ability of an ecosystem to sustain its population size before resource limitations lead to negative consequences such as population decline or death due to scarcity. This concept is crucial in understanding the dynamics of ecosystems, as it highlights the balance between available resources—such as food, water, and habitat—and the number of organisms that can be supported within a given environment. When a population exceeds this capacity, overutilization of resources occurs, leading to increased competition, stress, and potential mortality among the organisms. The other choices do not fit within the ecological context. The first refers to electronic devices and their ability to hold electric charge, which is unrelated to ecology. The third option incorrectly ties the term to total electrical charge, which again does not apply to living ecosystems. Lastly, the fourth option discusses potential energy in chemical bonds, which, while relevant to biology, is not what charge capacity specifically means in terms of ecosystem support and sustainability.